iPod on Windows XP: Delayed Write Failed (UPDATED)
A couple years ago I posted about a fix for Delayed Write Failed errors when updating an iPod on Windows XP. While my suggestions in that post worked for the most part, I still encountered the error from time to time.
So it’s been a couple years and now I NEVER receive this error. Here’s how I did it:
I used to connect my iPod to my PC via USB. However, I had purchased an external Firewire hard drive which required me to install a Firewire card into a PCI slot on my machine. The card had 4 Firewire inputs, and I needed to free up a USB port for some other peripherals that needed them. So I decided to move my iPod connection from USB to my new Firewire card (Koutech KW-582V2 – cost me $21 bucks from NewEgg).
Ever since then I have NEVER received the Delayed Write error. So if you’re having trouble updating your iPod and get the “Delayed Write Failed” error, perhaps it is your USB connection. Try moving your iPod to another USB port, and if you’re using a USB hub, try bypassing the hub and plug your iPod directly into your computer’s USB port. If THAT doesn’t work, try a Firewire port. If you don’t have one, grab yourself a Firewire card. You can get them cheap and are much more valuable than all the hair you’re pulling out trying to fix your Delayed Write Failed.
My friends 30 gig 5th generation was currupt so we were able to swipe the ipod in disc mode, but when we tried to sync it back to itunes we got the windows – delayed write failed also. I tried your first fix and it didn’t work..any other suggestions? (please not that you’re talking to someone who is not a programmer so if you have a solution, please make it as simple as possible)
Are you using USB or Firewire?
A USB. I have a video that has no problem with the sync to the itunes. It has to do with the ipod. It appeared the ipod went through the restore process and we thought we could just sync in back up and start over, but it doesn’t even register the ipod on itunes. The computer does register the connection however. I’m at a loss!
Got it to work! I formated the ipod from the computer rather then from itunes and reinstalled the music from itunes. Worked great!
Thanks for your solution
(Device Manager > Disk Drives > Properties > Policies > Enable Disk Caching)
This, the “unknown error occured (1418)” and “the required file cannot be found” error (which I believe are all the same problem) are the worst documented errors I’ve encountered considered their frequency.
For those still searching, preventing virus scanners from checking your ipod is another potential solution (namely Norton I think).
I found manually deleting everything off the ipod helped.
sound good, respect!
i like ur blog, write more..