iPod Classic

wmhooper wrote:

Please can you help me, I have a 160gb iPod classic, someone gave it to me and said it had hardy been used. Trying to sync music is fails after a few minutes, likewise trying to copy files it fails after a few minutes. I have tried it on two computers one XP, one Windows 8. Here are the diagnostics:

Retracts: 4

Reallocs: 3360

Pending Sectors: 264

PowerOnHours: 170

Start/Stops: 17704

Should I try to format it or just send to Apple?

Many thanks, William

I'd start with the DFU restore in Corrupt iPod classic. Since the device is likely out of warranty and you're not the original owner I doubt Apple will want to help.

tt2

The max. temp is way over the recommended 50c, but may be an aberration. The realloc count isn't that high, but unless the pending sectors get cleared the device won't work normally. If you've not already done so try the DFU restore mode from Corrupt iPod classic,

tt2

None pending is good, reallocs is a little high, but as long at the number isn't increasing then any issues on the drive have probably been mapped out. Do you have a good cable to connect with? Are you ejecting the device properly? You could try using the DFU restore method shown in Corrupt iPod classic, then the Break up large transfers tip. That might result in more stability. Otherwise a new hard drive, or a new/second hand replacement iPod should be considered.

tt2

There could be a problem with the source drive. See this migrate iTunes library post for transfer directions. SyncToy is particularly useful if there is an issue as it can skip over problem files where Windows Explorer would just crash out, and you can run it again to have subsequent goes at copying anything that would not copy first time.

tt2

Your songs should always be on your computer, and backed up too. The first section of theCorrupt iPod classic post deals with recovery. Do it now.

Most likely you have a FAT32 formatted iPod which the Mac won't run repairs on. Once you've rescued your data you could let the Mac reformat if you want.

There are no absolute limits on the numbers, reallocs and pendings are both low, but the you need to restore or reformat to conver the pendings. Any data there is still "live" and the device is likely to hang when it tries to read it.

tt2

My Corrupt iPod classic post has some more information, particularly if you follow the links to the background articles, but basically reallocations and pending reallocations are evidence that part of the disk couldn't be read properly. A brand new drive should be clear of both, but they may be expected to arise in small numbers over time. Larger numbers may be a sign of physical damage or a latent manufacturing defect. The source of the media isn't relevant.

tt2

Hi,

I am also facing same problem, could you please help....

I tryed to Sync my ipod classic in to my new laptop (Windows 7 and itunes 11.2), when i connected first time itunes asked to restore the ipod and I did. After first time sync (about 3000 tracks) is comepleted, after disconnecting when i looked up on the device there is no music. After that i tried to connect to itunes again it asked me to restore the ipod and this loop continues...

I tried checking the form and tried to follow the steps to recoveer correpted ipod classic (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5025610?answerId=21977923022#21977923022) and Album by album for about 500 Tracks. When i open the ipod i could see the tracks and tried to play it.. I am able to play few tracks.. but suddenly when i try to choose other tacks it cannot able to play.. also i tried to choose the tracked which played previous and thoose to stopped working..

My smart data is:

Retracts: 226

Reallocs: 0

Pending Sectors: 0

PowerOn Hours: 82

Start/Stops: 68

Temp: Current 26c

Temp: Min 13c

Temp: Max 54c

Thank you....

In that case the point is to move everything to a different hard drive. Hard drives can and do fail without warning. Two copies of all your important data should be the bare minimum. Ideally you should get your library configured in a portable form so that it is easy to backup and move around. See Make a split library portable for details. The backup process may reveal any currently obscured issues on your source drives..

You should also look at my tip on breaking up large transfers.myCorrupt iPod classic post.

tt2

I suspect the hard drive has had it, but you could try the DFU restore steps fromCorrupt iPod classicto see if you can clear those pending sectors and then the break up large transfers method to put things back on.

tt2

If you have 64-bit Windows you may find that iTunes 12.2.1 for Windows (64-bit - for older video cards) works better for you.

The DFU Restore method is given in Corrupt iPod classic. It may sometimes clear up issues that the normal restore does not.

tt2

There is a slightly more detailed version of my old post in this thread here: Re: Corrupt iPod classic.

I would imagine your iPod shows a large amount of Other data usage. Reformatting the iPod should clean the pending sectors and reclaim the lost storage space.

tt2

Those symptoms strongly suggest a failed drive. See iPod Displays a Red "X" Icon, and iPod Service Answer Center for details of out of warranty repair/replacement cost.

See also this recent post by Kenichi Watanabe - Re: My iPod Classic 160Gb won't register in iTunes - which gives a link to a potential DIY drive replacement.

tt2

If you have a subscription to Apple Music anything that comes via that is DRM protected and cannot be copied to a classic. Otherwise see the Corrupt iPod Classic user tip for some ideas. You may need to restore the device and then reload the media in batches.

tt2

Hi TT2 - yup, tried everything, won't even allow me to erase the iPod :

• Windows and iTunes don't recognise it unless it's in disk mode.
• iTunes won't restore it - get "iTunes has detected an iPod that appears to be corupted. You may need to restore this iPod before it can be used with iTunes. You may also try disconnecting and reconnecting the iPod", followed by "The iPod "iPod" could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (1439)".
• When I try to erase it, I get "Windows was unable to complete the format".
• If I click on it via My Computer, I get "Please insert a disk into removable disk (I:)".
• If I select "Properties", it comes up without a name, as a removal disk as type, no file system, both used space and free space at zero, and capacity at zero also.
• If I go to error-checking, I get "The disk check could not be performed because Windows cannot access the disk".
• If I try defrag-ing, the disk doesn't show up.

Infuriating isn't the word!

OriginalBigAudio wrote:

Hi TT2 - yup, tried everything, won't even allow me to erase the iPod :

• Windows and iTunes don't recognise it unless it's in disk mode.
• iTunes won't restore it - get "iTunes has detected an iPod that appears to be corupted. You may need to restore this iPod before it can be used with iTunes. You may also try disconnecting and reconnecting the iPod", followed by "The iPod "iPod" could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (1439)".
• When I try to erase it, I get "Windows was unable to complete the format".
• If I click on it via My Computer, I get "Please insert a disk into removable disk (I:)".
• If I select "Properties", it comes up without a name, as a removal disk as type, no file system, both used space and free space at zero, and capacity at zero also.
• If I go to error-checking, I get "The disk check could not be performed because Windows cannot access the disk".
• If I try defrag-ing, the disk doesn't show up.

Infuriating isn't the word!

I've also just run into an issue where the "super fix" of formatting the disk wasn't working for me either.

iPod Classic went on the fritz today just after syncing. Couldn't restore via iTunes, kept getting 1439 errors, Windows wouldn't format as FAT32 from a command prompt, claimed the "Volume is too big for FAT32". Finally tracked down EaseUS Partition Master Home Edition (Free) and formatted as FAT32 with 128k clusters. The iPod is filling back up again. Might be worth a shot here...

tt2