2 iPods, 2 User Accounts, One computer

Would I be correct in that each user on an XP based computer will have his own iTunes library, and when the iTunes is synced to the iPod, it would sync to the library of the account that is associated with that user.
Is it that simple?? (the Natalie Beresford link is no longer working.)

Yes, as long as you each have different My Documents folders.
See this...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300432
btabz

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2 ipods, 2 user accounts, 1 computer, 1 library

its got to be possible...
me and my girlfriend both have new ipods, we have one laptop at home that we both have seperate user accounts for. I've spent a while ripping all of our cds to itunes so we can listen to them.
I have a networked hard drive that we can both access and all of the music files are stored on this, both user accounts itunes point to this shared location.
Unfortunatly the problem is this only moves the content, not the library .xml files themselves. Although my g/f can see the mp3s she cant see my itunes library files so her itunes appears blank.
I thought sharing my library would work, but it seems that this is only true if you have a pc each, not a logon each.
I can manually copy my itunes library xml files to her "my documents" folder but if either of us then add or download new cds then the others isnt updated.
so my question? how can i make this work? i presume i need to move the location of our itunes library xml files to a common folder we can both access. I cant seem to find a way of doing this (i've already moved the actual music files themselves successfully)
How can you get round this as its "our" music we dont want seperate librarys, and no, i dont really want to grant her acceess to my logon (if only cos she might accidently delete stuff!)
Ideas please...
Thanks,
Ian

Your idea about scripting got me thinking, i could write a vbscript to update the relevent files but this would have to be run manually or scheduled to run frequently, either way theres room for error. the link you gave me seems to do a simalar thing.
it gave me an idea about fooling itunes into thinking it was updating another location, as i only use my "my music" folder for storing my library xml (all other files are on the network drive) i changed the regestry keys for the my documents folder to a local folder with 'everyone' access.
HKEYCURRENTUSER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders (&User Shell Folders)\My Music\Value="C:\Documents and Settings\Ian\My Documents\My Music"
and change value to "C:\Shared iTunes Library"
A search in regedit will bring up any other locations that need changing.
Do this with both user accounts and it works a treat, one big library working with two seperate user accounts on one laptop :o)
The free app "tweakUI" makes the registry chnages for you i've just found out!
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx
Enjoy!

2 ipods, 2 user accounts, 1 computer

Got a shuffle for a family member
Already had iTunes on PC for my ipod
Created second user account for use with new Shuffle
Installed iTunes on new user account
iTunes won't recognize shuffle on new account
WINXP only recognizes as USB storage device
WINXP wouldn't allow install of ipod software as it already existed on another user account

You do not need to install any additional software for the 2nd shuffle (or the 2nd user account).
I would start again. Make sure your library is backed-up. Uninstall, then reinstall iTunes under your original user account, add your music files to the library, and get your 1st shuffle working. Unplug that shuffle.
Then log out. Log in to the new user account. Launch iTunes (iTunes will support multiple users without installing again under each user). Then plug in the new shuffle. iTunes should see it.
Also, make sure each shuffle has a unique name.
Good luck.

Multiple iPods and users on one computer and constant dialogs....

Everyone in my family has an iPod (total of 5) and we each have logins with our own iTunes accounts. This works very well except for the following. Each time someone logins in (or user switches) when an iPod that is not theirs is plugged in, they get a dialog telling them so, and requests one of three answers. This is anoying, and when my 7yo clicks on the wrong button it wipes out what his brother or sister or Mother or I have on our iPods... We can get the stuff back of course but it's a PITA!
Is there any way to have iTunes completely ignore iPods that are not synched to it! I would prefer to not even have it show up in iTunes or on the desktop. Although this would be exceptable over what i have now.
TIA
Robin
iMacIntel 2.0Ghz CoreDuo Mac OS X (10.4.9)

"Is there any way to have iTunes completely ignore iPods that are not synched to it!"
No there's not, iTunes will always give you a message if you sync to a "foreign" library. However, you can set the iPods up so that iTunes doesn't open when they are connected. Connect the iPod and when it shows in iTunes click on the icon to bring up the preference tabs. In the Summary tab uncheck "Open iTunes when this iPod is connected". You have to do this for each of your iPods in turn.

Multiple iPod users on one computer, one iTunes

Need help.
We have 3 iPod 5th generation using one computer and each of us have different tastes in music/movies/games etc. I just spent 6 hours redoing my personal setting to resync my iPod after my son reset it for his tastes. Is there any way of setting up preferences within iTunes for each iPod to prevent or elivate this total waste of time. When adding new music, audiobooks, and/or movies it should be a no-brainer to resync them but it is a total pain-in-the-arse.
Thank you

When the iPods belong to different people, there are basically three ways of using multiple iPods on a computer and these involve:
a) Sharing a single iTunes library
b) Creating Multiple Libraries in a single user account
c) Creating multiple user accounts.
Note: When you are sharing an iTunes library, you don't have to set each iPod to update in the same manner, you can mix and match from the options below as each iPod has it's own update settings
Sharing a Library and/or User Account
If you want to share the one library, you can set either or all of the iPods so that they only get updated with only certain playlists (you can update from more than one if you wish): iPod - Syncing Music
Choosing the update option "Sync Music - Selected playlists" allows you to create a playlist specifically for the iPod and drag the tracks you want into it. If you tire of the list and want to change it, you just add or remove the songs you don't want. The ones you take out out remain in the library to be used some other time if you choose. You can read more about playlists at these links:
iTunes: Creating playlists of your favorite songs
How to create a Smart Playlist with iTunes
Or you can choose to update any or all of the iPods manually and just drag whatever content you want to them: Managing content manually on iPod
Loading the iPod shuffle differs slightly but it can still be used with the others, for details have a look at this page: Adding songs to iPod shuffle - Windows
Multiple Libraries
It's also possible to have multiple libraries in a single account. To create or access a second (or more) library, hold down the Shift key in Windows when launching iTunes 7. In the resulting dialogue you will get the option to create a new library or navigate to the other Library.
Note: You can only have one Library open at a time and iTunes will default to the last library opened if you don't use the keyboard command to choose one. This can prove tricky when using multiple iPods, if you don't use the keyboard command you can risk syncing to the wrong library: Using multiple iTunes libraries -Windows
Separate User Accounts
Another option is to create a separate User account for each person on your PC or Mac. Different accounts by definition would give you completely separate libraries. Each account has it's own iTunes folder, Library and iTunes Music folder and you load it with CDs etc just as you did with your original one. The iPod can be set to update however the owner chooses, sync all, manual or sync specific playlists
I don't use Windows so I can't give you a step by step on that one, however I can point you to another web page which should help you out. You can read about Windows user accounts here: Using Windows XP User Accounts

HT202213 I have 3 users on one computer with 3 unique user accounts. Each have unique ITunes accounts. How do we share our music libraries using home sharing?

I have 3 users on one computer with 3 unique user accounts. Each of us have separate and unique ITunes accounts. How do we share our music libraries using Home Sharing? Everything that I can find talks about sharing between networked computers, but this is all on the same computer. I just want to share between ITunes accounts. Thanks!

Hi b noir, I also have two users on one pc with two different iTunes libraries. But I also want to put them onto an external hard drive so that I can free up some memory on the pc. So I figure I need to consolidate the two users iTunes libraries first before moving to hard drive? But not quite sure how to do that on the iTunes 11? Thanking you in advance!!

Multi-users on one computer

How do I set up 2 Ipods to be used on one computer??? My ipod is on our desktop PC, and my husbands is on our laptop... I want to move his ipod and library onto our PC, but I can't find any guidance on how to do it without screwing up mu library!

There are a few different ways to use two iPods with one computer, have a look at this help page for suggestions: How to use multiple iPods with one computer
If you want the two libraries to be completely separate then it's the simplest thing is probably to create a second Windows user account on your desktop for your husband and move his songs to iTunes in it. Different accounts by definition would give you completely separate libraries. Each account has it's own iTunes folder, Library and iTunes Music folder and you load it with CDs etc just as you did with your original one. The iPod can be set to update however the owner chooses, sync all, manual or sync specific playlists
I don't use Windows so I can't give you a step by step on that one, however I can point you to another web page which should help you out. You can read about Windows user accounts here:
Using Windows XP User Accounts
Once you have the second account created there are a few things you can do to copy the songs from the iPod to iTunes The transfer of content sources such as songs imported from CD is designed by default to be one way from iTunes to iPod. However there are a number of third party utilities that you can use to retrieve the music files and playlists from your iPod. You'll find that they have varying degrees of functionality and some will transfer movies, videos, photos, podcasts and games as well. Have a look at the web pages and documentation, this is just a small selection of what's available, they are generally quite straightforward. You can read reviews and comparisons of some of them here:
Wired News - Rescue Your Stranded Tunes
Comparison of iPod managers
TuneJack Windows Only
iPod2PC Windows Only
iGadget Windows Only
iDump Windows Only
SharePod Windows Only
iPodRip Mac & Windows
YamiPod Mac and Windows
Music Rescue Mac & Windows
iPodCopy Mac and Windows
iRepo Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
iPod Access Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
If you have any iTunes Music Store purchases the transfer of purchased content from the iPod to authorised computers was introduced with iTunes 7. You'll find details in this article: Copying iTunes Store purchases from your iPod or iPhone to a computer
There's also a manual method of copying songs from your iPod to a Mac or PC. The procedure is a bit involved and won't recover playlists but if you're interested it's available on page 2 at this link: Copying Content from your iPod to your Computer - The Definitive Guide
One last thing, if you want to connect and use an iPod on more than one computer or with more than one library you need to change the update preference in the iPod Summary tab to "Manually manage music and videos" and click Apply. The content of iTunes and the iPod are not syncronised in this mode so the two can be different. You can directly access the content of the iPod and play it through iTunes and you can drag and drop whatever you want to the iPod from either library:
Using iPod with Multiple computers
Managing content manually on iPod
Syncing Music to iPod
Something else to be aware of when using an iPod in manual mode is that the "Do Not Disconnect" message will remain on the display until you physically eject the device: Safely Disconnect IPod

ITunes library synchronization across multiple users on one computer

I've got a PC running MS XP/Home, with a separate user account for each family member. I also repointed all the iTunes library file pointers to the SAME file on the "D" hard drive (taking all that pressure off the "C" drive, which is filling up!)--so each iTunes incarnation for each user points to the same (master) file.
But when I download music from the Music Store into the library from my user account, it doesn't show up in the iTunes library listing when my daughter logs in using her account--and she can't download it to her iPod.
Why? I bought it for her; why should she have to download it? It's all on one computer!
Is it that iTunes really can't handle multiple users on one computer??????? I don't get it...this isn't any copyright or license issue.
I'd appreciate any tips to get the iTunes on one user's account to "restudy" the library to see if it's been changed by another user. We're all one family on our one computer!
--DaveTh
VAIO Windows XP
VAIO Windows XP

See this thread for answers: http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=1285867#1285867
Post back here with questions if you have any.

I tried to set up two users on one computer, now I can't make iTunes match work for either.

Lots of people seem to be having multiples user problems on iTunes, but I can't find a solution to mine so please help.
I got a new iMac. Switched it on. Connected to iTunes Match - all fine and dandy.
After a couple of weeks I decided I should follow Apple's advice and set up a separate user account on the imac for my wife. I connected to iTunes match using her user name and down loaded a bunch of her favourite music.
Naive fool that I was, I didn't realise I had fallen into Apple's moronic multi-user trap. Only one user on one computer can use it???? Why???
I thought that it was me being stupid so I switched everything off - including iTunes Match. Now nothing works.
If I log on with my iTunes ID and try to switch on iTunes Match it asks me if I want to add this computer, and then gives me the "This computer is already associated with an Apple ID - you can't use it for 90 days" message.
If I use my wife's iTunes ID, it asks her if she would like to subscribe for £21.99 a year.
The exact same thing happens whether I sign into the computer itself with my account or hers.
This is awe inspringly annoying. Please tell me how to fix this.
thanks.

At this time there is no "solution." You'll simply have to wait the 90 days to re-enable iTunes Match.
For now here is my suggestion. In your User Account, in OS X, sign out of whatever iTunes Store account you are signed in with. Then sign in with your store account and leave it at that. Now sign out of your OS X User Account, sign into your wife's OS X User Account and sign into the iTunes Store with her Apple ID (if necessary sign out of the account first).
Now, you can go back to your OS X User Account and attempt to enable iTunes Match. You will probably get the "wait 90 days" message. If so leave it, mark your calendar, and wait for the 90 days to expire. You can try contacting iTunes Store support at <https://expresslane.apple.com> if you wish, but I really do not know how useful that will be.
Incidentally, you get the message to pay for the service when trying to enable it on your wife's Apple ID because the service has not been purchased using that Apple ID. iTunes Match is designed to be a single-user service that is never signed out of and is associated with one, and only one, Apple ID and a regional store.

ITunes Shared library with all users on one computer

I am trying to share my iTunes (version 8.2) library with all the users on my computer. So far, this is what I have done:
1) I have moved the music folder into the shared folder.
2) I have selected "Add to Library" in all three accounts.
3) I have tried checking and unchecking the "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library."
Since then, I have added some CDs that had some songs that I already had. When I loaded these CDs, I deleted the duplicates that had the worse sound. Since then, everything is unwinding. The additions on one user account are not being added to the others. When I delete a track, iTunes (obviously) says that it can't find the song anymore. What's odd is that I then delete the one that is missing, and both are missing now: the one that I deleted on the original account and the one that I did not delete on the original account.
I am starting to think that I need to start from scratch. So, to make a long story short (too late), how can I share my iTunes library with all users on one computer, where I can make a change in one account that will update automatically on the other accounts. If it can't be updated automatically, how can I add/delete files without causing the headaches I am currently having?
Brian

I actually followed this, but I still had problems that I listed above. Is there any way that when you make changes to one account (even if there is only one main account where changes are made), the changes are automatically (or at least easily) applied to the other user accounts?

HT1491 two ipad users on one computer, now i have update the wrong user on my ipad

Two IPAD2 users on one computer , I needed to update my IPAD2 now I have the wrong user on my IPAD2. How do I get my account back on my IPAD 2 ?

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by the wrong user on your iPad? What account are you talking about?

Can't use the iPod on more than one computer!!!!!!!

Ok, This has got me so frustrated! We got an iPod and installed iTunes. We thought we had it figured out - we purchased music from iTunes, played it on the iPod and everything was great. Then plugged the iPod into my other computer to listen to our music and it won't freakin' play! says the computer is "Not Authorized" and suggests that by 'authorizing' the 2nd computer, it will overwrite the songs that are already on the iPod. This is NOT desirable. We've downloaded and installed iTunes onto the 2nd computer and used the same login account that we used on the first computer.
What gives!?!?! I thought this was supposed to be easy, but it's not! I was hoping for a quick and simple "plug it in and start listening to music." This is definately not quick and simple. Albeit, I'm new to this iPod craze, but this shouldn't be so difficult. I've poked around on the website and cannot seem to find an answer to this.
HELP!!!!
Thanks
oh btw, Is anyone else getting annoyed by Apple's rediculous attempt at monopolizing this market by forcing us to use thier own proprietary software?!?!

First of all, any computer that plays purchased content must be authorized. This can be accomplished by opening iTunes, then store>authorize computer. If you wish to use your iPod on more than one computer & not have your iPod content erased, you will have to have your iPod preferences set on "manually manage". See the following link.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61675
Also, it's not only Apple that uses proprietary software. How about Zune players, & several others?
Message was edited by: StarDeb55
Message was edited by: StarDeb55

Syncing my ipod to more than one computer

My daughter has an ipod & was synced with our computer. Then she went to her friend's house & wanted to buy some music on her friend's itunes account. It erased all of the music & movies she'd bought on our computer & now it says if we try to sync it to our computer it will erase all the music she bought from her friend's account. I tried to set it up to sync with more than one computer but no luck. I used the Store-Authorize Computer function to no avail. I don't want to sync it back to our computer if she's going to lose everything she bought at her friend's, but I hate the thought of all this stuff she's bought here that now she can't reload, and if she loses what she bought there, so be it; more money was spent here than there. Any advice? Help will be appreciated. Thanks! sylvanchick

You can't "sync" that is automatically update an iPod from multiple libraries or computers. If you want to connect and use an iPod on more than one computer you need to change the update preference in the iPod Summary tab to "Manually manage music and videos" and click Apply. In this mode you can directly access the content of the iPod and play it through iTunes and you can drag and drop whatever you want to the iPod from either library:
Using iPod with Multiple computers
Managing content manually on iPod
iPod 101: Fill 'er Up
Something else to be aware of when using an iPod in manual mode is that the "Do Not Disconnect" message will remain on the display until you physically eject the device. In that case use Safely Remove Hardware icon in the Windows system tray on your desktop or check this link: Safely Disconnect IPod
You can use a keyboard command to prevent your iPod auto-syncing with iTunes. While connecting the iPod to the computer on Windows with iTunes 7.3 or later installed hold down the Shift + Ctrl keys together. This will stop the iPod from auto-syncing with iTunes and the iPod will appear in the source list. Wait until you are sure the iPod has mounted, and that it will not auto sync and then you can let the keys go. This may take between 20 to 30 seconds depending on your computer: iTunes 7.3 Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows
When your iPod appears in the iTunes source list change the update setting to manual. Once you are safely connected you can transfer the purchased songs to your computer. The transfer of purchased content from the iPod to authorised computers was introduced with iTunes 7. You'll find details in this article: Copying iTunes Store purchases from your iPod to a computer

How do I set Firefox to be usable for all users on one computer?

How do I set Firefox to be usable for all users on one computer?

I would think the about:config entries discussed are ex-factory set to values each user has to change individually, after the installation has run its course. The solution could be to have patched files ready to install post factum:
[https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Preferences/A_brief_guide_to_Mozilla_preferences A Brief Guide to Mozilla Preferences - MDN]

How to use ipod w/ more than one computer

I am new to ipod. I set it up on my laptop, and have all uploaded my cds to my ipod from there. I do nat have internet at home, so tried using my parents computer. How do you use the ipod with another computer that doesn't have all your songs on it? When I go to sync it, it ask if i want to delete all my ipod songa and replace with the ones on the other computer. I am trying to get album artwork. What am I not doing right?

If you want to connect and use an iPod on more than one computer or with more than one library you need to change the update preference in the iPod Summary tab to "Manually manage music and videos" and click Apply. The content of iTunes and the iPod are not syncronised in this mode so the two can be different. You can directly access the content of the iPod and play it through iTunes and you can drag and drop whatever you want to the iPod from either library. Even when manually managing an iPhone, you can only add content from one iTunes library.
Using iPod with Multiple computers
Managing content manually on iPod and iPhone
Syncing Music to iPod
Something else to be aware of when using an iPod in manual mode is that the "Do Not Disconnect" message will remain on the display until you physically eject the device: Safely Disconnect IPod
You can use a keyboard command to prevent your iPod auto-syncing with iTunes. While connecting the iPod to the computer on Windows hold down the Shift + Ctrl keys together. This will stop the iPod from auto-syncing with iTunes and the iPod will appear in the source list. Wait until you are sure the iPod has mounted, and that it will not auto sync and then you can let the keys go. This may take between 20 to 30 seconds depending on your computer: iTunes - Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows
When your iPod appears in the iTunes source list change the update setting to manual, that way you can continue to use your iPod without the risk of accidentally erasing it.

2 iPods, 2 User Accounts, One computer

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