Q: 2 iPod shuffles on 1 computer
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Oct 19, 2016 8:24 PMby Kenichi Watanabe,Are they both the same type of iPod shuffle? This document shows the four shuffle types (generations).
Identify your iPod model - Apple Support
What type is the one with this problem? It may also be useful to know other shuffle's type.
Are you trying to load songs manually (drag/drop songs on iPod in iTunes) or using automatic syncing (the Sync Music setting)?
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Oct 20, 2016 12:08 AMby motlem,iPod models are the same A1373:2010-09 bought at the same time.
I just want to be able to put songs on both of these iPod shuffles from the same computer.
I drag and drop songs on one OK and the other just shows up and when I drag and drop the material goes over to sync but will not sync.
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Oct 20, 2016 3:06 AMby Kenichi Watanabe,"A1273" sounds like 4th gen iPod shuffle. You can sync two iPods from the same computer; if you own many iPods, you can sync them from the same computer, even connect them all at the same time (if you have enough USB ports and docking cables ). I've tried up to seven...!
For the one that does not work properly, the easiest thing to do is a Restore. This erases the shuffle and sets it to default "factory" condition. The Restore button is on the shuffle's Summary settings screen in iTunes. After the Restore, iTunes invites you to "Get Started" with your iPod, like it's new. The default setting after a Restore is to use the Manually manage music setting (not automatic syncing), so you should be able to manually "drag and drop" songs on it in iTunes.
If you want to know about other (more convenient) ways to load your shuffle, you can post back.
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Oct 20, 2016 4:33 PMby motlem,Yes 4th generation, both. I did put 1 iPod back to factory settings as you have suggested. Was the first thing I did the other day, but to no avail. I just cannot understand why I can actually see this iPod but cannot drag and drop. It is very frustrating.
Do you think if I install a 2nd iTunes program and use that one exclusively for the 2nd iPod or would a 2nd install simply install over the 1st. I am at a loss as to what else to do.
BTW, thank you so much for taking the time to try and help me out with this problem. Cheers for now.
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Oct 20, 2016 4:42 PMby Kenichi Watanabe,You can't install a second instance of iTunes. You can create a second iTunes library, but that would be annoying, and I don't think it's a multiple iPod problem. iTunes treats each iPod separately, even if multiple iPods are connected at the same time. So, you'll still have this issue, even if only one iPod is connected.
If the other shuffle is connected, Eject and disconnect it. Go to shuffle's Summary settings screen in iTunes. This is where you clicked the Restore button. Find the checkbox for Manually manage music. Is it currently checked? It it's not, checkmark it and click Apply.
If it's already checked, try unchecking it (and Apply). Then check it again (and Apply).
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Oct 20, 2016 5:03 PMby motlem,Unchecked 'manually manage' and checked again and 'apply'. Makes no difference. One thing I have forgotten to say is that I add my music from my hard drive by 'add file to library' and all the songs go into 'music'. From there I add to whatever playlist I want and then to put it on the iPod I drag it to the iPod from the playlist and everything works fine. Now I have done this with 2 playlists for iPod number 2 [the one that won't sync] and all I have is the Playlist folder names and everything is empty. It will not import the songs from my hard drive. However when I plug in iPod number 1, ALL the songs are added to my 'music' in that iPod. Of course I don't want them in there.. wrong iPod. This is really weird. Cheers. Appreciate your help so much.
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Oct 20, 2016 5:16 PMby Kenichi Watanabe,As a test, try using automatic syncing (the Sync Music setting).
Go to shuffle's Summary settings screen in iTunes. Along the left side, in the sidebar, under Settings, click Music. To the right, shuffle's Music settings screen appears. Checkmark the box for Sync Music. This turns ON automatic syncing (as opposed to the Manually manage music setting).
Choose the option to sync Selected playlists, artists, albums, and genres. Below that, under Playlists, select (checkmark) a playlist that fits on shuffle's storage (or you can select more than one). You don't need to select anything else on that screen. Click Apply to sync the selected playlist and its songs. Going forward, iTunes automatically updates shuffle with changes you make to this playlist (in your iTunes library), the next time you connect shuffle (or click Sync if already connected).
Are you able to load the shuffle using automatic syncing?
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Oct 20, 2016 5:50 PMby motlem,Ok did all that. Left hand side shows every playlist from both 1Pods so I dragged & dropped the relevant ones to the errant iPod. Up top came notice 'syncing music to iPod (step 2 of 2) Copying 1 of 13: 'song name here' ... all fine there. But then it bogs down and finally a screen pops up saying 'the iPod cannot be synced. The required folder cannot be found'.
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Oct 20, 2016 5:56 PMby Kenichi Watanabe,That's not what I described. When you set it up to use automatic syncing, you do not "drag and drop" anything. Instead, on the iPod's Music settings screen, find the playlist or playlists you want to automatically sync listed under Playlists (not in the sidebar), and select them (with a checkmark). Then click Apply to sync the selected playlist(s) to shuffle.
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Oct 20, 2016 6:09 PMby motlem,Sorry. Have done as instructed now. I'll just have to leave it now and see what happens as now I've come back here to tell you that I've done it right this time, I can't get back into the iTunes. It's on the taskbar but won't open. I'll just let it run and see what happens. I'll get back to you in due time and let you know the results. Once again, thank you so very much. You are very patient too. Cheers.
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Oct 20, 2016 7:44 PMby Kenichi Watanabe,If your other shuffle still works fine, and you can't sync to this one either manually or automatically, AND you already did a Restore on it, it may have a hardware problem, possibly with its flash storage. Part of its storage is fine, so you can do a Restore and start a sync, but it fails along the way and becomes corrupted.
One more thing you can try is to reformat the shuffle's storage outside of iTunes, using Windows, like it's a USB flash drive. On shuffle's Summary settings screen, Enable disk use (if it's not already) so that it appears in Windows with iTunes not running. Use Windows to reformat the iPod. Use FAT32 (not ExFAT or NTFS) as the disk format. If there's an option to do a quick format, do the full format.
If it reformats successfully, run iTunes. You must do a Restore in iTunes to install shuffle's onboard software (it is currently completely blank), whether you're prompted or not. After the Restore, try syncing some songs again, using either method.
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Oct 20, 2016 8:17 PMby motlem,OK did the format using Fat32 and then Restore again in iTunes.
iTunes message: 'The iPod could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (1439).'
I then used a different cable with the same result. It MUST be a hardware problem.
I am sure we've exhausted every avenue and I thank you so very much for all your time & effort.
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Oct 20, 2016 8:37 PMby Kenichi Watanabe,That seems likely... However, that error number can come up when the iPod is not faulty. Apple has this document
If you see an error in the 1400 range when you restore or update an iPod in iTunes - Apple Support
You did most of the suggestions, except maybe restarting the computer immediately before attempting the Restore. (And there's no Disk Mode for an iPod shuffle.)
If you have access to another computer with iTunes installed, you can try doing the Restore there. Once the Restore is done, you can use your computer to sync content (without doing another Restore). For an iPod shuffle, the other computer can be a Mac.
