iTunes 7.0 (#6): More issues with iPod transfers -- fixes; Artwork: How to move music while retaining; Slow importing; more

CNET staff

Sept. 2, 2009 12:03 a.m. PT

6 min read

More issues with iPod transfers -- fixes An increasing number of users are reporting issues with iPod transfers from within iTunes 7.0 -- both automatic synchronization and manual transfer of media (song, videos, etc.).

Some users are receiving the error messages:

"The iPod (iPod name) cannot be updated. The required file is in use."
"The iPod (iPod name) cannot be updated because it contains file that are in use by another program"

It's wholly possible that many of these cases are the result of iPod hard disk failure, but the appearance of such behavior for so many users, occurring on the first iPod transfer attempt after updating to iTunes 7.0 is reason enough to suspect a problem involving iTunes 7.0 and at least some iPod configurations, or specific media being transferred.

MacFixIt reader Alexis writes:

"Since i upgraded to 7 i've had trouble with itunes freezing with my 1GB shuffle - now every time i plug my shuffle in to my USB port it freezes the whole computer. i don't know what to do at this point and I'm afraid iTunes 7 has fried my shuffle."

Another reader writes:

"After upgrading to iTunes 7, the iPod gets stuck while updating. Sometimes on the 26th song. Sometimes 45th or 510th. Either way it never finishes and after a reset the iPod is completely wiped. Disk Utility verify shows lots of directory problems. After erase and restore they are fixed, but after update attempt the errors are back. Took it to the Genius Bar. They suggested buying a new one.

"So far I've tried a reset, the 5 R's, wiped the iPod with Disk Utility writing zeros over several passes. The iPod passes internal HDD Scan diagnostic."

Finally, Richard Bleicher writes:

"I just got my engraved 80 GB iPod (Late-2006) from Apple. I connected it per the instructions to the computer (to my G4 power mac with Mac OS X 10.4.7); it took several minutes for the computer to recognize it. When it did, iTunes loaded, but crashed. I forced iTunes to quit and restarted. It started saying that it was optimizing the ipod for mac OS. When done, it said 'The file [on the ipod] is in use' and could not be updated. I reset the iPod. It then was taking so long for iTunes to automatically load upon recognizing the iPod, I started the program myself. It then took me to a registration screen, and it is currently (very slowly) loading my songs/movies/photos."

Turn off iPod Some users report that turning off their iPods, then connecting them to systems results in a successful transfers.

Connect and externally powered USB/FireWIre hub As we've noted several times in the past, low power delivery can cause significant issues with FireWire and USB 2.0 transfers to iPods. Try adding an externally powered (plugs into the wall) USB or FireWire hard drive to your system, connect the iPod to it, and check for persistence of the issue.

Disconnect from PCI-based USB cards/switch ports If you are using a PCI-based USB or FireWire Hub, try disconnecting the iPod from it and connecting it directly to the Mac or to a powered hub. Incompatibilities with some installed cards can prompt iPod issues.

Artwork issues: How to move music while retaining; wrong artwork downloaded; more When the automatic art downloading feature is enabled in iTunes 7.0, the artwork is not stored within the actual MP3, AAC, etc. file. Instead, it is stored in a separate file that is only available to that copy of iTunes.

As noted by MacFixIt reader Remo Del Bello:

"If you use iTunes 7's new 'Get Album Artwork' the artwork will be added to iTunes' new artwork storage, but not to the file. In other words, the artwork isn't added to the file's embedded ID3 tag. It is only tracked via the information in the iTunes Library."

In order to make the artwork portable (so that it will travel with the file to which it is attached, you need to perform a "Get Info" on the desired song, then copy and paste or manually add the desired artwork in the appropriate location.

Meanwhile, MacFixIt reader Scott Rose reports issues with both incorrect art downloads, and an inability to manually remove artwork from some tracks. Scott writes:

"Can't remove artwork from multiple songs in iTunes 7: There is a bug in iTunes 7. Not only have we found that iTunes 7 downloads incorrect album artwork for many of our albums (such as 'Forrest Gump (Disc 1)', but the major bug is that iTunes 7 does not properly remove artwork for multiple songs, like it used to. if you highlight multiple songs all at the same time, and then "Get Info" on them, and then you check the checkbox for artwork (leaving the box blank)... after you click OK, it does NOT remove all the artwork from all the tracks, like it should. This worked just fine in iTunes 6, but does not work in iTunes 7."

More on slow importing A large number of users continue to report issues with extremely slow importing under iTunes 7.0.

MacFixIt reader Paul writes:

"Just wanted to let you know that I too have had a drastic reduction in importing CD's into iTunes 7.0. I was getting approximately 12x-20x under iTunes 6.x. With version 7, CD import speed tops out at 11x, with it mostly being in the 4x - 6x range. Other than downloading the most recent iTunes and QuickTime updates, no other changes have occurred. I'm using a PowerMac G5 computer. Hope Apple addresses this problem soon."

Another reader writes:

"I have 2 iTunes databases (2 administrative users) on my 2001 Quicksilver (former 867) with a dual 1.33 processor & 1.5G RAM using 10.4.7. (All software up to date/permissions repaired). The 40G/8330 track user rips at normal speeds (12-15x), but the larger 80G/13,000 track user rips painfully slow (2-3x). Both users reside on a 250G internal drive that is at 70% capacity. This problem is identical on both my internal Pioneer DVR-111D & external Lite On LTR-48125W."

We are still seeking solutions for this issue. If you are experiencing a similar problem, please let us know.

Two songs playing simultaneously We are beginning to investigate an odd issue (of which we've received multiple reports) where iTunes 7.0 mysteriously begins playing two songs simultaneously when one song is scanned forward or backward.

One reader writes:

"I was adding album artwork via right click on a particular song - while it was adding the artwork or finding and adding it (who knows if it's done or not as there's no interface feedback!) i edited the id tags for the song's album. subsequently, on that song when fast forwarding in it, and playing again, it actually started playing another song, simultaneously mind you, as the original one (another song by the same artist). maybe this was just temporary corruption and not a glitch - i deleted the original song, re-added it, and now it's fine again."

Similar issue? Please let us know.

Problems downloading purchased songs A handful of users have reported issues downloading songs from the iTunes Store after they have been purchased.

MacFixIt reader Chris writes:

"I have purchased some songs off of iTunes on my MacBook Pro and it?s giving me an 'err = -50' message. I can browse around the store just fine and listen to previews, but can?t download the songs I purchased."

If you are experiencing a similar issue, please let us know.

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