How do all, here's the story:

- 4th generation ipod mini
- Mandriva LE2005
- kernel 2.6.11-12mdk compiled without EFI support per this LQ thread and no other changes from the stock Mandriva config
- ipod interfaces via a USB 2.0 cable and port
- file system type of ipod (fat or hfs+) is unknown, but both are compiled as modules into the kernel


After removing EFI support from the kernel the ipod can connect without freezing, but I get the following errors via dmesg:

usb-storage: device found at 1
usb-storage: waiting for device to settle before scanning
Vendor: Apple Model: iPod Rev: 1.62
Type: Direct-Access ANSI SCSI revision: 00
SCSI device sda: 7999488 512-byte hdwr sectors (4096 MB)
sda: Write Protect is off
sda: Mode Sense: 64 00 00 08
sda: assuming drive cache: write through
SCSI device sda: 7999488 512-byte hdwr sectors (4096 MB)
sda: Write Protect is off
sda: Mode Sense: 64 00 00 08
sda: assuming drive cache: write through
/dev/scsi/host67/bus0/target0/lun0:<6>SCSI error : <67 0 0 0> return code = 0x70000
end_request: I/O error, dev sda, sector 0
Buffer I/O error on device sda, logical block 0
SCSI error : <67 0 0 0> return code = 0x70000
end_request: I/O error, dev sda, sector 0
Buffer I/O error on device sda, logical block 0
unable to read partition table
Attached scsi removable disk sda at scsi67, channel 0, id 0, lun 0
usb-storage: device scan complete
usb 5-3: USB disconnect, address 1
usb 5-3: new high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 2
scsi68 : SCSI emulation for USB Mass Storage devices
usb-storage: device found at 2
usb-storage: waiting for device to settle before scanning
usb 5-3: USB disconnect, address 2
usb 5-3: new high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 3



These "USB disconnect" and then "device found at" errors will continue and increment by one each time (3,4,5,....) until I physically disconnect the ipod. These messages will be periodically interjected with the section:

Vendor: Apple Model: iPod Rev: 1.62
Type: Direct-Access ANSI SCSI revision: 00
SCSI device sda: 7999488 512-byte hdwr sectors (4096 MB)
sda: Write Protect is off
sda: Mode Sense: 64 00 00 08
sda: assuming drive cache: write through
SCSI device sda: 7999488 512-byte hdwr sectors (4096 MB)
sda: Write Protect is off
sda: Mode Sense: 64 00 00 08
sda: assuming drive cache: write through
/dev/scsi/host67/bus0/target0/lun0:<6>SCSI error : <67 0 0 0> return code = 0x70000
end_request: I/O error, dev sda, sector 0
Buffer I/O error on device sda, logical block 0
SCSI error : <67 0 0 0> return code = 0x70000
end_request: I/O error, dev sda, sector 0
Buffer I/O error on device sda, logical block 0
unable to read partition table
Attached scsi removable disk sda at scsi67, channel 0, id 0, lun 0
usb-storage: device scan complete

These sections will appear anywhere from every 4 to 8 "USB disconnect" and then "device found at" errors.

# lsusb

Bus 006 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 005 Device 108: ID 05ac:1205 Apple Computer, Inc.
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 004 Device 005: ID 046d:c00c Logitech, Inc. Optical Wheel Mouse
Bus 004 Device 004: ID 051d:0002 American Power Conversion Back-UPS Pro 500/1000/1500
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 003 Device 003: ID 03f0:2811 Hewlett-Packard PSC-2100
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 0000:0000
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 0000:0000



This is something I've googled and searched LQ for ad nauseum and no one seems to be experiencing the same problems I'm having.

Thanks for your input.

EDIT: added lsusb output

After some further tinkering:

I was able to solve this problem with the use of a windows computer. A CD came with the ipod mini that I ran on a windows computer. This brought up an install dialog that asked me to connect my ipod to see if it needed formatting. I attached my mini and it proceeded to format it (how or in what manner I don't know, probably made it a FAT partition), after this finished it asked if I wanted to continue to install software and drivers and I said no and canceled the installation. After this I looked in the Ipod about menu (Settings ---> About) and at the bottom there was a new entry that said "Format: Windows". Now when I connect the ipod to my linux box there are no errors and I just had to mount it like a regular FAT partitioned drive.

If you can borrow a friends Windows computer or have one of your own you can use this solution. You don't actually have to install any spurious software or drivers, just run through the formatting portion of the installer and then cancel the rest of the installation procedure when the format is complete.

Hope this helps others with similar problems.