Restore fails with "Firmware update failure. Disk write Error" message

I am going totally bonkers with this one. My Shuffle stopped working suddenly.
My iTunes was not able to read the contents of the iPOD and there seems to be a corrupt filesystem. After reviewing various posts, I have tried the following with little success:
1. Tried Restore using the Updater tool that came with the Shuffle (2005-09-23). I kept getting the "Firmware update failure. Disk write Error"
2. Downloaded the new updater tool (2006-03-23) and tried restore again. I got the same error message again.
3. Tried formatting using Windows format, it is not able to complete the format
4. Tried chkdsk. Get an error message saying "CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives."
5. Tried connecting it to a different computer and tried pretty much the same steps. Similar results.
I am using USB 2.0 both on my current Thinkpad as well as the other computer I tried with.
I am totally clueless and am not sure how to go about fixing this one. Though there have been lots of posts about this, I haven't been able to find a solution that works for me. Any thing else that I may have missed out which I can try?
Thanks,
Kris
Thinkpad Windows XP Pro

hiya!
just checking. have you worked through the possibilities from this document yet?
"Disk cannot be read from or written to" when syncing iPod or "Firmware update failure" error when updating or restoring iPod
given that you're connecting to a laptop, we'd better check on this possibility too:
iPod not recognized when connected to Windows laptop over USB
... and even though you aren't using a Toshiba, this technique might be worth a try (if all else fails):
iPod not recognized correctly on Toshiba laptop
love, b

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"firmware update failure. disk write error."

i get this when i use the ipod Updater after clicking "restore"... this thing is giving me a headache. Also get the previous mentioned "cannot read from or write to disk" error when using itunes after a couple downloads. i followed the steps in the link to those issues and ran some updates on my PC and still the same. HELP

Have you read both
For Firmware update failure. Disk write error please see
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301267
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300836

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Getting firmware update error. disk write error message

i installed the lastest ipod shuffle update and when I try to restore ipod shuffle I get the error message "firmware update error. disk write error" have no idea what to do. ipod does not show up in itunes

ok, someone else with similiar problem, I just opened the box 5 days ago, installed iTunes (the June 2005 version) that came on CD with it, ran iTunes, downloaded some music, plugged in Shuffle, goto download, fails, no device found, can see it under XP ok, goto apple.com to find support FAQ, I then ran up Ipod Updater, thinking that since it was new, firmware must be recent (little did I know ) so I thought do the Restore straight off, it started, then failed with the "disk write error" and havent been able to talk with iPod Updater since, then tried installing iPodUpdater to another PC, no luck, then downloaded later versions of iTunes and uPdater, installed on a 3rd PC, same deal, unable to communicate to Shuffle, rang phone support, spoken to two different support people, finally they agree its faulty (something I figured out 4 days ago) and suggest I return it to Apple for replacement, and fill out a Service Request form, which opened a can of new worms, like there is no "Warranty Replacement" option, lots of questions like Credit Card details and nowhere to actually define that I have a "faulty" or "dead" or Shuffle to return and they obviously did not read the comments, that were requested, as they simply sent docking station in the mail, so now back to square one, trying to lodge a Service Request to "replace" a brand new, dead shuffle. Not having a nice iPod experience here !!, but Itunes is good, although expecting it will take a couple weeks all up before I get a working Shuffle to actually download to. Tried again phone support, to sort out this mess, waited in queue, then line goes dead. Oh Well ... I blame my daughter for this heartache, she insisted on having an iPod.

FIRMWARE UPDATE FAILURE. DISKWRITE ERROR

WHAT IS THIS ERROR I CAN'T EVEN RESTORE MY IPS HELP ME

I got the same error. Every time I reinstalled the updater it would say it is up to date but itunes would not recognize so I would go back to restore and got the error you are experiencing. I couldn't even save a file to the ipod without getting errors. Once I got the ipod to recognize I would get disk write errors. The only thing that helped me was an older version of the updater. I am running a version from 6/05 and not 9/05 with itunes 5.01. It appears to like this older version and recognizes my ipod and lets me write a file directly to the ipod. So, if you can find an older version, install it on another pc if you can this may help you. I had to restore my ipod in a different pc then I use itunes. Makes no sense but this is my 3rd shuffle and I'm finally getting it to work. The first one worked fine just the batter stopped charging, the replacement from Apple had problems with the usb and wouldn't recognize in any pc even an Apple and this third one is problematic but at least I can get it to work. Beware those who want to buy a shuffle. Rethink your decision. I'm sure there are better products out there if you do a little research. Seem to find many disappointed shuffle users.

Fix for Thunderbolt OTA firmware update , when receiving an error message

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FOUND SOLUTION TO: "Firmware Update Failure.Diskwrite Error"

I have found a solution to the:
"FIRMWARE UPDATE FAILURE. DISKWRITE ERROR."
Last night i re-encoded my mp3's to 128kbs, and then plugged my iPod Shuffle in, and it went crazy... i tried restoring and it kept giving me the error above!
Anyways, here's a solution (that may require to be tried a couple of times)...
If you keep getting this error, go to My Computer, then right click the iPod (maybe called "Removable Storage").
Go to Format... and make sure its set at FAT32. Also make sure that "Quick Format" is unticked.
Once this is done. Eject it. Plug it into another USB slot, and go to iPod Updater and restore. It should work.
And then rename the ipod thru iTunes, and upload ur music on to it!
Enjoy and Good luck!

So are there any risks involved in formatting with windows?
I just tried doing this and it won't format (I select the option but there is no response)

Does anyone know how to solve: "Firmware update failure. Disk write error"?

Hi all,
Here is the list of all what went wrong and where I am now:
1. My Ipod worked well
2. I wanted to update it, you know, the normal thing with Itunes
3. Every time I tried, my computer froze. I was unable to add only one song (both automatically and manually).
4. I took my external drive (where my music is) at work and tried again: same result.
5. I decided to run the Updater I have on the CD that came with the Ipod.(2005-02-07; I usually avoid the newer version, having had once a problem when putting a newer version of Updater).
6. The Updater was unable to operate any action on my Ipode (I don't remember the messages now).
7. Like I tried what I describe here above like a hundred time. I decided to format the Ipod with Windows (My Computer, right click on the Ipod, format).
8. It did and now I have only the famous folder with an exclamation mark on my Ipod.
9. Now when I am running the Updater, it says it cannot Restore the factory settings giving this message "Firmware update failure. Disk write error".
I would appreciate any help because, during the last 2 hours, I read and tried all I found on the Support Help here on the Apple web side without any result yet.
Thank a lot for your answer

Hi Cyrille,
Have you looked at Knowledge Base Document #301267 on "Disk cannot be read from or written to" when syncing iPod or "Firmware update failure" error when updating or restoring iPod?
Jon
Mac Mini 1.42Ghz, iPod (All), Airport (Graphite & Express), G4 1.33Ghz iBook, G4 iMac 1Ghz, G3 500Mhz, iBook iMac 233Mhz, eMate, Power Mac 5400 LC, PowerBook 540c, Macintosh 128K, Apple //e, Apple //, and some more... Mac OS X (10.4.5) Moto Razr, iLife '06, SmartDisk 160Gb, Apple BT Mouse, Sight..

Won't restore after update - firmware disk write error

I know there's been discussion about this one but I haven't seen an answer that works, and sending my out of warranty mini back for a $300 replacement doesn't appeal.
- Agreed to update iTunes.
- iPod hasn't worked since (exclamation point only)
- Can't restore because I just get a firmware error.
(have uninstalled, reinstalled etc etc)
HELP!!!

This
i may
help:
Firmware Update Failure Possible Solution
-- Disconnect the iPod
-- Right click on "My Computer"
-- Select "Manage"
-- Select "Device Manager"
-- Expand "Universal Serial Bus controllers"
-- Right click on "Enhanced PCI to USB Host controller"
-- Click on "Disable"
-- Click "OK" to accept changes
Run the Updater software (Start==>Run==>iPod) and wait till it says to "Plug in an iPod to update it"
Plug in the iPod and wait (for a long while). It takes awhile because you are now running at USB 1.1 speeds. When it finally shows up, do the "update" or "restore", which ever you were trying to do.
You can try to re-enable the "Enhanced PCI TO USB Host controller" after you are done running the Updater software and try to copy your songs and pictures to the iPod. This may or may not work. If not, revert back to USB1.1.
See: Dirk Brewer, ""Firmware Update Failure", please help" #1, 10:01am Jul 23, 2005 CDT
And: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300836

IPod problem - firmware update error. Disk write error.

I need your help! Ime just bought a new iPod 60 GB photo (with color display) but when I connected it for the first time to my PC (with Windows XP Home Edition SP 2) using USB 2.0 I got the message: iPod not readable. This iPod needs to be reformatted for use on your PC. Of course I decided to do that. The system had launched iPod updater. It asked me if I wanted to update or restore iPods software however the operation update was inactive (grey). So I choosed restore. Then a new window appeared: Firmware update error. Disk write error. On the iPods display a normal menu was replaced by exclamation mark. I tried to reset iPod, updated iTunes and iPods updater to the newest version and nothing. It still doesnt work. A folder with ! mark comes up. I try to restore once again and it says: Firmware update error. Disk write error.
Please help! What should I do to solve my problem? I want to add that my iPod is properly recognized by the computer system.
Unfortunately, its rather impossible to give back my iPod to the store. It was bought in the U.S.A. and I live in Poland.
Adam

b Firmware Update Failure Possible Solution
-- Disconnect the iPod
-- Right click on "My Computer"
-- Select "Manage"
-- Select "Device Manager"
-- Expand "Universal Serial Bus controllers"
-- Right click on "Enhanced PCI to USB Host controller"
-- Click on "Disable"
-- Click "OK" to accept changes
Run the Updater software (Start==>Run==>iPod) and wait till it says to "Plug in an iPod to update it"
Plug in the iPod and wait (for a long while). It takes awhile because you are now running at USB 1.1 speeds. When it finally shows up, do the "update" or "restore", which ever you were trying to do.
You can try to re-enable the "Enhanced PCI TO USB Host controller" after you are done running the Updater software and try to copy your songs and pictures to the iPod. This may or may not work. If not, revert back to USB1.1.
See: Dirk Brewer, ""Firmware Update Failure", please help" #1, 11:01am Jul 23, 2005 CDT
Also see: http://forums.ipodlounge.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=94075
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300836

Firmware failure. Disk write error.

I have gotten this new iPod shuffle, and I have installed the latest itunes, however when I try to install the latest software for the iPod I get "firmware failure. disk write failure." I get the same thing when I try to restore it. I cannot get windows or iTunes to recognize the iPod. Windows views it as a mass storage device, and it is completly oblivious to iTunes. Any suggestions as to what I can do? I have tried everything 3 times or more from the support pages.
I cant seem to contact any other type of support. Every time I try to use the chat section it tells me to enter a valid serial number...
wow.
Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
JP

Okay, this probably isn't what people want to hear, but if you have the dreaded 'Disk Write Error' failure, it doesn't necessarily mean your iPod is hooped.
Bought my Shuffle 1G yesterday. Brought it home, installed what I needed to (very little, as mine is the second Shuffle in the house). Anticipated problems, as my father's 512M Shuffle took three days to get working properly. I found myself pleasantly surprised to find that mine worked first shot, no muss or fuss. Funk-tacular!
Or not. Thingy worked fine all last night and this morning, but fell flat on its face when I plugged it in this afternoon. It didn't freeze solid (at first), but it refused to take in any more songs, and the ones that were loaded into it seemed to be draining out of the memory like water from an uncorked bathtub -- every time I managed to get Itunes to notice my little white headache, more memory reported as empty, though Thingy still refused to take in any songs (unable to read, or some such windows nonsense). Every time I tried to restore -- regardless of the update version, of which I tried three -- I saw the error mentioned in the title.
I'll delete about five hours of experimenting, hair-pulling, swearing, failing, wall-punching, and generally despairing over my iPlop purchase. Tried all five Rs to no avail, as well as formatting through windows. Nada.
I wish I could tell you exactly why it's working now. I can't; I got lucky. I downloaded iPod update (1-10-2006) and Itunes (6), wiped the system as clean as I could of old iPod and iTunes software (uninstall, erase folders, empty Recycle Bin, basically everything short of taking Windex to the hard drive). Reinstalled the Ipod software from the CD, reinstalled and updated iTunes and iPod update, then for a lark decided to try for the fifteenth time to reinstall Thingy. Holy crap, it worked!! After a momentary freezeup and the requisite restore to fix it (a result of my yanking the stupid thing out of the port at the wrong time), Thingy is working fine.
The moral? Don't despair, it can be fixed! Try everything more than once, get the latest software, start from scratch -- right from the CD in the iPoop box -- and keeping banging your head on it as long as you can stand it. You might be surprised!

Restore fails with "Firmware update failure. Disk write Error" message

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