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Latest iTunes hangs during sync???

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philg | 17:23 Fri 07th Jan 2011 | Technology
14 Answers
I just upgraded to the latest version of iTunes and now when I try and sync my iPod Touch, it does the iPod backup part OK, and then hangs

Eventually I get an error message saying it was unable to write my iPod due to "unknown error -20" and "an error occurred writing to the device"

Is this affecting anyone else or is it just me :(

Thanks

Phil G
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It's probably the ipod touch.
First try a reset. Hold the sleep/wake button and the Home button down together until the Apple logo appears. Release the buttons and let the Touch reset and restart. Then try synching again. If that doesn't work come back
Question Author
I also tried a Windows system restore in an attempt to get back to the prior version of iTunes, but it seems I am stuck with 10.1.1.4

Just trying the iPod reset/resynch now... (what's the emoticon for crossed fingers???)
Question Author
Bother - Still no joy

Here's what happens

I start iTunes OK
Then I attach the iPod
iTunes recognises the iPod and says "Verifying ipod touch"
Then I try syncing
I get:
"Starting sync"
Step 1 of 5 Backing up
Step 2 of 5 Preparing to sync, syncing bookmarks, determining apps to sync
Step 5 of 5 Importing photos

Then I get "Finishing sync". This runs for about 5 minutes, then iTunes stops responding

The sync progress bar is stopped, and Windows task manager shows no cpu usage

I'm now going to leave it alone and see if I get any more error messages

I wish I knew how to get back to the prior version of iTunes :(

Phil G
Question Author
Now I figured I should just uninstall iTunes and reinstall it - but Windows is telling me that the itunes.msi file "is not a valid installation package for product itunes"

grrrrr

My iPod is now working OK, but it is totally empty of music, podcasts or photos
Question Author
((sorry - realised that last post is ambiguous!!)

I still cannot sync my ipod - the ipod is working, but has no music, photos or podcasts
Can you see your ipod in itunes devices, if so then attach your ipod to itunes, click it under devices, then click restore and restore as a new device. Check your synch info in the menu, then resynch
Question Author
i'd thought of doing that

But if it fails I'll end up with a small glass paperweight

At least I still have my apps. If i reset and still fail to synch I'll have nothing
It should not harm your ipod. Why not pop into an Apple store an ask them to look at it?
Question Author
I know it shouldn't "harm" it, but if I reset it and STILL can't sync, then I'll be right back to where I was when it was new :(

And, of course, I don't have an Apple store anywhere near me (good idea though)

What I might do is install iTunes on my wifes pc and see if that can sync

Can I switch an iPod between two iTuneses?
Yes you can, but when you synch to another computer your ipod media and apps will be replaced by the media and apps from the new computer. That, however may cure your problem as when you go back to your own computer, it will replace everything with your own media and apps again. It will at least give you an idea whether the ipod has a fault
Question Author
Thanks for that - sounds like either option may leave me with an empty iPod

I think I'll try the restoration back to its original settings first and use my wifes pc as a fallback

To be honest, I am not 100% happy with iTunes on my pc anyway - when I try and uninstall it, Windows tells me that itunes.msi (the one that came with 10.1.1.4!) is not a valid install file!

This will have to wait until I have some spare time - and I really don;t want to make things (potentially) worse for now
Question Author
Some more info which may (or may not) be relevant

I used iTunes to move an app from one iPod page to another and despite the sync not completeing, the app HAS moved (a GOOD sign)

Although the iPod insists there is "no music" on the device, it does have ALL of my playlists (even though they are all empty). I'd have expected NOT to see the playlists at all (a BAD sign)
Question Author
I wonder if this is related...

When I run iTunes diagnostics, it tells me that "iTunes helper is not running"

I found ituneshelper.exe in the itunes program folder and now it IS running

iTunes diagnostics also reports that a sync test completes OK

But (and I got so excited) syncing is still stalling on "finishing sync" (despite the iPod syncing some podcasts I downloaded last night BACK to the pc!)

Looks like a "factory reset" is my only choice
The factory reset is a good idea I think. If the synch did not complete properly there could be a damaged file that could cause this. It sounds like a reinstall of iTunes would be worth completing. Can you hand remove the .msi file. i.e. drag it to the trash. nDo the ipod restore first and see how that goes.

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