ITunes could not back up the iPad "iPad Name" because an error occured

Hello. I have been backing up my iPad to the cloud since I got my iPad just over a year ago, but whenever I try and back up to a computer it comes up with the error 'iTunes could not back up the iPad "iPad Name" because an error occurred'. After reading MANY posts on the internet about this issue I am still not any closer to figuring out why it is not backing up and has never been able to back up to a computer. I am running Windows 8 Enterprise 64bit on a HP laptop. My iPad is a 3rd Gen 16GB iPad.
Here are the things I have tried:
1. Update iTunes and iPad to latest software.
2. Delete all previous backups by trying two methods (I have been unable to backup the iPad at all so there were no previous ones. Here are the two methods:
a) iTunes -> Edit -> Preferences -> Devices -> Device Backups (none there)
b) C:\Users\James\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync -> delete backup folder.
3. Turned off Windows Firewall. I am not running any other security software apart from the built-in Windows Defender.
4. Uninstalled the entire Apple suite (iTunes, Quicktime, etc.) and reinstalled.
5. Deleted the lockdown folder from C:\ProgramData\Apple.
6. Disconnected all USB devices and removed CD from disk drive.
7. Removed local backup encryption password.
8. Tried a fresh user account.
9. Tried a fresh user account on a different computer (Win 7)
10. Tried a different cable (original from Apple)
11. Run diagnostics on iTunes (all reported OK. Connectivity to iPad was fine)
I have probably missed some things that I have tried because I have tried ALOT but this is most that I can remember. Just to re-iterate, the iPad has always been able to backup to iCloud fine and syncs perfectly well with iTunes. The only problem is when I try to backup to a computer. Any help or suggestions will be much appreciated. Thanks

I have a similar problem. My iPad is barely a month old and it backed up/synced fine at first. Now I get this same error. I've tried the same things Jalex mentioned plus several more. Nothing worked.
Then something odd happened. Last night I was on my laptop and opened itunes. It looked for, found my iPad and synced with it all by its self. I thought "thank goodness something must have worked"!! Now today, same thing...get the error everytime.
I think it is fairly common Jalex, as I've found several posts and followed all the directions trying to find a fix. I haven't however found a post where anyone found a specific fix.

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Upon sync or backup, I receive the message, "iTunes could not back up the iPhone "iPhone name" because and error occurred. I have deleted my backup file and tried another computer, with no success. Also, the bluetooth function stopped working.

Upon sync or backup, I receive the message, "iTunes could not back up the iPhone "iPhone name" because and error occurred. I have deleted my backup file and tried another computer, with no success. Also, the bluetooth function stopped working.

Hi, EJ13.
I see you are having issues with backing up you iPhone and have tried a couple troubleshooting steps. There are a couple more steps I could recommend in the article below.
iOS: Troubleshooting backup issues in iTunes
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2529
Regards,
Jason H.

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Try moving the existing backup file to a safe location and then try again. The backup file is located:
Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\(username)\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
Windows Vista and Windows 7: \Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\

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I just tried to do a sync on my iPhone 4 to my IMac where my ITunes are actually stored. For some reason I got the error that is the subject of this post. My IMac is up-to-date, and I normally sync every Sunday to keep my IPhone as up-to-date as possible.
The only things that I have done differently this week: I installed Apple TV, I can't imagine that this makes any difference, other than I have another "Home Sharing" device in the house. Other than that, I updated my apps separately on both the IPhone and the IMac prior to syncing. The numbers waiting to be downloaded on ITunes was irritating me, but I didn't feel like syncing at the time.
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1. I curse a little
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3. Open iTunes and plug my phone back in (sometimes the problem is solved at this point)
4. Curse some more (if the problem persists)
5. Unplug my phone and turn it off. At this point I end up having to do a hard-restart on my phone because it won't shut down (hold the home button and power button at the same time until the screen blips off)
6. Turn the phone back on and try syncing again (50% chance the problem will be "solved" at this point)
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Hello, olemike.
Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities.
I would recommend going through the steps in the troubleshooting article below.
iOS: If you can't back up or restore from a backup in iTunes
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2529
Cheers,
Jason H.

ITunes could not back up the iPhone... because an error occurred

Hi
I have been trying to sync my iPhone 3GS on my ailing G5 and for the past couple of weeks get the message above every time.
I have seen some suggested solutions but none seems to work. Earlier I read that deleting the previous back ups and then trying to back up again might help. Suffice to say it did not and now I have no old back ups for, well... back up.
Does anyone know what this problem is and how it can be overcome?
Thanks
Russell

Since you've been trying for weeks, try restoring as a new device.
How to set up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch as a new device
You will have to re sync iTunes purchases. If you don't have a backup available (external drive or CD's) if you are a resident of the U.S. and have iTunes 10.3 or later installed, and 4.3.3 or later on the iPhone, you can re download your iTunes media for free.
Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store

ITunes could not back up the iPhone "iPhone 4" because an error occurred.

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I have the same problem and know that we are not allone.
Apple-Macintosh-Company: do something!
Yours
[email protected]

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http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2529
-Griff W.

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Hi..
While working in India I bought an iphone 4s (with international warranty)
I have synced my old iphone 4...and get this message when trying to sync the new phone.
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I get this issue about once a week on my iPhone 3GS running 4.2.1 (although it's been happening since 4.0 I believe). It starts will the iPhone stalling while backing up. I then end up sliding to cancel on my iPhone. I unplug my iPhone and plug it back in. It looks like it syncs but I then get the error message that you get. Here are my steps to temporarily solve the problem:
1. I curse a little
2. I unplug my phone and quit iTunes
3. Open iTunes and plug my phone back in (sometimes the problem is solved at this point)
4. Curse some more (if the problem persists)
5. Unplug my phone and turn it off. At this point I end up having to do a hard-restart on my phone because it won't shut down (hold the home button and power button at the same time until the screen blips off)
6. Turn the phone back on and try syncing again (50% chance the problem will be "solved" at this point)
7. If I still get the error message I curse one more time and then simply hit "sync" in iTunes. 99% of the time it will be solved in this step. If the issue is still present then I will try once more to restart iTunes, and then if that doesn't work repair disk permissions.
Like I said, I seem to go through this routine every week or so. This week I've had to do it twice already (once yesterday and once today). I've tried restoring my phone using previous backups but the issue still occurs. I think my next step will be to do a full factory restore, which means I'll have to organize my data and apps all over again (like having a new phone). This is a last resort!
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ITunes could not back up the iPad "iPad Name" because an error occured

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