iPod Classic 160GB not recognized by iTunes

Question

iPod Classic 160GB not recognized by iTunes

I have an iPod Classic 160GB in version 2.0.4 that is not recognized by itunes.

It's about 2 years old and had presented a few problems with sincying in the past, but I hadn't tried to sync it for a while.

I've transfered all the music from my Windows PC to my Mac, and the iPod was Windows formated.

It started presenting a problem to transfer all my music content from iTunes (Mac) to the iPod, but after severel hours, it only transfered a few hundreded. I've tried it several times.

So, I tried to restore it, both in Windows and Mac PCs, but the problem persisted. A hard reset didn't solve it either.

But now I have a bigger problem. The iPod is not recognized by the iTunes anymore, and the program freezes anytime I try to connect ir. As soon as it is disconnected, everything is back to normal. But the Ipod always reboots.

It is recognized in the desktop tough.

Here's what I've already tried unsuccesfully:

1. Hard Reset.

2. Put it in disk mode. Still not recognized.

3. Use Disk Utility. The disk verification says everything is in order. I've erased all content as well as format it in Mas OS Extended (Journaled). Later I've tried to erase it again but now displays a message error saying it cannot unmount the disk.

4. Used differente USB ports.

5. Saw all Apple support solutions. None worked.

6. Researched a whole bunch of forums, including this one. Noticed a lot of people with the same problem, but had difficulty finding one more recent, so I decided to open a new discussion.

I would really appreciate any suggestions.

Ipod Classic 160GB (2.0.4)

Itunes (10.6)

Mac OS Snow Leopard.

Windows XP.

Posted on Mar 12, 2012 8:00 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 12, 2012 5:15 PM in response to CaliforniaHighwaysGuy

I was able to find the Apple Support for downloads.

http://support.apple.com/downloads/

It has a lot of programs, but for iTunes, it only contains the 10.6 and 10.3.1 versions of the 10.X. Then it goes directly to the 9.X versions.

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Answer 2

Mar 12, 2012 11:40 AM in response to Diego Monteiro

I've been seeing the problem repeatedly as well in posts. I tried to work up a summary post, but based on the timing, I think this is a problem created by iTunes 10.5 and later (at least I haven't seen people complaining about it happening with 10.4, and I've had no problems with my 10.4). Alas, I don't know where to get older versions of iTunes for Macs (my article has links for PCs), plus the database format is different so you might need to rebuild your library (.itl, not the music files -- i.e., you might lose playlists, playcounts, and ratings). I'd love to find a tool to cover 10.5/6 .itls into 10.4 .itls -- it could probably be done with a perl script.

So I don't have a lot of suggestions, other than perhaps walking it into the Genius bar and letting them try to figure it out. At least that would let Apple collect the statistics that might lead them to fix the problem.

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Answer 3

Mar 12, 2012 4:36 PM in response to CaliforniaHighwaysGuy

Thanks for the advice.

I have good news and some bad ones as well.

I installed the iTunes 10.4 version in my Windows XP, plugged the iPod and it was recognized with a problem. After the restore, everything seemed fine.

Then, I went on to my Mac, and tried it on the iTunes 10.6 version. It actually recognized the device and I was able to restore it to a Macintosh format. Didn't try to transfer anything. Ejected just fine.

But now that I'm trying to reconnect it once more, it's only recognized in the desktop.

So, it's definitly an iTunes problem (alredy provided the feedback to Apple).

This really ***** and it seems to be going on for at least one year (10.5 version).

Apple should really atteand to this issue.

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Answer 4

Mar 12, 2012 6:43 PM in response to Diego Monteiro

Oldapps had the Windows versions, but I'd like to find a source for Mac versions for those who use Mac (I don't). All I see on that page for the Mac are 10.6 and the 9.x versions, which had their own set of problems.

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Answer 5

Mar 13, 2012 6:40 AM in response to CaliforniaHighwaysGuy

What helped for me deleting the itunes* files in the iTunes folder in iPod_Control on the device.

It's a hidden folder on the iPod.

Try:

Connect the iPod to XP (put it in Disk Mode), open the iPod in explorer, make hidden files/folders visible.

Delete the above files.

Connect to the Mac and iTunes.

!Warning! You might lose everything (files and statistics) on the iPod.

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Answer 6

Mar 13, 2012 11:46 AM in response to AncientMumu

It seems to be working now. Amazing!

I would like to thank you both for the help, CaliforniaHighwaysGuy and AncientMumu.

Here's what I did. I wasn't getting folder acces from my Windows XP because it was Macintosh formated.

So I connected it again to the Mac and used an online tutorial to be able to access the hidden files through Terminal. (I'm not sure if it's allowed to post links to tutorials from other sites, but I'll look into the rules and post, if possible).

Had to relaunch FInder a few times as it stopped responding from time to time. Went to iPod_Control > iTunes and erased all the files.

Disconnected the iPod, as it was still not recognized by iTunes (10.6).

Connected it to my Windows, wich has the 10.4 version of iTunes. Restored (Windows format) it and disconnected.

Went back to the Mac, and it was recognized. I Didn't restore it.

I've already transfered one album and it synced just fine. (One of the problems I was having is that the music transfer was really slow).

Already reconnected the iPod and it was once again recognized after a few seconds.

I really appreciate all the help.

I'll try to updated this post in a few days saying if it's still working properly.

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Answer 7

Mar 13, 2012 11:59 AM in response to Diego Monteiro

I'm really glad you came up with a solution. So that my old brain can remember this, after you've confirm it is working, can you go and comment on my summary post? I'll then work the information in there and it will be available to all the folks having sync problems with 10.6. I'll go edit that post right now to put in a placeholder here.

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Answer 8

Mar 12, 2012 2:01 PM in response to CaliforniaHighwaysGuy

I appreciate the quick answer.

I saw the post and it seems very well explained. I'll try it with my Windows tonight and will reply latter with any progress.

Hope it works.

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Answer 9

Mar 12, 2012 2:05 PM in response to Diego Monteiro

The best advice I'll give is backup, backup, backup. Make safe copies of directories and snapshot things before you do anything, so that if you need to go back, you can.

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Answer 10

Mar 12, 2012 5:03 PM in response to Diego Monteiro

It might be worth asking Apple support for a source to download the 10.4 version. If you find one, let me know. That seems to be the last stable good version, doesn't it?

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