Partition as solution to bad block/syncing problem

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Level 1

10 points

Partition as solution to bad block/syncing problem

I have an otherwise perfect iPod, but it will only sync a few albums before freezing. The only thing that gets me out is to physically disconnect the usb cable.

Not just iTunes has a problem. If I try to 'zero out' the ipod it works for a short time and then freezes.

A couple of third party utilities that can check hard drives block by block always stick at about the same point. This is reasonably near the beginning of my Hard Disk.

Trying desperately to avoid the expense of replacing the hard drive. I've managed to 'fix' the problem by erasing the ipod and then creating two partitions. The first partition is 10 Gb and includes the 'bad block' (I've checked) leaving me with about 64 Gb of working Hard Disk - more than enough for my needs.

The first partition, however, seems to be the one the iPod sees. Therefore, exactly the same problem - 3 or 4 albums before it reaches the bad block and freezes.

However, if whilst partitioning I select the 'free space' option as the format for the first partition I seem to get exactly what I want. First partition (with bad block) becomes invisible.

When connected to iTunes, it sees an iPod with 64Gb of space and will sync perfectly. It appears on my desktop just like an ordinary iPod should.

However, on starting the iPod it loads as normal but 'sees' no music/games/videos etc.

Presumably the iPod software on the motherboard cannot cope with the hard disk being partitioned.

There probably is no solution, since the inability of an iPod to work with a partitioned disk is well documented. In my 'arrogance' I'd hoped that a partitioned disk that looks and behaves like a single disk might fool it.

Throwing this out in the forlorn hope that someone can do better.

However, when I fire up the iPod it

2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.5.5), 2Gb Ram

Posted on Jul 14, 2009 5:11 AM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Jul 14, 2009 9:29 AM in response to go-dons

Restoring your iPod will, I presume, wipe out the partition table but is the only way to rebuild the iPod with the default games. If you did this and then archived the entire contents of the iPod before loading a single track on to it, you might be able to rebuild your structure of 10gb unused and a single partiton occupying the remaining disk space, then restore the archived contents. I can't see any good reason why that shouldn't work but the only way to know for sure is to try...

Good luck

tt2

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Answer 2

go-dons Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 14, 2009 10:10 AM in response to turingtest2

Yes, restoring the iPod takes me back to a 74 Gb hard disk that sticks after a few albums loaded.

I had been thinking along similar lines about making an archive, restoring the iPod, and then restore the archive. It might work, though I suspect that if I ever tried to add anything new to the iPod it would head straight for the 'empty' 10 Gb at the beginning of the disk and hit my bad block.

However, it is worth a go. I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

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Answer 3

go-dons Author

Level 1

10 points

Jul 16, 2009 5:46 AM in response to go-dons

My first attempt failed, mainly because the images I created using Stellar Phoenix iPod Recovery would not mount. I used Stellar Phoenix iPod Recovery as it allowed me to identify, and avoid, my bad blocks.

Knowing what I know now, it probably wouldn't have worked anyway as I'm not sure that I would have had the correct partitions and the iPod firmware in the correct place.

However, I now have a fully working iPod thanks to this fantastic website: http://www.openobject.org/isop/?p=47

This gives detailed instructions on how to (properly) do what we discussed. In essence I was able to re format the iPod to include a partition at the beginning that contained my bad blocks. The important thing was that I was first able to make a copy of the iPod firmware on my computer hard disk.

A second partition was created to house the firmware and a third partition (the rest of my disk) was available for storing my music.

Clearly as long as the iPod firmware is present on the partition just before my main storage the iPod will see it and work as normal.

Stellar Phoenix iPod Recovery was still invaluable in letting me know the position of ny bad block and, hence, how big to make the first partition. In the end I erred on the side of caution and made it 10Gb. The Firmware turned out to be 1.9 Gb so I created a 2.3 Gb partition to be on the safe side.

That still leaves me with 60 Gb of storage.

A couple of warning if anyone wants to try the same. Since the instructions were written (2006) the prompt (in Terminal) seems to have changed from $ to ⌗.

Also the firmware is much bigger and takes a long time to be read. It took over 10 minutes to be transferred from my iPod to computer. However it took over 3 hours for the return journey. Be very very patient, especially as Terminal gives you no idea of progress. I used Activity Monitor to measure the slow progress of Data read/written.

Probably only useful if your bad block is near the beginning of your hard disk, but a lifesaver for me.

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Answer 4

joea88

Level 1

0 points

Jul 16, 2009 6:02 AM in response to turingtest2

Quick Question anyone? Has anyone ever completely erased the ipod with disc utility only to use it as a storage device? I have the 60 GB clickwheel kind. It has also locked up resyncing when switched to a new mac from an old one..I have another player thru my iphone and thought I would use the old ipod purely as file storage. Is this a bad idea for the same reason as not using it as time machine backup? I only want to use it as file storage..i may try resetting it and keeping it as an ipod instead

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