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Level 1

9 points

How To Fix A Corrupt iPod

Okay, this is my first and possibly last post here, I just thought that I should write my solution to this problem as there are a lot of people suffering with a corrupt iPod. I will first recommend you read this topic also if you're still having problems

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3639883&#3639883

This will be a long post (sorry), so I'll break things up into an EXPLANTION of the problem and the SOLUTION as I think some people will be thankful for a bit of insight and some people just want a solution.
read on...

EXPLANATION:
My problem occured when receiving a second hand iPod, it had some bugs, stutters and general problems so I tried a restore, this is where my real problems started. After the restore music would not always copy correctly to the iPod, some times returning with a "Windows Delayed Write Failure", also some songs and videos would not play sometimes requiring a restart (reset), sometimes they would return me to the menu straight, and sometimes they would play fine. Also the hard disk would make a lot of fuss just to select certain songs or videos, I would even have trouble booting the iPod or detecting in iTunes.
These things led me to believe either: The hard disk was cactus; The hard disk had bad sectors; Or there was a file system error on the hard disk.
When the iPod got really bad it wouldn't properly detect in iTunes, iPod Access, Anapod or Windows, it wouldn't restore in iTunes, and I couldn't access it through windows explorer even in disk mode as it claimed the disk or the control folder had corrupted.
Using some diagnostic tools I discovered the problem was nothing more than a simple and easily fixed FAT32 filesystem error.
The problem is that the iPod uses a FAT32 filesystem which is a 'kind of unstable' but not yet redundant filesystem we used back in the Windows 98 days, I assume it uses this filesystem for compatability reasons as pretty much any pc with Windows 98 or above can access FAT32.
FAT32 stores files in chains, linking one file to another, and branching out like a tree, this system is very easily corruptable due to anything from bad shutdowns or yanking the dock cable of the iPod during copying.

SOLUTION:
1:(optional) Check your iPod by reseting it and when the apple logo first appears hold the middle select button and the rewind button to enter a diagnostic mode. Then press the menu button to enter manual testing. Scroll down to IO and press select, then select the hard disk option, then select the hard disk specs option. Read the data to check your hard disk is detected as the correct size (30Gb in my case), if it isn't then reset the iPod and repeat this step until the hard disk detects as the correct size.

2:Reset your iPod, as the apple logo appears hold down the middle select button and the play button, it will then boot to a screen with a tick in the middle and it will say Disk Mode along the top of the screen.

3: Now load iTunes and then plug the iPod into your computer and let it detect. iTunes should detect your iPod though it may not properly detect it. If iTunes doesn't detect an iPod AT ALL then reset your iPod and repeat steps 2 & 3 until it does.

4: Now your iTunes should display your iPod or an iPod just call IPOD, click on your iPod and restore, you can use the same version software or update - it doesn't matter. Even if your iPod normally recieves an error when retoring it SHOULD restore as long as you're in disk mode. When it is done restoring DO NOT UNPLUG THE IPOD, just let iTunes redetect it.

5: Now go to My Computer and right click on your iPod (could be called Removable Disk and go to properties. Now click on the tools tab and run Scandisk (Check Disk). In the scandisk box that opens tick both check boxes (fix automatically and surface scan) and click run, this will take a while but when it's done go to iTunes and eject the iPod, unplug it from the computer, and reset it.
You have jsut fixed your iPod.

Please if you use this solution and it works for you, post your thanks or comments so I know my time wasn't wasted writing this.
thankyou
-odsmart

Athlon XP, Windows XP Pro

Posted on Dec 27, 2006 2:37 AM

Best reply

odsmart Author

Level 1

9 points

Posted on Dec 27, 2006 8:38 PM

Alright...
Assuming you've followed ALL the steps correctly and in order and your iPod still won't restore in iTunes, the only option remaining is a regular full windows format of the iPod.
1: Go to My Computer after mounting your iPod in Disk Mode (absolutely neccessary). Right click on your iPod (maybe seen as Removable Disk) and go to format.

2: In the box that opens you should see some options, UNCHECK Quick Format and make sure that it's going to format it as FAT32, then click Format. This will scrub your iPod clean, replacing the filesystem entirely. THIS IS NOT A RESTORE, you may need to unmount and reset your iPod into regular mode when this is done, but I'd probably just skip resetting it and go straight into iTunes.

3: Load iTunes and plug your iPod back in to do a restore and get the iPod up and running again.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
1: I never mentioned this in the main post because it should be an absolute last resort. Having your iPod's Hard Disk running constantly for as long as it takes to do a full format can slightly reduce the iPods lifespan, but if it's necessary (and only when necessary) I can't see the harm. The same goes for a scandisk surface scan. The iPods hard disk isn't made to be running constantly so bear that in mind.

2: All things don't work for all people, the only way I can make a clear & concise guide is by getting as much detailed feedback as I can, so if this works for you or not, I'd like to hear from you.

3: An iPod hard disk like any hard disk is still prone to bad sectors (rare as they are). Distinguishing the difference between a filesystem error and some bad sectors on a corrupt iPod is a job in itself, also bear that in mind.
Good luck!

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86 replies

odsmart Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 30, 2006 9:29 AM in response to Gary Vanliew

-It's nice to feel needed!
Hi Gary. First of all, don't worry, your iPod WILL show up a little less than expected in size owing to things like: filesystem/MFT's and how exactly it's calculating space (there's two schools of thinking on how big a megabyte is, the proper way and the lazy way). Mine's a 30Gig and it shows up as 27Gig so don't stress.
As for your transfer error... I'm sorry but I'll need some more info, like:
-Did anything strange or unexpected happen when you followed the steps?
-EXACTLY when does this error occur in the process?
-Did everything flow exactly as I had written or were there problems during the fix?
-What was your problem to begin with? (I'm guessing corruption)
-Did you try resetting the iPod at some point and trying again? If so, when?

Okay, if you answer as many of these questions as you can, and maybe offer any info you feel I might need, I should be able to help.
-ta

phil765

Level 1

0 points

Dec 30, 2006 12:44 PM in response to odsmart

hey odsmart a similar problem as Gary and maybe you can help i tried to follow ur steps but 1)i tunes wouldnt redect my ipond in step 4 so i unplugged it and plugged it back in i let it detect it and tried running that scan disk but that didnt work it said windows cannot run scan disk or something along those lines...this all started about three days ago my sister diconnected my ipod so she could plug in her webcam when the do not disconnect screen was on i wiped everything off of my ipod froze it on that screen and now when i try to put everything back on i get "The iPod "IPOD" cannot be updated. The required file cannot be found" any help you can contribute would be great thanks

Dec 30, 2006 1:11 PM in response to odsmart

I got a problem...I tried to restore it through iTunes, and it worked. However, it tried to transfer all of my songs again, but it would only transfer only 23 out of my 200 songs from my library, because the other ones could not locate the original source.

Is there a way to transfer songs from the library to the iPod without re-downloading/finding all the original songs?

Thanks!

Dec 30, 2006 1:48 PM in response to odsmart

-It's nice to feel needed!
Hi Gary. First of all, don't worry, your iPod WILL
show up a little less than expected in size owing to
things like: filesystem/MFT's and how exactly it's
calculating space (there's two schools of thinking on
how big a megabyte is, the proper way and the lazy
way). Mine's a 30Gig and it shows up as 27Gig so
don't stress.ac
As for your transfer error... I'm sorry but I'll need
some more info, like:
-Did anything strange or unexpected happen when you
followed the steps?

No, It went as you instructed.

-EXACTLY when does this error occur in the process?

After I reset the Ipod during the sync process.

-Did everything flow exactly as I had written or were
there problems during the fix?None
-What was your problem to begin with? (I'm guessing
corruption)
-Did you try resetting the iPod at some point and
trying again? If so, when?Basically, I wanted to update the Ipod and I started receiving a message" Some items cannot be transferred because your software is old. You may update the software from the summary page"

Okay, if you answer as many of these questions as you
can, and maybe offer any info you feel I might need,
I should be able to help.
-ta

raab

Level 1

0 points

Dec 30, 2006 3:37 PM in response to odsmart

that cloning the memory thing worked for him...actually the nanos use hard drives, and i think the photo ipod right before the videos do too...thats the one he had...

Dec 30, 2006 6:55 PM in response to odsmart

odsmart,

Out of desperation, I found this thread today. I also purchased a secondhand iPod (I understand now why I got such a "good" deal...)

Anyway, I've followed the instructions you listed and am currently running the scandisk (checkdisk) as I am typing. In your instructions, you metioned that it may take a while. How long is "take a while"? There is room for about 30 of those little green blocks and it's been stuck on seven for around two hours now.

Is there a problem or am I not being patient enough? I say I followed your directions...after restoring etc., it was not in "disc" mode when I started the scandisk because I had to leave the computer I was on when I read your instructions and come home so I didn't have to deal with administrator issues. I haven't done something horrible have I?

Thanks for your help on this topic; I was ready to go nuts!! If I have done something wrong, please help me undo it.

Thanks again!!

odsmart Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 30, 2006 9:41 PM in response to XeroBlade888

Wow, busy day, I did say it's nice to feel needed though...
Seperate posts for everyone today. First up is XeroBlade...

XEROBLADE:
Well at least the fix worked, good for you. Now about the transfer problems. One thing you've gotta make sure of is that you're running the latest firmware for your iPod, someone else has the same problem here, anyway just double check that before you go transferring stuff. Also, I think it's pretty common to have problem files when transferring, it happens to me and many others, especially the "couldn't find original source problem". Here's what I'd do:
1: Always keep your iTunes library up to date and remove files you may have moved or deleted, if you moved some music or video around on your (pc's) hard drive then the listing for that file in your iTunes library will be no longer correct, you need to remove the file from iTunes and drag it back in from it's current location. It's the simplest thing to do.

2: The other thing you could do is use a program like iPod Access to back up your iPod regularly. If a restore or format is needed you can just copy a recent image of your iPod's drive back to it afterwards. There are many programs to do this but beware that some will rename the music, as far as I know, iPod Access is one of the best.

Let me know if this helps, I'm sorry there's not a lot else you can do.
-Cheers

odsmart Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 30, 2006 9:43 PM in response to raab

RAAB:
Thanks for the info, I didn't realise the nano's had a real hard disk, even so the fix was always gonna work.
Glad to help.
-Catch ya

odsmart Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 30, 2006 9:46 PM in response to Gary Vanliew

GARY:
Okay thanks for the answers. Do you have an internet connection on the machine with your iPod and iTunes installed? If so, have you tried updating the software on the iPod. In iTunes when you plug in your iPod, click on it and you'll see a summary of your iPod with a picture of it at the top, just click the update button, it should install the latest software off the web.
Get back to me.
-ta

odsmart Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 30, 2006 9:51 PM in response to iPodProblemChild

HELPMEEEEEE:
Alright, when I said a scandisk takes a while, depending on your machine and whether or not your iPod is on a USB 2.0 port, a scandisk should take between 20 - 35 mins, but this is far from exact. YOU DO NEED TO HAVE THE IPOD IN DISK MODE TO COMPLETE A SCANDISK. I recommend you repeat the steps and make sure the iPod is in disk mode before the scandisk. Also, don't leave your machine while doing the scandisk, if the process hangs, your iPod's drive could be running a lot longer than required, this is definately not a good thing, though you should be fine, just a warning.
As for the green bar, it will pause afor a little while and then shoot up a bit and so forth, but the process should definatly not take too long.
Let me know how you go, and if you have more troubles send me some detaild info on your machine with your next post.
-thanks

odsmart Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 30, 2006 9:58 PM in response to phil765

PHIL:
Well you're in the right place. Did you boot your iPod into Disk Mode as stated, the iPod must be in Disk Mode for this to work. Also you will see another post a little way down the page I've written detailing a windows format of the iPod, this is a good last resort and could be the best option for you, but your iPod also needs to be in Disk Mode for this to work.
Really double check your iPod is in Disk Mode when your planning on a scandisk, if not, try the format option but it should be unnecessary.
You will know your iPod's in Disk Mode because it will be written accross it's screen. You should boot into Disk Mode BEFORE plugging it into your machine.
We'll see how you go.
-See Ya

murdock1

Level 1

0 points

Dec 30, 2006 10:42 PM in response to odsmart

I'm having the problem that my ipod will not show up in the source pane. It has never shown up. It does come up in My Computer and when I run the diagnostics in itunes it is seen. I get all green lights when I check the ipod out. The diagnostics even tell me my ipods serial number and software version and such. Obviously it is "seeing" it but it does not come up in the side pane so I can select it and load songs onto it. This is a new 1gig nano that has yet to get a song installed on it.
I have tried numerous resets, I reinstalled itunes, stopped and restarted ipod service and renamed the drive letter. When I first plug it in I get the Do Not Disconnect message. If I eject it then that does go away but it never shows up in the itunes window. I tried it on my niece's laptop and my ipod would not come up in her itunes either. I then tried plugging her 30gig ipod into my pc (using my cable) and my itunes detected it and it came up right away in the side pane. This should rule out a problem with itunes so it must be my ipod. Any ideas on what I should try to get this working?
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

odsmart Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 30, 2006 11:23 PM in response to murdock1

MURDOCK1:
Yeah that's a good one. You said that you'd tried numerous resets and reinstalled iTunes, so we'll assume the problem IS the iPod, especially since the same problem occured in a second machine. I'll need a little more info before I can help you though.
-Does the iPod show up AT ALL under any name in My Computer?
-Have you tried booting into Disk Mode?
-Do you know anybody with a working 1 Gig Nano, if so, I posted instructions to Raab earlier in the thread on a fix that involved cloning a working nano's Hard Disk onto a defunct Nano, which was successful for his friend.

NOTE: The other persons iPod must be the same model and disk size as your's or that fix won't work.

-How are you ejecting the iPod if it doesn't show up in the side pane?
-What happens if you boot your iPod into Disk Mode, does it show up then? (Instructions for Disk Booting are the main post)
Okay, get back to me, I think it's easily fixed (conditions apply).
-See Ya

murdock1

Level 1

0 points

Dec 31, 2006 8:10 AM in response to odsmart

ODSMART:
-My IPod does show up under My Computer. It is listed as IPOD

-I tried the disk mode and ran all the tests. Everything seemed to pass. No errors came up and all the tests completed without any problems. I tried connecting my IPod after it was in the diagnostic mode. It did not show up under My Computer or under itunes. The last thing I did from the diagnostic menu was reset. After it reset it then showed up under My Computer but still not itunes. IPod had the "Do Not Disconnect" message on it.

-I don't know anyone with a 1 gig Nano. Just my niece with the 30 gig one.

-I can eject the Nano from My Computer by right clicking on it and then select Eject or click on an icon on my taskbar in Windows XP "Safely Remove Hardware" and then select the IPod.

-Note that when I do Run Diagnostics under the Help menu in itunes I get all green when I run it for the IPod. It tells me my serial number and software version. A bunch of SERVICE info comes up. The diagnostic test is finding it just not coming up in the regular itunes screen.

Thanks for taking a look at this.

odsmart Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 31, 2006 8:55 AM in response to murdock1

MURDOCK1:
This prob seems to have all the hallmarks of a software fault, without the software fault!
But seriously, there seems to be some confusion here. You said you tried connecting the iPod after it was in Diagnostic mode. Just to save a useless post, I need to be really clear on something...

Boot the iPod into Disk Mode by unplugging the dock cable (if docked) and reseting the iPod. When the apple logo shows up, hold down the Play and Center Buttons until a screen shows "Disk Mode" or "Ok To Disconnect" THEN plug it into your machine. I'll need to know what it's name is under My Computer IN DISK MODE, also, see if it Detects in iTunes and run the iTunes Diagnostics.

Sorry if you've already done all this correctly, it just didn't seem to clear to me in your post. I need to be sure, that's all.

BTW - Have you tried using your machine in safe mode to access iTunes, could be worth a shot, just to see.
-Thanks

How To Fix A Corrupt iPod