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iPod Classic 160GB suddenly crashing iTunes

So I've been using my 160GB iPod Classic for the past few years without any hitches or hang-ups. I don't often update my system- I had been using Maverick, but everything was getting slow so I made the update to Sierra. Before I updated, my iPod was still synching up fine, I was adding some CDs from my collection and put a ton of new music on it. Then I added a few more CDs later in the week and went to synch, and every time I plugged the iPod into iTunes, it froze and would become unresponsive. So I figured I needed to update and with my then-current system that wasn't possible. So I upgraded to Sierra, but my iPod is still crashing iTunes and is unable to synch. Is Apple forcing me to buy a new iPod now? I think this is unfair, considering my iPod Classic remains reliable and has the amount of storage space available for my vast music collection. If my iPod is no longer supported, are there any current iPods that have the same amount of storage space for my content? Or is there any way to revert to an earlier iTunes that would support my iPod? It's a frustrating situation, I just want to simply synch my iPod and keep living my life. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

Posted on Oct 12, 2016 8:31 AM

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Jan 5, 2017 6:13 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

I've had the exact same issue, and I've gotten all the way up to the erase/restore and it can't be completed because it says "Erase process has failed. Couldn't unmount disk. Operation failed."


Any suggestions? Should I try erasing or restoring the indented portion of my iPod in the Disk Utility?

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Oct 12, 2016 7:49 PM in response to Dylan DeFeo

The iPod is still supported. I have much older iPods, and they still work fine with the latest macOS Sierra and iTunes.


You said your problem initially started before upgrading your Mac's system, and then you upgraded to the latest system (and iTunes) as a potential solution. There is probably a problem on the iPod, that caused the initial symptoms when you "added a few more CDs later in the week." That type of problem (frozen/unresponsive iTunes or system) is usually related to a hardware issue, not software.


First, rule out a faulty USB docking cable. A faulty cable can cause your system or iTunes to become unresponsive. Try a different cable, or use your existing cable with another Apple device, to confirm it works properly.


Also, shine a flashlight into iPod's dock connector, to check for any obvious debris, corrosion, or damage to the "pins." A problem with iPod's hardware connection to Mac would explain why iPod still works properly (as an iPod), but does not connect properly.


To rule out a few other things, shut down (power off) the Mac and disconnect all USB devices. You can leave USB keyboard/mouse connected, if used. If your Mac is a laptop, connect its power adapter (so that it's not running on battery power). Do this to Reset (restart) your iPod


Learn how to reset your iPod - Apple Support (see section iPod with a click wheel)


Start up computer, run iTunes, and connect iPod to a direct USB port on the Mac, by itself. Try more than one USB port. If you have access to another compatible (not too old) Mac, try connecting iPod there.


If those steps (to rule out possible "not on iPod" causes) do not help, please post back with additional details.

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Oct 12, 2016 8:01 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

Okay I swapped out the cable for a newer one, and this time it recognizes the iPod, but gets stuck near the end of "verifying" my iPod. It then freezes iTunes. I tried it again in a different USB port and it just straight up froze it right out of the gate. Multiple iPod resets, multiple MacBook reboots.


No debris/corrosion with the pins. And just to make sure I was able to still move stuff back and forth between the iPod and computer, I tried using it with Sharepod, which I downloaded a while back after a serious crash and I restored my iTunes library from this very same iPod. I was able to transfer songs over from my iPod to a folder on my desktop and then into my iTunes, but not directly into iTunes. The iPod being plugged in definitely seems to be interrupting something with iTunes. I can still transfer files from the iPod to the computer, which strikes me as promising.


The iPod comes up as an icon on my desktop, and I'm able to eject it safely from there by dragging it to the trash bin. So my COMPUTER is recognizing it, and I can move files without issue. From my layman's perspective this doesn't strike me as a hardware issue. Additionally, I am able to sync my iPhone 4 with no issue.


Thoughts? Thanks so much for your help.

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Oct 12, 2016 8:53 PM in response to Dylan DeFeo

Maybe the iPod has data corruption... Try putting iPod into Disk Mode, and connect it to Mac using the USB docking cable that works better.


How to put your iPod into disk mode - Apple Support


Run iTunes. iTunes should prompt you to do a Restore, with a message about recovery. This erase iPod and sets it to default "factory" condition. If that's OK (because all songs on iPod are in your iTunes library), do the Restore. After the Restore, iTunes invites you to "Get Started" with your iPod, like it's new. If you get to this point, hopefully, your problem is resolved. You can set it to Sync Music like before.


If there's a problem with Disk Mode or doing the Restore or syncing your music library, please post back with more details.

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Oct 12, 2016 9:15 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

So I put the iPod into disk mode, and plugged it in with the better cable. iTunes failed to recognize it. I safely ejected and quit iTunes. I plugged the iPod back in, and iTunes opened up automatically but it still didn't recognize the iPod nor did it prompt me to restore. However, it's important to note that in disk mode I was able to plug it in without iTunes freezing/crashing on me, so I think we're on the right track!


Thoughts? Maybe a way to erase the iPod without plugging it in, so that way I can just wipe it, then plug it in and sync everything back over? Just an idea, but anything helpful is appreciated!


Thanks again Kenichi!

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Oct 12, 2016 9:48 PM in response to Dylan DeFeo

When you connect it in Disk Mode (with iTunes not running) and run Disk Utility, does the iPod appear in Disk Utility's sidebar?

Maybe a way to erase the iPod... so that way I can just wipe it, then plug it in and sync everything back over?

If iPod appears in Disk Utility, you can try erasing it there. This completely re-intitialzes iPod's hard drive, so it's completely blank. It needs to be done in a specific way. In Disk Utility's sidebar, if you see the iPod device with a volume indented below, select the device (not the volume). Click Erase. In the setup pane, set it like this


Name: [does not matter]

Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled)

Scheme: Apple Partition Map <- not default GUID


After confirming the iPod is selected in sidebar, click Erase button. It should take less than one minute to complete the erase. Quit Disk Utility and run iTunes. iPod's hard drive is now completely blank, so you need to do a Restore, whether you're prompted or not. Hopefully, iPod appears in iTunes this time and you can do a Restore on it.

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iPod Classic 160GB suddenly crashing iTunes

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