iPod 'new' refurbed 5th Gen iPod - 'update' & 'restore' Windows on iMac

[MSM Hobbes]

Just received refurbed iPod

However, when plugged into the 24" C2D iMac for the 1st time, I have the following:

- installed the iPod + iTunes CD s/w
- already have iTunes, v. 7.0.2, w/ many good tunes awaiting to meet iPod
- a screen popped up, "About iPod Updater"
- another little screen appeared, showing the name, s/w version, serial number, capacity, used, free, and,,, format [Windows ]
- within this last mentioned screen, there are two options:
(a) 'update' - 'only Macintosh formatted iPods can be updated', selection unavailable
(b) 'restore' - 'click restore to restore your iPod to its factory settings'

The iPod itself is awaiting quite patiently, w/ the red slash no symbol flashing above the dire warning 'do NOT disconnect'.

So, do I want this to be windows or Mac formatted? Any difference? From what I've read, it should be happier being Mac formatted - right?

But - how in hades can I make this lovely black beauty be on the side of light and right, become Macintosh formatted?

 

[MSM Hobbes]

Well, guess that just by selecting the 'restore' button, the iPod was able to detect from after that that it was attached to an Apple - all seems to be good; the songs are d/l, the Summary screen says its Macintosh formatted...

And!!! iStat Pro shows the iPod too...

 

[Blubbert]

That whole Windows formated and Macintosh formated applies to the formating of the disk. Windows cannot read HFS+ which is the default disk formating for the Mac, so instead it uses FAT32.

 

[Jasonbot]

If you format it in windows then you cannot update it in OSX.

 

[lozanoj83]

If you format it in windows then you cannot update it in OSX.

Not true!
I update my friends iPod and his Windows formated!

 

[MSM Hobbes]

Yea, thanks - I know the difference between the different formats, which is then why I was concerned that I was not able to select the Macintosh "update" version, just the Windows "reformat" version. But, as said in the 2nd post, the iPod was 'somehow' formatted to the correct [ie: Apple] version, even tho' I could only select the Windows route. In any case, all is good...

 

[Jasonbot]

Not true!
I update my friends iPod and his Windows formated!

By update I mean software update not music synching.

 

[lozanoj83]

By update I mean software update not music synching.

Oh ok, I tought you meant updating music.. but for the software, your right on the marker

 

[mrgreen4242]

I like to format my iPod(s) in Windows/FAT32 just so it can act as a drive on pretty much any computer with a USB port. That's just me, though.

 

[tangerineyum]

I like to format my iPod(s) in Windows/FAT32 just so it can act as a drive on pretty much any computer with a USB port. That's just me, though.

is there a way to format a mac ipod to a windows ipod from a mac ?

 

[zephead]

Maybe you could format it as FAT32 in Disk Utility? I'm not exactly sure how that would work out with the iPod OS and all, but that's the only way I could think of.