iPod Classic won't sync after 9.2 update

I just wanted to update my personal findings. I synced my iPod 5th generation for the second time with 9.2 now, and there was no delay at all and seemed to go back to normal. (The first time, there was maybe a 20 second delay with the beach ball). Other people noticed this as well, with even longer wait times.

Maybe try syncing again? It is possible it just took longer the first time you synced with 9.2 because of any structural changes to iTunes.

Update: Going back to 9.1.1 does not help, plus– 9.2 altered the library so 9.1.1 can't use it, regardless.

Yes, you can, as iTunes automatically keeps a copy of the old library. It's in the iTunes folder. Delete the updated one, move the last back up to the same location and rename it (or point iTunes to the new file) and you're back to where you were.

@AHXtreme42: With mine, iTunes went through a whole process of updating my library first, as we all know it does, and then it "updated" my iPod Classic. It didn't delete the content, however. I waited about 20 minutes for iTunes to tell me that my iPod was successfully updated. Then the beach ball started turning and iTunes froze. I left it there for 20 minutes, but nothing changed. I had to force quit. I did this maybe 15 times.

So, I don't know if mine is a Leopard issue as I am not using Snow Leopard, I am still on 10.5.8. Are other people who got it to work after the delay using Leopard or Snow Leopard?

confirmed wait time on windows xp, around 7 mins, and next syncs are normal but many times faster

You can go back to iTunes 9.1.1. If you're using Time Machine, it's really easy. Delete iTunes and the library file inside User>Music>iTunes folder and then go back to the last back-up you performed prior to the update. Restore iTunes to the application folder and iTunes Library file to its corresponding folder, and you'll be back to the old version.

If you're not using Time Machine (and PC users), you'll find the previous iTunes Library file inside the User>Music>iTunes>Previous iTunes Libraries folder. Delete the current file and drag the previous library file out of its folder to replace it.

I want to update my status. After reverting back to iTunes 9.1.1 and getting my iPod Classic to sync, I downloaded the installer file from apple.com and closed all applications. I installed the update to 9.2 and I noticed a significant difference this time. First, it took a while to rebuild my iTunes Library file. It also rendered new thumbnails for all my album art. Having previously performed the upgrade from Software Update, it did neither of those things. I immediately recognized that this upgrade was going much differently.

I connected my iPod Classic to the computer and got the spinning beachball again; however, the ball kept spinning this time. I waited for about 15 minutes and the iPod started syncing. It transferred 100 songs I would have sworn were already on my iPod, but it did work a lot quicker as others have said. I disconnected and reconnected once again just to ensure everything was fine, and it was.

With the previous install, the ball would spin and then freeze. iTunes would never recover from it and I had to force quit the application. iTunes would then take nearly 10 minutes "checking my library" before it would open again, and the problems would reoccur when I connected the iPod Classic. In some instances, the OS recognized the forced quit of iTunes as a crash and allowed me to issue a report to Apple, which I did (though who knows if "they" actually read those).

I recommend going back to 9.1.1 if you can, and then download the installer. Close out all apps before performing the upgrade and babysit it to make sure everything goes as it should. Then plug your iPod Classic in and just wait it out. As long as the ball keeps spinning, it should eventually sync.

@cpdillonjr: Can you please confirm you are using Windows? That's what it says in your profile. If not, then what OS are you using, 10.5 or 10.6? Because in 10.5 I can't get this to work, despite having done exactly what you're saying many times. Maybe I should try it again, but it's such a waste of time and so far, I don't see any updates from Apple so have to assume the problem is still there.

Thanks.

This is the Mac forum, is it not? Not that I care, but if we're trying to solve problems it helps to know that we're on the same system. Thanks.

OK, I finally got it to work as described above. This time the wheel spun for five minutes (fresh copy of newest iTunes), music stopped playing, copied over about 100 songs, music started again, and now it seems like it's fine. Doesn't seem like it's any faster syncing though, at least on my computer, but at least it works.

Thanks for all the help everyone.

@John Williams9 — Sorry for the confusion... I am using an iMac, OS 10.6.4. I discovered the reason for your question when I clicked on my username to view my profile. I had not updated my computer and platform information since first creating this profile back in 2001. I switched back to using a Mac as my main computer in 2006 and haven't had much cause to visit the support boards since then. Nevertheless, I was manually updating my Model/OS info on each of my posts for this thread. The information was listed at the bottom of my entries. I'm glad you were finally able to get your iPod to sync.

Cheers, no problem, I just thought maybe it was my old system, got to get SL on it here, just been lazy. But, now all seems be to fine. Yes, I haven't had much need to visit the forums in a while either, everything just works now, which is the way it's supposed to be, right? This is the first issue I have had in I don't know how long. But as usual, the forums get things sorted quickly. Nice community.

Now, back to the music...

Same issue.
It's not only an issue, it's a FAILURE.

Before you give up, go back and read the posts here, as it's working for nearly everyone now. Just have to get past that beach ball. It's unfortunate that Apple doesn't warn us, but that's the way of the computer world so we all have to live with it. Give it another try, it will work.

glad i'm not the only one... after reading this, i just waited the beach ball out and sure enough. it's syncing now

Yup, ipod stuck in sync, itunes not responding... what a pain. went digging around thinking there was a problem and trying to troubleshoot. Thankfully found this thread before I restored.

Wait 5 min or so and it comes back... jeez. Well coulda been worse I guess!