I had to wipe my pc clean and reinstall windows xp, now my ipod does not recognize my computer as the mother computer. Can I continue to add new music to my ipod without erasing what I already have on it. If so how? I don't have most of my itunes library backed up and I have a ton of music I don't want to lose, I know it wasn't the smartest thing not to back it up but I didn't really have much of a choice at the time.

There should be software that allows you to transfer songs from the iPod to your computer. I don't know the names of the Windows applications, but I know they're out there.

iTunes is a pretty bitchy program. There is an option in there to manage music manually though. If you turn that on, it will no longer sync automatically and won't wipe your iPod.

From then on, you'll have to move all new music manually.

Also, iTunes hides your music in hidden folders. You can go in and make those visable if you want to back up your library.

sorry, but its probably not a good question to ask as its likely not somthing people are that familiar with only having to address this kind of problem 1 or 2 times them selves.

i would search the mac forums for the answer. im certain there is a way to do what you are askin as i have done it before, but it was totally on accident but i havent a clue how i did it.

Oh yea, by making those folders visible, you can use your iPod as a removable disc and move the music to your iTunes library.

Mars23 said:

I'm a big fan of auto-sync. Thanks to that, he'll always have access to all of his songs if something happens to his computer or his iPod. It's a nice safety net (especially considering the fact that people don't backup like they should).

AlexdeParis said:

Yea, but if he syncs now, it will wipe his iPod. Auto sync overwrites the iPod with the current iTunes library on the computer.

well thanks everybody I will see what I can do, I am just really noid about plugging it in, I have plugged my ipod into itunes and ejected it three times already out of fear lol

Meloh9 said:

it will ask you what you want to do.

ive rebooted my computer severl times. and then i put my iPod and it says something about syncing and say something about it has detected files on your ipod that arent on in your library, would you like to add them.

i dont remember in what order or exactly how it happens, i just know it has happened.

So if it can happen then i would say your best bet is to go to the mac forums and find out so you can know exactly what will happen and what to do, if your really concerned about getting your library from you ipod to your itunes library on your computer.

Otherwise if you dont give a shit then just wing it.

horatio said:

Yeah, it won't erase anything without asking first.


Why should he go to a Mac forum? He uses Windows. I'd tell him to get Senuti in a heartbeat if he were using a Mac.

AlexdeParis said:[quote]

horatio said:

well, because its a mac product and application

horatio said:

No, it's an Apple product and application that's available for Mac and Windows.

AlexdeParis said:

whatever you know what i mean.

im sure that even the ITunes app for windows has a 'help' area drop down window that is connected straight to mac forums.

horatio said:

No, it goes to the Apple Support website.