IPod Classic freezes while adding songs when only half-filled

I'm trying to be as detailed for best results.
I have an 80 GB iPod Classic. Running on 4 years since I purchased it. Treated well, not overplayed, charged frequently, etc.
Recently I've had problems when it comes to adding music, however. At a certain point when the harddrive is filled (somewhere close to 50%), it seems to not be able to add any more songs. For instance, I have somewhere around 6,000 songs in my iTunes library. After restoring and trying to copy over them all, the system hangs at just around 5,500 tracks. Then it is unable to sync. Then it is unable to eject. Then it is an annoyance.
After a very frustrating day of attempting to figure out the problem, I have concluded what is NOT the problem.
USB ports - I've used all of them, tested with other devices, have never had problems in the past
USB cable - switched between two different ones. I've been able to connect and edit titles/album art without any problem
iTunes - used a third party software to manage iPod and it had the same problem; I've also updated, reinstalled and downgraded to various versions as well
Corrupt song/file - While iTunes may hang on a certain song when bulk syncing, trying again doesn't affect it.
Diagnostics issue - used information found on these forums to check diagnostics levels and the numbers all look fine
Uploading too many songs at once - I've gone through and uploaded each album INDIVIDUALLY and had the same problem around the same track number. I've even uploaded about 5,000 songs, ejected, hooked up and tried to continue later in the day and it still will eventually freeze up.
That's about all I can think of. As of now my musical library just barely fits into this half-hearted iPod. I would really like to figure out if there's a fixable problem before I invest in more digital media.
Is there any reason why my iPod would just sort of give up when the harddrive is half-filled?

I was having the same problem.
I have an i pod classic 80GB (with the wheel) I think it's 5th generation
I would start a Sync, it would sync 2 or 3 songs then stop or hang up, which did not interfere with any other function, so I would not say it froze.
Once I ended the sync by clicking on the X next to the sync progress bar at the top of the window, I ejected the ipod and then plugged it in again. Then I selected my i pod under Devices in the menu on the left-hand side of iTunes. Clicked on the summary tag. Clicked on "Manually manage music and videos" Clicked ok and apply.
When in manual mode, you cn drag songs from iTunes to the device icon in the sidebar. Once I downloaded the song or songs or album that was causing the problem, I then unselected manual load, and everything else was able to sync normally on automatic mode.

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Ipod Classic Randomly Loses Tracks/Songs when sync with Itunes

My IPod Classic Randomly loses Songs from playlists. I can sync with iTunes and it will keep say 8 songs out of 10 in a playlist (sometimes all 10 if I’m lucky) but if you re sync it will have 7 or 9 different tracks in the playlist. Its Very annoying as my girlfriend uses it for teaching and songs are always missing.
I have tried updating IPod, re-installing ITunes and restoring IPod
Any Ideas??? Apart from buy a new one but from what I can guess seems like a software issue.
Thanks

I was having the same problem.
I have an i pod classic 80GB (with the wheel) I think it's 5th generation
I would start a Sync, it would sync 2 or 3 songs then stop or hang up, which did not interfere with any other function, so I would not say it froze.
Once I ended the sync by clicking on the X next to the sync progress bar at the top of the window, I ejected the ipod and then plugged it in again. Then I selected my i pod under Devices in the menu on the left-hand side of iTunes. Clicked on the summary tag. Clicked on "Manually manage music and videos" Clicked ok and apply.
When in manual mode, you cn drag songs from iTunes to the device icon in the sidebar. Once I downloaded the song or songs or album that was causing the problem, I then unselected manual load, and everything else was able to sync normally on automatic mode.

My brand new iPod classic is dropping old songs when I sync new ones. How do I fix this?

I have a brand new, less then a month old iPod classic. This is my second one as there first one I bought was defective and couldn't be recognized by my computer. This new one isn't without it's glitches. I had 465 songs on it and went to sync some songs, and videos I'd bought from itunes, I synced and unplugged my ipod. Itunes shows 488 items in my library and ipod shows 178. What's going on and how do I fix this?

What you are hearing is the sound of the iPod's internal hard drive spinning up to read data from disk for playback. So basically, what you are hearing is completely normal for the iPod Classic. If you still feel that it is unusually loud, find another person with an iPod Classic and compare them. If your iPod is louder, it could be signs of a faulty/damage drive, but don't be sure quick to jump to conclusions.
B-rock

Syncing my iPod Classic freezes iTunes 11. When I unplug it, iTunes "unfreezes" and is fine again. iPod never syncs.

Alright, so I downloaded iTunes 11 when it was released. I used it with no problems until last night, syncing it every night to update my playlists.
Well, last night I plugged in my iPod to let it sync and it seemed to be taking longer than usual. It was stuck on the "Connecting" screen. I went to go watch TV, ended up falling asleep, and got up a couple of hours later to shut down my computer and go to bed. My iPod had finished syncing, but I noticed that in iTunes it said something along the lines of "Welcome to your new iPod!" I thought that was strange since I've had it for a few years, but since I was tired, I just ignored it, shut down my computer, and went to bed.
In the morning, I picked up my iPod only to notice that it was completely wiped clean. No music, no videos, no photos: Nothing. The actual software seemed to be working fine, it was just empty. I turned on my computer again and plugged in my iPod to hopefully restore a few playlists before I had to endure the car-ride to work with no music. Since last night whenever I plug my iPod in, iTunes freezes. My iPod starts switching between "Connecting" and Connected" every couple of minutes, but since iTunes is frozen, it never goes anywhere. The weird thing is that when I unplug my iPod from my computer (not something I usually do), iTunes "unfreezes" and resumes normal working order. That part puzzles me. So far, I have tried restarting my iPod a few times and reinstalling iTunes and neither one has worked. I don't really know what to do, but I rely on my iPod quite a bit so this is a pretty big issue for me. Anybody out there have any ideas?
Oh, my my iPod is an 80 gig 5th Generation, if that makes any difference.

I just fixed my own problem with this. Go into the Summary page of the ipod and look at Options. I unchecked the box that said Convert higher bit rate songs to 128 kbps AAC. It then started to work!

HT1320 why does my iPod classic freeze up when i plug it in to my computer

why does my iPod classic freeze up when i plug it in to my computer

It's not a "fix," actually. If that is a 4th gen iPod connected using USB, you need to do what it says and plug it in to the white square power adapter that originally came with those models. Later Apple power adapters should work; third-party adapters may or may not work. It has something to do with voltage. The USB connection to computer does not provide the required voltage (although it's obviously fine for normal syncing and charging).
If that iPod is connected to a FireWire port, it apparently provides the required voltage, because that step does not come up during the Restore. That model was a transition between iPod connecting to FireWire and connecting to USB. Earlier models required FireWire. Later models only used USB.
If you don't have an adapter, and there is an Apple Store nearby, I guess you could take it to the store's Genius Bar. I'm sure they have a power adapter there, to complete the Restore. (Just don't let them re-do the Restore on a Mac, if you use a Windows PC. Different storage formatting.)

HT1320 Help! My ipod classic is frozen. Even when I attach it to a power source and try to reset it (as per the instructions above), the apple logo never appears. The only thing that happens is that the screen turns alternately light and dark. Thanks!

Help! My ipod classic is frozen. Even when I attach it to a power source and try to reset it (as per the instructions above), the apple logo never appears. The only thing that happens is that the screen turns alternately light and dark. Thanks!

If a sad iPod icon or an exclamation point and folder icon appears on your iPod’s screen, or with sounds of clicking or HD whirring, it is usually the sign of a hard drive problem and you have the power to do something about it now. Your silver bullet of resolving your iPod issue – is to restore your iPod to factory settings.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60983
If you're having trouble, try these steps at different levels one at a time until the issue is resolved. These steps will often whip your iPod back into shape.
Make sure you do all the following “TRYs”
A. Try to wait 30 minutes while iPod is charging.
B. Try another FireWire or USB through Dock Connector cable.
C. Try another FireWire or USB port on your computer .
D. Try to disconnect all devices from your computer's FireWire and USB ports.
E. Try to download and install the latest version of iPod software and iTunes
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
For old and other versions of iPod updater for window you can get here
http://www.ipodwizard.net/showthread.php?t=7369
F. Try these five steps (known as the five Rs) and it would conquer most iPod issues.
http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/
G. Try to put the iPod into Disk Mode if it fails to appear on the desktop
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93651
If none of these steps address the issue, you may need to go to Intermediate level listed below in logical order. Check from the top of the lists to see if that is what keeping iPod from appearing on your computer in order for doing the Restore.
Intermediate Level
A. Try to connect your iPod with another computer with the iPod updater pre-installed.
B. Still can’t see your iPod, put it in Disk Mode and connect with a computer, instead of doing a Restore on iPod Updater. Go and format the iPod instead.
For Mac computer
1. Open the disk utility, hope your iPod appears there (left hand side), highlight it
2. Go to Tab “Partition”, click either “Delete” or “Partition”, if fails, skip this step and go to 3
3. Go to Tab “Erase” , choose Volume Format as “MAC OS Extended (Journaled), and click Erase, again if fails, skip it and go to 4
4. Same as step 3, but open the “Security Options....” and choose “Zero Out Data” before click Erase. It will take 1 to 2 hours to complete.
5. Eject your iPod and do a Reset
6. Open the iTunes 7 and click “Restore”
For Window computer
Go to folder “My Computer”
Hope you can see your iPod there and right click on the iPod
Choose “Format”. Ensure the settings are at “Default” and that “Quick Format” is not checked
Now select “Format”
Eject your iPod and do a Reset
Open the iTunes 7 and click “Restore”
In case you do not manage to do a “Format” on a window computer, try to use some 3rd party disk utility software, e.g.“HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool”.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=501330&tstart=0
C. Windows users having trouble with their iPods should locate a Mac user. In many cases when an iPod won't show up on a PC that it will show up on the Mac. Then it can be restored. When the PC user returns to his computer the iPod will be recognized by the PC, reformatted for the PC, and usable again. By the way, it works in reverse too. A Mac user often can get his iPod back by connecting it to a PC and restoring it.
Tips
a. It does not matter whether the format is completed or not, the key is to erase (or partly) the corrupted firmware files on the Hard Drive of the iPod. After that, when the iPod re-connected with a computer, it will be recognized as an fresh external hard drive, it will show up on the iTunes 7.
b. It is not a difficult issue for a Mac user to find a window base computer, for a PC user, if they can’t find any Mac user, they can go to a nearest Apple Shop for a favor.
c. You may need to switch around the PC and Mac, try to do several attempts between “Format” and “Restore”
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2364921&#2364921
Advance Level
A. Diagnostic mode solution
If you have tried trouble shooting your iPod to no avail after all the steps above, chances are your iPod has a hardware problem. The iPod's built-in Diagnostic Mode is a quick and easy way to determine if you have a "bad" iPod.
You need to restart your iPod before putting it into Diagnostic Mode. Check that your hold switch is off by sliding the switch away from the headphone jack. Toggle it on and off to be safe.
Press and hold the following combination of buttons simultaneously for approximately 10 seconds to reset the iPod.
iPod 1G to 3G: "Menu" and "Play/Pause"
iPod 4G+ (includes Photo, Nano, Video, and Mini): "Menu" and "Select"
The Apple logo will appear and you should feel the hard drive spinning up. Press and hold the following sequence of buttons:
iPod 1G to 3G: "REW", "FFW" and "Select"
iPod 4G+ (includes Photo, Nano, Video, and Mini): "Back" and "Select"
You will hear an audible chirp sound (3G models and higher) and the Apple logo should appear backwards. You are now in Diagnostic Mode. Navigate the list of tests using "REW" and "FFW". The scroll wheel will not function while in diagnostic mode. For further details on Diagnostic mode can be found at http://www.methodshop.com/mp3/ipodsupport/diagnosticmode/
Try to do the 5in1, HDD R/W and HDD scan tests. Some successful cases have been reported after the running the few tests under the Diagnostic mode. In case it does not work in your case, and the scan tests reports show some errors then it proves your iPod has a hardware problem and it needs a repairing service.
B. Format your iPod with a start disk
I have not tried this solution myself, I heard that there were few successful cases that the users managed to get their iPod (you must put your iPod in disk mode before connecting with a computer) mounted by the computer, which was booted by a system startup disk. For Mac, you can use the Disk Utility (on the Tiger OS system disk), for PC user, you can use the window OS system disk. Try to find a way to reformat your iPod, again it does not matter which format (FAT32, NTFS or HFS+) you choose, the key is to erase the corrupted system files on the iPod. Then eject your iPod and do a Reset to switch out from Disk Mode. Reboot your computer at the normal way, connect your iPod back with it, open the iPod updater, and hopefully your iPod will appear there for the Restore.
If none of these steps address the issue, your iPod may need to be repaired.
Consider setting up a mail-in repair for your iPod http://depot.info.apple.com/ipod/
Or visit your local Apple Retail Store http://www.apple.com/retail/
In case your iPod is no longer covered by the warranty and you want to find a second repairing company, you can try iPodResQ or ifixit at your own risk
http://www.ipodresq.com/index.php
http://www.ifixit.com/
Just in case that you are at the following situation
Your iPod warranty is expired
You don’t want to pay any service charges
You are prepared to buy a new one
You can’t accept the re-sell value of your broken iPod
Rather than leave your iPod as paper-weight or throw it away.
You can try the following, but again, only do it as your last resort and at your own risk.
Warning !!!! – It may or may not manage to solve your problem, and with a risk that you may further damage your iPod, which end up as an expensive paper weight or you need to pay more higher repairing cost. Therefore, please re-consider again whether you want to try the next level
Last Resort Level
1. . Disconnecting the Hard Drive and battery inside the iPod – Warning !! Your iPod warranty will be waived once you open the iPod.
In Hong Kong there are some electronic shops offering an iPod service for Sad iPod, the first thing they do is to open up the iPod’s case and disconnecting the battery and the Hard Drive from the main board of the iPod. Wait for 5-10 minutes and reconnecting them back. The reason behind which I can think of is to do a fully reset of a processor of the iPod. In case you want do it itself and you believe that you are good on fixing the electronics devices and have experience to deal with small bits of electronic parts, then you can read the following of how to open the iPod case for battery and HDD replacement (with Quicktimes)
http://eshop.macsales.com/tech_center/index.cfm?page=Video/directory.html
2.Press the reset button on the Hard Drive inside the iPod – Suggestion from Kill8joy
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2438774#2438774
Have I tried these myself? No, I am afraid to do it myself as I am squeamish about tinkering inside electronic devices, I have few experiences that either I broke the parts (which are normally tiny or fragile) or failed to put the parts back to the main case. Therefore, I agree with suggestion to have it fixed by a Pro.
2. Do a search on Google and some topics on this discussion forum about “Sad iPod”
Exclamation point and folder and nothing else
Spank your iPod
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ljPhrFUaOY
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3597173#3597173
Exclamation point and folder and nothing else
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2831962#2831962
What should I do with my iPod? Send it or keep it?
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=469080&tstart=0
Strange error on iPod (probably death)
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=435160&start=0&tstart=0
Sad Face on iPod for no apparent reason
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=336342&start=0&tstart=0
Meeting the Sad iPod icon
http://askpang.typepad.com/relevant_history/2004/11/meeting_the_sad.html#comment -10519524
Sad faced iPod, but my computer won’t recognize it?
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2236095#2236095
iPod Photo: unhappy icon + warranty question
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2233746#2233746
4th Gen iPod Users - are we all having the same problem?
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=2235623#2235623
Low Battery, and clicking sounds
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2237714#2237714
Sad faced iPod, but my computer won’t recognize it
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2242018#2242018
Sad iPod solution
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=412033&tstart=0
Re: try to restore ipod and it says "can't mount ipod"
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=443659&tstart=30
iPod making clicking noise and is frozen
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2420150#2420150
Cant put it into disk mode
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3786084#3786084
I think my iPod just died its final death
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3813051
Apple logo & monochrome battery stay
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3827167#3827167
My iPod ism’t resetting and isn’t being read by my computer
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=4489387#4489387
I am not suggesting that you should follow as well, but just read them as your reference. You are the person to make the call.
Finally, I read a fair comments from dwb, regarding of slapping the back of the iPod multiple times
Quote “This has been discussed numerous times as a 'fix'. It does work, at least for a while. In fact I remember using the same basic trick to revive Seagate and Quantam drives back in the mid to late 1980's. Why these tiny hard drives go bad I don't know - could be the actuator gets stuck in place or misaligned. Could be the platter gets stuck or the motor gets stuck. 'Stiction' was a problem for drives back in the 80's. Unfortunately the fix can cause damage to the platter so we temporarily fix one problem by creating another. But I know of two instances where a little slap onto the table revived the iPods and they are still worked a year or more later.”UnQuote

HT1386 I sync all songs, photos and videos between my computer and iPod classic with no problems, but when I get to sync info I get this message: "iTunes cannot sync Calendar and contacts to iPod. Try logging out of Windows adn then logging back in".

I sync all songs, photos and videos between my computer and iPod classic with no problems, but when I get to sync info I get this message: "iTunes cannot sync Calendar and contacts to iPod. Try logging out of Windows adn then logging back in". Could you please help?

Correct. When you update via iTunes all synced media that is not in your iTunes library will be lost.
As IO said before:
You can redownload most iTunes pruchases by:
Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store
I do not think it included audio books.

My iPod classic has stop working and when ever i try to synch it there is a alert saying that do not disconnect it and there are some songs which when i try to play the iPod re-starts again so please tell me what is the issue

my iPod classic has stop working and when ever i try to synch it there is a alert saying that do not disconnect it and there are some songs which when i try to play the iPod re-starts again so please tell me what is the issue and some sound is comming from the back pannel .
so please do something about it and give me the solution
thank you,
Saajan jain

To give you something, I need something too, like
How old is the Ipod? (if it is still under warranty, then send it to Apple service shop)
Are you running Windows iTunes or Mac iTunes?
What do you see on the iPod screen?
My guess is, your iPod classic is more than 2 years old and out of warranty, and the hardisk has gone kaput! and need to be replaced.
Have a nice day!

IPod Classic freezing my iTunes

Just recently been having this problem. Had this iPod Classic almost 2 years and been working good since the other day.
I was using iPod class stand alone to play a song and i tried to change to another song and it froze. iPod won't work at all.
So now i mounted it to my computer I use IMac, so all Apple stuff together, No windows here
I have Latest OS on my iMac as well, been working no problems for long time
but recently this happens. iPod classic freezes, it shows up on iTunes starts to Sync, a grind noise can be hear from my device
then ist jus says Connected and freezes
I have done a hard restart on iPod classic, it worked sort of, i got back to working iPod again but every song was erased, but able to function
now i can't still sync anthing
tried to use disk utility but still said its mounted so system won't do it
when i click off iTunes m i can't find device on Disk utility
i have read other similar questions and did the solutions, so far nothing yet
how can i get songs to lpod classic without using Itunes
FYI i have been able to use my iPod Touch in iTunes, worked perfectly
its just the classic i am having problems with
so solutions please and thanks

See Corrupt iPod classic.
tt2

HT1689 i have over 5000 songs on my computer. Which is from songs bought from iTunes and from cd. i had all the songs on my iPod. went to download new songs and only 1500 songs are download . please help

i have over 5000 songs on my computer. Which is from songs bought from iTunes and from cd. i had all the songs on my iPod. went to download new songs and only 1500 songs are download . please help

Since all of your music came from your computer in the first place, then it should still be there and should be included in your backup copy of your computer.
" it told me when i pluged hers in 2 ipods could not use the same account"
This is not true. You have misunderstood.
You can sync as many ipods/iphones/ipads as you like to one one library.

Which hard drives can I put in my 120gb ipod classic? 30gb, 60gb, 80gb or only a 120gb?

which hard drives can I put in my 120gb ipod classic? 30gb, 60gb, 80gb or only a 120gb?

Physically, the small capacity hardisk (60,80) are thicker at 8mm,
while the 120gb is thinner at 5mm,
there are some thin hardrive 30 GB (MK3006GAL), 60GB (MK6015GAL) and 80GB (MK8022GAA).
The firmware 2.0 should be able to handle upto 160GB.hardrive.
However the difficulty, is opening the iPod case, and getting the thin hardrive or else your iPod case wont close, better stick to 120GB.

My Ipod classic has started to play mono only through the headphones. I have tried different headphones with the same outcome. Is the device repairable or better to upgrade?

My Ipod classic has started to play mono only through the headphones. I have tried different headphones with the same outcome. Is the device repairable or better to upgrade?

Hey Grimeymouse,
Thank you for contributing to the Apple Support Communities.
It sounds like your iPod classic is only playing sound in mono when using multiple headphones.
Since you've likely isolated this behavior to the iPod by trying multiple headphones, see this advice from the "The headphones don't work" section of the iPod troubleshooting basics and service FAQ:
If the issue appears to be with the iPod, try resetting it. If that doesn't work, then restore iPod with the latest iPod software using iTunes 7 or later.
All the best,
Jeremy

I have just updated to itunes 11 and when I plugged in my ipod classic it locked up. When I tried again it said my ipod was corrupt and advised I reset it. I reluctantly did this as I lost all my music and now itunes just locks up when I plug in my ipod.

I have just updated to itunes 11 and when I plugged in my ipod classic it locked up. When I tried again it said my ipod was corrupt and advised I reset it. I reluctantly did this as I lost all my music and now itunes just locks up when I plug in my ipod.

Not if you first do a sync and have iTunes make a backup. However, if your only copy of the iTunes data is in the Touch, then you need to first copy the data to a new iTunes Library using third-party software such as Phone To Mac.

I recreived an IPOd classic from a friend. When I try to download my Itunes Library it says I don't have access priviledges. How can I fix this?

I received an IPOD classic from a friend. When I try to download my Itunes library it says I do not have access privileges. Help, how can I fix this?

Here is an old post which might help you.
https://discussions.apple.com/message/9644723#9644723

TS1567 My Ipod Classic appears in my computer when connected to my Windows 8 pc but when itunes starts it no longer appears and is not shown in Itunes also. Itunes appears to disconnect it from pc.

My Ipod Classic appears in My Computer when I connected it to my new Windows 8 pc. When Itunes starts my Ipod is no longer appears in My Computer and is not shown under Devices in Itunes. It appears that Itunes disconnects my Ipod from the pc. My Ipod still sync's up fine with Itunes on my old Windows XP pc.

See earlier post by tt2
https://discussions.apple.com/message/7217190#7217190

IPod Classic freezes while adding songs when only half-filled

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