iTunes 7.0 Special Report: iPod synchronization issues: Problems transferring music, crashes, making sure software is up to date

CNET staff

Sept. 2, 2009 12:06 a.m. PT

7 min read

A 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."

Fixes

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.

Problems transferring movies, games on original fifth-generation iPods (with video) -- fix Several users are reporting an inability to to transfer both movies and games from the iTunes Store on original fifth-generation iPods.

The problem appears to be that the original fifth-generation iPods are not properly receiving the iPod Software version 1.2. When attempting to transfer the movies and games, users are receiving a message that their software needs an update. However, the iPod settings state that the iPod software is already up-to-date.

Unfortunately, Apple does not yet offer a standalone version of the iPod 1.2 software updater. Instead, the update is built-in to iTunes 7.0, which is where the update should be automatically applied. Obviously, this is not happening for some users.

Fixes

Make sure iPod Software is up-to-date In some cases, this problem may be soluble by using the "Check for updates" command, found in the "iTunes menu." You may then need to restore your iPod.

MacFixIt reader Keith writes:

"I bought a game and couldn't get it to copy to my iPod because of the software update issue. The solution is to select the 'Check for updates' option in the 'iTunes' menu. This correctly downloaded and applied the 1.2 update to my iPod. However, it wasn't until I restored the iPod that I was able to get the games to play."

Deauthorize and re-authorize If you are still unable to transfer movies and games, you may need to deauthorize then reauthorize your computer for digital media rights. This can be accomplished using the functions found in the "Store" menu in iTunes. First pick the "Deauthorize" command, then when our computer has been successfully deauthorized, go back and select the "Authorize" command, then quit and re-launch iTunes and re-attempt transfer of media.

Manually locate games Some users are also receiving error messages indicating that the game they are attempting to transfer is "only intended for 5th generation iPod or later," even though they do indeed have fifth generation iPods.

In these cases, the fix is a bit more involved, and may required the following process:

Navigate to ~/Music/iTunes/iPod Games

Locate the game in question (it should have a .ipg file extension)

Drag the game to within the iTunes 7.0 interface onto the iPod icon to copy it there

Check to see if the game works properly on your iPod

If you cannot find the game in ~/Music/iTunes/iPod Games, try looking in ~/Music/iTunes/ for folders named "Unknown Artist" that may contain the game for which you are looking, then perform the dragging process aforementioned.

Partial/failed synchronization Some users are reporting incomplete or failed transfers of data to iPods.

MacFixIt reader Anthony Risicato writes:

"Brand new iPod 5G 60GB. Erased/restored/upgraded to 1.2. Upgraded to iTunes 7 Upgraded QuickTime 7.1.3. Re-imported my music library (5000 songs). Tried to sync with iPod. Sync started, then hangs after 510 songs. ITunes and the iPod think it is being synced, but never gets past song 510. iTunes crashes after trying to cancel the sync. Rebooted/Erased/restored (ipod back to v. 1.12) Tried a fresh sync again. Stopped at song 510 (a different physical music file, different album, etc but still #510 in the list). Gave up. Reverting to iTunes 6 tonight."

There are a few potential solutions to this issue.

First, if your synchronization is failing on a purchased track, try clicking one of the purchased tracks and attempt to play it. In many cases, the song will not be authorized for play on its host Mac, and you will be required to enter your Apple identification e-mail address and password. After authorizing the song(s), re-attempt synchronization.

Second, make sure that your iPod's firmware is up-to-date. Download the latest iPod updater.

Finally, failing the above to procedures, try performing a Restore process on your iPod. Note that you will lose all music currently stored on the iPod during this procedure.

For more potential fixes, see our iPod special report.

Crashes, other problems when accessing iPods Some readers report an issue with updating his iPod's firmware, and an associated problem where iTunes 7.0 crashes whenever iPod functionality is accessed:

"My problem relates to my iPod. When the iPod (60 GB 'wide iPod') was first connected, I had trouble updating the iPod to the current version of software. I couldn't get from v1.1 to the current version from within iTunes. I had to upgrade to an intermediate version using a different computer. Now when the iPod is connected, if I don't click on any of the iPod related buttons, iTunes works just fine. But if I click on any of the iPod related buttons, iTunes crashes. It just disappears. I don't even get the usual report window. It's just gone."

One reader writes:

"Just thought you might want to know in case others experience, too, iTunes crashes when I try to update my 5G iPod. It downloads perhaps 25MB and then freezes -- I have to Force Quit. I reset the iPod, I upgraded the firmware, but to no avail."

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