Most of us store our music in two places: on our computer and on our iPod (or other MP3 player). But if your computer crashes indefinitely, all the music that you (hopefully) purchased disappears along with it. So what's left? A handicapped iPod? Apple restricts its gadgets to sync with only one music library — and any attempts to sync with a different computer will result in a deleted iPod.
Naturally, there's a workaround. If you'd like to safely move songs from your iPod (except the iPod Touch) to any computer, follow these steps:
How to transfer music from an iPod to a Mac
Step 1: Connect your iPod and launch iTunes. In the iPod management screen, scroll down to Options and check "Enable disk use". iTunes will give you a warning — select OK.
Step 2: Your iPod will now show up as a drive on your Desktop. But before you can access its files, download and install a program called Houdini. Houdini lets you view the music folder that's automatically hidden by Apple.
Step 3: Open Houdini, click Folders and then Reveal. Locate your iPod and open iPod_controls. Highlight Music and press Choose.
Step 4: Now in your iPod folder, open iPod_Controls > Music. Highlight all of the folders and drag them into the desired folder on your hard drive. This might take a while, depending on how much music you're transferring.
Once the files are copied, you've successfully transferred the music. However, you'll notice that the songs have four-letter names and are scattered among many folders. It's OK; once you import the music into iTunes (or any other media player), the program will reinstate the titles of the songs.
How to transfer music from an iPod to a Windows computer
Step 1: Connect your iPod and launch iTunes. In the iPod management screen, scroll down to Options and check "Enable disk use". iTunes will give you a warning — select OK.
Note: If you get an error message asking you to reformat upon connecting, your iPod was originally formatted for Mac and cannot be used in Windows. One workaround is to install a program like MacDrive, which will allow your Windows machine to read Mac-formatted drives. Clicking "reformat" will erase your iPod.
Step 2: Open My Computer and open your iPod drive.
Step 3: Open Tools > Folder Options. Click the View tab and check "Show hidden files and folders".
Step 4: In your iPod folder, open iPod_Controls > Music. Highlight all of the folders and drag them into the desired folder on your hard drive. This might take a while, depending on how much music you're transferring.
Step 5: Highlight all of the folders again, right-click and select Properties. Uncheck "Hidden". Close this window.
Once the files are copied, you've successfully transferred the music. However, you'll notice that the songs have four-letter names and are scattered among many folders. It's OK; once you import the music into iTunes (or any other media player), the program will reinstate the titles of the songs.
Via CNET US
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