iTunes 9 Not Recognizing iPod

I just spent 30 bucks to pay for Apple support. Got from one expert to second one, and phone call lasted 2 and half hour. Before trying many things, I was LUCKY to have PC computer and Apple, but my PC with iTunes 9 would still stop responding every time I plug-in either Itouch or USB drive. Seems to me as iTunes 9 problem. With "expert" help, I had to install update for software on Itouch pod on Apple computer, and had to reinstall almost all content on my Itouch, but the main issue iTunes 9 freeze, each time I connect Itouch Pod or USB to PC is NOT fixed. Now I have to use Home connectection between my PC and Apple to install content on Itouch. Terrible set up.

OK I've managed to sort out the problem by rolling back to an older version of iTunes... I downloaded v8.2.1 from http://www.oldapps.com/itunes.php?old_itunes=34 (unfortunately they only have Windows versions), then uninstalled v9.0.2 and installed the older version.

I had to rebuild my library as older versions won't recognise libraries created by newer ones, but I just copied & renamed the most recent backup library and then when I opened up itunes I added the itunes music folder which just put back the stuff I'd put on since the last backup and hey presto, my library was back.

Then just plugged my ipod in and it recognised it straight away, did a restore and it's now happily syncing away!

I finally found a solution that worked (for me).

My system:
Windows Vista Pro,
iTunes 9.0.2.25,
iPod Classic (80GB) (s/w v. 1.3),
USB connection

My initial problem occurred when attempting to sync to my iPod, the iPod became unresponsive and would continuously reboot (to apple menu). At this point iTunes would not recognise the iPod, and would crash when connecting the iPod in drive mode.

My solution:
I started iTunes and connected the iPod (in normal mode - apple screen). While the iPod was connected (and still rebooting) I changed to drive mode (switch: off -> on -> off), then pressed center button and play button till drive mode started, at which time i noticed that iTunes did not crash.

I also had the ipod drive open in windows explorer, and had browsed to the iPod_Control folder. When iTunes attempted to restore the iPod, I received the error that the update failed due (don't recall the error message, but something to the effect of an open file or something of the sort).

I ejected the iPod, and again restarted the iPod in apple mode, then switched to drive mode when connected. At this point iTunes began an error check/sync of the iPod, and compeleted normally without errors. I also noticed that two smart playlists had errors (on the iPod listing) which I deleted.

The iPod now seems to back to normal function....

I hope this helps.

Message was edited by: Progger Steve

Hi everybody! -i'm the next one having the same trouble on connecting the iPod-classic (80GB) via USB to several PCs (Windows Vista home), but iTunes9 stays ignorant...
After getting my older WinXP-PC with iTunes-v8 crahsed, I had to switch to my new PCs, downloaded and installed iTunes v9.0.2 on all, after facing the missing connection to iTunes v.9.0.2. The Windows Vista is not the problem, it found on any USB connect attempt the correct name of my iPod - also shows the folders on the device tree. But iTunes version 9.0.2 never found any device. Reading all the previous Logs, I followed the tricky disconnect and file mode switches, with no result. So the problem is increasing, as the iPods became useless.

* APPLE PEOPLE PLEASE READ! *
We can never reconnect, or synchronize the iPod classics. If the firmware of the iPod-classics is the reason, and is due o update, please provide another download and install path, iTunes does not connect!

I'm having the same issue as everyone else, not being able to synch my ipod classic (80gb). I've recently upgraded to a laptop running windows 7 and am running itunes 9.0.2.25. Itunes itself works fine. The thing that always jumps out for me is that everytime i have reinstalled or try a new solution the same thing happens in that when my machine is trying to install the drivers i get an error message saying they have not installed properly. I subsequently then get a message the 'USB not recognized' message everytime i try to synch. I have also had a message telling me that my ipod needs to be reformatted to work with windows and needs to start up itunes to do so. I'm obviously nervous to do so incase any further problems occur.

I agree with several people on here....in would be nice for apple to ackowledge these problems and to let us know what they are doing to try and sort them!

I tried a lot and finally this is what has worked for me: I
- deinstalled itunes 9
- created a backup of my itunes content (music, podcasts...)
- deleted all itunes related files
- installed itunes 8 which I've taken from my time machine backup
- with itunes I updated software of my ipod classic to version 1.1.2 (click on devices in itunes ->summary tab -> Version: Button "Check for updates")
- I installed itunes 9 again (directly from website, automatic software update didn't work at this time)
- Connection works! But I had to put my old data back in itunes from backup.

Where and how do you click enable disk use?

If iTunes is crashing as soon as you connect an iPod, the first thing I would try is doing a reinstall of iTunes and all the rest of the Apple software. Here is the process:

For Mac: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1224
For Windows: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1925

i

This worked perfect for me

Yes, downgrading to iTunes 8, and also uninstalling and installing an old version of QT from Dec 2007, allowed us to restore our iPod Classic 80GB and upgrade it to 1.1.2. thanks for this solution. I had two Apple "Geniuses" claim my iPod was dead and all they could do was sell me a new one. I can't decide if the geniuses were stupid or just profit motivated. Either way, I am disappointed in Apple.

Thanks D_G for the fix!!!

I have find the solution with my new IPOD Classic 120 Go !
Go back in the reseller, he refund my money and I have bought another brand MP3 player. Now I'm happy.
This was my first experience with apple ... and probably the last one.

My classic 80gig just did the same with Itunes 9.02 on my Macbook. Tried to restore, it wiped the music, wouldn't re-sync. After many hours messing, including restoring on 2 friends computers, reinstalled Itunes 8 (from here http://support.apple.com/downloads/iTunes8_0_2_forMac ). Saved my current libraries to be safe, then simply dragged and dropped music folder into itunes. Then resynched my ipod. Took a while, but playing happily now. You loose your playlists etc this way, but the advantage is don't need to use another computer. For what it is worth, my ipod wouldn't resync immediately, I left it alone over night and then it was fine. Not sure why this would be, and am considering taking out the automatic sync function in order to charge it.

It is a hassle though, it would be helpful Apple to provide some explanation - appreciate not always easy to solve bugs, but information along the way would help retain customer confidence and loyalty surely. I am considering an alternative to Itunes (and the ipod) having read all this grief!

Anyhow, best of luck if you are having problems - this worked for me anyways

Cheers

If you reinstall itunes 8, and move back to that, do you ,lose all of your artwork and stuff? ive literally spent the last 10 hours of my life making it all perfect and really cant be bothered doing it all again.

Thanks

ive got 2 classic's and a touch and also nano ,only one connects to computer now ,the classic 80gig is the only one and this only connects sometimes !!!
come on apple what you doing !!!!??????
all ipods connected before 9.02 ive reinstalled xp tried downgradeing itunes tried different cables differrent also the 5 r's NOTHING !!!!!! on another computer all ipods work

As an update to my previous post, I have plugged my classic into my old machine that is running XP with Itunes 9.0.2.25. This seemed to work and i was able to sync and ensure my classic was running the updated software (1.1.2). I did struggle tyring to eject but got round this by closing itunes and ejected via the usb icon on the task bar. I have now tried again with my machine running windows 7 and i keep getting the same error message when i plug in i.e. usb device not recognised. I am by no means an expert when it comes to all things IT based but it still seems to me its a driver related issue.

Please please please apple can you acknowledge this problem and let us know what your doing about it. As you can see this is not a isolated issue and there must be thousands of us now unable to use ipods....which is a little frustrating to say the least. To put it simply THE LEVEL OF CUSTOMER SERVICE WE ARE RECEIVING IS SHOCKING!!

Message was edited by: arp77