I FIXED my "can't be read from or written to" problem!

if you have windows xp, and get the error message "ipod can't be updated. the drive can't be read from or written to.", try this:
make sure you have the latest updates to your windows xp. if not, download and install them.
after THREE DAYS of ipod-induced torture, i tried this and my ipod updated on the very first try.
good luck!!!

Seen this troubleshooting article?
Disk cannot be read from or written to error syncing iPod in iTunes.

Similar Messages

  • The disk can not be read from or written to?

    When I try and update my Ipod, it gives me this message 'The disk can not be read from or written to' And its really getting on my nerves, How do I fix it so I can actully put music on my Ipod?
    VulCAN   Windows XP   none

    This link should help you troubleshoot your error.
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301267

  • Touch can not be read from or written to

    After upgrading to iTunes 7.7.1 and iPod 2.0, I can not sync at all anymore. I get an error window telling me that my sync failed because my iPod Touch can not be read from or written to. I applied the "5 Rs" troubleshooting tips, to no avail. (5 Rs = restart, reset settings, reset iPod, remove files, restore).
    I went to the Genius Bar & they were able to eventually get it to sync, but replaced the unit anyway.
    I got home with my new iPod Touch and it had EXACTLY THE SAME problem as my old one did - the "could not read from or write to" my iPod Touch.
    I have a new appointment for next week at the Genius Bar.
    Has anyone else experienced this problem or know what the fix might be?
    I want to try restoring to the iPod 2.0 or prior iTunes software, but can not figure out how to do that.
    All help/suggestions are welcome!
    Heidi

    one of the solutions fixed the error on my itouch:
    Symptoms
    When using iTunes to sync photos to iPod and iPhone, iTunes creates a folder called iPod Photo Cache in the top level of the folder you selected for your photos. Picking another folder to sync does not erase the previous iPod Photo Cache. Depending on how many photos are being synced, the hard drive could fill up.
    Products Affected
    iPhone, iPod with color display, iPod photo, iPod nano, iPod nano (2nd generation), iPod (5th generation), iPod (5th generation Late 2006), iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod nano (3rd generation)
    Resolution
    Drag the folder named iPod Photo Cache to the Trash or Recycle Bin.
    If you're syncing from an iPhoto `08 album, use these steps to find the iPod Photo Cache:
    1. Go to your Pictures folder (~/Pictures) and locate the iPhoto Library file.
    2. Control-click the iPhoto Library file and choose Show Package Contents from the shortcut menu.
    3. In the iPhoto Library window, locate the iPod Photo Cache folder and drag it to the Trash.
    4. Close the iPhoto Library window.

  • "Device can not be read from or written to" error keeps coming up...

    I have recently updated to the 3.1 firmware on my iPhone 3G (after a couple failed attempts).
    The problems seemed to start there when the update froze midway through and I had to try a couple more times. After I did and restored my settings, iTunes said that my backup file didn't work. I tried a couple more times to restore from the backup but ended up having to restore as a new device.
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    It synced all of my contacts, apps, calendar, etc., but when it gets to my music and videos it will sync a bit of it before giving me the error messages:
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    Hi,
    This article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1207 provides tips that will resolve issues causing this message to appear with iPhones and iPods.
    Make sure the iPhone is directly connected to a high-speed USB2 port on the PC, using the cable that came with it.
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  • Disk can not be read from or written to

    This iPod nano second gen is brand new. Bought it today and I put like 10 songs and 10 photos on for my sister and now it's saying "disk can not be read from or written to" and now it's not showing up in iTunes or "My Computer". Help, please?

    Is there an error number listed in the message? This would be helpful. You may also want to check for other threads that may have already answered your questions before posting. Another good option even before using the forums is to go to the iPod nano support section and then search through the articles for possible solutions. The links I have provided to some of your threads have come from aquick search of the problem you listed starting on the main support page Support.

  • Can not be read from or written to

    OK, so I've had my Gen 3 for several years, I recently restored it and formated it for my windows machine to transfer some files from my windows to my Mac.
    Upon restoring it back and refortmatting it to Mac, I learned that it now gives me an error message when adding playlists that says:
    "this ipod can not be read from, or written to"
    any idea what that is all about?

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

  • When syncing photos getting error iPhone can not be read from or written to

    I am getting an error only when I try to sync photos. Error is iPhone can not be read from or written to. This only happens when I am syncing photos, so far everything else syncs fine. I have an iPhone 3G S. I had some pictures on the iPhone that I deleted, still no sync. I am restoring the iPhone right now.

    I am having the same issue. I get "iphone unable to sync, an unknown error occurred (-51)" I have restored twice and once even set up as a new iphone. Nothing so far has worked. If anyone has any suggestions, please pass them on

  • My ipod touch 3rd gen won't sync. it says the disk can't be read from or written too. Any thoughts?

    My ipod touch 3rd gen won't sync. it says the disk can't be read from or written too. Any thoughts?

    Make sure you have some free space and if you do then buy a new syncing cable

  • Songs won't update.  Error message "can not be read from or written to"

    Right, so maybe someone can help me.
    I've had my Nano since Christmas and have never encountered any problems with it until recently.
    Whenever I try and update my iPod (or my husband's for that matter) I get the error message: Attempting to copy to the disk "Gatsby" (name of my iPod) failed. The disk could not be read from or written to"
    Sometimes one or two songs will work, and then I'll get the message. If I try again another few songs will work and I'll get the message again.
    I have tried everything I can think of.
    I have tried resetting my iPod. I've tried reinstalling iPod Updater and iTunes. I've tried restarting the computer. I've tried restoring the iPod to factory settings. And I still have the same problem.
    I tried calling Apple Support but they weren't able to help me much. So maybe someone here has an idea. PLEASE HELP!
    Since I've restored the iPod I no longer have any songs on it. I only have the few that have managed to copy inbetween attempted updates. My poor little iPod is useless until I can fix this problem.
    I have iTunes v6.0.4 and iPod Updater v1.1.1 (the update from 2006-03-23)
    Please help!
    Thanks!
    iMac G5 1.8GHz PowerPC   Mac OS X (10.4.6)  

    Well, I know my operating system is up to date. I know iTunes is up to date. I know iPod Updater is up to date.
    I don't think it's a damaged music file, because it doesn't hang on one certain song. It manages to update a few, then I get the error, if I try and update again, it does a few more songs then I get the error again. I've updated dozens of times with the same selection of songs and I've never had a problem.
    I tried resetting the iPod. I tried restoring it.
    Still hasn't helped.
    Someone suggested using fsck from my terminal, but it came back saying everything appeared to be okay. But, my songs are all on my external hard drive, does that make a difference?
    It's never seemed to matter before.
    I don't know what else to try.
    I don't think it's a problem with the iPod itself. My husband's iPod is doing the same thing, which makes me wonder if it isn't my computer, or perhaps a problem with iTunes or the iPod Updater.
    I've tried using a different cable, and different ports, but I still have the same problem.
    Any ideas?

  • Disc can not be read from or written to

    I've had a huge problem with Itunes over the last few days. Many of my songs have the grey exclamation mark and for some reason itunes cannot locate them. Super frustrating. "The original file cannot be found."I have been able to locate some files but many have been totally lost.
    In order to replace the songs I can't find, I'm trying to add them again to itunes (from CDs, etc.). For some reason, when I try to add, I get the following error message "Attempting to copy to the disk "Macintosh HD" failed. The disk could not be read from or written to"
    For the love of god please help me before I lose all of my hair. 

    Get an external drive and back up as many of your files as you can while you can. You may have to do it folder by folder or file by file. The disk may be corrupt (though for what reason I don't know) or it could be bad.
    You want to verify disk, not verify or repair permissions.  Repair Permissions failed probably for the same reason you are having these other problems: there is a problem with the disk.  While you can run Verify Disk, you cannot run Repair Disk on your main drive unless you boot from another drive (such as the Install CD).  If you boot from the Install CD (with the disk in, hold down C while booting) it will ask a few language questions then you'll get to a point where there is a menu bar at the top of the screen. You can run Disk Utility from the menu and do a disk repair.  The repair may fix it but may not.
    Third party disk utilities such as Disk Warrior might be able to do more for you than Disk Utility.
    And you might want to give Apple Support a call. They are there to help.

  • Can't Synch.."disk can not be read from or written to"

    Hellppp...trying to get daughter's IPOD Nano to synch. It's a 3rd gen video (squarish model).
    We start the log-in try to synch...it reads for a moment then says "the disk cannot be read from or written to". We can all her songs in the new library we created..uploaded from the Nano...next she buys 5 songs and can't synch back down to nano.
    We've tried full resets, new iD's at the I-store, recognizing "new hardware on this laptop" etc. Could the nano be shot? Plays fine and loads her brothers songs fine but won't accept new songs she bought in her own store?
    Help..

    Hey there,
    And Welcome to Apple Discussions.
    Have you had a chance to look at this Apple support document relating to this exact issue? If not, I would check it out. Make sure to work through each troubleshooting solution one at a time. Could be of help.
    [Disk cannot be read from or written to when syncing iPod or Firmware update failure error when updating or restoring iPod|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1207]
    Otherwise, I would try completely formatting the iPod through Windows and then restoring it through iTunes. Instructions on how to do this can be found below. Its worth a shot.
    [Erase Your iPod - The Super Fix for Most iPod Problems|http://www.methodshop.com/gadgets/ipodsupport/erase/index.shtml]
    Hope this helps.
    B-rock

  • Ipod classic can't be found, can't be read from or written to; what gives?

    My ipod classic 160 has recently developed a problem: when I connect it to synch the itunes software hangs for a while, then says either "the ipod cannot be synched because it could not be found" or "could not be read from or written to" or "required disk cannot be found". Resetting via the click wheel doesnt help and restoring generates the same error messages as above. Eneabling/disabling disk use also doesn't work. Software is up to date as far as I know. The ipod does show up in the source column of itunes and on the summary page itunes shows the ipod as being 23 gb over capacity (although I didn't try to ad anything to it).  The status window of itunes shows it trying to synch but it never finishes. I really don't think the ipod is damaged phsically; through all this the content on the ipod is intact.
    Any ideas?
    Cheers,
    Jaime

    I have the same problem with my ipod classic 160 gb??? Can be a update problem with the new itunes 10.5????

  • Not Sync Properly, Can't be updated, Can't be read from or written to

    After install itunes7, everything becomes so weired. 60g video ipod can't be sync properly. Most of my songs sync to ipod "others" instead of the ipod "music" which been shown by the itunes. Only a few songs go to the "music". After disconnect the ipod from PC, I can only find few songs in ipod. I have 2993songs, 14.76gb in total. The leftover 14gb all go to "others". I really don't know where is "others" and what "others" means. I try to re-install itunes7 and reset ipod. Then, other problems come to me. When I try to sync, there're pop up message says "Attempting to copy to the disk "Yim C" failed. The dish could not be read from or written to" and "The ipod "Yim C" cannot be updated. The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable". So frustrated... I did battle on this for a few days. Feel so tired and helpless. Please do help. Many thanks.

    Thanks. I did follow the troubleshooting and still some problems exist. After I update the new version of iTunes and iPod software, same problem coming up. Then, I try to use back the old iTunes Library, delete the iPod Photo cache, move all the photos into another hard drive, etc. Finally, everything goes into my iPod. However, another problem coming up which is I can only watch the video in the iPod but without sound. I did convert the video that iPod can read. I have no idea why there's no sound at all. If you have any idea, please do help me. Thanks a lot.

  • Ipod shuffle can not be read from or written to?

    I just bought a used ipod shuffle for my mom and I restored the ipod to original settings and updated software and when I try to add songs it keeps saying ("ipod name" could not be synced. The Disc could not be read from or written to.) Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
    Appreciate it.

    The only thing that I saw that was out of date was the version of Itunes I was using. I updated that and now I am getting a different message. "Can not find the required disk." whats going on.

  • "iPod can not be read from or written to"

    Need a little help from the experts.
    I've scoured Apple's support site, this site and several others for mention of an error that reads like this:
    "Unable to read from or write to disk "(insert iPod name here)".
    Here's what happens:
    Open iTunes
    Plug in iPod (4th Gen 20GB)
    iTunes recognizes iPod
    Transfer of song begins
    Error occurs
    I've tried shutting down all my anti-virus/security but that's no help. There's also no ID of the error. I've seen a lot posted about "-36" and "-69" errors but this one has no such notation. I've also booted off iTunes and iPod software and reloaded to no avail. Can anyone here help?
    Thanks in advance!

    hi Matchman!
    apparently, the same rules for treating the -36 apply to this one too ... (the KB doc was just recently updated to say so.) see:
    -36 or "Disk cannot be read from or written to" error syncing iPod in iTunes
    keep us posted.
    love, b

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