Tried updated/ephpod nothing works.

[raybar]

My friend upgraded her old 5 gb to a new 30 gb and gave her old one to me. She is a mac user and had her ipod formatted for a mac, it worked perfectly well. I downloaded the windows updater and ephpod w/ a macopener. I have the ipod connected to my pc, it recognizes it as an Ipod, but everytime i try to restore with updater it says "firmware update failure. Disk write error" if i try again, it says can't mount ipod. My ipod shows a -do not disconnect- sign permanently until it runs out of batteries and then it has the hazard and the folder sign on. Ephpod tries to upload but theres a windows delayed write failure and then ephpod crashes. Its such a disaster. At this point i'm thinking to just return it to my friend. How do i fix it? Should i even try?

p.s. I just got ipod manager from a cd and i tried updating again and this time i got the error message "updater can't install firmware on connected ipod. The ipod's hardware and the updater firmware are not compatible." Is that the last hurrah? Should I give up this free and amazing ipod or is there still something I can try?

[Native]

raybar,
I believe the answer to your problem may be very simple....
I have been battling with my new iPod today, and have finally got it working! :-)

I experienced the same "firmware update failure. Disk write error" as you are getting. This got me thinking, and I tried simply copying a file over to the iPod, and this also failed. I tried the firewire card on my laptop and the update worked first time.

Therefore I think the problem could be with your firewire too. Now I am using the laptop to transfer stuff, it seems to be working very well, maybe the iPod is extremely fussy about firewire.....

Anyway, hope this helps you. I do have one question of my own to ask people though;
What PCI firewire cards (powered ones) do other people recommend? I need to buy one ASAP for my main comp, so any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Dave.

[raybar]

I dont think i understand. Do i need a new firewire card? what exactly did you do with the firewire to make it work?

[revmike]

If you are windows user you DO NOT need macopener. Get the ephpod version for windows. It sounds like you also need a new firewire card. 90 to 95% of all ipod problems IMHO can be directly related to the firewire card.

[ashawley]

Disk Write errors are almost always due to cards that are not compatible with the iPod.

As far as cards that do work, here's list in decending order of "goodness" :)

1. Adaptec 4300
2. OrangeLink Cards (from OrangeMicro)
3. Belkin Cards (not from Apple)
4. Any cheap card w/the VIA chipset

NEVER get an Audigy card.

Adam

[Native]

Yes, sorry to confuse you :confused:
I do think you need a new firewire card... Once I tried a different firewire card it worked straight away. Firmware installed without problems, and I got the iPod working within minutes!

Get yourself a compatible firewire card, and enjoy music on the move :)

[XiXora]

i think i'll spend money on another card now then...