iPod Photo Format/Setup time?

[Movos]

I've just got my sticky mits on a 60gb iPod photo.

How long does/should it take to format? Mine has been at it for almost 24 hours, and has started to strech my patience.

I've chosen to set it up over USB2.0 on my Wintel box - would doing it on a Mac make much difference?

Many thanks!

<b>edit:Cleaned up my wording.</b>

[phoenixs80]

Mine only took several minutes. It shouldn't take 24 hours.

Good luck!

[Movos]

Thanks for the responce,

Following your information, I ended the format process - plugged it into one of my Macs, and voila!..It works. Suggesting that the formatting process on the PC just is not happening atall.

The closest I could come to this exact same problem, having checked most major forums, was a google query for: "how long" ipod format - which returned one applicable thread over at mac forums:

http://forums.macrumors.com/archive/index.php/t-95448

As of this writing, i am still unable to update my iPod via USB.

Incase anyone out there is searching for similar help and advice; the format was left running for 28 hours to no avail.

Interestingly, the ipod updater programs for Windows also prooved to be unstable on my box.(Requiring an END TASK)

[Movos]

Since last posting, i've spent half a day or so examining the issue, trying to establish a root cause.

<long story>
Having spent a half-hour on the phone with a very nice Apple Tech. who walked me through the various troubleshooting routes for my scenario, the cause of the issue was narrowed down to my custom build PC. (Having now sucsessfully synced on two other machines).

Following this; i tried a sync under a different user(We authenticate against an LDAP server; so I just created a 'clean' user). This produced the same issue, a formatting loop, and the inability to launch the iPod software utility. This narrows it down to an issue with: a global windows service/program, or a program that has global settings(think:itunes)

To rule out an incompatibility with my usb card(Unlikely, I know - but similar symptoms have been reported with incompatible firewire cards), I stuck a clean windows install on a small partition - and hey presto, no problem!
</long story>

<short story>
Next logical step was to uninstall iTunes, and all the iPod software. Reinstalling from the iPod cd, all went smoothly. My library, rating, and playlists intact. The formatting took around two minutes. Operation and installation was flawless.
</short story>

Of course, in retrospect, reinstalling iTunes should've been done before a few of the other steps. :rolleyes:

Anyhow, hope that's of use to anyone experiencing what is apparently a very rare issue.

Thanks!

[TangoWithDaddy]

man, ive done all that, and it still dosent work for me...hmmmm maybe ipod isnt my destiny =(

[alexmainian]

Hey, Don't give up now. If it doesn't work send it back. The iPod is the best mp3 player eva invented and it is a lota money to waste. Phone apple up. I am sure there is a solution. Once it is working then u will start to love the iPod.

Good Luck

[STomlinson]

Mine wouldn't format over a PC with firewire so I ended the process, ran the iPod updater and there we were - done. I suggest anybody having problems tries that

[ipodcraig]

I had exactly the same problem as described.
So, I then:

1 - Stopped the reformatting (after about 2hrs)
2 - Installed the software (selecting the option to not connect the IPOD)
3 - Opened I tunes and found the menu item to update to the latest version.
4 - Used firewire instead of USB
5 - Started Itunes and then pluged in the IPOD
6 - reformating took less than 3mins.
7 - Danced like the "fat dutch guy" (search for the video - you will understand)

** I rebooted when ever it recommended.

[ClaudiaPadme]

Bless you, Craig. I was stuck with the same problem, Googled for "iPod format time", and found this thread. Your success encouraged me to try a similar route:

1) stopped the reformatting (yeah, about 2 hours)
2) installed software
3) updated iTunes
4) plugged in the iPod *with* USB
5) this caused iTunes to start up and do the right thing--opening iTunes before plugging in the iPod did *not*
6) reformatting was done in a snap
7) I've got 38 GB on my 40G photo iPod, and it filled up with music just like it should

Yay!

Apple needs some better documentation for Windows, because following the instructions in the manual failed utterly.

[thewilks]

My 'pod just hung at the formatting stage (and so did my freinds who got his on the same day but a different place).

I rebooted the computer and, after sweating, checked the ipod and voila! Formatted. (I did have to run restore on the 'pod though!)

Iv'e had a 40gb Photo for just over a month now and have a quick question...

Is the occasional slight skipping/jumping of audio normal?

It's only on one or two tracks, but it is in the same place everytime (the original file is fine in itunes).

It is only on a few tracks, so it dosen't bother me much and i won't send it back, but i am a little curious.

Thanks.