I was able to manage my iPod Nano using Ubuntu until now. When I recently upgraded to Ubuntu 11.04 Natty which was a clean install, a weird problem started. I could not synchronize my iPod using any application like Banshee, Rhythmbox, gtkpod, Amarok etc. On closer look, I realized that when I transferred any file, it was copied to the iPod but the database on iPod was not updated. None of the applications seemed to work and it was same error in each case. Since the iPod database was not updated, iPod could not see the file and was unable to play it. It was an iPod Nano generation 5, which comes with a video camera on the back side.
To debug the issue, I executed Banshee in debug mode (banshee -debug on the terminal), and I noticed the following error when trying to transfer any file on iPod.
‘Failed to save iPod database – GLib.GException: Failed to generate sqlite database (in `libgpod-sharp)’
I searched for solutions on Internet but was confused at various solutions suggested. I tried a few solutions like updating libraries libgpod etc from git etc. but I was not sure about this; iPod was working using older versions of library. Few others suggested initializing the iPod database in a specific order using iTunes/Rhythmbox etc. I could not decipher that solution. Few more hits and trials but no progress.
Finally, the problem was resolved using the following 2 steps. You may try the following steps to resolve the problem in your case:
1. Identify the serial number of your iPod device by using the following command:
$ lsusb -v | grep -i Serial
You will see a 16 digit serial number in the output which is a hexadecimal number identifier for your iPod. Copy the serial number and create a file called SysInfo manually on iPod under iPod_Control/Device/ directory.
You must edit the SysInfo file and enter the following text: ‘FirewireGuid: 0x…………….‘ without quotes. So, it must read FirewireGuid: 0x
2. After SysInfo file is created, create another file containing the Hash value. Go to following URL – http://ihash.marcansoft.com/ and enter the serial number (identified at step 1) in the text box provided on the website. It will generate another file which must be saved as HashInfo file underiPod_Control/Device/ directory. Unplug the iPod device and plug it back to your system and problem should be resolved now.
After the above 2 files were created, I could use all applications viz. Banshee, Rhythmbox, gtkpod, Amarok etc. to manage the iPod. I could transfer music, podcasts, videos etc. on my iPod and the iPod DB was also updated flawlessly just like before.
Give it a shot! Even if it doesn’t work for you, delete the 2 files you’ve just created?