Delayed Write Failure on large sync

Originally posted by Gaz
Hi,

I've been having mucho problemo trying to get my 3rd gen 30GB ipod to sync properly. I'm finding the sync gets to about 3-4 GB and then i get a delayed write failures.

I've tried it with 4 firewire cards (VIA, SIIG, Belkin and Adaptec 4300) and under XP and 2K but i get the same symtoms time and time again. I've also tried experimenting with the the copying routines in Ephpod but just nothing seems to affect it.

I've sent it back to Apple once but they returned it showing no fault.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Or rather can anyone successfully transfer more than a few GB in one go?

Yes, I have the exact same problem. At first I thought it was a bad Firewire card (built in on Asus P4c800-Dlx motherboard), but since you've tried 4, I doubt that's it.

I'm still trying to figure out why this happens, I suspect it could have something to do with memory timings, especially since it apparently is not a FW issue.

What's your PC specifications, and do you overclock yours?

Mine's P4C800-Dlx motherboard, P4 3.0Ghz 800Mhz FSB overclocked to 3.32Ghz, 1GB Kingston DDR 3500 (or 3700, I can never remember which).

I have transfered my entire collection to the iPod so I'm kind of over the worst hazzle, but check that out and one tip I got which seems to cause a lot of problems in new PC's, are to play around with the USB settings in the BIOS, i.e. turn off legacy support and see what happens.

Originally posted by Gaz
I was considering just living with the problem as you say but i'm a little worried its just one aspect of a deeper problem. Anyway i've just called Apple and they are picking up for some more testing. So fingers crossed, i'm getting withdrawl symtoms!

Well, if you've tried it on 3 different PC's and 4 different FW-cards, then it sounds like it could be a iPod problem. Especially since seemingly this is a very rare problem (at least when I search these forums).
Please keep me updated as to what Apple finds out, if it's a defective iPod, I'll return mine too.
Luckily, the Apple store is right next-door to where I work. :D

ashawley:

Unfortunatly none of the 3 machines i have tried it on (gigabyte,msi and intel boards) allows you to change the PCI latency and all bioses where upto date.

I did however find a utility called PowerStrip after a bit of Googling which allows you to set it. Again it didn't solve the problem, although it did seem to gradually slow the transfer rate until it practically ground to a halt.

Apple have agreed to have another look at it and will do a large transfer. Unfortuantly the tech guy on the phone told they only test them using Apple machines so it may not help.

I probably spent over 40 hours working on this problem and have been considering getting rid of it. But then i gaze into its misty blue backlight and i just can't do it....:)

I not really too bothered, i will live with the problem because it only happens when i do a large transfer. I just want to be sure this is not an indication of a bigger problem.

Thanks,
Gaz

This is definitely a hard disk failure - one of the technicians at the local Apple store told me so...my 2-month old 4G 40Gig is giving de same prob, and I'm DYING :'-(

Gonna send it in to Apple soon hopefully...