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Level 1

4 points

unknown error [-50]

I've been getting this error quite often lately. I had thought this was an indicator that the disk in the iPod was failing (its a few years old now). However, I am now seeing this with my 4GB Nano which is <1 year old. This seems less likely to be a windows issue as the Nano uses USB and the 5G uses my firewire ports. So now I'm starting to believe that perhaps my iTunes database is somehow corrupt.

Another observation is that in the past I would have cases where my iPod would skip songs, often several at a time. The iTunes suggestion is that the computer disk file was corrupt and suggested ripping the song again. I found that the computer disk file was fine and that it was the data on the iPod that was corrupt. I verified this by simply removing the songs from the iPod list, syncing, re-adding the songs, and syncing again. Often this would resolve the problem.

So is there anyway to re-build or verify the iTunes DB? Any other suggestions as to what is wrong with my setup?

I originally chose an iPod over a Zen player because I could not get the Zen software to sync properly. The situation now is that I can only sync my iPod by doing a restore and downloading all songs again - this is really painful on a 20GB unit. Thanks.<br>
X86 Windows XP Pro

X86, Windows XP Pro

Posted on Sep 20, 2006 11:49 AM

82 replies

Dec 11, 2006 2:05 PM in response to BaronVanAwesome

Got an ipod video 60gb and a new ipod nano. Operating from a Mac.
Both ipods have error -48. Can't sync or eject!!!!!
What the **** is that all about????

Dec 14, 2006 10:04 AM in response to ajahearn

I have an iPod Video 5.5 30gb. I have tried all of the suggestions above, --Registry, enable disk, etc. I still get the "-50" msg. I can't do a restore -- I get the "-50" with that.

If I add files to Itunes and then connect the iPod, the files get brought over. However, I can't delete anything (I listen to tons of audiobooks and want to delete them when done).

I have the latest version of iTunes and the latest iPod s/w. I suspect iTunes 7 like many others ...

Any other suggestions anyone? sigh....

IBM ThinkCentre P4 Windows XP Pro

calau35

Level 1

0 points

Dec 14, 2006 3:40 PM in response to limegreensaab

I tried to delete those two reg-keys. Windows always says: cannot be deleted. Does anyone know what to do?

wizel

Level 1

0 points

Dec 16, 2006 3:33 AM in response to limegreensaab

Hi, i've had the same thing limegreensaab. I solve it by downgrading the ipod's software and changing iTunes for the one i've got originaly with my ipod almost a year ago.
It works 🙂 I've got old iTunes and old software on my ipod but it's finally working:)

PC Windows XP Pro

Dec 26, 2006 4:34 AM in response to ajahearn

I have the 50 error with my iPod shuffle G1.

My sister has the same version of iTunes but she has a iPod shuffle G2 and it is not affecting her. so far wat I can see is that there is alot of Windows uses who are having this problem. I dont think this is an error in Apple products but an error in windows which has only just popped up in iTunes 7.0.2

If Microsoft was really evil, they might have given an update in windows or WMP11 to stop iPod function properly.

I bet that if I went to mac (which hopefully that happen next year) then this will stop happening to me.

I am always having problems with Windows conflicting iTunes anyway. I might be listing to music and all the sudden windows decides to terminate iTunes.

Every one who has Mac doesn't have problems. My English just got a black macbook and he tease me and my friend all the time.

I believe as long as u r with windows then u r going to have problems, even if u r using iTunes. 😟

I CAN'T WAIT TO GET A MACBOOK

Dell Inspiron 510m Windows XP Pro

phatz

Level 1

0 points

Dec 26, 2006 9:57 AM in response to Derbygirl

YES!!

I have had the unknown error -50 issue since the day I bought my 60GB video Ipod 9 months ago. I tried everything else suggested in this thread, and only this solution worked (quickly enabling disk use & hitting 'apply' before XP dumps the connection with the iPod).

Thank you Derbygirl!

mikelouw

Level 1

0 points

Dec 26, 2006 2:17 PM in response to McGranahanster

It's not only with Windows. I get an error -48 (cannot update IPod) with PowerMac G5 running OSX 10.4.8 and brand-new Video IPod 30GB with the latest software installed (using iTunes 7.0.2).

I have tried ALL the above, as well as many restores etc etc etc but I still get the error - 48. A search of the Apple knowledge base comes up with nothing.

Help!

Dec 27, 2006 7:43 AM in response to ajahearn

I have found the answer!!
Before of all, forgive my english
I have been experiencing this problem for the last 3 days (since I have my 30 gb Ipod) and now I think (= I hope) I solved the problem.
THE PROBLEM is the newer version of Itunes, so...
First of all, you have to go to
http://www.oldapps.com/itunes.htm
and download the version 7.0 and save it into your computer
Later, you have to remove any remaining of the Itunes you have in your computer.
I mean, it´s not enough with using control panel/add-remove programs, you have to go to Documents & settings (or whatever your folder is) and delete the folder "itunes" within "my music" folder.If you don´t do this, when you reinstall the older version of Itunes, will extract the information (library, etc..) from this folder and the error will appear again.
Advertence: If you delete this folder, your library will disappear completely, but I think it is something we can assume (the library from Itunes, not from Ipod, of course).
test it and let me know.

pc Windows XP Pro

Dec 27, 2006 7:50 AM in response to ajahearn

I FORGET TO SAY IN THE TOPIC BEFORE..
THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE APPLE SUPPORT TEAM JOB, I DON´T KNOW WHY DO WE HAVE TO READ A NEVERENDING FORUM RELATED TO A SOFTWARE PROBLEM.
Even now there I have solved my problem, I will return my Ipod and get a CREATIVE ZEN for less money and with less problems in return.
Design should not mean Problems
Design should not mean less quality
NOW...HOW PEOPLE CAN WONDER WHY MICROSOFT AND THEIR PC´S ARE THE KING OF THE MARKET YET? NOW YOU KNOW WHY.

Dec 28, 2006 2:13 AM in response to eric draven

i got a new 1gb shuffle i have the same error -50 and i cant put in music when i do a little grey dot goes next to the song and dosent play it

Dec 28, 2006 4:11 PM in response to ajahearn

My iPod is 30GB, connected to my iMac, got the error, restored the ipod. It worked then stopped working, so I recreated my iTunes library, didn't work... Then I restored the ipod and unplugged it as soon as the computer un-mounted it, then I recreated my iTunes library and plugged the ipod back in, so everything was starting fresh. It worked, I thought it was a breakthrough but now, two syncs down the line it's messed up again, wonderful... Seems enabling disk use will fix it, BUT I WANT AUTO-SYNC!!! WAAH!!! What should I do, wait for Apple to fix it? They'll take months to get round to it!

Dec 28, 2006 4:25 PM in response to Alex Noble

Sometimes it works... Hmm... Until Apple release an update i'll have to charge from the mains and avoid updating my iPod... They better release an update...

Zakia

Level 1

0 points

Dec 30, 2006 5:40 PM in response to Alex Noble

H0W D0 Y0U USE THE N0TES 0N A IP0D NAN0 I MEAN ITS TELLING ME H0W T0 D0 THIS BUT ITS HARD T0 UNDERSTAND!

CAN S0MEB0DY HELP ME WITH THIS?!?!

kpayton

Level 1

0 points

Jan 1, 2007 6:31 PM in response to ajahearn

Alright guys and gals - we just aquired a Ipod Nano for Christmas - and we two are getting the same error. I'm a computer technician by day, and I cannot get around this error. I've been through all the suggestions above. I can't even enable disk use without it bombing on me.

Initially I thought this was a hardware error like maybe the USB ports had gone bad. But the more I read I think this is a software problem.

Is there a newer version of SOFTWARE for the Ipod itself like a firmwasre release? Itunes says its up to date but is it?

Any light you guys can shed the better.

Jan 2, 2007 3:35 AM in response to Zakia

Caps lock and O key broken?

Basically, plug yer iPod into your PC or Mac, go to iTunes, go the the iPod screen and tick enable disk use. Then go to your iPod in My Computer or on the desktop (depends on the OS) and there will be a folder called notes, that's where you should drag and drop your text files.

unknown error [-50]