Deleting playlist doesn't free up space

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Level 1

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Deleting playlist doesn't free up space

I'm using ipod mini and always update it manually from iTunes on my iBook. I am trying to free-up space so I can add new playlists, but although I've selected the playlist and pressed delete (as the support page says), the playlist disappears.. BUT i have no increase in free space. Do I have to do anything else before the free space is refreshed?

ibook 600 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Mar 7, 2006 2:20 PM

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Answer 1

Bryan Mick

Level 6

13,026 points

Mar 7, 2006 2:36 PM in response to joolzsmith

I believe that by deleting the playlist, you are not deleting the actual songs themselves, just the playlist. Those songs will still apear on the iPod (and take up space) until you delete the actual songs themselves.

Cheers!
-Bryan

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Answer 2

Buegie

Level 6

13,331 points

Mar 7, 2006 3:12 PM in response to Bryan Mick

Bryan is correct.

Deleting a Playlist only deletes the small, numerical references to the actual songs placed on the iPod. The actual space used (byte-wise) by a playlist is quite small.

If you have no room to create any more playlists, then you will need to remove one song on the iPod (pick a small one). That should free up enough space to create many new playlists.

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Answer 3

joolzsmith Author

Level 1

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Mar 8, 2006 5:56 AM in response to Buegie

Buegie and Bryan

thanks for your responses so far. What you say makes absolute sense and I'm kicking myself. However, now that I've deleted several playlists on the iPod from within iTunes, how can I now access the individual songs thru Itunes to delete them, as per your suggestion?

By the way, I am trying to free up space for new songs rather than just more playlists!

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Answer 4

Bryan Mick

Level 6

13,026 points

Mar 8, 2006 6:39 AM in response to joolzsmith

Hi joolzsmith,

See if this helps;
Deleting Songs & Playlists From iPod

Cheers!
-Bryan

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Answer 5

joolzsmith Author

Level 1

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Mar 8, 2006 11:14 AM in response to Bryan Mick

Bryan

thanks again.. BUT I have already found these instructions...

The problem is that I as I have already manually deleted the playlists, they no longer appear in iTunes for me to select the songs (which were part of those playlists) to delete.

I think I'm going to have to reset the whole thing and start again.. unless youve got another idea!

cheers
joolzzzzzzzzzz

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Answer 6

Bryan Mick

Level 6

13,026 points

Mar 8, 2006 11:20 AM in response to joolzsmith

Are you updating your iPod manually, or automatically?

Either way, you don't need to have the playlists to delete the songs.

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Answer 7

joolzsmith Author

Level 1

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Mar 8, 2006 12:21 PM in response to Bryan Mick

Bryan

I have always done manual updates; its something to do with the fact i like to be in control 🙂

Because i only have a 20GB hard drive, I always remove any songs from my iBook once i have put them on the iPod. Consequently I don't have a Song library on the computer. The only way I can see 'songs' on the iPod is when I connect it to iTunes and open up the iPod "volume" where all the playlists are then shown. Selecting one of these playlists allows me to select individual or groups of songs for deletion etc. However, now some of the playlists have gone (don't you just love the power of delete!), I cant see the songs to delete them anymore.

I'm just about to do the reset, wipe the HD and start again with a clean iPod. I'm still curious as to whether there is a solution.
Thanks again for your interest!
cheers
jooooolzz

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Answer 8

Bryan Mick

Level 6

13,026 points

Mar 8, 2006 12:30 PM in response to joolzsmith

If you're updating manually, it's very easy.

Connect the iPod to the computer & click on the iPod in the source list on the left. You should then see a list of all the songs on your iPod. Click on any song you want to delete & press the delete key. No need to mess around with playlists, or anything like that.

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