unknown error occurred (-36)
The ipod " "cannot be updated. an unknown error occurred (-36)
any clue what this means?
[188 byte] By [iNViOnE] at [2007-11-10 15:37:20] 
hello...just got my shuffle and when i tried putting in music i got this error...
The ipod " "cannot be updated. an unknown error occurred (-36)
any clue what this means?
# 1 Re: unknown error occurred (-36)
BUMPiNViOnE at 2007-11-15 12:54:50 >
# 2 Re: unknown error occurred (-36)
Try switching USB ports.mtnagel at 2007-11-15 12:55:47 >
# 3 Re: unknown error occurred (-36)
I have tried many, many times to install my son's new iPod Shuffle on my computer. I am able to load his CDs onto my computer, and there is a play list for his iPod which reflects what's in the library. The problem is that I cannot get the music to transfer to the iPod. It gives a message that it's updating and then returns with a message that the iPod cannot be updated. It also says that it cannot save the preferences because the iPod can't be found, even though it's in the USB port and appears to be reflected on the left hand side of the iTunes playlist. Very frustrating. Someone tell me how to fix this, please!! I've uninstalled and reinstalled several times. I've tried to reformat the iPod but it always says it doesn't need formatting. (I'm on a PC with Windows XP). I uninstalled a bunch of antispyware and other stuff I thought might be cluttering things up and rebooted. I've rebooted more times than I can count. Any help would be appreciated.CarlaMom at 2007-11-15 12:56:45 >
# 4 Re: unknown error occurred (-36)
welcome to the lounge :)try here for more info...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301267
yinyang at 2007-11-15 12:57:50 >
# 5 Re: unknown error occurred (-36)
iPod shuffle doesn't work for crap on Windows XP. Too many errors, frequent reformatting of shuffle. I can get one shuffle to work semi-ok but two, impossible. I brought the shuffle to the Apple store and all the Apple geek said was, "well, it works here...can't do anything for you." Well, jerk-off, if it only works great with Macs, then you shouldn't be marketing it for PCs.Sorry for the rant. I'm just ####ed off spending hours and hours troubleshooting this thing. Multiple, software reinstalls, etc... Junk... I wouldn't recommend the shuffle to ANY Windows user and I'm not about to swap out my USB ports until I find one that works right with the Shuffle 'cause all my other USB devices seem to work fine them.
Try this link:
//myhome.naver.com/rururukaka/
The fix works great if you are going to use only 1 shuffle on your PC. But for some unknown reason, you'll start getting errors again sometime down the line and have to repeat the process.
Aries326 at 2007-11-15 12:58:49 >
# 6 Re: unknown error occurred (-36)
Originally posted by Aries326 iPod shuffle doesn't work for crap on Windows XP.
So you're basing this you're one experience (plus maybe the OP). I'm sure there are thousands (maybe millions??) of satisfied Shuffle/XP users out there, myself included. I for one use 2 Shuffles on 1 laptop and a 3rd Shuffle on a desktop with no problems whatsoever.
mtnagel at 2007-11-15 12:59:48 >
# 7 Re: unknown error occurred (-36)
No, not on my one experience alone. My cousin is also experiencing the same thing, and also the guy who started the thread to begin with. Look through the forums and there are plenty of users out there with Error -36, Error -69 errors... can't reformat, etc... I can only imagine how many other XP users out there are also having problems but don't look on forums like this to express their frustration.I understand that there alot more hardware variables in the PC world than the Mac world which would make the iPod incompatible to certain set ups. But like I said in my post, I'm not about to start swapping out USB cards just to get this shuffle going. Especially, since I've already spent hours trying to troubleshoot it and all my other peripherals work fine. The last thing I need is to swap out the USB card, have the Shuffle work and have something else go wrong.
I'm happy for you that you have 2 shuffles working on your laptop, but have you tried getting 2 shuffles to work on your desktop? Let me know what happens if you try. I'd like to get some info on how to get this working.
Aries326 at 2007-11-15 13:00:54 >
# 8 Re: unknown error occurred (-36)
I'm a happy XP/shuffle user, for what it's worth. You may find the USB issue to be the root of all evil. And if you don't have USB 2 on your computer yet, it's a cheap upgrade and will be useful for things besides plugging in a shuffle.colbypaperboy at 2007-11-15 13:01:56 >
# 9 Re: unknown error occurred (-36)
I've got USB 1.0 and 2.0 on my computer. It really doesn't matter which ports I use, I just get problems with iTunes. I know it's more of an iTunes issue since there was program somewhere that allows you to manually drag music files onto your shuffle's directory and that worked fine. I never had errors copying files to the directory and deleting. Although, it defeats the purpose of having a Shuffle and letting iTunes do all the work.Aries326 at 2007-11-15 13:02:54 >
# 10 Re: unknown error occurred (-36)
Originally posted by Aries326 I can only imagine how many other XP users out there are also having problems but don't look on forums like this to express their frustration.
Yes, but can you imagine all the people that are using their Shuffles with XP successfully and never come here to say that everything is working fine? I'm sure there are more happy campers than people having problems. For me, the thing just works like it's supposed to all the time everytime.
I did have a 4G 40 gig iPod (that I sold after having it for 1.5 months when the Shuffle came out) and when I tried to set that up, it gave me the 36 error. I tried everything and eventually had it replaced at the Apple store. But that one did the same thing. So what's the odds of 2 iPods both having the same issue? Not likely, so I figured it was my computer so instead of using the front USB ports, I switched to the back and then everything worked perfect for the 1.5 months of ownership. So that's why I recommended switching USB ports. I've even recommended that before here and others have said it helped. Oddly enough, I've used that port that didn't work for the 4G 40 gig iPod for my Shuffle with no problems. So through all my rambling, I guess I'm saying if the Shuffle worked fine at the Apple Store, then it's most likely your PC. I guess it could be iTunes too, like you suspected, but other than that, I don't know what to tell you.
mtnagel at 2007-11-15 13:03:55 >
# 11 Re: unknown error occurred (-36)
I get the error (-36) at least once or twice each time I want to autofill music on my shuffle with WinXP pro. The only system that I use to get the two to work smoothly is to restart my laptop and then plug the shuffle in. Any other times I get the error (-36). A pain in the butt but the only thing I can figure works for now.unfortunate at 2007-11-15 13:05:00 >
# 12 Re: unknown error occurred (-36)
"The only system that I use to get the two to work smoothly is to restart my laptop and then plug the shuffle in"Thank you UNFORTUNATE.
I did that with my desktop and my IPOD Shiffle is back in business.
I guess plugging the IPOD in AFTER turning on the computer must be the key because I have two USB 2.0 ports on the front and booting up with the IPOD in either one resulted in the (-36) error.
I may not download anymore IPOD software because all my problems started after running an update.
Thanks again.
Lytnnng at 2007-11-15 13:05:58 >
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