Device Could not be Read or Written to

So,
I have an iPhone 3GS, Windows Vista + iTunes. All, possess the latest updates.
After converting some *.avis to a format that can be played by the iPhone I started getting an error in iTunes. At first I transferred 1 file and it worked properly, it even played it on the phone. Then I figured I can go ahead and transfer the rest. However, the transfer failed and told me device can't be synced (1st error) then immediately after that the device cannot be read or written to (2nd error).
After those 2 errors appeared, I couldn't do anything with the phone + iTunes. Anything I would try to sync/delete/add would fail and end up with those 2 errors.
By restoring it, I got rid of the errors.
I did this twice. Once, I used 'Any Video Converter' with the following settings for the converted movies:
video:
codec: mpeg4
frame size: original
bitrate: 768
framerate: 24 ( left it as the framerate of the original file)
audio:
codec: aac
bitrate: 128
sample rate: 48000
channels: 2
After I got those 2 errors while transferring the video files I restored and tried with the files converted using 'Aimersoft iPhone Video Converter', with the following profile:
video:
resolution: 640*480
fps: 30
encoder: h.264
bit rate: 900
audio:
sample rate: 48000
channels: 2
encoder: aac
bit rate: 128
So to summarize.
After converting video files and transferring one over and playing it on the phone I stumble upon 2 consecutive errors. 1st -> cannot sync, 2nd-> device cannot be read/written to. After the errors occur, the device cannot accomplish anything through iTunes. Everything tried, ie: synch photos, contacts, delete music, add music, fails. Only way to get rid of it is restore to factory.
And also, all of the files converted play properly in quicktime and/or iTunes.
My questions are:
Why do those 2 errors occur?
Why does can't my iPhone be used with iTunes after they have occured once, and will repeat after any task given to it through iTunes?
Are the converted video profiles not correct?
If they aren't, what converter should I use to not get this error again?
Is it a common bug with video transfer that caused this?
Any help is welcomed .

Hi,
This article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1207 describes that message and provides tips that may resolve the issue.
The issue could be caused by the USB connection, make sure the iPhone is directly connected to a high-speed UB2 port on the PC. This article: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1286 provides additional tips that will help rule out USB connection issues.
-Jason

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ITunes sync problem: file could not be read or written

I am running itunes 10.5.2 on OSX 10.7.2 on a 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Macbook
A week ago i did a so called "clean install" on my Mac, making sure to back everything up on one external drive, and clone the disk on another before beggining. I started with snow leopard and then installed the upgrade from the app store. I then reinstalled all of my software, loaded my photos, setup my preferences and devices, and finally directed itunes to the media folder on my external drive.
I had been using the external drive for itunes for a couple of years: on the previous system and even my previous desktop, with no problems whatsoever.
All my songs apps etc. showed up and there seemed to be no issue.
Then I tried to sync my iphone 4s and it started off okay, but about halfway through the message "could not sync ___ song to iphone because the file could not be read or written". When i located the song in question it was where it should be and even played properly in itunes. The second try would bring about the same error only with a different song. This went on several times before I realized something was really wrong.
I made sure to change the permissions for all itunes folders, music folders, even the external drive itself to have read & write permissions for all fields, and checked the box to include all internal files. I also tried resetting my iphone, syncing through another usb port, and running permissions checks on the main drive.
Thinking it could be a broken hard drive, I tried moving my aperture folder to the internal drive and all 30 GB transfered no problem. But when I tried to move the itunes folder to another drive, it stopped midway through and the finder gave me "error -36" saying that some song could not be transfered because "the file could not be read or written".
In case it helps I have included the Console log from on of my attempts to syc.
Any ideas? Thanks for your time and effort in helping.
Jan 9 16:49:23 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: disk1s3: I/O error.
Jan 9 16:49:53: --- last message repeated 1 time ---
Jan 9 16:49:57 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: disk1s3: I/O error.
Jan 9 16:55:03 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: 0 0 AppleUSBCDC: start - initDevice failed
Jan 9 16:55:03 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: USBMSC Identifier (non-unique): 57442D574D41565530363531313730 0x1058 0x1003 0x175
Jan 9 16:55:23 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: disk1s3: I/O error.
Jan 9 16:55:53: --- last message repeated 1 time ---
Jan 9 16:55:56 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: disk1s3: I/O error.
Jan 9 16:56:26: --- last message repeated 2 times ---
Jan 9 16:56:52 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: disk1s3: I/O error.
Jan 9 16:57:26 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: disk1s3: I/O error.
Jan 9 16:57:56: --- last message repeated 1 time ---
Jan 9 16:57:56 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: disk1s3: I/O error.
Jan 9 16:59:07 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: disk1s3: I/O error.
Jan 9 16:59:15 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero
Jan 9 16:59:39: --- last message repeated 4 times ---
Jan 9 16:59:39 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: disk1s3: I/O error.
Jan 9 17:00:23 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: disk1s3: I/O error.
Jan 9 17:00:53: --- last message repeated 1 time ---
Jan 9 17:01:23 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: disk1s3: I/O error.
Jan 9 17:06:40 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero
Jan 9 17:14:34 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero
Jan 9 17:17:18: --- last message repeated 3 times ---
Jan 9 17:17:18 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero
Jan 9 17:21:46 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: disk1s3: I/O error.
Jan 9 17:22:16: --- last message repeated 1 time ---
Jan 9 17:22:44 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: disk1s3: I/O error.
Jan 9 17:23:14: --- last message repeated 1 time ---
Jan 9 17:23:14 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: disk1s3: I/O error.
Jan 9 17:23:48 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: disk1s3: I/O error.
Jan 9 17:24:18: --- last message repeated 1 time ---
Jan 9 17:24:22 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: disk1s3: I/O error.
Jan 9 17:24:52: --- last message repeated 1 time ---
Jan 9 17:28:04 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: disk1s3: I/O error.
Jan 9 17:28:34: --- last message repeated 1 time ---
Jan 9 17:28:37 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: disk1s3: I/O error.
Jan 9 17:29:07: --- last message repeated 1 time ---
Jan 9 17:29:07 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero
Jan 9 17:29:12 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: disk1s3: I/O error.
Jan 9 17:29:42: --- last message repeated 1 time ---
Jan 9 17:30:06 Rolf-Lufts-MacBook-Pro kernel[0]: IOSurface: buffer allocation size is zero

I had this same message appear today when i was putting new music on my ipod touch 4th gen. The only difference is that I wasnt using an external drive. I was using the one on my computer. This is the first time i have had this problem

The ipod "IPOD" cannot be updated. The disk could not be read or written to

"The iPod "IPOD" cannot be updated. The disk could not be read or written to"
"The iPod "IPOD" cannot be updated. An unknown error occurred. (-50)"
I have been dealing with this ever since I installed iTunes 7. I had been getting this message with my previous version, but at least the files would load onto the iPod once I deleted the files in the library and reloaded them. Now, nothing works.
I attempted to restore the iPod, but guess what? I got this message every time:
"The iPod "IPOD" could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (1418)"
When I checked drive E on the Device Manager on My Computer, it said the device was working fine.
Desperate to fix the problem, I began searching online for other solutions when I stumbled upon someone mentioning the option to format the iPod with fat32, suggesting that as a way to solve the problem, so I did so. After that, nothing has worked. The device manager now says that there are no drivers for drive E and iTunes won't let me restore the iPod.
I'm plumb out of ideas. What's left to do? I'm not rich enough to just say, "Oh well! La dee da! Let me go buy another iPod shuffle." Is there any way to fix this?

I finally reinstalled iTunes and my 2G Shuffle on my another station (PC portable + Windows XP) and that functions without trouble.
As I followed exactly the same procedure of installation, it's difficult to me to explain differences.
For each pc :
- No iPod or iTunes previously installed before this one
- All the rights (administrator)
Differences :
- The OS (Windows XP and Windows XP Pro)
- A lot of USB peripherics declared on my first PC.
I tend to think that the problem comes from the detection or the declaration of the port usb, but I'm not at all an expert.
So my trouble is solved, but not with a satisfactory solution.
Patrick
Windows XP Pro

"The iPod cannot be synced. The disk could not be read or written to."

I just bought an iPod touch today and rushed home to sync it with iTunes. After making sure I had the latest version of iTunes, I plugged the new ipod in and followed the steps to sync. It seems that after about 200 songs transfered to my iPod touch, I got an error stating, "The iPod cannot be synced. The disk could not be read or written to." followed by another error stating, "Attempting to copy to the disk failed. The disk could not be read from or written to." I disconnected the iPod then reconnected, transfered a couple hundred more songs then got the error again. I tried restoring the iPod itself 3 times and made sure all the software was up to date, even uninstalling and reinstalling iTunes. With about 3500 songs I do not want to sit here and keep having to unplug and plug the iPod back in. PLEASE PLEASE someone help me! Thanks!

*I am pasting a message I made on another forum. I was having the same trouble syncing, but this cleared everything up.*
Looks like Joe was correct; at least in my case. I was getting the "cannot copy to disk" message after about 50 songs. After following his advice, syncing worked fine, both music and videos.
Thanks Joe,
Jim
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pos_user
Its not the IPOD. I got that issue too. then I realized I had 8 things plugged into my USB port and USB hub.
i have 4 integrated USB ports. 3 are used, and 1 leads to another 4 port hub. Its drawing too much power and the IPOD usb needs a constant power stream in order for it to accept transfers at certain speeds.
check your USB usage, and also make sure if enough power is allocated to the USB slot you're using (hopefully you guys know how to do that in device manager for PC, not mac).
Or simply unplug everything, except the ipod and see if it works.
Another thing, if you have front USBs on your BAY...use the back ones, the front dont have as much power allocated to them since they are created/designed for wireless/bluetooth devices, like mouse and keyboard.
Use the BACK usb devices, and reboot your machine and IPOD. and you should be fine.
One instance, my friend was getting that issue, he unplugged all power consuming USB devices...and it didnt work. So he had to restore his IPOD, and it worked with no problem from there on. But as soon as he plugs in his printer, he gets that error again.
so its all about the USB power drainage you're using.

The iPhone cannot be synced. The disk could not be read or written to.

+The iPhone cannot be synced. The disk could not be read or written to.+
That's the message I get when I sync my iPhone now after flawless syncing since the second day they came on sale. I restarted, I repaired permissions. The iPhone is only half full. I have tried a couple of different usb to iPhone chords. After trouble shooting I have found that if I don't sync iPhoto it syncs everything else just fine. I have deleted the iPhoto prefs. I have reinstalled iLife. I have reinstalled iTunes and deleted the iTunes prefs. I have gotten a brand new iPhone from the Apple store. I have backed up and deleted every photo in iPhoto and it still gets the error message.
Starting to get frustrated.

Unfortunately, I'm an Outlook junkie, and I need to sync my iPhone (1st Gen) with Outlook. I had no problems under XP. I even synced my device to Vista Business running out of Boot Camp and via Fusion.
When I upgraded to Vista Ultimate and Office 2007 (freshly installed) my iPhone refused to sync anything but my Contacts, Calendar, and Bookmarks. It didn't matter whether I was running under Fusion or natively via Boot Camp -- I would get a variety of errors, but mostly "the disk could not be read or written to" wtih the occassional "unknown error" thrown in to make my life even more miserable.
It would occasionally sync an audio or video file, but 99 times out of 100 it would die in the middle of the sync, trash something on the phone, and force me to restore it.
Restoration, though, was not possible under Windows. I would try repeatedly to restore the phone from Vista, with no success. In fact, I tried to install the updated 2.0 firmware last week, which "bricked" the phone for about 4 hours. The only way that I could restore the device was under OS X. Naturally, the error returned the first time I tried to sync on Windows again.
I was almost to the point of declaring the iPhone toasted, smashing the overpriced little trinket that's caused me so much agony into iPieces and then dropping it into an envelope and mailing it to Steve J. with a letter stating that a $600.00+ "revoltionary internet device" shouldn't croak 1 year after purchase.
<RANT>
I mean think about it -- getting bent over on pricing 2 months after purchase, Apple releasing a 3G version barely one year later (and for significantly lower price than the original) and having to sign a 2 year contract with the baby Satan that is AT&T isn't exactly what I would call a GOOD experience. Not to mention the activation fiasco, etc.
</RANT>
At any rate, all the Windows jokes aside, I believe I've finally solved my problem and it may help the others having this same problem on dual-core or hyperthreading processors.
With iTunes running, go to the Task Manager, select the Processes tab and find the iTunes processes (AppleMobileDeviceHelper.exe, iTunes.exe, and iTunesHelper.exe). Right-click on each and select "Set Affinity..." from the context menu.
In the "Processor Affinity" dialog, you should see both CPU 0 and CPU 1 checked, which is the default. UN-CHECK CPU 1, so that only CPU 0 is checked, then click "OK".
You may need to retstart iTunes and/or the services, but I didn't need to do that (and technically, you shouldn't have to do that).
Try your sync again. I'm syncing flawlessly again after that little tweak. Perhaps this is something odd about iTunes under Windows on multi-core or hyperthreading processors (read: race condition or something similar)?
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this will continue to work, otherwise I go the smash-and-mail-to-Steve route.

ITunes could not copy "Beethoven's Symphony No 9 (from "A Clockwork Orange")" to iPhone "Heywood Floyd's iPhone" because the file could not be read or written

Hello, i am having the following problem...
"iTunes could not copy "Beethoven's Symphony No 9 (from "A Clockwork Orange")" to iPhone "Heywood Floyd's iPhone" because the file could not be read or written" [ ... and yes, Heywood Floyd is an avatar name..]
With this...
a. it occurs when I try to synch my iphone with iTunes.
b. I have tested the "Beethoven's Symphony No 9" files that I have found on my iTunes, and my iPhone, as there is a copy of "Beethoven_ Symphony No. 9, _Choral_" folder that is the concert from Bernard Haitink & London Symphony Orchestra;
c. This is where is get weird, a sort of Jack Torrance moment, they only file related to "A clock work orange" is 06 A Clockwork Orange - Ode to Joy.m4p...
So what is happening, and how can I resolve this, as I am not able to synch between my mac and my iPhone....

Check the media source drive for errors.
See also Repair security permissions for iTunes for Windows. Not sure it is relevant but can't hurt.
If iTunes is confused about what media is and is not on the device take these steps:
Backup the device.
Restore as a new device.
Restore from the earlier backup.
tt2

Some data in ... could not be read or written. (Error code -36).

Hello.
I just got a Lacie 512mb disk, and thought it would be ideal for running my iTunes library off of. Got the disk, ran it through its paces, hooked it up to my Mac mini, and I can't seem to copy hardly any files over. Here's one error (but you can replace "iTunes Library" with any song and it's the same thing)...
'The Finder cannot complete the operation because some data in "iTunes Library" could not be read or written. (Error code -36).'
So, I think there's disk or file damage, etc. I boot off an external and run Disk Utility, DiskWarrior and TechToolPro against it - everything checks out fine.
But I can't copy files from the mini's internal to my external Repair Boot disk or the Lacie 512. Always that same -36.
So, at first I think it's the mini, then I think it's the Lacie, because it's new, so I reformat it: same issue. And that coupled with it won't copy to my Repair Boot, makes me think the mini again.
But, I've got a g1 iPod mini hooked up (formatted in hfsj+), and I can copy this file to the iPod mini, but no where else. I not sure what this makes me think.
And, I can duplicate the file on the Mac mini. In fact, if it's a song file that won't copy (none of them will), I can play it just fine.
Thanks.
Mac mini Mac OS X (10.4.3)

I experienced a problem in a familiar way.
After a recording session I tried to copy the complete folder with session and sound files to another disk (original and target disk both LaCie d2 250 FW800).
Somehow the proces stopped prompting an -36 error over some files.
When I look up these files in the Finder, it seems to have an iTunes audio-file icon instead of a ProTools audio-file icon (and so other standard app to open with). All the other files will copy fine. The files will play with quicktime in the preview window.
Any-one a solution?
Almost seems like some kind of copy protection, like implied earlier in this thread. I hope it's not. These are the originals...

I have moved all my songs onto a new external hard drive but it has wiped my iPod clean. Although when I connect my iPod it's starts teh process of sync'ing - so many songs in I get a pop up advising the siong could not be read or written to?

I have moved all my itunes onto a new external hard drive to free up space. It has wiped my ipod clean! I can still see the itunes on the new hard drive so I restored my iPod and tried to sync. Although when I connect my iPod it's in the process of syncing, so many songs in I get a pop up saying could not copy to my iPod as xyz song title could not be read or written. I click ok for this pop up to dissapear and then another pop up appears saying could not coyp to iPod because of unknown error.!!! Help I'm going crazy.

Did you go into iTunes to change the location of your media files? if not you will need to go into iTunes and click on preference and select the advance tab then click the iTunes Media folder location. Select the location of your on external hard drive.

"the finder cannot complete the operation because some data in [name of iMovie file] could not be read or written (Error Code 26)

Hi all,
I have an iMovie project in iMovie HD 6.0.3. (Mac OS 10.5.8)
It plays, but I cannot copy the file (including saving it to a flash drive). I get either a message
"the finder cannot complete the operation because some data in [name of
iMovie file] could not be read or written (Error Code 26)" or the
message "A project file is missing. The file [name of the QuickTime
movie inside the project.dv] couldn't be opened and is being skipped."
This happened suddenly, I was able to save a backup version numerous
times while working on the project.
I followed some of Karl Petersen's advise on apple discussions. I opened
the package contents, and everything seems to be there. The source file
(original QuickTime movie) is there and can be opened and played. I
replaced the current project file with the backup in the package
contents, but that did not change anything. I was able to export the
movie timeline into a new project as a single clip, but would like to be
able to copy the current project.
Thanks for any ideas..

Make sure all drives are formatted as "Mac OS Extended". (Journalling preferred, but not necessary).

Cannot move any files into trash to delete them. I get a Trash warning box saying "The Finder cannot complete the operation because some data in 'file name' could not be read or written.(Error code - 36)".Macbook has so much data it is almost not working

Cannot move any files into trash to delete them. I get a Trash warning box saying "The Finder cannot complete the operation because some data in 'file name' could not be read or written.(Error code - 36)".Macbook has so much data it is almost not working.
I have tried reseting to factory settings by removing battery and holding down the power switch for more than 5 sec but this does nothing.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated as I think with so much unwanted data on the desktop and other places the whole os will crash very soon.
Thanks, Rick

The hard drive may be dying anyway, or the directory damaged because it is so full. You should never let the hard drive get over 85% full.
A -36 error is a read/write error.
All you did with the power is reset the SMC. Does nothing to reset everything to factory settings.
Do you have your original 10.4 installer discs for the MacBook?
Is your data backed up?

The File Could Not Be Read or Written?

I am trying to sync some songs to my iPod Touch (brand new, by the way) and occasionally I hit a song where I get the error message that the "file could not be read or written."
I set iTunes to only sync checked songs and video. I mark the problem song as "corrupted" in the notes and then uncheck it. When I sync again, it skips that song and the sync continues until it finds another song that is "corrupted."
Strangely though, I can play the song on my iMac with no problems. I just can't sync it to my iPod.
How do I fix this?

I had this issue and couldn't figure out what it was for the life of me. I am running windows 7 and the latest version of itunes. I tried multiple reinstalls of itunes and restores of the ipod. I finally got it fixed by following this guide.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1539
Apparently there was an issue with my .dll files. Hope this helps.

I have the 20gb iPod that I need to put music back onto with my new computer. It starts to sync then it says "ITunes could not copy the song to the iPod because the file could not be read or written. ????

I have a 20gb iPod that needs music from ITunes. On my new computer I am trying to sync but I get error message "could not copy to iPod because file could not be read or written. Attempting to copy to the disk failed. The disk could not be read from or written to." I have tried several times and have reset to factory settings.

Is the new PC running XP as well, Chalotte?
If so, I might start with the following document (your error message is a possible symptom of the issue too):
iTunes displays -50 error message when syncing iPod on Windows XP

I was trying to sync my 120GB iPod Classic earlier and it said it couldn't sync as the iPod disk could not be "read" or "written to". I now can't get anything onto my iPod, and I was wondering if it is a hard drive problem? Any help appreciated. Thanks.

I was trying to sync my 120GB iPod Classic earlier, and it said it couldn't sync as the iPod disk could not be "read" or "written to." I now can't get anything onto my iPod, and I was wondering if it is a hard drive problem? Any help appreciated. Thanks.

Did you go into iTunes to change the location of your media files? if not you will need to go into iTunes and click on preference and select the advance tab then click the iTunes Media folder location. Select the location of your on external hard drive.

ERROR - disk could not be read or written to

I have reinstall software, updated IPOD to 2006 software, restored Ipod shuffle and when I try and Autofill using my own list of songs I get this message: The Ipod cannot be updated. The disk could not be read from or written to.

I've gone right of iShuffles. Mine refused to play ball a couple of months ago so my wife kindly got me a new Video iPod - which I recommend) and my son's shuffle decided to shuffle off this mortal coild too. I used the online Apple service to get both replaced - really excelent service, replacements to my door and return service too. Full marks Apple.
My replacement Shuffle worked just fine. My son's - zero marks Apple. disk could not be read or written.
No kidding, I've been removing, re-installing, plugging, unplugging... for six hours straight now! I've definitely read all that Apple have to say, which isn't much.
I've definitely stripped out all iPod and iTunes mentions and gone from the original install CD to latest versions - same result. Then just straight to latest versions after removing everything, same result.
When I plug this same shuffle into my HP Laptop - it just works fine, no problem at all. This is what's kept me going all these hours - it MUST be a software issue on our shared home computer. I virus and shareware checked and cleaned, but no issues there. Some mentions on other forums showed users who's startup drive letter was not C: cured the problem by changing to C: but mine already is.
So I'm completely at a loss now. What I am curious about is that the posts on this subject are all in the past few days - could it be an issue with the latest iTunes or Shuffle updater? My laptop on which it runs is has iTunes 6.0.2.23, but that was on the problem machine before I updated in the first attempt to cure the problem. So it isn't the iTunes version. And my HP has the latest iPod updater on it too, so can't be that simple either. And the Shuffle fails on one machine while working on the other with the same firmware in the Shuffle, so it can't be just that either.
There's a story about Thomas Edison being positive in his search inventing a working lightbulb - along the lines that it took him 10,000 failures before he found a solution. At each point he celebrated having identified another way that did NOT work, bringing him one step closer to the answer. So in that vein... I can celebrate about 20 ways I have identified to NOT solve this problem. If it were left to me, we wouldn't have electric light - I'd have given up;-)
Rob.

Music sync problem - The disk could not be read or written to.

Hello!
Since my last iPod restore I have got a problem with music syncing. When I want to sync about more than 10 files iTunes gives an error massage: "The disk could not be read or written to." It is very annoying to copy 20GB music.
Any good idea?

Have you had a chance to look at this troubleshooting page? It may be of some help: "Disk cannot be read from or written to" when syncing iPod

Device Could not be Read or Written to

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