Level 1

9 points

Corrupt iPod file

I've had this happen twice now and can't figure out what's causing it, so I'm hoping someone else has suggestions. When I plug my iPod into my computer to update it, an error message pops up saying that the "PlayCount" file on the iPod is corrupted and unreadable and needs to be repaired using the "Chkdsk" utility. It does seem to actually be corrupted because it will not record new play counts or keep track of those songs I've played immediately before it has this issue. Both times I've used the "Restore" feature of the iPod updater, which does fix the problem, but this isn't exactly ideal because then I have to load everything back onto my iPod, which takes quite awhile because I have a few thousand songs. Does anyone have any idea why this keeps happening so I can (hopefully) prevent it from happening in the future? Oh, and this is a recent development, too. I've had the iPod since September and the first time this happened was at the end of December and then again earlier this week, and (as far as I know) I haven't been using it any differently. Thanks!

Posted on Jan 13, 2005 1:19 AM

406 replies

Da Gopha

Level 5

6,485 points

Feb 8, 2005 10:00 AM in response to Linda Davis3

Linda,

I don't know if Chris is still mailing the updater out. He's made it available from the following website link:

Chris Capell, "SUMMARY: Corrupt file requests chkdsk :REPOST" #4, 12:03pm Feb 2, 2005 CDT

Just out of interest, did you check out the second part of my consolidated post (you have to hit View All) at Da Gopha, "SUMMARY: Corrupt file requests chkdsk :REPOST", 08:46am Feb 2, 2005 CDT

Kind regards,

Gopha.

Feb 8, 2005 8:55 PM in response to AbbyM

Just wondering: when/how long will it take for Apple to release a post-bug Updater, rather than having us all Restore our iPods with eariler firmware?

Thanks,
William

Da Gopha

Level 5

6,485 points

Feb 9, 2005 9:16 AM in response to William Brawley

William,

The Million Dollar Question...! I have absolutely no idea. The error was officially reported in December. It hit Level 2 Support in Jan, and was acknowledge as being real and investigated late Jan. According to some other users, an error reported in Dec would be resolved around April-time, based on other people's experiences... ( Mike Kelley, "Corrupt File - Itunes.EXE ???? (Help!)" #8, 06:08am Feb 8, 2005 CDT)

Kind regards,

Gopha.

Feb 9, 2005 10:00 AM in response to AbbyM

Hey guys can you please email me the older firmware thanks.

atticus5647@hotmail.com

Da Gopha

Level 5

6,485 points

Feb 9, 2005 10:01 AM in response to Brian Crabb

Brian,

I don't know for certain if anyone is still emailing the Updaters out, but Chris has posted it from the following website link:

Chris Capell, "SUMMARY: Corrupt file requests chkdsk :REPOST" #4, 12:03pm Feb 2, 2005 CDT

Cheers,

Gopha.

ThaMojo

Level 1

5 points

Feb 9, 2005 4:59 PM in response to AbbyM

This cant be true i downloaded the file and executed it: it says: the firmware is not compatibel with your iPod's hardware
i'm using a 20 GB touch wheel thingie, dno what's the exact type is
=

Da Gopha

Level 5

6,485 points

Feb 10, 2005 4:29 AM in response to ThaMojo

Mojo,

You are not the only person to be reporting this issue. It appears that the newer variety of Gen4 Click Wheel iPods bought around Dec time are unable to roll back to 3.0.1. These all appear to be the ones which were shipped with 3.0.2 firmware onboard. I suggest that you stick to a temporary fix as I've detailed ( Da Gopha, "SUMMARY: Corrupt file requests chkdsk :REPOST", 08:46am Feb 2, 2005 CDT) for the time being until we can find a solution, or until Apple provides a resolution.

Cheers,

Gopha.

Feb 10, 2005 11:14 PM in response to Da Gopha

Thanks for all the help, but after I rolled back to 3.0.1. my iPod updated the songs once and when I tried again, I got that horrid message that haunts me. What's goin' on here?

Da Gopha

Level 5

6,485 points

Feb 11, 2005 3:26 AM in response to The Frizz

What horrid message would that be?

Feb 11, 2005 12:56 PM in response to AbbyM

OK
I did some testing myself, this is what I've done to work for me.

1. Reformatted My PC with XP Pro no service packs installed yet. ( I've also have dual boot, on my c: drive I have Windows 2003 Server and on my D: drive I have XP Pro)Both of my drives are formatted to NTFS. Yes I have two Physical drive (each are 30GB drives)on my pc with 512MB of Memory.

2. Connected my USB Hub Buslink 2.0 to my Dell 4400 1.0 USB port.
- It picked up my IPOD and give it a drive letter. I haven't installed any applications just in case I need to reformat my pc again it saves alot of time "Really plain vanilla OS" .

3 Installed the IPOD latest software then formatted my ipod, it picked up and it worked fine.

4. After it was successful installing and configuring my IPOD, I then went to the next step to see if service pack 1 was a problem before then I figure that by going to service pack 2 it was going to fix it, i think it made matter worse. My IPOD didn't work at all on my pc.

5. So I'd installed service pack 1 and found no problems with my ipod it's working great now like before.

6. Yes I do admit that it's a little slower via USB due to that my computer hardware is 1.0 and use a USB Buslink 2.0 hub converter make it work better for me. Then I'd installed ITunes latest version and it pick up my IPOD within seconds and I was really happy the way it performed with no problems.

7. No I have not installed Service pack 2, not tested firewire adaptec card, what I've done is anlayze what works for my PC, it's the long process to do but it was worth it.

8. I hope my infomation can be useful to anyone who encounter problems with there pc and ipod.

9. I'm really a Tech guy I do it for a living and it's my profession.

Take Care
AKA EONE4BEATS
I'm also on AOL that's my screen name.

Feb 11, 2005 2:52 PM in response to EONE4BEATS

The same message that is/was being discussed (I think)
'The file or directory \Ipod_control\iTunes\iTunes Temp 1 is corrupt and unreadable. Please run the Chkdsk Utility'
Forgive me for being unclear.

Feb 12, 2005 5:19 AM in response to AbbyM

Chris can you please forward me on a copy of the old updater file

e-mail to SENORSPARKY@FSMAIL.NET

P.s , thanks fro the updates above I was seriously considering sledgehammer action !!!

Da Gopha

Level 5

6,485 points

Feb 12, 2005 5:22 AM in response to MARK EDWARDS5

Mark,

I don't know if Chris is still handling emailed versions of the updater, but he has posted it on a website. You can download it from the link on:
Chris Capell, "SUMMARY: Corrupt file requests chkdsk :REPOST" #4, 12:03pm Feb 2, 2005 CDT

Our current information is in the form of a consolidated summary (hit View All on the above post).

Cheers,

Gopha.

Da Gopha

Level 5

6,485 points

Feb 12, 2005 5:23 AM in response to The Frizz

Hmmm...

You might like to try the chkdsk option then - iPodLoungers have found that it helps some more than just a Soft Reset. Does the Soft Reset not help for you? Do you still get the error upon connection?

Gopha.

Da Gopha

Level 5

6,485 points

Feb 12, 2005 5:24 AM in response to EONE4BEATS

Thanks for the info. Quite a lot of work you've done there! What was your original issue with the iPod...?

Gopha.

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Corrupt iPod file