Queston Regarding iPod...Please Help

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 10:14am

How long does it take to re-format an iPod to windows format? I used the software included with my new iPod, and after 2 hours it still hadn't finished reformatting.

Anyone have the same problem?

Heading over to the Apple Store during lunch through the wind, cold and snow.

Michael

[bta212]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 10:26am

Jeez--I was part of the cabal that talked you into this; I'm sorry you're having trouble.

Load the windows program onto your PC. Then go to apple.com/iTunes/iPod. Down-load the "latest iPod program" onto your desktop and load that onto your pod. It should only take 10-15 minutes.

Or go to the Apple store; the cold air is good for you.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 10:30am

I had a similar problem. I disconnected the iPod (even though it says not to) and rebooted my computer. Once my computer was functioning again, I re-opened iTunes and connected my iPod to the computer. It worked that time.

This also happened when I first connected my husband's iPod. However, the rebooting and restarting iTunes fixed the problem that time as well.

Good luck!

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 10:41am

I'm just going to the Apple Store and asking them to refomat it for me.

All my friends know that I am a technical spaz, and unless something is completely idiot-proof I can't handle it.

Just hated wasting an entire evening trying to reformat, espcially since I don't have a lot of free time.

[CurtainUp2]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 10:53am

Should have gone with the Zen Micro. It's Windows compatible and you can download music from any site. Not just i-Tunes. (Actually i-Tunes is about the only site you can't download from.) Also comes with a built-in FM radio and voice recorder. I LOVE mine!!!

Updated On: 1/21/05 at 10:53 AM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 11:25am

How weird. I didn't have to reformat mine for Windows at all. I downloaded iTunes and then just plugged it in and it worked. Did you reformat to use it with other programs or something?

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 11:28am

Uh.....I was just following the set up instructions....ya know charge the battery....then download the software.

It was one of the first steps of the software download that it asked me to check if my iPod was formatted correctly.

Then two hours later.....

I didn't get very far at all.

It's been a cr*ppy week.

[camerangel]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 11:50am

sometimes iPods get tempermental on pc's.. just disconnect it, close your iTunes. then reopen iTunes and reconnect your iPod. This should fix the problem.

FYI: also sometimes on PC you will get an error message that there is not enough space for your playlist, this is a software issue and you may need to download the latest version. If any of you still have this problem just switch you iPod to manual syncing and then drag and drop the music.. I as well as several people I know have had this problem and we freaked out.

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 12:21pm

Whoa whoa.....Too Much Info.

I only got as far as the second step of the initial set up. I haven't even gotten to iTunes yet.

If they can't "hold my hand" through this at the Apple Store, I'll just return it.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 12:23pm

Sounds like it was probably an internet traffic problem. Most new iPods are automatically formatted for PCs. Just download iTunes and then connect the iPod. The software is a little slow it usually takes a minute or tow for the iPod to show up on the iTunes. I had a problem that it would automatically open Windows Media Player and then iTunes would not eject the iPod when I was finished because it said there was another program open that was using the device or something (even after I closed the program). If I ignore it and disconnected the iPod anyway, it works just fine. The software is kind of a headache to get used to, but once you learn how to operate it correctly, it works fine.

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 12:29pm

I'm just gonna go to the store, since I have the iPod with me.

Since I can't really do this type of stuff at work, I'd have to wait until tonight to try this out.

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 1:54pm

Well..the Apple Store told me that since my computer was three years old, I would need a FireWire 3-Port PCI Card. So...another $43 dollars.

I probably didn't need it...and I sure my technical savy husband will be the first to point that out.

This is getting too complicated and very disappointing.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 1:59pm

I got a Firewire card at CompUSA for $20, but that was for something else. The iPod should also work with a USB. Mine came with cables for both. My computer is four years old and it had two USB ports.