Format of iPod

How do you change the format of your iPod from Windows to Macintosh?

Follow the instructions in this article on the Mac. The iPod shuffle will always be restored in the Windows format, and will not work as a music player if it is manually reformatted.
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How do I reinstall ipod 5th gen software after formatting my ipod?

I formatting my ipod because my PC asked me too and now my ipod has a white screen. I've tried resetting it and it won't work. How do I reinstall the ipod's software? It says I need to "use itunes to restore"

I would have a look at your iPod's User Guide for assistance on the different syncing preferences you can set up with your iPod and the different content that can be synced to it.
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/iPod_Late_2006_Features_Guide.pdf
B-rock

How to format an iPod on a MacBook Pro?

I plugged my iPod into my new MacBook Pro. The menu did not have a choice to format the iPod. Previously the iPod was hooked up to iTunes on a PC. I formatted the iPod on the PC.
Now I would like to format the iPod on my MacBook Pro. How can I do that?
Thanks in advance for your help and support.
Leigh

Restore the iPod in iTunes for Mac. Restoring will erase and reformat the iPod's hard drive, reload the software with the Mac version and put it back to default settings, so if you have songs on your iPod that aren't on iTunes you will lose them if you have no back up. Once the restore is complete follow the on screen instructions to name the iPod and automatically sync your songs and videos onto the fresh installation. Press Done and the iPod will appear in iTunes and start to sync. If you want to update manually or using selected playlists uncheck the box beside the sync automatically instruction and press Done, it will default to manual mode and you can choose whatever setting you like: Restoring iPod to factory settings with iTunes

Do I need to format my iPod on Windows to use it as a hard drive on a PC?

I use my iPod on a MacBook with my iTunes library, but now want to ALSO use it as a simple hard drive on my PC for files transfer.
In the Windows explorer, I am told that it is not formatted and I am proposed to format it, which would erase all data on it.
Do I need to format my iPod on Windows to use it as a hard drive on a PC?
(I don not have iTunes installed on that PC currently)
And if I have to format it, will all my music be gone, but can I simply then synch it again on my MacBook with my iTunes library?
Thanks a lot in advance.

To use the iPod Classic on both the Mac and Windows PC, you need to format it in FAT32 filesystem structure, which both OS can recognise.
Yes, formatting it in FAT32, using iTunes, will erase all music and data in your iPod, but that is no problem if you have all the music in your Mac iTunes library.
So to do this,
Install the Latest iTunes in your windows PC, run itunes and check that all is in order (you can navigate, play some sample songs in itunes.)
Connect your iPod to the Windows PC, USB 2.0 port (please dont use USB hub with iPod Classic, -my bad personal experience, freezing itunes and windows)
iTunes will pop a windows asking you to reformat it in FAT32 and Restore
Click ok. (HERE there maybe some problem, if your iPod hardisk is not in tiptop condition)
When Restore is complete, eject the iPod
Connect it to your Mac and sync iTunes library.
If you want to use the iPod in Windows as an external hd, you have to set it in Disk Mode. first then Windows will recognise it as a portable HD.
Good luck! on this big undertaking.

How do I format my IPod Shuffle to be used on Windows?

My computer doesn't reconise my IPod is there, and I think I hav to format my IPod to workon Windows instead of Mac...how do I actually do this?

I am extremely interested in resolving the same issue. I think I have exhausted my options and I believe the issue I have is exactly what is described here. Nothing seems to work since both the windows explorer and itunes do not recognize the iPod shuffle so I can't "get to it" to fix it. My daughter's friend gave her the iPod shuffle and we believe it's been formatted on a Mac. We use PCs in our home. When I plugged in the USB docking station, the iPod blinks orange light for about 4 times and then absolutely nothing happens. I tried the device management options and I can't seem to find/locate where the iPod "drive". Can someone please help with detail instructions on how I can reset/restore this iPod shuffle so I can use it on my PC based iTunes?

My ipod no longer can be formatted by IPOD UPDATER.

My ipod no longer can be formatted by IPOD UPDATER. It gives me a Cant mount ipod error now as well. It shows up in device manager as Player Recovery Device Class, and other pc's and macs cannot recognize it. Ive tried multiple ports and it does not work. When it is connected to the port it beeps as it should but then it will randomly beep as it is connected.
Also it does not work at all disconnected from the computer. The light doesnt work on it at all and there is no response whatsoever.

Hi Clayton and everybody.
I got same problem with my Shuffle: the iPod doesnt play, it doesn't response to any button, no LED works. When i plug in the USB 2.0 port i've always used before (with any problem), WinXP Pro says "the device would work better in 2.0 usb" even though I have 2.0 usb, and i need to install a new hardware as a player recovery to get the iPod Updater recognizing it as a "recovery mode".
As you said, there is only option to do a Recover, but when it starts the proccess, the USB unmount (DIDU sound argh!), and the iPod Updater tells me "Error when trying to write disc" after a few minutes stuck in the recover proccess. I've tried in 3 different PCs, and same error...
I've been without using my Shuffle for 1 week (since it suddenly stopped playing music, due to low battery I thinked)...much more than 24 hours! And it doesn't work!
Should I keep trying the "recovery mode restore" expecting for a miracle or what? What can i do? Please help, i would like to do anything possible before aplying the warranty...
Thanks! And sorry for my bad english!
PC Windows XP Pro PIV 3,2Ghz, ASUS P4P800 MOBO, 2GB DDR, 6800GT

I need to format my iPod but I don't want to lose my files!

Hello, obviously I'm here looking for help lol.
The problem is this; I purchased my iPod mini December 2005 and never had any problems until several weeks ago. When I plug my iPod into my computer, it always says it needs to be formated. Seeing that, I do believe that it needs to be formated. However, I DO NOT beleive that all 435 songs including ones I purchased for should be wasted.
Someone might say I need to back everything up onto a data DVD from iTunes. The only way you can do that is if you're using the home computer of your iPod. Time went by and I have a different computer so I don't have all of my songs on my current computer.
Seeing how the computer recognizes the iPod (despite the fact it notes it needs to be formated) is there any for me to transfer ALL of my files from my iPod to a data DVD disk? It gets really frustrating to have an iPod that costs alot and knowing it's not working how it's supposed to & knowing music that I purchased are about to be whiped out.
So just wondering if there's any tricks or program/s I can use or do to solve this problem to transfer my files from the iPod to a DVD so I can format the iPod without losing everything. Thanks.

there are 3rd party applications that will do what you need. Use the search function or google.
That said, the fact you didn't back up your purchased songs to CD/DVD or external hard drive when you moved computers or just as a practical matter is irresponsible.
Those songs are files just like a Word document or anything else. If you don't back it up and your only copy gets damaged then its your own fault for not backing up.
In this case your iPod is not to blame for having the only copy. All hard drives die. Period. You are lucky you have time to back up your files off the iPod now before everything went. You need to have more than the copy on the iPod of your purchased songs. Back up or waste $400 bucks of music

How Do you Re-format your iPod Mini?

when i put my ipod into my computer it no longer picks up my ipod in itunes, then my Comp tells me i need 2 re format my ipod. how do i do this??

Joey,
You use the latest iPod Updater which you download and install to your computer, run the program, attach the iPod when prompted (not before), and choose "restore".

Mac & windows formatting on ipod

OK, here's the deal... I have a laptop that runs windows that I've been using and I've loaded a bunch of CDs on, as well as a bunch of itunes purchased music. I just got an imac (which is very cool - just trying to get used to using a mac!), loaded itunes and was thinking, "great, I'll plug in my ipod, authorize the new computer... and I'll have all my music on the new mac."
Yeah, well - not the case. Only the purchased music transferred from my ipod. After some searching, I think its because my ipod is formatted for windows, and that doesn't work on a mac.
Here's my question, is there any way to sync everything? So I can have my entire library on both computers?
Thanks for any help or suggestions.

"Only the purchased music transferred from my ipod."
Correct, that's how it's supposed to work. You can only transfer purchased music that way.
The iPod was never designed to be used cross platform. The major drawback is because although a Mac can read a Windows formatted iPod, Windows cannot read a Mac iPod.
The normal way of getting over this is to format the iPod for Windows, then it can be used on both platforms but all software updates would have to be done on Windows. Another way is to format the iPod for Mac use and use some 3rd party software such as XPlay2 which will allow a Mac iPod to be used on Windows.
Since Windows iPods should work on a Mac, you may have some success using a program such as Yamipod. This is a free program that transfers music and playlists etc from iPod back to the computer. However, it does not transfer playcounts/ratings etc.
Or, since you have access to both computers, how about this?
Switch 101.
That's an easy way to migrate your files from Windows to Mac.

Safe to windows format my iPod?

First a bit of bg info:
I dont usually have windows xp, in fact I pretty much dont outside of school, and I dont even have computers class in school anymore so hey.
My iPods firmware died, and after ages of googling, I found rockbox, an alternative, open source firmware. This all worked grand, until I tried to update that and I can;t get the newer version working
Now I can use my dads laptop for a few days while he's away on business, so Im wondering, if I use windows to format the iPod, then when I can get the lappy use the iTunes 7.4 restore tool will it a) bring the iPod back to the original functioning firmware and b) fix the bootloader so that it loads the iPod firmware by default?

I, too, am in need of assistance. I've been using my iPod mini on my computer system for nearly a year with no issues. Now, suddenly neither iTunes nor iPod Updater will recognize my iPod (even though my computer system seems to recognize it just fine). I have read all of the FAQs on this topic, and have tried everything to no avail. I've Reset the iPod, unistalled and reinstalled iTunes and the current Updater, tried putting the iPod in disk mode, etc. Everything that is listed in the various support articles, I have tried - except the Restore option. Unfortunately, since I can't get iPod Updater to recognize the device, I have no way (that I am aware of) to Restore the iPod - and I think that is my last hope in this case before I need to send it in for repairs.
Any suggestions on how to Restore an iPod when neither Updater nor iTunes recognizes the device (but Windows does)? I'd really like to update my iPod with all the music I've purchased since the last update.
Thanks, Stacy

I am not able to format my ipod classic as it is showing in the widows 7 but not in the itunes and when i try to format it, i am not able to format it

i am not able to format my ipod classic as it is showing in the widows 7 but not in the itunes and when i try to format it, i am not able to format it i am not able to foramt it..

Hello Ephremekka
Start your troubleshooting with the article below to get your iPod Classic to show up in iTunes to be restored.
iPod: Appears in Windows but not in iTunes
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1363
Regards,
-Norm G.

I CAN'T RECOVER AND FORMAT MY IPOD NANO FIRST GENERATION 4G

Ciao everyone . . .
I CAN'T RECOVER AND FORMAT MY IPOD NANO FIRST GENERATION 4G . . . it doesn't work
In the front panel of IPOD is written: use ITUNES to restore
IPOD is recognised by pc and it's charging . . .
ipod is recognised by itunes, but . . .
Itunes can't recover ipod . . . ipod must be formatted
but i tried . . . and my pc said that ipod can't be formatted . . .
I tried to reinstall original CD with ipod and itunes software . . .. nothing
I updated Itunes to 10.3.1 version but never changed . . .
I updated ipod to 28-06-2006 version (the last one I found) but it asked itunes version 7
it's like a dog chasing its tail . . ..
friendship from Italy
PS I tried with pc running under WINDOWS XP and WINDOWS 7

Because it doesn't have the hardware needed to play them.
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Formatting my ipod from windows to Mac

A week ago I purchased an IMac and would like to know how to format my Ipod from windows to Mac?

hola adolfo, acabo de comprarme un macbook y descubro el mismo problema que tu. mi ipod 30gb estaba con windows pero ahora mac no lo reconoce. he estado leyendo y parece que hay que restaurarlo pero mi duda principal por ahora es: si se borra la musica y fotos que tengo actualmente en el ipod? agradecere mucho tu experiencia, mi nivel de ingles no es bueno. diego

How can i restore the factory setteings after formatting my ipod ?

I faced some error while trying to sync new songs in my ipod , so i did format the ipod from the windows 7 system , then itunts couldn't recognize it when it's plugged , and re-plugging the ipod many times didn't work ... so the situation now is my ipod is not recognized by itunes , and i only see message recommending restoring to factory settings , while itunes is always failing to connect to apple server (known that my connectivity is perfect) , and restoring the settings from my ipod doesn't seem to work .

Using Windows 7 and installing latest iTunes is very problematic, please read these iTunes posts, which describe a few correct steps to reinstall iTunes 10.5 if it is not working correctly.
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16665727#16665727
I have been fortunate that iTunes 10.5 can't run off my OS X 10.4.
Good luck.

Windows won't format my iPod classic 160 GB

Hi, I’m having trouble formatting my iPod classic 160GB.
It started after I plugged it into a computer I don’t really use to put some new music on it, and then when I went to use the iPod the next morning I had to choose language and everything was gone. It worked fine the night before with both the new music and the old, but now it says in the settings of the iPod that I have 0 KB free, even though there’s nothing on it (all the space is filled with “other”, and I don’t know what that means).
When I connect it to the computer it says I have to format it to use it, but when I try to do so Windows can’t finish formatting. It also just shows up as “portable disc (E:)” instead of the name I’ve given it. I’ve tried putting it in disk mode and then it shows up with the correct name, saying I have 117 GB out of 148 GB left to use. Which is correct, but windows still won’t format it, or scan it for errors in error checking. If I try checking for errors when it’s not in disk mode a window pops up saying that they can’t access the disk.
I bought this iPod last year so it’s not old. I really have no clue what do to from here and I would appreciate help so much!!

Hello BigDan1106,
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
For more information, take a look at:
Updating iPod
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1483
Have a nice day,
Mario

I have recently formated my ipod classic 160gb to nfts and now it only shows in divices an printers, and whenever i connect it to my pc all my apple software stop responding

i have recently formated my ipod classic 160gb to nfts and now it only shows in divices an printers, and whenever i connect it to my pc all my apple software stop responding

The Apple launch issues article suggests pulling 3rd-party plug-ins if the problem doesn't happen in Safe Mode.
Here's the article that will walk you through the process -> iTunes: Troubleshooting issues with third-party iTunes plug-ins

Format of iPod

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