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Q: PC can't "see" photos on old iPod

Trying to move photos off my old 80GB iPod to my Win7 PC. Even in Disc Mode, no programs will "see" them although they are clearly visible on the iPod. I don't want to lose them. Tried iTunes, Win Exp, Dropbox, etc. They only see 4 ithmbs where I tried to do convert them from Thumbs awhile back with an Ultra File Opener. Can't remember how or why I did that now... Someone said to right-click under "computer" on the iPod & select "Explore" to get to hidden files but that option doesn't come up. HELP!

iPod classic

Posted on Sep 21, 2016 12:19 PM

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Q: PC can't "see" photos on old iPod

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  • by Kenichi Watanabe,Helpful

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Sep 21, 2016 2:52 PM in response to PnL2
    Level 8 (39,783 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 21, 2016 2:52 PM in response to PnL2

    There is a setting (a checkbox) on the iPod's Photos settings screen in iTunes, for Include full resolution photos.  IF that setting was enabled WHEN you synced the photos to iPod, iTunes puts a copy of the original photo image file on the iPod.  Those photo image files can be retrieved using your computer's file manager, by enabling disk use on the iPod and looking in the Photos folder.

     

    If that setting was not enabled, iTunes optimizes photos to fit iPod's small screen (and minimize storage space used on iPod) while syncing.  The photos data is stored in a special database (not as separate image files).  You cannot use a file manager to access separate image files.  You need to get your photos from the original files (on your computer) that you synced to the iPod, or from a backup.

     

    There may be third-party utilities that can extract separate photos from the iPod.  However, those photos are probably low resolution compared to the original image files, because iTunes converted them while syncing for display on the iPod's small screen.

  • by PnL2,

    PnL2 PnL2 Sep 21, 2016 2:51 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPod
    Sep 21, 2016 2:51 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Thank you so much, your answer is very clear and makes a lot of sense. You are probably telling me what I don't want to hear. <very sad face...> I lost the original hard drive & the back up they were stored on. I never intended the iPod for storage years ago so I most likely didn't optimize. I will settle for low res at this point as the photos are priceless. BUT what you are saying explain why I can't locate ANY file that identifies them & if so, how will a third party be able to locate them? I thought Ultra File Opener would but it can't. Where would I point it?

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,Solvedanswer

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Sep 22, 2016 2:40 PM in response to PnL2
    Level 8 (39,783 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 22, 2016 2:40 PM in response to PnL2

    When I do an Internet search on "ipod photo transfer," I get some links.  I have not personally used such utilities, so have no recommendation.  I did use a utility for off-loading songs from an iPod (MANY years ago), from this company

     

    http://zeleksoftware.com/

     

    and it worked well.  There was a limited trial version, but I eventually paid for it.  I recall seeing that they had a separate utility (which I did not need) for off-loading photos.

     

    These utilities apparently know how the photo data is stored on the iPod, and can extract individual images for you.  I believe the photo data is in one consolidated database that the iPod's onboard software can access efficiently (when it displays the photos); the photos are not stored as separate image files. 

  • by PnL2,

    PnL2 PnL2 Sep 21, 2016 3:30 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPod
    Sep 21, 2016 3:30 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Thank you. I will check it out & let you know how it goes so you can add that to your repertoire of much needed helpful answers for the next person with similar issues.

  • by PnL2,

    PnL2 PnL2 Sep 22, 2016 2:40 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPod
    Sep 22, 2016 2:40 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Just an update to our convo: Tried the software you suggested but got an error message when I tried to open it. "an exception of class nilobjectexception was not handled". I understand it is a software design issue but the company's support  didn't answer my email for help after 24hr so I found another free software, iCopyBot.com, which worked perfectly & quickly. HOURS of headache & my issue was resolved in less than 5 min. The images are low res. as you suspected, but at least I can view them digitally  &larger than on a classic ipod window. LOL   It would have been a huge loss to delete them. THANK YOU for pointing me in the right direction.

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Sep 22, 2016 2:49 PM in response to PnL2
    Level 8 (39,783 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 22, 2016 2:49 PM in response to PnL2

    Thanks for reporting back with the outcome. Others with the same question will likely find the information useful.