iPod "can't read or write"

October 19, 2005 10:01 PM

iPodFilter: When I try to update my iPod I get an an error message: "Can not read from or write on disk."

Okay. I have an ancient iBook with a Lacie external hardrive on which I store my music files. This error message is a problem which started with my old iPod, which I replaced recently because it was having this exact same problem (plus, it's click wheel wasn't working). I thought "New iPod, all problems solved." But no.

I don't think this error message can be true because SOME of my music appears on the iPod. This whole crazy meltdown started when I downloaded iTunes 5. Ack.

posted by Sara Anne to Computers & Internet (13 answers total)

I can't offer a solution because I don't know the first thing about troubleshooting iPod problems. However, for free iPod/OS X support, this place has helped me in the past.
posted by teem at 10:20 PM on October 19, 2005

Also try the forums on www.ipodlounge.com They know all.
posted by fshgrl at 10:29 PM on October 19, 2005

I had a vaguely similar problem in the past, and I just reset EVERYTHING i could think of. First I cleared out itunes and reimported everything, and then I reset the ipod firmware, deleted all my music off of it and put it back on. Pain in the butt, but worked.

Have you tried upgrading to itunes 6? or downgrading to 4?
posted by atom128 at 11:05 PM on October 19, 2005

I would upgrade to iTunes 6 and download the iPod updater software. Of course, if you run that software it will first blank your iPod so if this solution doesn't work you run the risk of not having any music on your iPod.

Also, is your iPod formatted for Mac or Windows?

And, just for clarification, I also keep my music on an external Lacie drive so I don't think that's the problem as my iPod updates fine.
posted by dobbs at 11:28 PM on October 19, 2005

Here's an obvious (possibly silly) answer, but someone's got to ask it:

Is the write protect switch on the iPod thrown on?
posted by jpburns at 5:00 AM on October 20, 2005

Are you using podcasts (the built-in feature, I mean)? I've had this exact problem a number of times recently. It also started after downloading iTunes 5. Some files would copy over, then it would stop with the exact error you mention. After trying everything, I took it down to almost the file-by-file level and discovered that some podcasts simply would not copy to the drive.

I determined which podcasts were the problem by changing the libraries which were to copy over so that a bunch of new files would be transferred (meaning not just the problem files would be waiting to sync), then when I synced, I watched them copy and kept an eye out for the file it stopped on before giving the error. This is made more difficult by iTunes' incredibly stupid* information pane at the top that switches back and forth between different bits of info. I had to keep clicking on it so it would keep displaying the file currently being copied. I deleted the record for the file that was trying to be synced at the moment of the error from the podcast library and everything is hunky-dory. So far it only seems to be happening with podcasts.

There is NOT a write-protect switch on the iPod (at least not on the models I've seen).

*Even after years of using it, I find it absolutely fucking annoying to have iTunes consider a message about an iPod sync being successful as worthy of giving equal display time as the current song playing; in fact, that whole pane should be redesigned--everything it has to tell me, except for the equalizer, should be shown at all times in the same space.
posted by Mo Nickels at 7:20 AM on October 20, 2005

I used to get file write errors when copying files *in the Finder* to or from my iPod if it was daisy-chained with a FireWire drive (i.e. Powerbook----->FireWire Drive----->iPod). If you can test your setup on a machine with more than one FireWire port or by attaching the drive to FireWire and the iPod to USB, it might be worth a shot.
posted by bcwinters at 7:51 AM on October 20, 2005

(1) Download iTunes 6, (2) download the latest iPod updater, (3) make sure your iPod is in disk mode, (4) start up the updater and mount your iPod, (5) restore the settings. If you can't get the iPod to mount, it may be a sign of more serious internal damage (none of which is the user's fault).

iPods are great, but they like to break. I'm on my fourth one.
posted by bjork24 at 8:04 AM on October 20, 2005

iPods are great, but they like to break. I'm on my fourth one.

I've also had 4 but none of them have ever broken.
posted by dobbs at 10:03 AM on October 20, 2005

iPod #1: bad battery
iPod #2: firmware problem
iPod #3: firmware problem
iPod #4: just arrived... hopefully my last until I upgrade.

I'm not saying they're prone to breaking, I just have had amazingly bad luck with them. Even still, I love my iPod to death and am very pleased with the support Apple has given me and my problems. Four iPods and I've only paid once... for the original purchase.
posted by bjork24 at 2:04 PM on October 20, 2005

There's a write protect switch on the iPod?

There is on my Mini... I think. It's marked with "hold"...
(or does that do something else)?
posted by jpburns at 7:03 PM on October 20, 2005

Apparently not.

The hold switch locks the buttons. I had no idea...
posted by jpburns at 7:05 PM on October 20, 2005

I'd been having this problem for a few weeks, I compared the iPod's playlist to the main library sorted by Date Added and cleared the songs that didn't show up in the iPod's playlist. An update later and the problem is completely solved.

Apple, if you're listening, you should incorporate this feature to automatically bounce bad files from trying to sync.
posted by fenriq at 11:32 AM on May 15, 2006