McAfee Antivirus Interruptions

Question

Level 2

255 points

McAfee Antivirus Interruptions

Does anyone else have this problem???

I have two iPods, a 15GB and a 20GB.

When I try to update the 15GB with more than about 50 songs, I get an error message The drive is not ready for use. Please check drive J: and make sure that a disk is inserted and that the drive door is closed." Soon after this error message appears, my antivirus program shuts down. I've reported the problem to Microsoft and I get the message:
"Problem description- An analyst at Microsoft has investigated this problem and determined that an unknown error occurred in McAfee VirusScan. This software was created by Network Associates Technology, Inc..

Solution- Microsoft has researched this problem with Network Associates Technology, Inc., and they do not currently have a solution for the problem that you reported. Below is a list of recommendations to take that may help prevent the problem from recurring.

1) Contact Network Associates Technology, Inc. for support or product updates.

This error is followed by another error message from iTunes: "Attempting to copy music to the disk "15GB iPod" failed. An unknown error occurred (-53)"

I used to watch CPU useage while uploading and McAfee was working really hard whenever I plugged this iPod in. I've had two updates since this from McAfee, and the CPU time during iTunes update is significantly less, but the problem persists.

Posted on Oct 18, 2005 7:21 AM

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Answer 1

Otto42

Level 6

9,070 points

Oct 18, 2005 3:36 PM in response to Clay Madden

My advice is to stop using McAfee antivirus. Seriously, it's among the worst programs ever. Thing crashes all the time for all sorts of wacky reasons.

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Answer 2

Clay Madden Author

Level 2

255 points

Oct 18, 2005 5:13 PM in response to Otto42

Thanks for the advice, Otto.
I'll try another.
I work at a 'sensitive' facility and this is what my employer prefers me to use because I gain access to 'stuff' from home. In addition, my employer pays for it which is a bonus.
But, I'll heed your advise and see if this helps.

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Answer 3

Clay Madden Author

Level 2

255 points

Oct 18, 2005 6:26 PM in response to Otto42

I had tried updating with the antivirus program turned off...with no luck...looses contact with iPod. And I had even tried updating while in Safe Mode with practically NOTHING in RAM. Same problem. This, in part, led me to conclude that the basic problem...maintaining contact with the iPod could be Apple and Windows-related software, not the antivirus program slowing down the transfer of data between the iPod and iTunes.

I'm not sure...just speculating, Otto42.

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Answer 4

charlieXX

Level 5

4,460 points

Oct 18, 2005 7:03 PM in response to Clay Madden

When I try to update the 15GB with more than about 50 songs, I get an error message The drive is not ready for use. Please check drive J: and make sure that a disk is inserted and that the drive door is closed."

This error typically shows up when there is a drive letter conflict among data storage devices. I echo Otto's concern over McAfee Anti-Virus-just disable it if you can when you use the iPod. But I would change the drive letter of the iPod and see what happens.

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Answer 5

Clay Madden Author

Level 2

255 points

Oct 19, 2005 12:09 AM in response to Otto42

Good advise.
After ~70 hours of reading and 28 pages describing attempts to fix my problems both my iPods (15GB and 20GB) now work just fine.
For me, the solution was following Apple directions for uninstalling iTunes (and adding a few tips from the kind folks that use this forum)
1) using iTunes version 6.0.0.18,
2) restoring both with iPod Updater of 6/26/05 version 2.3
3) disconnecting from the internet and turning off Windows Firewall...see note below.
4) disabling McAfee Antivirus protection but actually exiting it so that mcvsshld.exe and McShield.exe were not running in RAM.
5) following Apples directions carefully for using multiple iPods on the same computer
6) ensuring a good power supply to iPods
7)...putting a green bean in my left ear
8)...putting an onion ring in my nose
9)...clicking my ruby slippers three times while saying "Jeez do I look dumb".
10)...just kidding. ...they were rabbit slippers.

I noted that during the successful update, that iTunes and taskmgr.exe were consistent and using ~4-5% CPU time while System Idle Process was taking about 85-95% CPU time. Prior to this, McAfee was running at ~70 - 85% CPU time.

After my 15GB had updated ~1000 songs, I slowly started adding elements that I had turned off. I started with the firewall. No problem. Then I started McAfee Security Center. No problem. Then I enabled McAfee Antivirus. No Problem. McShield.exe and the other RAM software associated with McAfee are only taking about 2-5% CPU time. Then I turned on my internet connection. No problems. iPod is still updating.

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Answer 6

Clay Madden Author

Level 2

255 points

Oct 27, 2005 9:43 PM in response to charlieXX

McAfee seems to work fine with my 20GB and 30GB iPod currently.

However, iTunes suspends and McAfee crashes everytime I try to sync with my 15GB iPod.

Until tonight. I shut down iPodService.exe, loaded Sharepod, closed iTunes, and then tried to load songs with Sharepod. It worked just great. No problems. No antivirus crashes. I really thought it was the iPod, somehow, but I think not now.

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Answer 7

Clay Madden Author

Level 2

255 points

Oct 28, 2005 11:55 AM in response to Clay Madden

Ooops.
Just when I thought it was working.

I tried loading a larger number of files while multitasking. Up pop'd a note that McAfee antivirus had just crashed and was accompanied with a message that Windows could no longer communicate with the iPod. This was with iPodService removed from memory and iTunes closed.

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Answer 8

Clay Madden Author

Level 2

255 points

Oct 29, 2005 12:59 AM in response to Clay Madden

Well, Thank You Apple. You updated Post and updated software helped a lot. Here's what I did.
Read and followed the advise for Troubleshooting iTunes, iPod Software, and QuickTime installation on Windows ...includes error messages article of 10/24/05
Read and followed the advise for Troubleshooting information here
Removed iTunes in accordance to instructions here
Downloaded latest versions of Quick Time Standalone version here
Downloaded latest version of iTunes (6.0.1.3) here.
Downloaded latest iPod Updater (10/12/05) here
Uninstalled Quick Time
Uninstalled iPod Updater
Rebooted
Exited internet connection
Exited most TSR programs including McAfee in accordance with above Apple Post
Installed Quick Time Standalone
Installed latest version of iTunes
Installed iPod Updater
Installed latest version of McAfee Security Center
Rebooted
Exited internet connection
Exited McAfee
Exited most TSRs
Read how to use multiple iPods again at:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300432
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93195
Opened iTunes
Plugged in 15GB
Selected Playlists to autoupdate.
Updated entire library without problem.

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Answer 9

Clay Madden Author

Level 2

255 points

Oct 29, 2005 1:15 AM in response to charlieXX

CharlieXX
Thank you very much for taking the time to offer a suggestion. Apple updated one of their postings and suggested that we install iTunes with antivirus program turned off. I tried it and it worked. My company also updated the McAfee program for me. I did change the drive letter as well.

Again, thank you Charlie!

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