HD reformat & want to put iPod music back into iTunes

Question

I have been using my 60GB 5th gen iPod as usual (so the music was NOT saved as a file nor was the iPod being used as a hard drive) when the computer crashed. I had to completely erase the HD and reformat it, so the computer is starting from scratch.
Can I somehow get the music on the iPod back into iTunes when it was not saved into a music folder on the iPod? The computer crash was unexpected, so the music on the iPod is not saved into one folder as per the instructions on copying music from one computer to another via the iPod.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but if I plug the iPod into the computer, iTunes will sync with it and erase all of the music on the iPod to match the empty library on the computer, right?
Do you think it's possible to connect the iPod to a PC which may be able to see the music as a file and then save the music to the PC & pull it off of the PC back to the Mac? Connecting the iPod to a Mac that does not have iTunes only results in contacts, calendar, & notes to be accessible, but the music is not seen on the iPod.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! I'd hate to lose anything! Thank you!
Intel iMac   Mac OS X (10.4.8)  

Answer 1

"Can I somehow get the music on the iPod back into iTunes when it was not saved into a music folder on the iPod?"
You can't sync or drag your non iTMS music back directly from an iPod to iTunes, the transfer of music is designed by default to be one way from iTunes to iPod. However there's a manual method of copying songs from your iPod to your Mac at this link: Two-way Street: Moving Music Off the iPod
If you prefer something more automated there are also a number of third party utilities that you can use to retrieve the music files and playlists from your iPod, this is just a selection. Have a look at the web pages and documentation for these, they are generally quite straightforward. I use Senuti but check the others out and choose whichever you are happy with.
Senuti Mac Only
iPodRip Mac Only
PodWorks Mac Only
iPod.iTunes Mac Only
PodView Mac Only
iPod Access Mac and Windows Versions
YamiPod Mac and Windows Versions
PodUtil Mac and Windows Versions
iPodCopy Mac and Windows Versions
There is a new function in iTunes 7 under File, "Transfer Purchases from iPod" which transfers iTMS purchases. A paragraph on it has been added to this article: How to use your iPod to move your music to a new computer
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but if I plug the iPod into the computer, iTunes will sync with it and erase all of the music on the iPod to match the empty library on the computer, right?"
If your iPod is set to update automatically you just need to take care when connecting back to your computer and an empty iTunes. You will get a message that your iPod is linked to a different library and asking if you want to link to this one and replace all your songs etc, press *No* (or "Cancel" if you are using iTunes 7). Pressing "Yes" (or Erase and Sync in iTunes 7) will irretrievably remove all songs from your iPod. Your iPod should appear in the iTunes source list from where you can change the update setting to manual and use your iPod without the risk of accidentally erasing it. In iTunes 7 Check the "manually manage music and videos" box in Summary then press the Apply button. Don't uncheck Sync Music it will be unchecked by default when you choose the manual setting: Managing content manually on iPod
Keep your iPod in manual mode until you have reloaded your iTunes and you are happy with your playlists etc then it will be safe to return it auto-sync again. I would also advise that you get yourself an external hard drive and back your stuff up in case you have problems again. External drives are comparatively inexpensive these days and you can get loads of storage for quite a small outlay.