An iPod can be used to store files in addition to serving as a music player.
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The Apple iPod is a compact, lightweight device that enables users to play their music anywhere without concern for moving parts or bulky hardware. The Apple iPod also includes a large amount of storage space that can be used to move files such as music between computers if you do not have a portable USB drive available. Use iTunes and your iPod to move music between computers when you need to transfer your songs from your old computer to a new one.
Step 1
Open the iTunes application on the computer that contains the music files that you wish to move. Plug the larger end of the iPod USB cable into the iPod and plug the other end of the cable into one of the USB ports on the computer.
Step 2
Click the icon on the left side of the iTunes window that represents the iPod that is connected to the computer. Click the "Summary" tab located just below the top bar in iTunes.
Step 3
Click the "Manually manage music and videos" check box. Click "OK" in the message box that appears. Click "Apply in the lower right corner of iTunes.
Step 4
Click the "Edit" menu then click "Preferences" and click "Advanced" and then note the path in the "iTunes Media folder location" box. Click the "OK" button. Click "File," then click "Library," then click "Organize Library," then click "Consolidate Files." Click "Consolidate" in the window that appears to copy all music files on the computer to the iTunes library.
Step 5
Click each of the items located under the "Library" header in iTunes and note the size displayed for each item at the bottom of the iTunes window. Add all the values noted. Click "iPod" under the "Devices" header on the left side of the iTunes window. Note the free space available on the iPod and compare to the total space required by the iTunes library as previously calculated. If the total space of the library exceeds the space available on the iPod, delete content on the iPod to make space for the library.
Step 6
Close iTunes. Click the "Start" button on the Windows desktop and then click "Computer" and then identify the iPod icon in the "Computer" window.
Step 7
Click the "Start" button and then type "C: \Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\" in the "Search box and tap the "Enter" key. Place the mouse cursor on the iTunes folder and right-click on the folder and click "Copy" in the menu that appears. Then right-click on the iPod icon in the "Computer" window and click "Paste" in the menu that appears. When the copy process has completed proceed to the next step.
Step 8
Open iTunes and click on the iPod icon in the left side of the iTunes window and click the "Eject" button. Unplug the iPod from the computer and plug the iPod into the new computer. Close the iTunes application if it is open or starts when the iPod is plugged into the computer.
Step 9
Click the "Start" button on the new computer desktop and click the "Search" box and type "C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\" and press the "Enter" key. Place the mouse cursor on the "iTunes" folder in the "My Music" window and press and hold the left mouse key and move the cursor (and the "iTunes" folder) to the computer desktop and release the left mouse button.
Step 10
Click the "Start" button and click "Computer" and then double-click the iPod icon. Drag and drop the "iTunes" folder from the "iPod" window that appears to the "My Music" folder.
Photo Credits
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