How do I manage two iPods on one computer please?

I have an iPod (early 40G model, and it's fine). I installed iTunes, and all fine. A year goes by. Another member of the household gets an iPod (mini), and we load the software into a different subdirectory in Program Files. This erases my iTunes, but all still works fine for some reason. i.e. when I attach my iPod, it is recognised, and my iTunes music is shown on the screen. When the other iPod is attached, same thing (i.e. it is recognised and her iTunes are shown on the screen). Our different music folders are stored in different subdirectories.
This is all fine, until her iPod erases itself, and is now no longer recognised by iTunes. In the processes advised for solving this situation (restore and reset etc) we erase my iPod (but have managed to restore music to if after re-installing the original software that came with it.)
So now we are back to the stage of having her iPod not being recognised by iTunes. Please suggest solutions! Please also advise if there is a more sensible way of managing two iPods on one PC. Is it really as basic as having different playlists?
Thanks in advance for your help.

Yep. Playlists will do it.
If you want other options, see this:
Natalie Beresford: Multiple iPods/iTunes Installations

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There are a couple of methods for using more than one iPod on a single computer. Have a look at the article linked below. Method one is to have two Windows accounts which by definition would give you two completely separate libraries. Method two is to set your preferences so each iPod is updated with only certain playlists within one library. Have a look anyway and see what you think and go for whichever you feel suits your needs best: How To Use Multiple iPods with One Computer

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Currently, I manage my iPod Nano on my laptop and manage my iPod Video on my desktop computer.
Im now thinking of managing both iPods on one computer. My plan would be to use the same iTunes library for both iPods and whenever the nano is connected, I would have iTunes set to sync only selected playlists and when the iPod Video is connected, have iTunes sync all songs and playlists.
My queston is; if I set it like this the first time each iPod is connected, does iTunes remember this setup the next time each iPod gets connected (i.e., the next time the nano gets connected, iTunes will automacically sync selected playlists and the next time the iPod video gets connected, iTunes will automatically sync all songs and playlists)?

When you use multiple iPods with one iTunes library each can have it's own setting and iTunes will recognise each iPod when it's connected and use the setting you have chosen. If any of your iPods are currently set to update automatically you need to take care connecting to a different iTunes. 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 installed hold down the Shift + Ctrl keys. 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
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If you are adding a second iPod for your own use, just connect the new iPod to your computer and follow the on screen instructions. It will update from your existing library. Depending on the size of your library and the type of iPod you choose you can have it update all songs and playlists, selected playlists only or you can manage it manually
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Just to summarise what's in the link above which is a little out of date:
Method one is to have individual Mac or Windows user accounts which by definition would give you completely separate iTunes Music folders and libraries.
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Loading songs onto iPod automatically - Windows
Choosing the update option "Sync Music - Selected playlists" allows you to create a playlist specifically for each 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 by the other iPod. You can read more about playlists at these links:
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If you are adding a second or more iPod for your own use, just connect the new iPod to your computer and follow the on screen instructions. It will update from your existing library. Depending on the size of your library and the type of iPod you choose you can have it update all songs and playlists, selected playlists only or you can manage it manually.
If the iPods belong to different people, there are basically two ways of using multiple iPods on a computer and these involve:
a) Sharing a single iTunes library and or user account.
b) Creating multiple user accounts and having separate libraries.
Sharing a Library and/or User Account
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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:
Loading songs onto iPod shuffle - Windows
It's also possible to have multiple libraries in a single account. To create or access a second (or more) library, hold down the Option key (or 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 if you need it. You can read about Windows user accounts here:
Using Windows XP User Accounts

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hiya!
these resources might be helpful:
Natalie Beresford: multiple iPod/iTunes installations
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iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer
love, b

How do I manage two iPods on one computer please?

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