iTunes 8: "Could not sync -- unknown error 13014"

Some users have run into problems where error messages appear when they sync their iPods with iTunes after applying the 8.0.1 update.

Apple Discussions poster MgShaw writes:

"I installed [iTunes 8.0.1] tonight when I got home, and I'm now getting massive numbers of 'unknown errors' when syncing with the iPod. It gives a "could not sync - unknown error 13014" - I can't find anything that tells me what that error means."

Despite the error messages popping up, it appears iTunes is syncing information properly, which has been confusing to affected users. This problem seems to be associated with iTunes not initializing properly on first start, so it is recommended that users follow these procedures to ensure the system and iTunes get working properly together:

• Quit iTunes and shut down the computer.
• Unplug peripheral devices, including iPods.
• Boot the computer and login to the user account.
• When the computer fully loads, launch iTunes.
• Connect iPods and reattempt synchronization.

In addition to running the computer through a full restart cycle such as this, users are encouraged to run permissions fixes on the hard drive using Disk Utility after applying updates. While for the most part the files checked by permissions fixes are not associated with iTunes, it is possible that small conflicts with inaccessible system files may result in odd application behavior. Lastly, users might try removing their iTunes preferences file, which is located in the /username/Library/Preferences/ folder and is called "com.apple.iTunes.plist" and then relaunching the program.

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