Recovering from corrupt iPod Classic?

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Level 1

25 points

Recovering from corrupt iPod Classic?

Hi

My 160gb iPod classic became corrupted last night, and I'm pretty sure all files still on there (used Stellar Pheonix to scan, and it showed all folders in place) but I wanted to try and recover the data before I try a disk repair (as Disk Utility found errors) in case it should wipe it.

Stellar needs payment to recover, as does DiskDrill which I tried afterwards (although it only found 1/3 or the music tracks to recover). Is there a way I can do this for myself, rather than paying for an app? Just a bit short on money at the moment!

Will running a disk repair wipe it?!

If anyone has a suggestion for me to recover the music I'd be grateful... I have a back up of *most* of it... but not done for a while and have added a lot lately which would be a pain to lose!

Thanks in advance!

Ben

iPod classic 160GB (Late 2009)

Posted on Apr 2, 2012 4:42 AM

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Answer 1

Zerodeluxe Author

Level 1

25 points

Apr 2, 2012 6:08 AM in response to Zerodeluxe

As an update, I've tried diagnostic mode, but the manual test for DDR is asking for a FW connection... so I can;t do that test without it... and that's the only one left to try? It passed all others!

Disk Utility says volume unrepairable though. the iPod itself though is showing that the amount of memory used is correct in the Settings....

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Answer 2

Apr 2, 2012 6:38 AM in response to Zerodeluxe

To do the disk Diagnostic as posted by tt2.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3784647?answerId=17776595022#17776595022

if you can do a Hard Reset to get the Apple Logo, can you get to the SRV Diag Boot menu, by pressing the rewind |<< button.

Then press Menu for Manual Test (Dont go Auto Test)

Slide the wheel till the cursor go to IO

Slide till you select Harddrive

Then select HDSmartdata

This will give you the report on your Hardisk health.

Have a nice day!

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Answer 3

Zerodeluxe Author

Level 1

25 points

Apr 2, 2012 6:57 AM in response to Bilbo_cheshire

Okay I have:

Retracts: 9

Reallocs: 0

Pending Sectors: 0

Power On Hours: 2219

Start/Stops: 11753

Temp Curr: 33c

Temp Min: 0c

Temp Max: 50c

Have read that a low number of Reallocs is good, but still need a way to copy the files back across - hopefully without having to buy expensive software!

Doesn't show up in Finder, so a no-show in Terminal.

The error in Disk Utility is an 'Invalid Sibling Link' if that's any help!

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Answer 4

Apr 2, 2012 7:08 AM in response to Zerodeluxe

The iPod firmware need to be updated, looking at the strange numbers for Start/Stops and Power On numbers. Yes, your Hardisk looks good, but may cause some data transfer problem, can I suggest doing a HardReset.

After charging till full charge, at least 2 hours (preferably 4 hours)
Toggle the Hold switch, make sure you dont see the red mark when you do the next step
Reset the iPod -> Press Menu and Center button simultaneously for about 10 secs till the Apple Logo comes ON
Then release the buttons
Select your preferred language.

Here is the Apple support Article on the 5Rs

http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/classic/

Good Luck!

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Answer 5

Zerodeluxe Author

Level 1

25 points

Apr 2, 2012 7:21 AM in response to Bilbo_cheshire

Will that 'reset' the iPod though, i.e. wipe all the data?

Initially I'm looking for a way to retrieve the files on it if possible or fix the disk. I've found recovery tools to do it, but could do without spending a lot of money on apps if I can help it!

Thanks for the replies!

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Answer 6

Zerodeluxe Author

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25 points

Apr 2, 2012 8:08 AM in response to Zerodeluxe

It's gone into recovery mode now!! Arrrgh!

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Answer 7

Apr 2, 2012 5:51 PM in response to Zerodeluxe

The Reset doesn't erase any data, it will actually, reset the recovery mode.

But some Apps on your Mac maybe causing the data corruption, or the iPod firmware is corrupted, looking at those strange numbers from the DD report.

Can I suggest trying to retrieve the iPod data on another Mac or Window machine using 3rd Party apps, like Copytrans or iPod2PC then Restore your iPod on that machine.

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Answer 8

Zerodeluxe Author

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25 points

Apr 3, 2012 1:18 AM in response to Bilbo_cheshire

It was the reset which put it into recovery mode.... I've got a copy of DiskDrill from the App Store now which was on sale, so hopefully that will copy all ther data back. I just hope when I re-import to iTunes that the track data will be preserved!

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Answer 9

Zerodeluxe Author

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25 points

Apr 3, 2012 1:58 AM in response to Zerodeluxe

Recovery seems to be working okay, and iTunes does recognize the files.

Is there a particular file which keeps the 'playlist' info? Not a massive problem, as I can always do them again, but would be handy if there's someway I can copy that back too to save some work! (I'm so lazy!)

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Answer 10

Apr 3, 2012 2:08 AM in response to Zerodeluxe

In the iPod, the file is called iTunesDb,

in iPod_Control->iTunes folder.

you can use 3rd party apps to extract these metadata, into iTunes like

iGadget.

iPodAccess

Music Rescue

CopyTrans

iPod2PC

The main function of these apps is to retrieve songs from iPod and put them back to PC or Mac.

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Answer 11

Zerodeluxe Author

Level 1

25 points

Apr 3, 2012 2:12 AM in response to Bilbo_cheshire

Ah - brilliant. Thank you. DiskDrill seems to be copying everything back (into the folder structure as is on an iPod) , and that file is in the iTunes folder.

I normally use Senuti to copy stuff from the iPod, but as it's corrupt it's not showing up to copy and songs.

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Answer 12

Apr 3, 2012 2:17 AM in response to Zerodeluxe

Yes Senuti is one good freeware.

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