iPod Would like to configure my ipod to PC without losing my songs

[urchinrose]

I got my ipod as a gift so the person that gave it to me set it up so that it's now configured with MAC.

Well I use PC =)

So how can I configure/format my ipod to my PC without losing all the songs I already have on there and start using itunes on my PC?

I found Sharepod and Utilpod but am not sure if I'm going in the right direction since I am not a computer whiz.

THANKS =)

 

[mad jew]

How did you get the songs on the iPod without a Mac? There's no way to format an iPod for PC without erasing everything on that iPod unfortunately. Using the iPod Software Updater, you can Restore the firmware of the iPod and if you do this form a PC, then it'll be formatted for Windows.

If you have access to a Mac, you could try using an app like Senuti to get the songs back onto a computer before reformatting.

 

[urchinrose]

My friend has a mac and downloaded bout 1000 songs before I was able to use it on my pc.

So I can't connect the ipod to my laptop and download all my current songs on there to the hard drive, and then format for Windows?

Thanks for the reply!

 

[mad jew]

Sorry, but without an app like the US$50 MacDrive it's impossible because PCs cannot read HFS+ formatted drives natively. I really doubt it's worth getting this app just for 1000 songs that could be redeemed if you manage to get your hands on a Mac for an hour or so.

 

[ezekielrage_99]

There are some Linux iPod tools out there, they are pretty bad though. So it is kind of possble to get a non Mac OSX machine to format to HFS filing system (I still don't know why you would want to do that).

Keep in mind that the iPod was designed for Mac OSX and Windows so you should just use FAT32 for Windows and the HFS for Mac OSX.

If you go to VersionTracker you can download an application called iRip which will copies songs and playlists from the iPod to any computer, it does kind of come in handy though.

 

[Chundles]

You've really only got one option in this case:

1. Use the iPod software to restore you iPod to factory conditions on your PC, this will erase all your songs but leave your iPod in Windows format.

2. Go back to the friend who uploaded these 1000 songs and ask them to upload them again. A Windows formatted iPod works perfectly on a Mac so there shouldn't be a problem.

3. There is no step 3.

 

[exeterbohemian]

i'm not sure about switching from mac to pc, but i have successfully done it the other way around. when i bought my powerbook back in august i simply copied the 'itunes music' folder off of my pc and put it onto my powerbook. then, when i first connected my old 3g ipod to the powerbook, it recognized it and updated like always. i never had to reformat it.