External Hard Disk Conflict

[FunkyJunkie]

A couple of weeks ago I bought an 80GB external hard disk to store my music library on as I was running out of space on my laptop's hard drive. The problem is this: I can't update my iPod when they're both plugged in at the same time. iTunes only recognizes the iPod when it's plugged in first, then when I try to update I get the error message: "Attempting to copy to the disk "Scott Anderson's iPod" has failed. An unknown error occured.(-36)".

Obviously this is a bit of a problem as all the music is now stored on the external hard disk. I've searched the forums, but haven't found anything similar. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

The iPod is a 60GB photo.

The computer is a HP Pavilion ze4938ea laptop running iTunes 4.9 and Windows XP, with two USB 2.0 ports, and a 4-pin Firewire, which I don't have a 4-pin to 6-pin adapter for.

The portable hard disk is an 80GB Toshiba laptop hard disk, in a small casing.

[honeybee1236]

I can only suggest that whatever songs you want to update to the iPod to put them on the computer HD and after you've finished delete them.

Is each one plugged into an outlet when you use them - laptop, ipod, HD? Usually, error 36 has to do with a connection problem with the port. Try using a different port and make sure that the USB one your using has up-to-date drivers installed. Check the manufacturers website for updates for the laptop.

[pmelillo]

I am having the same problem! Can't get it to update at all!