2nd gen iPod shuffle disappears off desktop + sync issue.

Question

2nd gen iPod shuffle disappears off desktop + sync issue.

Hello,

When I connect my iPod to my last gen iMac G5 20" iTunes is launched but almost immediately iTunes states that:

"iPod update is complete. OK to disconnect"

at which point the iPod's icon disappears from the desktop but not from iTunes. So then when I try to sort the tracks on the iPod or just change the tracks manually I get an OS message stating:

"The iPod "[my iPod's name]" cannot be updated. The required disc cannot be found."

Then for a few seconds iTunes freezes (10 seconds) while the icon reappears on the desktop. The action is done and the icon disappears again only to start the process all over again. So every time I want to access the iPod I must wait 10 seconds while the device is found after I say OK to 7 dialog boxes dialog boxes.

This is painful and absurd behaviour.

Also, when I sync using Autofill, only one song from a specified Playlist is copied from the list. Autofill only works properly when Autofilled during Restore.

Things I have tried:
- resetting the iPod
- restoring the iPod
- deleting the iPod's software from the drive to let the restore feature download and install a new copy.
- different USB port
- new installation of iTunes.

Any suggestions.

Shuffle 2nd gen, Mac OS X (10.4.8), Software Version 1.0.1

Posted on Nov 14, 2006 5:55 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 14, 2006 11:19 AM in response to Salvatore Barrera

I have the same issue, and I think I found a work-around. This issue has been driving me crazy, and it continued to occur even after my 512MB 1stGen shuffle was replaced.

The thing that worked for me was to enable (check) the "Enable disk use" box on the Settings tab in iTunes. I then assigned a small amount of memory (11MB) for "data" and then the problem went away. You shouldn't have to do this, but at least I have not seen the "disc cannot be found" message again.

Hope this helps,

Miles

Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9) iTunes 7.0.2

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Answer 2

Dana A

Level 2

390 points

Nov 14, 2006 6:53 AM in response to Salvatore Barrera

Hi Salvatore!
This may sound absurdly simplistic, but the symptoms you're describing could point to a defective dock. Do you have access to another one to test? Perhaps a nearby Apple Store or reseller?
Let us know!

eMac Mac OS X (10.4.8)

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Answer 3

A A P L

Level 7

21,764 points

Nov 14, 2006 11:03 AM in response to Salvatore Barrera

Is your QuickTime up to date?
Have you repaired Disk permissions since installing your last updates?
Goto Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility and select your Macintosh HD.
Click on "repair permissions"

Scott

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Answer 4

Nov 15, 2006 5:12 PM in response to Miles_mac

I also have been having the described problems: the error message popping up 10 times, VERY slow iTunes when the shuffle is connected (even when not looking at the shuffle), it was hard to manage...

I enabled the disk use, and it seams to at least fix the lagging problem (it used to freeze for 10 seconds anytime I selected any song in the library if it happened to be on the shuffle). Don't know about the error messages yet...

Matthew

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Answer 5

Nov 15, 2006 6:58 AM in response to A A P L

Hello,

My quicktime is up to date and I have repaired Disk permissions but the problem persists. I have not yet dropped by the reseller to test with another dock.

Miles_mac's suggestion to enable disk use (0 MB Data in my case) does work to alleviate the problem. The icon does not immediately disappear off the desktop. This has improved Autofill from a playlist but the complete list is not synced even though there is enough free space.

Since the the iPod is no longer being un-mounted immediately by iTunes I no longer experience a ten second pause when I try to access the iPod in iTunes but I do have to eject it manually.

This does point to a potential software bug.

Any suggestions?

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Answer 6

eversor

Level 1

0 points

Nov 14, 2006 7:06 AM in response to Dana A

I am also currentely experiencing the exact problem that salvatore described.

Upon connecting my ipod shuffle 2g to the dock it briefly mounts and then disappears from the desktop, remaining in itunes but continually giving the described error message every time you try to access it.

What I can't understand if it's a faulty dock is that the entire time the unit is connected it is recieving a charge from the dock-usb connection and that itunes still recognises the unit.

Perhaps it is an unresolved software issue?

Either way I will take it to the apple store to try and get it fixed because it certainly makes changing my shuffles songs a frustrating experience that I'm not willing to undertake, specially from a device that's brand new.

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Answer 7

Nov 14, 2006 7:41 AM in response to Dana A

Hello,

No, I do not have another dock to test with. I can go to the iPod authorized reseller I bought the unit at and see if they can test it on a new dock.

What do I tell them, that an Apple forums tech suggested I test my Shuffle on another dock?

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Answer 8

Nov 23, 2006 11:20 PM in response to mws

It's there .... you may have to scroll in iTunes to find it (fun when they get away from the standard interface and you can no longer recognize scroll bars ...) or maybe make the iTunes window bigger on your desktop.

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Answer 9

Rorshach

Level 2

204 points

Nov 19, 2006 5:58 PM in response to Matthew Kelling

Hi

I've been having the same issue - so I'm using the enable disk use workaround.

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Answer 10

mws

Level 1

10 points

Nov 23, 2006 9:07 PM in response to Rorshach

I guess this is good advice but I can't find the "enable disk use" on the Settings tab that comes up in IPod.

Where exactly is it?

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