iPod Update 1.2.1
The other day, Apple released a new firmware version for the fifth generation iPods. I took this opportunity to tweak around with the solution that intrepid reader Ben discovered when it seemed everyone was having problems with the 1.2 update. I always found it odd that the ClipBook, Routing and Remote Access, Terminal Services, and Server services needed to be started for the iPod firmware update to work properly.
According to Windows, the Clipbook service “[e]nables ClipBook Viewer to store information and share it with remote computers. If the service is stopped, ClipBook Viewer will not be able to share information with remote computers. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start“.
- I’m not sure why this would be relevant to updating an iPod.
Similary, the Routing and Remote Access service “[o]ffers routing services to businesses in local area and wide area network environments“.
- This sounds more like something that would be used in a corporate environment. Again, I was not sure why this would be relevant to updating an iPod.
Terminal Services “[a]llows multiple users to be connected interactively to a machine as well as the display of desktops and applications to remote computers. The underpinning of Remote Desktop (including RD for Administrators), Fast User Switching, Remote Assistance, and Terminal Server“.
- I sure hope Apple isn’t trying to remotely control my machine. [A side note: Microsoft released Remote Desktop 6.0 about 13 days ago. It supports some of the newer features introduced by Vista].
I don’t even have the Server service on my installation of Windows. I think the service only exists for Windows 2000 Server and Windows 2003 Server.
On the other hand, Network DDE “[p]rovides network transport and security for Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) for programs running on the same computer or on different computers. If this service is stopped, DDE transport and security will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start“.
And the Network DDE DSDM service “[m]anages Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) network shares. If this service is stopped, DDE network shares will be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start“.
- While I’m not 100% certain about what those descriptions mean, it sounded reasonable enough that iTunes/iPod might need those services enabled.
So for this update, I simply started the Network DDE DSDM and Network DDE service. I held my breath and clicked “Update” … And everything worked like it should. My iPod now runs the 1.2.1 firmware (which, by the way, Apple so kindly explains, only contains “bug fixes”. Thanks, Apple!)
I am not sure if those two services are enabled by default, as one of the first things I do after (re)installing Windows is to turn off as many services as possible (there are a lot of useless ones, such as “Web Client” or “Alerter”). However, judging by the number of people who experienced problems updating to 1.2, I imagine that it is not a service that is automatically enabled by Windows.
In conclusion, to successfully update your iPod’s firmware on Windows, just make sure you have the “Network DDE DSDM” and “Network DDE” service enabled. Save some RAM and ignore the other services listed in the original solution.
