Newbie Question: What happens if I get a new PC?

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Newbie Question: What happens if I get a new PC?

I just received a black video iPod for Christmas. So far, I've been able to buy, download and watch some TV shows and music from iTunes, and transfer some audio books from CDs and I love it. I have everything on a manual setting.

The problem is my PC is several years old now, is very slow, doesn't have enough memory, and the CD drive sometimes is flakey, so I am planning to replace the PC soon.

However, I've been told that everything on your PC has to match everything on your iPod, or else it'll overwrite everything.

Is this true even in manual mode? I don't want to lose everything I already have when I get my new PC, so do I have to transfer everything from the old to the new? How would I do that, since many of these files are huge and, as I said, the CD drive doesn't always work properly? What do people do if their PC crashes completely and one is no longer able to access the hard drive?

Compaq Notebook Windows XP Plan to replace soon

Posted on Jan 4, 2007 8:40 AM

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Answer 1

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ryanxpei

Level 1

95 points

Jan 4, 2007 8:57 AM in response to iRos

How to use your iPod to move your music to a new computer

Read this over, it may be what you're looking for.

Mac OS X (10.4.7)

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Answer 2

iRos Author

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Jan 4, 2007 9:45 AM in response to ryanxpei

Thank you -- that is helpful.

I guess my question is twofold. First, how do you transfer to a new computer, which you've answered. The other part of the question, which I didn't really ask explicitly, is to do with manual vs. automatic syncing. It sounds like if it's on manual syncing, then one's iPod is not going to be overwritten by iTunes and you do not have to maintain everything on the PC the same as it is on the iPod. Is that correct?

Also, can I download to my iPod from two different PCs? For example, because my CD drive doesn't always work, I'd like to use my boyfriend's PC to upload my CDs. Since I won't be getting my new PC immediately (need to recover from Christmas first), is it possible for me to set up my iTunes account on his PC as well as on my own?

The person I talked to at the Apple Store told me that you can only use your iPod with one computer at a time and that it was something about copyright. Also, if you sync things manually Apple can't help with any support issues.

Compaq Notebook Windows XP Plan to replace soon

Compaq Notebook Windows XP Plan to replace soon

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Answer 3

Jeff Bryan

Level 9

61,791 points

Jan 4, 2007 11:14 AM in response to iRos

"It sounds like if it's on manual syncing, then one's iPod is not going to be overwritten by iTunes and you do not have to maintain everything on the PC the same as it is on the iPod. Is that correct?"

Correct. A risky option if it's for long term use, but correct nonetheless.

See this also.

How to use an iPod with more than one computer.

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Answer 4

iRos Author

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Jan 4, 2007 12:14 PM in response to Jeff Bryan

Thanks -- but why do you think it's so risky?

"It sounds like if it's on manual syncing, then
one's iPod is not going to be overwritten by iTunes
and you do not have to maintain everything on the PC
the same as it is on the iPod. Is that correct?"

Correct. A risky option if it's for long term use,
but correct nonetheless.

See this also.

How to use an iPod
with more than one computer.

Compaq Notebook Windows XP Plan to replace soon

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Answer 5

Jeff Bryan

Level 9

61,791 points

Jan 4, 2007 12:33 PM in response to iRos

This is a risky option because when (and not if) there comes a time to restore your iPod, which is a very common fix for iPod problems, then all the music would be erased. If you no longer have the music in iTunes (or any other back up), then all that music would be lost.

What if the iPod were lost/stolen/needed repair?

In the short term, it shouldn't be a problem, but the iPod is not reliable enough to use it as a long term storage device, and these forums are littered with posts from people who decided to use it as such and ended up losing all their music.

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Answer 6

iRos Author

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Jan 4, 2007 12:44 PM in response to Jeff Bryan

Okay. That makes sense.

I guess I'll make sure everything is synced up once I get a new computer.

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Answer 7

kkurmay

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Jan 4, 2007 12:55 PM in response to iRos

I am also worried about this. I manually manage my music, and am buying a new pc tonight (mine is very ancient) I am worried sick the minute I plug in the pod to the new computer (after installing Itunes) it will wipe out everything on the pod. So, is what you are saying is as long as it is on manually manage, it won't wipe it out?

Any advice is super appreciated.

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Answer 8

Jeff Bryan

Level 9

61,791 points

Jan 4, 2007 1:15 PM in response to iRos

Yes indeed. Not trying to alarm you, just warn you. : )

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Answer 9

Jeff Bryan

Level 9

61,791 points

Jan 4, 2007 1:19 PM in response to kkurmay

If your iPod is set to manual, then you should be safe.

However, what I would do is to use something like Yamipod. This is a free program that transfers music and playlists etc from iPod back to the computer. However, it does not transfer playcounts/ratings etc.

It does not require the use of iTunes (in fact, Yamipod won't even run with iTunes open), so you could transfer all your music from the iPod to a folder on (say) your desktop before you even install a new iTunes.

When it's safely there, install a new iTunes and add your music from the desktop.

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Answer 10

kkurmay

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Jan 4, 2007 1:28 PM in response to Jeff Bryan

I will definite try Yamipod. Sounds like a good idea. Got a new hard drive for xmas and when new computer is set up, I'll back up everything on pod there. Thanks so much! So nice of you to reply so quick. I'm going to buy the new system tonight, so I wanted to make sure I was halfway "educated"

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Answer 11

Jeff Bryan

Level 9

61,791 points

Jan 4, 2007 1:40 PM in response to kkurmay

No problem. Let us know if you hit any trouble.

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Answer 12

kkurmay

Level 1

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Jan 5, 2007 7:02 PM in response to Jeff Bryan

Thanks! Glad you extended that 🙂 Bought a new hp pavillion 500 hard drive, 6 usb ports, cd/dvd burner, tv, fm radio, whole nine yards. This thing does everything but make toast. What a difference!

One, problem, installed latest itunes, connected the pod and was thrilled to not lose anything, went in to download a few new podcasts, and when they're done, I'm unable to transfer them from library to pod, also, it won't sync! Either way I try it. I'm no longer getting that "updating ipod, do not disconnect" message at the top of itunes when it's syncing. I'm really scratching my head on this one. Thoughts?

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Answer 13

kkurmay

Level 1

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Jan 5, 2007 8:01 PM in response to kkurmay

Just figured it out! Had to go to the "podcast" tab and instruct check off the box to "sync". Weird. I just figured it would automatically do everything the old computer did. Thanks anyway!

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