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Changing an ipod from Mac to PC

Is it possible to reformat a classic ipod from Mac to PC? My mother has rejected my old Powerbook and wants to keep her pc(!) but her ipod is synced to the powerbook.

I would like to a) download everything from the ipod to her pc and b) reformat the ipod to work with her pc. Can it be done? Appreciate any and all advice.

Thanks

PowerBook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Posted on Sep 5, 2008 10:12 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Sep 5, 2008 11:39 AM

*I would like to a) download everything from the ipod to her pc*

If your iPod is formatted for Mac it won't run natively on a PC because Windows operating systems don't recognize Mac OS-formatted disks (HFS or HFS Plus formats). There are third party programs that will allow you to use a Mac formatted iPod on Windows. XPlay for instance gets good reviews and has the added functionality to let you copy your songs back to iTunes. You can purchase XPlay at this link: XPlay

*and b) reformat the ipod to work with her pc*

Once you have the contents of the iPod saved to the PC you can restore it in iTunes for Windows. Restoring will erase and reformat the iPod's hard drive, reload the software with the Windows version and put it back to default settings, so if you have songs on your iPod that aren't on iTunes you will lose them if you have no back up. Once the restore is complete follow the on screen instructions to name the iPod and automatically sync your songs and videos onto the fresh installation. Press Done and the iPod will appear in iTunes and start to sync. If you want to update manually or using selected playlists uncheck the box beside the sync automatically instruction and press Done, it will default to manual mode and you can choose whatever setting you like: Restoring iPod to factory settings with iTunes 7
3 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Sep 5, 2008 11:39 AM in response to ctriefus

*I would like to a) download everything from the ipod to her pc*

If your iPod is formatted for Mac it won't run natively on a PC because Windows operating systems don't recognize Mac OS-formatted disks (HFS or HFS Plus formats). There are third party programs that will allow you to use a Mac formatted iPod on Windows. XPlay for instance gets good reviews and has the added functionality to let you copy your songs back to iTunes. You can purchase XPlay at this link: XPlay

*and b) reformat the ipod to work with her pc*

Once you have the contents of the iPod saved to the PC you can restore it in iTunes for Windows. Restoring will erase and reformat the iPod's hard drive, reload the software with the Windows version and put it back to default settings, so if you have songs on your iPod that aren't on iTunes you will lose them if you have no back up. Once the restore is complete follow the on screen instructions to name the iPod and automatically sync your songs and videos onto the fresh installation. Press Done and the iPod will appear in iTunes and start to sync. If you want to update manually or using selected playlists uncheck the box beside the sync automatically instruction and press Done, it will default to manual mode and you can choose whatever setting you like: Restoring iPod to factory settings with iTunes 7

Changing an ipod from Mac to PC

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