Possible to use iPod as disk drive without iTunes?

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Level 1

135 points

Possible to use iPod as disk drive without iTunes?

Hi.

I use my 60Gb iPod Photo to store a lot of files -- software packages and other files that I need to transfer from one computer to another. I also use it for backing up important files.

Is there any way to get a PC to recognize it as an external disk drive (when plugged into a USB port) WITHOUT having iTunes installed on the PC?

Sometimes I need to transfer files to someone else's computer, and I don't want to have to install iTunes on their computer just for that. Computers have no trouble recognizing my Shuffle as an external drive, but the Photo is only recognized if I install iTunes and configure it to allow disk access.

Thanks for any pointers. 🙂
Peter

Posted on Oct 26, 2005 7:15 AM

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Answer 1

TBird

Level 2

180 points

Oct 26, 2005 7:31 AM in response to Manatee

I have a thought on this...
I assume that you have already allowed your iPod to be used as a hard-drive in iTunes on whatever computer you sync your iPod with and that you have tried plugging in your iPod into a PC without iTunes and the PC didn't detect it (I assume your question is about connecting to Window's operated PC's because you posted in this forum)
Here is my idea: download Anapod Explorer this works with the microsoft already installed program (Windows Explorer this is the program that lets you see My Computer and all of the other stuff on a Windows PC)
Here is the URL: http://www.redchairsoftware.com/anapod/
Good Luck transferring your files easier

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Answer 2

Manatee Author

Level 1

135 points

Oct 26, 2005 8:11 AM in response to TBird

Thanks. Yes, the iPod is formatted for Windows, and I'm using it with XP and 2003 Server.

I downloaded Anapod and installed it. As soon as I solve the "Do Not Disconnect"/frozen iPod problem for the 1000th time, I'll try it with Anapod.

I was hoping to find a way to get Windows to recognize it like any other USB external drive - without having to install any software on the computer I want to connect to, but if there's no other way, at least Anapod has a much smaller footprint than iTunes.

Thanks for your suggestion. I'll see how it goes after I unfreeze the iPod (probably by letting the battery run out.)

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Answer 3

Oct 26, 2005 1:26 PM in response to Manatee

Just plug it in. It shows up as just a hard drive by default, even if you install iTunes. It litterally is just a hard drive.

It always displays "Do Not Disconnect" as soon as you connect it to your computer. To "remove" the iPod, you have two methods.

1. In "My Computer", right click the drive letter of the iPod and select "Eject". The "Do Not Disconnect" screen disappears, and you can unplug the iPod.

2. In the Systray, you can left click on the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon (an icon with a green arrow pointing down and to the left, with a little grey thingy below it) and select the "Apple computer ..." device.

If, you have unplugged the iPod before properly ejecting the device, reset the iPod. Switch the Hold button on, then off. and press/hold the menu button, and the select button until the apple logo is displayed (ususally 6 to 10 seconds).

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Answer 4

Manatee Author

Level 1

135 points

Oct 26, 2005 1:40 PM in response to Dirk Brewer

What you describe is exactly the behavior I want.

However, neither this iPod (Photo) nor my Nano show up as a drive when I plug them into a USB port. My Shuffle, however, does. They DO show up in the list of USB devices attached to the computer, in Device Manager. Seems odd.

As for resetting, the Menu/Select button combination has never worked to reset this iPod. When I get the red circle with the slash, and "Do not disconnect", the only way I've been able to regain control of it is to let the battery run all the way down until it shuts off. More oddness.

Despite these strange behaviors, it works fine as a music player and a drive.

I'll keep experimenting with it.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Peter

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Answer 5

Oct 27, 2005 11:54 AM in response to Manatee

Peter,

Sometimes is takes several attempts to reset the iPod (even Apple says so). You also might want to make sure that each device has the newest firmware installed, just to make sure.

As for your photo and nano not showing up as a drive letter, but they DO show up as connected USB devices. Dive into the "Disk Managment" configurator. See if show up there, and make sure that each device has a unique drive letter (you can right click and "change drive letters and paths..."), say P: for the photo, N: for the Nano, S: for the shuttle (these are really just suggestions, you can assign any free letter you want). Just make sure each has a different, non used drive letter.

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Answer 6

TBird

Level 2

180 points

Oct 27, 2005 5:47 PM in response to Manatee

Hey just had a quick thought
I use my iPod all the time as a hard-drive connected to a computer without iTunes or Anapod Explorer
Just go into your PC that has iTunes and plug in your iPod and then in iPod options or preferences go and click the box that says "allow my iPod for use as a hard-drive" you will always have to use one of the aforementioned ways of unplugging the iPod but you won't have to install any software on the other machines
Good Luck

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