ipod and itunes issue

[starmack]

recently got a gift f an 80 Gb iPod. From time to time it fails to upload my iTunes purchases from Mac computer library. This has sometimes involved a complete "Restore" which is tedious with over 4,000 songs.
I also note two symbols on my iPod top right screen, like a scalextrix toy raceracetrack or railway track. These are black in colour and have arrows at the top tip end.
I also note that my iPod itself now skips playing all songs which have artwork/album covers, while it plays songs which have no artwork.
Are all these issues connected.
Any help appreciated. I found the Apple docs hopeless.

[fo3nix]

The signs you see sound like the signs for making your music either repeat or play in shuffling mode -- turn those off in the settings if you don't want them on.

As for the iTunes music stuff -- I'm not sure. Do you have more than 80GB of stuff in your iTunes library? (including podcasts and videos too.)

[starmack]

Ho fo3nix
Thanks for a helpful answer. I will try this out later Monday.

No the iTunes library has about 4,000 songs.....

[starmack]

Hi fo3nix
Yeah, got rid of those two icons as you suggested...but my songs with artwork still kept refusing to play in iPod. Had to do a complete re-install - 35 minutes - which is a bit of a 'pain' as I've had to do it before, too.

Do not photos or videos in iPod. It is an issue which occurs when syncing -- sometimes syncing happens and sometimes it doesnt happen. Always using a FireWire extension for maximum efficiency etc and so am at loss to know what the issue is. Wondering if it has to with 80GB version of iPod as I never hads any such issue with 20GB version.

The Apple support pages leave something to be desired.

[fo3nix]

I've never used iTunes purchases, but do you have to make sure your iPod is authorised? Your iTunes library certainly has to be authorised. Make sure it is, from the advanced menu.

Otherwise, you can ask in the support pages:
http://www.apple.com/support

[starmack]

Again, fo3nix -- many thanks for your help and advice. I think you may be onto something as I deselected some items along the way.....

Great to have all my iTunes back in biz though. Will only take a couple of days to play all 4,000!