HELP: I lost my Itunes after a PC breakdown. Can I move my IPOD files back?

Question

Hello,
After a computer crash I lost my Itunes and my music files. My IPOD Photo 60 Giga is working fine and I have reinstalled Itunes on the PC.
1)Can I transfer my Ipod files to my Itune?
2) If yes how do I make sure that my Ipod does not lose all the information. What settings are required?
Thanks for your answers. I would like to start adding more songs to my collection and would like to hook back my Ipod to the computer.

Answer 1

1)Can I transfer my Ipod files to my Itune?
There are a number of third party utilities that you can use to retrieve the files from your iPod. This is just a selection.
YamiPod Mac and Windows Versions
PodUtil Mac and Windows Versions
iPodCopy Mac and Windows Versions
PodPlayer Windows Only
PodPlus Windows Only
Have a look at the web pages and documentation for these, they are generally quite straightforward.
There is also a manual method of accessing the iPod's hard drive through Windows posted in this thread: MacMuse - iPod to iTunes
2) If yes how do I make sure that my Ipod does not lose all the information. What settings are required?
You may already be using the iPod in manual update mode in which case your iPod is safe from being accidentally erased. However when you connect if you are getting 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, click *No*. Pressing "Yes" will irretrievably remove all songs from your iPod. Your iPod should appear in the iTunes source list. Change the update setting in Preferences>iPod to "manually manage songs and playlists" Managing Your Songs Manually
You can also use a keyboard command to prevent your iPod auto-syncing with iTunes. While connecting the iPod to the computer on a Mac hold down the Option and Command (⌥ and ⌘) keys, on Windows, hold down Shift + Ctrl. 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 3 and 30 seconds depending on your computer. Then go to Preferences>iPod and check the "Manually manage songs and playlists" box.