IPhone 4 Audio Syncing Problem

Question

Hi,
I have a slightly bizarre audio syncing issue.
I have a brand new iPhone 4 which works perfectly in every respect except that it seems incapable of playing audio files which are synced from iTunes on my PC.
I am using iTunes version 10.1.1.4 on an Acer Aspire Laptop running Vista.
The iPhone 4 is also running the latest software and has not been modded or otherwise messed around with in any way.
The salient points:
1. All AAC (.m4a) files synced from iTunes on PC to iPhone do not play at all.
2. All mp3 files synced from iTunes on PC to iPhone appear to get 'chopped-up' during the syncing process into largish chunks which are then re-assembled into the wrong order. The iPhone will then quite happily play these re-assembled mp3s time and time again. (e.g. original track gets broken down during syncing into random sections a-b-c-d-e and track then turns up on iPhone as say c-b-e-d-a).
3. Any (m4a format) track downloaded directly from iTunes Store to the iPhone plays perfectly on the iPhone. If said track is then synced to PC, removing it from iPhone and then synced back to iPhone, it then refuses to play on iPhone.
4. Any (mp3 format) track downloaded from the web directly to the iPhone plays perfectly on the iPhone. If said track... you get the chop-chop thing again.
5. All tracks at all times play flawlessly on iTunes on the PC.
Any clever suggestions?
Thanks.

Answer 1

Symptoms
In rare instances, iTunes may become unresponsive when connecting an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to your computer. iTunes may become responsive again after you disconnect the device from the computer.
Products Affected
iTunes 9 for Windows, iTunes 9 for Mac
Resolution
Expand All Sections | Collapse All Sections
Follow the steps below to troubleshoot the issue:
1. Install any available software updates for your computer.
■For Mac OS X: Click the Apple () menu, choose Software Update, and follow the on-screen instructions.
■For Windows: Refer to the documentation for your computer for instructions on using Windows Update to update your computer.
2.Update iTunes to the latest version.
■For Mac OS X: Click the Apple () menu, choose Software Update, and follow the on-screen instructions. You can also download iTunes from the Apple website.
■For Windows: Use Apple Software Update, or download iTunes from the Apple website.
3.Test with automatic syncing disabled.
■For Mac OS X: Click the iTunes menu and choose Preferences. Click the Devices tab and place a check next to option to "Prevent iPods, iPhones and iPads from syncing automatically." Click OK.
■For Windows: Click the Edit menu and choose Preferences. Click the Devices tab and place a check next to option to "Prevent iPods, iPhones and iPads from syncing automatically." Click OK.
Reconnect your device and test to see if the issue still occurs. If your device is recognized successfully, you may be able to isolate which type of data is causing the issue. Do this by deselecting all syncing options under each of the syncing tabs and then sync. After that, re-enable your sync options one at a time until the issue returns.
Note: If the issue only occurs when syncing data from the Info tab is enabled (For example: Contact, Calendar, Mail account or Bookmark syncing), reset the Sync History (for Mac OS X instructions see this article, for Windows see this article).
4.Check your device for podcasts. If there are any podcasts, manually delete all podcast episodes from the device by sliding your finger across the podcast episode's name and tapping Delete. Once all podcasts are removed from your device, reconnect it to the computer, open iTunes, and test.
5.If possible, test to see if connecting your device to a different computer with the latest version of iTunes installed resolves the issue.
6.Test with iTunes plug-ins removed.
■Quit iTunes.
■Navigate to the following folder, based on your operating system:
Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes Plug-ins
Windows Vista or Windows 7: C:\Users\[username]\App Data\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes Plug-ins
Mac OS X:
■~/Library/iTunes/iTunes Plug-ins (The "~" represents your Home folder)
■/Library/iTunes/iTunes Plug-ins
■If any files are in this folder, move them to the Desktop temporarily.
■Open iTunes and test to see if the issue is resolved. If so, you may leave these iTunes plug-ins removed. If you wish to re-use these iTunes plug-ins, consult the vendor for the iTunes plug-ins to see if any updates are available.
If the issue also occurs on a different computer:
You may need to restore your device to factory settings.
■If your device has an internet connection, you may use email to send yourself your pictures, notes, and other data you may need to back up before you restore.
■If you have backed up your device in the past, and you wish to keep this backup, make a copy of your backup on your computer. See this article for details on where backups are stored.
■Follow this article to restore your device. When the restore is finished, restore from your latest backup.
■If the issue returns, follow steps this article again, but restore your device "As new" when prompted.
1.From the Start menu, choose Control Panel.
2.Open Add or remove user accounts (If using the Classic View in Windows Vista, open User Accounts. Then open Manage another account).
3.Select Create a new account and follow the instructions to complete the account setup process.
4.Once the new account is created, choose Log Off from the Start menu.
5.Log in to the newly created user account.
6.Open iTunes and determine whether the issue you were experiencing persists in this new user.