Transferring Files From Win XP to iMac

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Level 1

140 points

Transferring Files From Win XP to iMac

I'll receive my first Apple (20" iMac) tomorrow and will want to tansfer my .jpg. .mpg and .mp3 files from my Windows XP computer to my iMac. The files are currently archived on an Iomega 250GB External HDD (Firewire 400/800, USB 2.0). Will the iMac recognize the drive as an external device if I connect it to the iMac's USB port or are there some additional steps I must take first?

Thanks,

kayjh

Posted on Nov 15, 2005 9:36 AM

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Answer 1

iFelix

Level 8

35,155 points

Nov 15, 2005 10:27 AM in response to kayjh

Your new iMac should be able to read the files from the portable drive without issue.

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Answer 2

iFelix

Level 8

35,155 points

Nov 15, 2005 10:31 AM in response to iFelix

Something else you may want to do, is use iPhoto to import your photos from the portable drive rather than merely copy them over. And use iTunes to import your mp3 files.

Both applications can import and copy the files as well.

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Answer 3

kayjh Author

Level 1

140 points

Nov 15, 2005 11:02 AM in response to iFelix

Thanks for the tips Felix (and others). I think I'll use iPhoto to import the .jpg's, but will transfer the .mp3 files to a separate folder on the iMac as I have about 9,800 songs (approx 30GB) and I don't want to sync all of the files to my iPod (I have a 60GB Video iPod)as I use it for picture transfers from my Digital SLR and storage while I am travelling.

I have alot of reading to do I guess as I have no idea how the mac OS organizes things compared to Windows XP (i.e file structure/tree, user folders, etc.)

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Answer 4

dadof3

Level 4

1,675 points

Nov 15, 2005 11:47 AM in response to kayjh

OSX is very intuative with it's organizing.

Everything is placed in you User Home folder when putting the stuff on using import in the various applications

Pictures using iPhoto go in 'pictures/iPhoto library'
MP3's using iTunes go in 'Music/iTunes'

You can even point iTunes and iPhoto to an external drive if you like.

The import method is much preferrable since then the apps will categorize the data properly, like playlists, artists, iPhoto library folder names etc.

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Answer 5

CPC

Level 1

104 points

Nov 15, 2005 12:59 PM in response to kayjh

You can import all of your songs into iTunes. Then, create playlists with only the songs that you want on your iPod and have your iPod sync only with those playlists. Just a thought.

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Answer 6

iFelix

Level 8

35,155 points

Nov 15, 2005 1:55 PM in response to CPC

I would agree with CPC's advice, use iTunes to import your songs and then as CPC says configure iTunes to only sync the tracks you want to to your iPod.

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Answer 7

kayjh Author

Level 1

140 points

Nov 16, 2005 4:17 AM in response to iFelix

Thanks, I didn't consider that. I'll try that method (only syncing the playlists I want)

kayjh

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Answer 8

Nov 16, 2005 4:38 AM in response to kayjh

When you set up your you iPod to work with iTunes, you can also have it auto sync your photos and videos. these are different tabs in the set up menu. Very convenient.

Glor

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