Help w iPod Classic for an Electronics Illiterate User

Question

Hello and thank you all. I have read over the manuals I've downloaded, I have tried asking for help from those I know who have iPods, and last night at work when I proclaimed my "giving up" finally and I was going to just throw my iPod away, somebody mentioned to check the forums cuz there are always people who may know and have the answers to my simple issue and are more then willing to help.
So, let's see. I think you'd consider it an iPod classic, given to me by my college roommate who's gone for an internship and he's one that has to have the latest and newest gadget or piece of electronic equipment to hit the market. He can't believe how old my cellphone is, or the fact I never had an iPod until he gave me this old one of his, I don't have TEVO and you know, think it's the unknowing that holds me back and this being a prime example of why. So long ago, he gives me his old iPod and helps me set it up and get it loaded with items I think I'll use and find worthy of the time spent doing it all. Cool, and yes, I have found it great, but still keeping with the basics, it gets me by until now. So, I need help, cuz recently was laying out on my deck and drop it, and the screen is cracked and I am now completely in the dark of what to do.
Is it possible or is there a way to download all the items on the iPod back onto my pc so I don't lose everything he put on there for me? Some of the songs and items are very personal for me after losing both my parents within a month of each other and I just can't part with it knowing there might have been a way to save all that's held on memory and with me just about to give up and throw it away because of my frustration mostly, I thought I'd have to ask. Now, remember I am pretty computer and electronics illiterate and if help is offered, let's play "connect the dots" or "paint by number" so I don't feel as though I am wasting your time at all and simply because I don't have any idea what is what or how to do it for that matter. You know what I mean? Maybe teach me like a five year old if anything, but please help. Somebody at work last night knowing me and my frustration thought there'd be a cord or some wire to put from the iPod to my pc and it'd reload my items back, but I have no idea cuz I don't know how my old roommate set it all up or how he did anything at all when he made this for me.
So, there it is, my challenge I guess, thank you all for your time and help with this for me.

Answer 1

Hello watrsprtn,
And welcome to Apple Discussions!
First of all, in order to copy the songs back to your computer, or a computer, you will need an iPod USB cable just like this one to be able to connect your iPod to your computer.
!http://www.spareparts4mobilephones.com/mobilephone_sparesimages/main/iPod/NANO%201st%20Gen%20USB%20Cable/usb%20ipod%20cable.jpg!
There are several ways you can pull the music off your iPod and onto iTunes. The first link after the Apple support document below provides step-by-step instructions for the direct method if you have a PC as well as a few third party applications (for both the Mac and PC) if you choose to go that route instead. You can also do a simple Google search for "copy music from iPod to computer" and you should receive a number of sites that can help you out.
Just make sure that when you have your iPod plugged into your computer, that you don't hit "Erase and Sync" before completing the task of copying your music over.
Also, if you have any purchased music, you will probably have to re-authorize your computer by heading to the Store drop down menu and choosing "Authorize computer."
[5 Ways to Copy Music OFF your iPod and onto iTunes|http://www.metaphoriclabs.com/articles/5-ways-to-copy-music-off-your-ipo d-windows-mac-os-x>
Here are a few more helpful sites.
[Copying Content from your iPod to your Computer - The Definitive Guide|http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/copying-music-from-ipo d-to-computer]
Or
[How to copy songs your iPod to your PC|http://lifehacker.com/software/ipod/how-to-copy-songs-from-your-ipod-to-your -pc-105256.php]
Just read through one of these are all of these articles carefully. They each provided excellent instructions for completing this task.
Hope this helps.
B-rock