Extreme iPod syncing problem

*Disable write-behind caching*
Right-click on your iPod in *My Computer* and select Properties and then the tab that says Hardware. Highlight the selection that says *Apple iPod USB Device* and select Properties. Under the tab that says Policies make sure that *Optimize for quick removal* is checked.

Alternatively this registry hack appears to let you disable write-behind caching across the entire file system.

*Check iPod hard-drive for errors*
Hold Select+Menu on the iPod for about 6 seconds until it resets, then hold Select+Play as soon as the Apple logo appears, again for about 6 seconds to put the machine in disk mode. Open iTunes and in the Sync tab of the preferences menu check *Disable automatic syncing of all iPhones & iPods*. Now connect your iPod to the computer, wait until it connects, then close iTunes. Browse *My Computer* and right-click on the drive for the iPod, click Properties, then click Tools. Under Error-checking, click *Check Now*. Under Check disk options, select *Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors* (Optional - takes ages but a good idea if you've reason to suspect physical damage). Click Start. Mac users should run *Disk Utility / Repair Disk* for the equivalent process. This should find and correct any errors in the logical & physical structures of your iPod's hard drive. Once these have been fixed you can reset the iPod (hold Menu+Select ) and should stand a better chance of a successful restore. It might also pay to check the status of the source drive containing your media, particularly if no errors were found on the iPod.

And if that still doesn't help try Erase your iPod - The Super Fix for most iPod Problems. Basically a low level format of the iPod’s hard drive to get around whatever problems are stopping iTunes from restoring it.

Once you've restored your iPod don't rush to dump all the data back exactly as it was before. I have found that lots of large or complex smart playlists can sometimes trigger constant reboots or dumping of the iPod's library. In addition, larger transfers can fail leaving data in an inconsistent state. Try this technique for populating the iPod in stages.

*Break up large transfers*
In iTunes select the menu item *File... New Smart Playlist*. Change the first drop-down box to Playlist, the next to is and the next to Music. Tick against *Limit to*, type in say 10, then change the drop-down to GB, and set the last drop-down to artist. When you click OK you can enter a name for the playlist, e.g. Transfer. Now sync this playlist to your iPod rather than your entire library. When the sync is complete modify the rule ( *File... Edit playlist* ) to increase the size by your chosen amount, then sync and repeat. You can experiment with different size increments, if it doesn't work just choose something a bit smaller until it works each time. Before long you should have all your music on your iPod. Once that's done you can move on to other media such as podcasts, videos, photos, playlists etc.

tt2

Hey walshb1313

Im similar problem.

Some reason my ipod 160gb classic wouldnt sync past 2000 songs (in one go).

I tried all the things you speak of but im nearly there as i type. This does however mean that im not done yet but i'll continue...

Its working for me when i create playlists A, B, C, etc. no bigger than say 300 songs (most 150 or so, break the letters up = A1, A2etc if need) containing my whole library. click on 'music' in your i pod on itunes and at the bottom (itunes 8) there should be an Autofill button. use that to fill your ipod letter by letter.

it might seem like what you did before but i know that if you tried to drag and drop music in itunes it just dies, cant handle it. like i say this works for me so it might work for you or anyone with similar problems.

good luck

MAN i have the same problem ...i did this and it works but im syncing a few songs at a time .....you can try more songs if you wanna but it restored my ipod to factory settings and fixed the problem that i was having just as you are ...GOOD LUCK!!!!

Disable write-behind caching
Right-click on your iPod in My Computer and select Properties and then the tab that says Hardware. Highlight the selection that says Apple iPod USB Device and select Properties. Under the tab that says Policies make sure that Optimize for quick removal is checked.

Alternatively this registry hack appears to let you disable write-behind caching across the entire file system.

Check iPod hard-drive for errors
Hold Select+Menu on the iPod for about 6 seconds until it resets, then hold Select+Play as soon as the Apple logo appears, again for about 6 seconds to put the machine in disk mode. Open iTunes and in the Sync tab of the preferences menu check Disable automatic syncing of all iPhones & iPods. Now connect your iPod to the computer, wait until it connects, then close iTunes. Browse My Computer and right-click on the drive for the iPod, click Properties, then click Tools. Under Error-checking, click Check Now. Under Check disk options, select Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors (Optional - takes ages but a good idea if you've reason to suspect physical damage). Click Start. Mac users should run Disk Utility / Repair Disk for the equivalent process. This should find and correct any errors in the logical & physical structures of your iPod's hard drive. Once these have been fixed you can reset the iPod (hold Menu+Select ) and should stand a better chance of a successful restore. It might also pay to check the status of the source drive containing your media, particularly if no errors were found on the iPod.

And if that still doesn't help try Erase your iPod - The Super Fix for most iPod Problems. Basically a low level format of the iPod’s hard drive to get around whatever problems are stopping iTunes from restoring it.

Once you've restored your iPod don't rush to dump all the data back exactly as it was before. I have found that lots of large or complex smart playlists can sometimes trigger constant reboots or dumping of the iPod's library. In addition, larger transfers can fail leaving data in an inconsistent state. Try this technique for populating the iPod in stages.

Break up large transfers
In iTunes select the menu item File... New Smart Playlist. Change the first drop-down box to Playlist, the next to is and the next to Music. Tick against Limit to, type in say 10, then change the drop-down to GB, and set the last drop-down to artist. When you click OK you can enter a name for the playlist, e.g. Transfer. Now sync this playlist to your iPod rather than your entire library. When the sync is complete modify the rule ( File... Edit playlist ) to increase the size by your chosen amount, then sync and repeat. You can experiment with different size increments, if it doesn't work just choose something a bit smaller until it works each time. Before long you should have all your music on your iPod. Once that's done you can move on to other media such as podcasts, videos, photos, playlists etc.

tt2

I didnt go through all that though its probably recommended.

there are still one or two glitches on mine (seriously slow on some menus, and info missing)

one thing i can definitely suggest and agree with is pacing the resync. like i said 250 songs at a time max.

hey im having a problem just like that i have an 80g classic ipod and its in a constant resetting loop ive tried everything from putting the ipod in disk mode, to formating the ipod using both windows and mac, when i try to do it on windows using the right click thing it says windows cannot format this volume, it cant be recognized. and from a mac using disk utility and all that it says disk cant be unmounted therefore you cant do a thing...help me out im dying without my ipod

I have a very similar problem, also with the 80GB version. I have tried all the methods in this post except for the registry change. I still have the problem of not getting past about 32GB of music loaded- nowhere near the amount I want to load or the iPods capacity.
See http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9326396#9326396 for more.