./monroec

Apple - More Observations

I started getting “disk error” messages whenever I connected my iPod to my Windows PC.  Unplugged, it would work fine. When i launched iTunes, I was directed here: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1372

The resolution steps are:

• Disconnect and reconnect your iPod and then attempt to restore.
• Restart your computer and then attempt to restore your iPod.
• Disable or Enable Disk Use on your iPod and then attempt to restore.
• Try connecting your iPod to a different USB port and then attempt to restore.
• Remove any third-party USB devices you have connected to your computer (it is not necessary to remove your keyboard or mouse).
• If you use Windows, re-register .dll files as described in article iTunes displays -50 error message when syncing iPod on Windows XP
• For Windows users, update or reinstall your Windows USB drivers.

Those all seem kind of hardcore. It’s only a fucking MP3 player. Instead, I ran the Windows Error-Checking Tool on the device. Everything went back to normal in seconds. I find it odd that the simplest troubleshooting step is completely missing from their Service Bulletin. I’m going to break down why their troubleshooting steps suck:

1. Disconnect and reconnect your iPod and then attempt to restore. - This won’t do anything. If the drive is in an error state, Windows will continue to see it in an error state. Most likely my issue is related to a premature disconnect.
2. Restart your computer and then attempt to restore your iPod. - What this should say is: Restart all the bogus Apple processes like Bonjour, QuickTime, and iTunesHelper. Apple software HATES coming back from suspend/hibernate.
3. Disable or Enable Disk Use on your iPod and then attempt to restore. - A drive is a drive is a drive. This does nothing. The problem is disk errors, not features.
4. Try connecting your iPod to a different USB port and then attempt to restore. - Good suggestion, but often several USB ports are on the same USB HUB. Most users won’t be smart enough to try the ports on the back/front of the PC.
5. Remove any third-party USB devices you have connected to your computer (it is not necessary to remove your keyboard or mouse). - Yeah I don’t think so, YOUR device is the issue, not MY peripherals.
6. If you use Windows, re-register .dll files as described in article iTunes displays -50 error message when syncing iPod on Windows XP - What? Maybe if I have spyware or a virus, but then I have bigger issues….
7. For Windows users, update or reinstall your Windows USB drivers. - Hahaha, no. USB is a STANDARD interface. It’s not the case that ALL of my devices are having issues. This seems like a catch-all. Don’t fix what ain’t broke.