HT1386 I can't get my iPod Classic to sync with iTunes. My iPod Classic is up to date, and i have downloaded the latest version of iTunes. When trying to sync, it gives the message "The iPod "Brad D's iPod" cannot be synced because it cannot be found."

Question

Do I have to un-install and re-install iTunes or do I have to restore my iPod Classic (I don't want to lose everything in my music library)?

Answer 1

Clicking sounds from an iPod that has a hard drive for storage is not a good thing.  It usually means the hard drive is faulty.  That is the likely reason for getting an error during the attempt to Restore.
If you use a Mac, you can try putting the iPod into Disk Mode
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1363
If it goes into Disk Mode, connect the iPod and instead of running iTunes, run Disk Utility.  Does the iPod appear in the Disk Utility sidebar?  If it does, select the iPod device in the sidebar, not the volume indented below the device (if there is one).  Go to the Erase tab.  Set the Format to Mac OS Extended (Journaled).  Name does not matter.  Click on Security Options and choose to write a single pass of zeros over the entire disk.  This serves as a good "stress test" for the iPod's hard drive.  Back on the main window, click Erase.
This takes longer than a regular erase, but you should see steady progress.  If it errors out, or stalls for a LONG time (like hours), the hard drive is likely to be faulty.
If it completes successfully, quit Disk Utility, run iTunes and try to do another Restore