IPod has unknown format, cannot be read

i have an interesting dilemma here. my 20g ipod photo has suddenly and unexpectedly stopped working with both my macbook and my pc. my ipod is not read in my macbook, however when i check devices in my pc, my ipod is shown. unfortunately, my ipod is not read in itunes and therefore it is extremely hard to do anything. the main problem here is that my ipod is read as "disk drive" in windows under device manager, not as "apple generic device" like all my other ipods. also, when i go to the about section in my ipod, it tells me that 0kb are available of 0kb, and when i do disk checks and scans of my ipod, i get an error telling me that the device could not be read. i have literally tried everything under the sun to fix my ipod, including reinstalling the device driver and updating it, all with no prevail. its interesting that my ipod works normally when i turn it on, but theres nothing on it and i cant seem to get my ipod to connect properly with my computers to put music on it.
so what i would like is to have an expert help me with this.

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
and then do a restore with it ...

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JMS sender adapter : message type null is unknown, payload cannot be read

Hello,
We are building a scenario Weblogic -> PI through a JMS adapter, but we are getting the following error in the adapter :
2009-09-29 12:09:58     Information     New JMS message with JMS message ID ID:P<450046.1254218997063.0> received. The XI message ID for this message is e705a65f-3cf6-472a-3675-b04e9862ce45.
2009-09-29 12:09:58     Warning     JMS message ID:P<450046.1254218997063.0>: message type null is unknown, payload cannot be read and will be empty!
2009-09-29 12:09:58     Warning     JMS message ID:P<450046.1254218997063.0>: Payload empty or cannot be read.
2009-09-29 12:09:58     Information     JMS Message was converted to XI message succesfully.
Despite the fact that the message is not readable, PI creates a message anyway but the payload is empty. It is the same issue as described in this thread :
How to read Java Object message from JMS Queue using JMS Adapter .
But there have been no answer there.
We have read many notes but none are relevant, any ideas ????
Many thanks,
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Hallo,
Have you seen this note:
[Note 837501 - J2EE JMSAdapter: Empty payloads, unknown JMS message types|https://service.sap.com/sap/support/notes/837501]?
Seems it can be either message
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or
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20gb iPod, error 1418, "disk cannot be read from or written to", and others

I am having a series of serious issues with my 4th gen 20gb. I have tried restoring it several times, syncing if and when it restores, then restoring it again when it tells me "disk cannot be read from or written to". Sometimes when I try restoring it i get the "unknown error 1418" message, so I disconnect the iPod and try again; sometimes it restores, sometimes it doesn't. I have also tried plain resetting it (select+menu) and that either gives me the dead smiley ipod or a folder with an exclamation point.
What can I do to salvage my beloved iPod?
Thanks for any and all help.

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
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/relevanthistory/2004/11/meeting_thesad.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

HELP!!! "unknown format cannot open"...BUT it's a Illustrator CS3 file?????

I spent several hours designing a file in CS3. I went to "Save as Web & Devices" and my MAC froze and I had to reboot. I now cannot open the illustrator file without getting the "file is an unknown format and cannot be opened" error. I have tried dropping the file in Distiller, placing in InDesign and trying to place into a blank illustrator file with no luck. I have even tried to open the file in Photoshop file. All attempts say the file is unknown. Did the crash corrupt the illustrator file? If so, is there a way to recover. I pray there is!! I do not want to redesign this project again!!! HELP!!

Hi timnancyk,
If you see this message, please contact with me by email: [email protected] for our project that you selected me. My nick:bestsoftvn.
Thank you

Installing Itunes from CD, Ipod has been formatting for 36 hours?

Recieved Ipod as gift pre loaded, am installing Itunes from CD recieved in box. Was asked to format ipod, clicked format button, message appears 'waiting for ipod' progress bar is active and hard drive light is flashing. Have now been waiting 36 hours. Is this normal? The ipod says do not disconnect, I am anxious not to lose my pre loaded music.

Im not sure how you get an iPod pre loaded with music, unless the person who gave to to you has a gift preloaded it, but when you formatted/restored the iPod that wiped the iPOd clean. its not normal to be waiting that long. more on restoring can be found here http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60983
It depends on what type of iPod this is but if its a current one like a nano or 5G (Video) iPOd, it will have to be connected to your PC using a USB 2,0 port or a "High Speed" usb port (USB 2.0 has afew different names may be slightly different name in the UK compared to here in the US where I am).
You will have to manually eject the iPod using the "Safly remove" feature in windows with iTunes closed if its open. this shows up as a lil icon with a green arrow in the bottom right corner of windows.
After that you will disable any antivirus programs that may be interfering with the iPod and iTunes during its first setup on your PC. Download the latest iPod updater here install it and then run it with the iPod connected to restore the iPod and update the software on it http://www.apple.com/ipod/download/

IPod has wrong format....

How do you change the iPod format from Windows to Macintosh?

Plug it into your Mac and restore it.

Ipod has unknown reboot problem

i don't know what the technical name for it is, but my ipod keeps rebooting itself. I have let the battery die, and if i charge it all it does is start rebooting itself again. it turns itself on, the apple logo and the backlight come up, and then it turns itself off, repeating the process infinitely until out of power.
ive tried everything. i can't plug it into my computer, my computer won't recognize that it's even plugged in because of it's constant off/on problem.
can anyone help? has this problem ever been experienced?

This exact thing happened to me. I just let it sit out for a while (if it is out of battery then let it charge.) It went through its nonsense of starting and repeating and eventually it went to the main menu. (Give it some time if it needs, it will get past it eventually.) After it finally went to the main menu and I was able to hook it to my computer then I restored it in iTunes and no problems since!
Hope this works for you! And welcome to Apple Discussions!

Can't sync iPod - Error Message: "disc cannot be read from or written to"

My ipod had been working fine until recently when every time I try and sync it I get the following error message:
"Attempting to copy to the disk "iPod" failed. The disk could not be read from or written to"
I have tried all suggestions in Apple's support article for this issue but nothing works. Does anyone else have this problem or know how to solve it?
Thanks a lot.
H
Macbook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.10)
Macbook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Hi all,
I am sorry to report that I too have this same disc error problem when syncing my iPod to my iTunes library. I take no comfort in knowing that I am one of many that have this same error. I checked on the iPod lounge forum and I just couldn't count the number of users that had the same problem. There are just so many!
I too have tried "5 r's" and I have also tried using a few "s" words and others...lol.
It seems like there is no "fix" for this problem but I will say this: If there is no solution, then I will no longer be buying iPods. This is my third iPod that I have purchased. Which makes my Apple investment near the thousand dollar mark. That is way too much money spent to not have a functioning music player. I will be switching to another player to see if the grass is greener on the other side.
I have been most dissappointed with this error and I will not be "recycling" this iPod for ten percent off of my next iPod purchase.

Ipod has unknown eror when updating ios

After comferming with apple or while doing the a unkown eror comes up i have reset all the things on a ipod without deleting the media what should i do i need help fast
thank you

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
and then do a restore with it ...

IPod classic charges but cannot be read on the mac.

I have an iPod Classic. It currently can recharge if connected to a Mac, but can't be seen on the desktop or in iTunes for more than a few seconds. When connected, the connected window comes on for a few secondds, followed by 'OK to Disconnect' and then it disconnects...if not charged the battery icon comes on.
The iPod works fine as far as playing what's already on it goes. I've used different leads and 3 different Macs. I've resetted it, switched it to drive mode and back (same situation in drive mode as in normal mode).

It seems like the issue likes with the iPod's dock connector port, since you have ruled out the possibility of a bad USB cable, faulty USB port, or configuration on any of your Macs. Have you looked at the port to check for any broken, bent, or corroded pins? If there is any lodged debris, take a can of compressed air to the iPod to see if that does any good.
Otherwise, try to connect the iPod to one of your Macs in Disk Mode and see if that helps it stay mounted on your Mac long enough for you to perform a restore operation.
Putting iPod into Disk Mode
B-rock

Unable to open .eps file "unknown format and cannot be opened" ?

A client sent me an .eps file (logo). I tried opening it in Illustrator AND photoshop (just to see if it was saved in one vs the other program) - however to no avail.
Illustrator gives me a message "unknown format and cannot be opened"
Photoshop gives me a message "photoshop was unable to parse the postscript".
I'm using Adobe CS4, and I've never seen this message before—would love to know what this means and how to resolve?
File attached if anyone is able to open / fix it?
Thanks kindly,
Chemol

Thanks for the advice Scott - does compression improve the .eps? Is it
silly for me to ask them to compress it since the file is only 766 KB
(that's how big the attachment is in my email - though I am unable to open
it)?
My friend is able to open it on his end - however the 3rd person (client) is
the one who sent it, and I have already requested a different version - no
response from them yet. Unfortunately what the company "has" is what he
will likely give to me again (ie: same file / unable to open). So ... I am
curious about how I can resolve this issue on my end - if possible?
Do you know what the AI and Photoshop error messages mean? Could the issue
be a mac vs PC concern? Or is it a corrupt file? Could it be a software
version issue (old vs new) ... or Quark incompatibility?
.... just guessing at this point....Any insight as to what different
scenarios may apply in this situation would be greatly appreciated ..thank
you.

How do I reformat an IPod Touch for Windows that has been formatted for a Mac? All instructions I have been able to find use ITunes or Device Manager to reformat. My IPod is not being recognized by ITunes or in Device Manager.

I have an IPod Touch that has been formatted for a Mac. All instructions I have been able to find use ITunes or Device Manager to reformat the device for Windows. This cannot be done if Windows doesn't recognize the device. Is there another way to set the device back to the factory settings directly on the device without using ITunes?

Ipod touch is not formatted one way or the other at all.
Just sync it to the new computer using itunes.
iPod touch User Guide (For iOS 5.1 Software)

"E:\filename.ai" is in an unknown format and cannot be opened"

My computer crashed. I just re-installed Adobe Illustrator 10.03. Now some of my ".ai" files show funny looking icons and won't open and instead a pop-up that says "E:\filename.ai" is an unknown format and cannot be opened". Some of my documents are just fine. But there are several Illustrator docs in various spots on my hard drive that are giving me this error.
Any suggetions on how to get these files to open up?

OK. Now we're getting somewhere.
Without knowing more about the precise nature and cause of the "crash," we can only make guesses, and here's mine:
Basically, Katie, you're screwed.
My guess is that either the "crash" and/or your boss's subsequent handling of the D: drive (which might have been entirely proper) has caused data corruption on that drive.
If you have no backup for the files on the drive, and if those files are of critical importance, I would disconnect the drive immediately and get it to a data recovery specialist. The longer you have it connected, the more you reduce the chance of recovering data.
If the data are somewhat less than critical, you can try some basic recovery steps yourself. Start by making an image backup of the drive (to an external drive or removable media), then run chkdsk on it with the /r option. Rename any recovered files (with the .ai extension), and try opening them.
Finally, you might send the .ai files that won't open to a specialist who knows the Illustrator file format. He/she might be able to make some partial fixes that will, at least, enable you to open the files.
If you want, upload a few of the files to a server and post the link here. Some of the experts here might have a crack at it. (Put the files in a .zip archive first to protect them against further corruption during transfer.)

The iPod (bla bla bla) cannot be updated. An unknown error occured (-208)

I am gettign strange errors, to which I can find no explination, solutions or even a mention of. Upon syncing my iPod nano with iTunes 7.0.2 I get an error "The iPod (bla bla bla) cannot be updated. An unknown error occured (-208)"
There is an Apple error code for -208:
-208 badFileFormat File is corrupt or unusable, or not AIFF or AIFF-C
It then syncs the music correctly, but not the photos or the contacts. When setting the contacts to be updated, iTunes says "No Contacts available. Open Address Book and create contacts?" Address Book is full of cantact and has been for years.
The system log has:
2007-01-12 01:21:01.012 iTunes[506] CFLog (0):
CFPropertyListCreateFromXMLData(): plist parse failed; the data is not proper UTF-8. The file name for this data could be:
/Users/el1mjw/Library/Application Support/SyncServices/Local/clientdata/0063006f006d002e006100700070006c0065002e0 06900730079006e006300440055002e00690070006f0064002e00410032003700300030003100320 03300320045004300460035/recordids.syncidmap
The parser will retry as in 10.2, but the problem should be corrected in the plist.
Can anyone point me in the direction of a solution?
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Hope this will help!
Itune 7 has MAJOR problem with shuffle with Window system, not with MAC.
So download itune 6 @ http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/
Then bring your ipod to a local apple store for resetting your ipod, telling them you want it for WINDOW use @ http://www.apple.com/retail/
I can feel your pain, bro! I literally had a nightmare a week ago. I almost started a major BOYCOTT movement nationally against (corrupt, greedy) APPLE using my connection with a nationally popular talk radio host. Thank GOD, I at least found a solution. I hope APLLE will work so hard to come up with better version of itune 7 soon!

2nd iPod in a row saying "Disk cannot be read from or written to." Help!

My setup is as following:
MacBook Pro 2.16 Ghz Intel Core Duo
Mac OS X 10.5.2
Lacie 250GB External Hard Drive attached via Firewire
iPod Classic 160GB Black
iTunes 7.6.2 - Library has about 16,000 songs
Using the above setup, my 5th Generation iPod, my iPhone, and my iPod Nano all work just fine. My newly purchased iPod Classic however, refuses to work. Here is the story so far...
I have all of my music on my external hard drive. On the external, there is a folder entitled "iTunes." Inside of that, there are 2 folders. One entitled "Album Artwork" and on entitled "iTunes Music." The music folder contains all of the actual AAC and Mp3 files that makeup my iTunes Library. The actual library data itself, the files entitled "iTunes Library" and "iTunes Library.xml" are on my computer HD, in User>Music>iTunes. Now, I dont know why the library file is on the computer when all the music is on the external, but maybe thats just the way that works.
Anyway, I plugged in the new iPod Classic, it started to sync, and about 15 minutes in, I got a pop up box that said "iPod Sync failed. Disk cannot be read from or written to." So I did a few things to try to make it work. I reinstalled iTunes, I restored the iPod a few times. I set it to only sync music and not TV shows or Movies or Podcasts or Photos. I tried to sync it again. Nothing worked. So, thinking I had a bad iPod, I brought it to the store and swapped it out for a new one. Not a "new" one, but one from the back, so it was refurbished. I tried that. It still didn't work. So I called Apple tech support.
Tech support had me set my iPod for Manual use, and then alphabetically import songs by artists. In other words, bring over all the "A" artists, followed by the "B" artists and so on...So I did that, I got to importing a few songs by Cyndi Lauper, and it got to one song, called "Shine" and the error message came up. So I figured, there it was, the corrupted file. So I deleted it from my computer, and proceeded to go on importing manually, just in case. Well I continued for a while, and at the end of the day, there were about 100 songs that would not copy over. These were songs that worked just fine when you played them through iTunes, and worked just fine on all my other iPods.
So I manually transferred over all the songs that worked, which was about a 100 less than my full library. Along the way, instead of deleting the corrupted songs, I unchecked them. After I did the full manual transfer, I set up the iPod to an automatic sync, only syncing over songs that are checked, thinking the unchecked ones, the corrupted ones, would not even try to be transferred over and it work fine.
I was wrong. With the sync, this time it stopped on a song that was not corrupted the first time around. Not knowing what to do, I ejected my iPod, and it wouldn't eject. It said "iPod appears to be corrupt, please click restore." So I did that, thinking this would finally fix it, since the computer realized the iPod was messed up. I was wrong again. It didn't do anything, it just made it so I could eject my iPod.
So I'm now on my 2nd iPod classic. I've done what Tech Support has told me to do. Now I need help. Badly.

I had similar problems, it was a nightmare and on a 3 month ipod too!. I use a Powerbook G4 at home and a G5 at work - both were returning the same problems. so I sent it off to apple, they quickly sent it back saying there was nothing wrong with and it didn't need to be repaired. I tried it again and the same problems occurred "disc cannot be written to or read from." I could copy 20 songs onto it at the very most. A couple of guys at my work suggested updating it on a PC, then adding tunes via my mac as normal - guess what!? it works a treat!?. How ridiculous is that!? an Apple product works best on a PC. these generations of ipods are obviously designed to work best on Intel based Macs. What is wrong Apple? are you abandoning the G-generation!? still, atleast my ipod works for now - it will prove a problem when I have to update the iPod's software since I don't own a PC or an intel-based Mac.

IPod has unknown format, cannot be read

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