When i try to sync my ipod to computer with the usb cord i get a "usb connection failed" error message. bought a new ipod usb cord and same thing. My usb ports are all good. Is it my ipod or what? HELP?

Restarting your computer is often the solution when your iPod fails to sync with your iTunes music library. But if this fails, there are other troubleshooting steps to take.

Recharge your iPod via a USB cable connected to your computer or AC adapter. b> Click the help menu in iTunes and check for updates. Follow the onscreen prompts to download and install the latest version of the software. Open the new version of iTunes. Click the name of your iPod in the source list and check for updates under the summary tab to update your iPod. Attempt to sync your iPod with iTunes. Slide your iPod's hold switch to the hold position and then to off. Press and hold the menu and center buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears to reset your iPod. Open iTunes on your computer and reconnect your iPod to try to sync it with iTunes. Restart iPod service b> Close iTunes and make sure your iPod is disconnected from the computer. Click the 'start' button. Click 'run' if using Windows XP. Type 'services.msc' in the run box in XP and in the search box in the start menu in Windows 7 and Vista. Press 'enter.' Scroll through the list and double-click on 'iPod service.' Click the 'stop' button and leave the properties window open. Connect your iPod to the computer. Open 'my computer' or 'computer' and look for your iPod listed in the devices with removable storage section. Click the 'start' button in the iPod Service's properties window. Open iTunes to attempt to sync your iPod. Close the iPod Service's properties window once your iPod has finished syncing. Resolve "Original File could not be Found" Double-click the name of a song in the iTunes program that failed to sync to your iPod. Click 'yes' or 'locate' to the message asking you if you want to locate the file. Navigate to the folder or directory location where the song is stored on your computer. Double-click the song file to select it and add it back to iTunes. Reconnect your iPod to the computer and open iTunes to restart the syncing process. Some songs in iTunes won't copy to iPod http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1420 iPod classic Troubleshooting Assistant
http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/classic/

Shutdown Windows.
Turn the computer off.
Unplug the AC power cord.
Reconnect the AC power cord.
Restart the PC.
This will eliminate many "intermittent" problems.

Now, connect some other USB device (mouse? keyboard? memory-stick?) into the USB port, to confirm that the USB port is working, at least for some USB device.

Now, connect the iPod to one of the USB ports.
If it is not recognized, connect the iPod to a different USB port.

This should work.

Hi,

How to Sync an Ipod to Your Computer


Things You'll Need:

* IPod
* IPod USB that came with iPod
* Computer
* ITunes
* Mouse

So, you've bought an iPod and are super excited about putting your music on it so you can listen on the go, but you don't know how to start. First you have to figure out how to get your songs to your iPod, then you can listen to your heart's content.

This How To will tell you how you can get moving to the beats sooner than later.

Be sure your iPod is not on "hold". Move the bar at the top of the iPod from hold (at right) to manage or release (at left)

Press the center button on your iPod to turn the iPod on

Connect the flatter, wider connecting piece to the opening on the bottom of your iPod (This may have a minus sign on it)

Connect the USB side of the cord (this piece has what looks like a cactus on it) to the USB port in your computer

ITunes will automatically open. Click on the image of your iPod (at left). This will open your settings for whenever you connect your iPod to the computer.

Initially, it may be easiest to let it automatically update your iPod. A screen will come up to ask you if you would like to automatically sync your iPod. Click "YES".

ITunes will do the rest. The top window will show the progress of the data transfer.
DO NOT disconnect your iPod.

Once the window says "Update Complete", eject your iPod to safely remove it from the computer by dragging the image or icon of the ipod on your computer to the trash (which will change into an eject symbol), or clicking on the eject symbol next to the iPod icon (at left).

Disconnect the cord from the computer and iPod

Listen to your music



Tips & Warnings

These instructions are most useful if you have already installed iTunes and charged you iPod prior to connecting it to your computer.

Do not disconnect your iPod until it says "iPod Update Complete" at the top of the iTunes screen.


Also

I faced the same problem. In fact, you can use an ipod to computer transfer program to help.I personally use Cucusoft iPhone/iTouch/iPod to Computer Transfer.It helps me to transfer my songs/videos/photos/playlists etc from ipod to my new computer directly and safely.It works well for me,you can give it a try.
Free download it at: dvd-video-soft.com/ipodconver...

It even has step-by-step guide on the whole process.

thanks for using fixya...

It means that the iPod is connecting to a USB 1.1 port, which is about 1/4 the speed of a USB 2.0 port.

Are you plugging the iPod directly into a USB port on the computer, or are you going through a USB hub or extension cord?

Try connecting directly to one of the ports on the computer and see if the message goes away.
As a bonus, you'll sync 4 times as fast.

First, Make sure the cord is plugged in all the way on the ipod and computer.  Also, you gots ta have itunes open so it will sync with the ipod.  Unplug the cord and try again.  Try the cord out on your friends or relatives ipod to see if you got a faulty cord.  If you got a bad cord, then throw it out and get you a new one. If the above don't works for ya then, unplug the cable.  Backup your itunes music. uninstall itunes.  Re-install the same version of itunes.  Open itunes and plug your ipod in making sure the connections are firm.  If that don't do it for ya, then your fu.k.d and need to take the thing back to the store for even exchange if your within your 30 day window or back to the Apple store if your within your 1 year window.  Note that Apple will reject you if you exposed this thing to liquids or dropped the thing.

This picture means you need to sync the new ipod with your computer.  Meaning they got to get close and acquainted. 
Restart your computer.  Open up itunes and wait for it to load.  Then take the USB sync cord and connect one end to the ipod and the other end to the USB port on your computer.  Click set up new ipod and type in a name you want to use.  Follow the on screen instructions and don't disconnect the ipod until your computer says its done and its safe to disconnect.

JUST SHUT IT OFF AND THEN CONNECT YOUR USB CABLE TO YOUR PC AND IPOD, THEN HOLD THE HOME AND POWER BUTTON UNTIL YOUR SEE I TUNES ICON WITH THE USB CONNECTOR RIGHT UNDER IT, WHEN YOU SEE IT LET GO THEN IT'LL SYNC INTO ITUNES AND JUST FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.
RATE ME PLZ.

You can only sync one ipod with one computer so if you put music on it already it will only work with the original computer you synced it with. Same with ANY ipod.

You need to update to the LATEST version of iTunes.

Here is a link to do that: http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/


Thank You!!!!!

try here