After iTunes 9 upgrade iPod Classic is corrupt without ability to restore

My iPod Classic 160 GB bombed when I tried to sync after installing the newest iTunes. Everything had worked fine until that point. iTunes informed me I should restore after it had failed to sync. Clicking the restore button killed it... It would mount on my desktop and would show up in iTunes, but the rainbow pinwheel would quickly appear and tie everything up. So, I disconnected the iPod and quickly got to researching, which is when I stumbled across this thread. I quickly became discouraged by all the negative results, but decided to try one solution that sounded like it might work. I followed the steps outlined below and *didn't even need to rollback to iTunes 8.* I wiped the iPod clean and re-sync'ed using iTunes 9.0.2 without any failure of equipment. Lesson: back it up! Good luck...

Scott Fitzgerald wrote:
This is what I did to fix both the skipping songs problem and the iPod verifying forever & not able to restore problem (because of iTunes 9):

a) I used Disk Utility to reformat my iPod while in Disk Mode using the instructions here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1363?viewlocale=en_US

and here:

http://www.methodshop.com/gadgets/ipodsupport/erase/index.shtml#backup

b) Do not unplug your iPod after reformatting (mine showed up as a firewire disk) - simply launch iTunes ( I went back to 8.2) and follow the Restore instructions here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1339

iPod is recognized, syncs and doesn't skip songs anymore after that miserable experience with iTunes 9!!!

Wait... So are you using iTunes 9 or 8 in the end?

iTunes 9. Never rolled back to 8, figured I'd try it without that step first, then go from there. Everything worked fine.

Hi Cee1003
I am thinking of trying you way. But I can not find itunes, version 7.7.0.43 on the net. Could you post the link. Moreover, I am using Windows XP pack 2. Will this make any difference ? Pls, help.

I updated to 9.0.2 in hopes it would be a fix... I didn't have much of a non-synching songs problem, but now I MAJORLY DO!

I am confused about your way to do it. From disc mode you did the "erase your ipod" instructions?

I am SO devastated.... I thought this update would fix the glitches!!!!!!

Well add another iPod classic to toss up on the mounting pile. After I upgraded to 9, iTunes froze in the middle of syncing. I didn't really think much of it at first- until I spent an hour reading this thread. Its the usual stuff...iPod not recognized, disk is corrupt, iTunes hanging mid-sync, only loading about 20 songs and then stops, the audible clicking of the iPod as it struggles to work...etc.
I downgraded to an earlier version of iTunes, but it appears that the damage is done. I did all the 'R's too, but nothing...in fact-it wouldn't even restore all the way. It gets about halfway through and the iPod must 'crash' because nothing works.
I am so grossed out by Apple right now...anyone have any positive experiences with Zune?
Oh-the best part!! I bought my 120gb classic October 2008! Bummer! Just out of warranty. Well- at least it looks pretty.

So trying to go back to another version won't work? 😟

I tried synching after restoring and it only synchs 1000 out of my 5000+ songs! AGH.

Is there a way to rollback to iTunes 8 at all? I tried to do that previously and it claimed my library was already switched over to iTunes 9... is there any way to get around that?

Hi iamtanmoy,

I tried to answer your question but submitting links like that are against forum rules. However, I assume I can tell you to do a google search with the term:

older itunes versions

Your first search result should send you to a page with the older itunes back as far as v4.1. I would go with itunes 7.7, as that's the one I used.

Good luck!

Anyone who finds any solutions PLEASE come back and share! I am getting more and more upset as Apple continues to not even address that there is a problem.

I am repeating this post because I originally put it in the wrong place. Please add my issue to this post (about corrupted hard drives on iPod Classic). I was told this morning (by the genius at the Apple Store) that my 3 year old 80 Gb Classic had a crashed hard drive. Is it just a coincidence that I recently did the iTunes upgrade, like all you other nice people? He offered me a very small discount on a new iPod. Whatever I buy, it won't be another Classic. But how do all of us loyal Apple customers know this won't happen again to a new purchase the next time the software is upgraded? I would expect more than three years of life from something like this, that cost a lot of money, and was very gently treated by this grandma.

Cee, I tried everything you said and I am rebuilding my library... but... I got up to 1100 songs and then my iPod gave me the ERROR AGAIN!!!!!!!!

Do you have any advice for this??? 😟

I too have encountered this problem with my son's ipod...has anyone found any solution? i can't get this ipod to restore or anything! please help??!!

Also I noticed after doing Cee's instructions; the song that iTunes syncing would previously freeze on would practically crash my computer, so I had to delete the song as well.

follow up after my appt at the apple store today. Joe at the Genius Bar got it to sync and load some songs, but he replaced it anyway so I wouldn't need to go through any other problems. It was out of warranty by a month, but he made it right.

OK - sorry took me a while to update fact that i fixed mine 🙂
I want everyone to know another Solution.. and I saw Cee has already sort of said it..
now wat i did...

Add/remove - removed Itunes 9.0.2.25

checked no ipod one..
removed some Apple ones

Search: Itunes.. deleted ALL under this

search: Ipod.. deleted All under this.. well OK not all.. but anything which actually was part of it..

installed an oooooold cd i have of one of first itunes.. (came with my ipod nano 1G) it was corrupt tho.. so i obviously deleted sumfin i should not have.. then i burned all my music so i didnt lose it, just in case..
then deleted itunes libraries.. and all that stuff..
then i updated to itunes 9.0.2.25 again.. and i connected my ipod and didnt connect

plugged in my 1GB nano.. (cos then devices shows up) and in separate port, plugged in ipod classic 80GB.. and THER IT WAS.. put music on.. and yay!

but took fiddling.. and still does.. as 80GB classic does not always read thru itunes. so have to retry a few times..
and so far won't work without having my ipod nano 1GB plugged in..
not to mention my ipod 80GB classic, is now screwed.. as in.. it wont always play , and its slow to process sometimes.. like if i say next song.. it might take more than a few seconds to change.. and sometimes skips songs..
but at least i have it working somewhat again 🙂

hopefully others have it work.. even better than mine

SOLUTION: i think the solution is to delete ur itunes library.. (make sure u burn music.. or transfer to different folder so plays in Windows Media Player and is not related to itunes in any way).. then uninstall itunes and ipod stuff.. then reinstall 🙂

summary:

- uninstall itunes/ipod
- delete the itunes library
- reinstall itunes/ipod

note i used a bridge to get my 80GB classic to be recognised on itunes.. (my bridge is my 1GB nano, i have to have both in at once) BTW 1gb nano worked, not classic.. initially b4 finding solution.