DaveKT

Q: iPod classic won't sync

Hi, I have a 2007 160GB iPod classic that suddenly won't sync in iTunes. It recognizes the iPod, but then takes about ten minutes to "verify" and then tells me that the ipod "cannot be synced because it cannot be read from or written to." I updated to iTunes 12.3.2, but I still get the same message. I'm on a MacBook Pro running 10.9.5. I have not done a restore yet because when I had problems with a Nano and restored it, the problem wasn't fixed. And I'm running the current software for the classic - 1.1.2. Any suggestions would be very appreciated. Thanks!

Posted on Feb 19, 2016 1:55 PM

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Q: iPod classic won't sync

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  • by Kenichi Watanabe,Apple recommended

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Feb 19, 2016 3:05 PM in response to DaveKT
    Level 8 (38,406 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 19, 2016 3:05 PM in response to DaveKT

    Do you use a Mac or Windows PC?  If Windows, what version?

     

    As a test, shut down the computer and disconnect all USB devices.  You can leave standard USB keyboard/mouse connected, if used.  Do this to Reset (restart) the iPod

     

    Learn how to reset your iPod - Apple Support

     

    Start up computer, run iTunes, and connect iPod to a direct USB port on the computer, by itself.  Try syncing again.

  • by DaveKT,

    DaveKT DaveKT Feb 19, 2016 4:38 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Feb 19, 2016 4:38 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Thanks, Kenichi. I'm using a MacBook Pro, running 10.9.5. I tried following the reset iPod instructions (pressing the menu and play/pause button at the same time, after locking and then unlocking the hold button, which gets you to the Apple logo) multiple times and haven't been able to reset it. Is there something else I could try to reset the iPod?

     

    Thanks,


    Dave

  • by lonewolf3898,

    lonewolf3898 lonewolf3898 Feb 19, 2016 6:31 PM in response to DaveKT
    Level 1 (43 points)
    iPod
    Feb 19, 2016 6:31 PM in response to DaveKT

    What is your OS? I ask only because I've seen a similar problem described elsewhere by those who upgraded their iTunes recently, only to find that Apple dropped Vista support for newer versions of iTunes...

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Feb 19, 2016 6:52 PM in response to DaveKT
    Level 8 (38,406 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 19, 2016 6:52 PM in response to DaveKT

    pressing the menu and play/pause button at the same time, after locking and then unlocking the hold button

    Actually, as described in the linked document for an iPod with click wheel, you need to press and hold the Menu and Center buttons to do a Reset.  Trying to press the Menu and Play/Pause buttons at the same time (on opposite sides of the click wheel) might damage the click wheel.

  • by DaveKT,

    DaveKT DaveKT Feb 20, 2016 8:29 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Feb 20, 2016 8:29 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Sorry about that. I got a little mixed up on the instructions to reset. Okay, so I was able to reset the iPod and followed your process of disconnecting everything, restarting the computer, and then hooking up the iPod after resetting. The same thing happens. It goes through the verification process for 10 to 15 minutes and then tells me that it can't be synced because the iPod can't be read from or written to. I tried the process a couple times just to make sure. Is there anything else I could try? Thanks!

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,Apple recommended

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Feb 20, 2016 10:17 AM in response to DaveKT
    Level 8 (38,406 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 20, 2016 10:17 AM in response to DaveKT

    My next suggestion (if successful) requires doing a Restore.  Put the iPod into Disk Mode.

     

    Putting iPod into Disk Mode - Apple Support

     

    Connect the iPod in Disk Mode to your Mac running iTunes.  If iTunes picks it up, it may prompt you to do a Restore with a message about "recovery."  If you're OK with erasing the iPod, tell iTunes to proceed with the Restore.  If iTunes can do a Restore, there should not be an issue with reading and writing to the iPod's storage.  Try syncing your songs back to the iPod.

  • by MrGrim323,

    MrGrim323 MrGrim323 Feb 20, 2016 10:54 AM in response to DaveKT
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 20, 2016 10:54 AM in response to DaveKT

    I am also having this issue with my iPod Classic, 160 GB.  I have an HP and am running Windows 10 Home.  My iPod synced for months without a problem.  I tried syncing about two weeks ago and iTunes recognizes the connection, but the iPod would not update.  I have reset the iPod as directed and tried updating, but nothing seems to work.  My iPod is now empty.  Does anyone have any advice?

  • by Leigh@,

    Leigh@ Leigh@ Feb 20, 2016 12:10 PM in response to DaveKT
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 20, 2016 12:10 PM in response to DaveKT

    I am having the same issues. I have a 160GB iPod Classic and a iMac. The iPod has worked very well for years. Then recently I have had sync issues and have had to carry out a restore a few times. I also had to go to disk mode. Now syncing is failing consistently with the "cannot be read from or written to message" so I cannot copy all my music to the iPod.

    What has Apple done to iTunes? It seems to be killing iPods.

  • by turingtest2,Apple recommended

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Feb 20, 2016 1:06 PM in response to Leigh@
    Level 10 (85,368 points)
    iPod
    Feb 20, 2016 1:06 PM in response to Leigh@

    See Re: Corrupt iPod classic. What are the HDD stats?

    Have you tried an alternate cable?

     

    tt2

  • by DaveKT,

    DaveKT DaveKT Feb 20, 2016 3:32 PM in response to lonewolf3898
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Feb 20, 2016 3:32 PM in response to lonewolf3898

    I'm running OS X 10.9.5. It's been a while since I've updating my software, so it seems strange that it would all of sudden stop working. I'm considering trying the restore, but am reluctant because of losing playlists, not backed-up music, etc. But, if you have any suggestions, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

  • by DaveKT,

    DaveKT DaveKT Feb 20, 2016 3:36 PM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Feb 20, 2016 3:36 PM in response to turingtest2

    Thanks for the suggestion on a different cable. Just tried it and got the same error message. My hard drive is a 2 GHz Intel Core i7. Is that what you were asking? I'm a little bit of a novice with these things.

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Feb 20, 2016 4:08 PM in response to DaveKT
    Level 10 (85,368 points)
    iPod
    Feb 20, 2016 4:08 PM in response to DaveKT

    See the second section in Re: Corrupt iPod classic - Check your iPod with diagnostics mode. This explains how to reveal the hard disk drive (HDD) statistics which may tell us something about the heath of your iPod's hard drive.

     

    tt2

  • by DaveKT,

    DaveKT DaveKT Feb 20, 2016 4:19 PM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Feb 20, 2016 4:19 PM in response to turingtest2

    Okay, here's what I found:

     

    Retracts: 61

    Reallocs: 320

    Pending Sectors: 0

    PowerOn Hours: 798

    Start/Stops: 490

    Temp: Current: 26c

    Temp: Min 11c

    Temp: Max 54c

     

    Thanks for any explanation you can give me.

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Feb 20, 2016 4:47 PM in response to DaveKT
    Level 10 (85,368 points)
    iPod
    Feb 20, 2016 4:47 PM in response to DaveKT

    None pending is positive. That rules out obvious problems with the hard drive. If you were running Windows I might ask about anti-virus software but I assume that won't be the case here. Have you tried an alternate cable? Perhaps there is an intermittent fault.

     

    tt2

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