IPod format WIN vs. MAC Question

I know for sure that an iPod formatted with Windows can be used on a Mac to add songs to it. It just can't be updated on the Mac.
I am wondering if an iPod formatted on a Mac would be compatible with Windows to add songs (just not receive updates).
This is because, as some users have reported, the version 1.1.2 upgrade killed my iPod, though I am able to use it in disk mode and backed everything up from it. I heard that upgrading to version 1.1.2 on a Mac works without any problems.
So my question is: Would it be benificial to restore my iPod on a Mac for version 1.1.2, then use Windows to manage it every time after that?
If the answer is no, then I will just restore it in Windows using version 1.0.3, and hope that it will work.

I am wondering if an iPod formatted on a Mac would be compatible with Windows to add songs (just not receive updates).
Not unless software such as XPlay is installed on the PC.
(32243)

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IPod formats PC to Mac

Btabz informed me (on another question) that
Mac-formatted iPods cannot be read by Windows, but it works the other way around.
I am wanting to transfer files routinely between a Mac and a PC. Currently I am using a Mac formatted iPod -so cannot transfer files (using iPod as a portable disk) to a PC. I am quite addicted to iCal (updates from my Mac) and transfer music Manually. Can anyone forsee any problems if I PC formatted my disk. Btabz has already mentioned that the iPod update will need to be done through the PC - but I can live with that.
thanks all

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
Mac-formatted iPods cannot be read by Windows, but it works the other way around.
That is slightly correct...see, the iPod stays on a certain format depending on what type of computer you're using. Windows-formatted iPods can't read Mac iPods, and the same way around. But that doesn't really matter unless, for example, you have Boot Camp on your Mac computer (however, I have no knowledge of Boot Camp Beta because I do not own a Mac, I am simply making an educated guess on this subject) where you can switch back and forth between them (but you shouldn't have your iPod connected during the transition, I imagine it would majorly screw it up).
It takes a little energy to reformat your iPod every time you switch computers, so your best bet (which would be easier and wouldn't wear down your iPod as much) would be stay with one computer--I recommend you stay with the Mac, only because Macs have not even half as much trouble as it does with a PC, if any at all--so you won't cause any wearing troubles with your iPod.
I am quite addicted to iCal (updates from my Mac)
That's another good reason to stay with a Mac--it has easier information to get to the iPod than it does in Disk Mode with a PC...Outlook Express is ****
Besides, if you switch between them, it would wipe your entire library on your iPod and eventually start taking up space regardless of the fact that it's gone, because HDDs never really delete the entire file.
And I'm pretty sure you can update your iPod through Mac, I'm not sure what btabz meant by that...unless there's some knowledge I'm unaware of :\
Hope this helped your decision
rjl

Switching iPod Formats - PC to Mac

I am making a switch from PC to Mac. I was able to transfer my music to my Mac, but is there a way I can change the format of my iPod from PC to Mac, so I can be finished with the PC?

this seems ok, but I get a message that the restore won't work becasue files asre in use with another application. which would be what? you need iTunes open to do a restore.

HT1335 Getting music off ipod formatted with a Mac

How do I get music off an ipod that has been formatted on a mac and transfer it to my windows computer?

That may be difficult. The reverse would be easier because Macs can read the Windows disk format (FAT32) used on iPods. Windows cannot read the disk format used by Macs, without additional (not free) software. Here is one such product
http://www.mediafour.com/products/macdrive
If you can make your Windows PC access the iPod's disk, you can probably use one of the third-party methods or utilities for transferring song files from iPod to computer. You cannot use iTunes for transferring song files from iPod to computer (except for songs purchased from the iTunes Store). An Internet search on something like "ipod transfer" should provide some links.
Once the song files from the iPod are on your computer's drive, you can add them to the iTunes library and then re-sync the iPod as desired.

Loading pc info into ipod formatted in apple mac

my brother loaded his itune library (apple mac) onto my new ipod. I unfortunatley have a hp pc and my ipod does not show up when i plug it into my computer. the prompt tells me to reformat the ipod and remove al the tunes from it. is there any way to convert all those tunes to pc format? and then restore the ipod in pc format?
hp pavilion Windows XP

An iPod formatted for Mac won't run natively on a PC because the Windows OS does not support the HFS Plus file system and therefore will not see the drive. You can reformat your iPod on Windows if you want to use it on both platforms as Macs can read Windows formatting I've seen posts on the forum where there have been problems but these would be the exception). Alternatively there are third party programs that will allow you to use a Mac formatted iPod on Windows, XPlay for instance will allow you to play your songs on a PC and even copy them to the computer: XPlay 2

Want to change the ipod from win to mac and dont have the PC anymore

My PC where I had my Library was stolen. Now I bought a Mac and cannot save all my music and videos from my iPod to my new Mac. What can I do??

Connect your iPod to your computer. If it is set to update automatically you'll get a message that it is linked to a different library and asking if you want to link to this one and replace all your songs etc, press "Cancel". Pressing "Erase and Sync" will irretrievably remove all the songs from your iPod. When your iPod appears in the iTunes source list change the update setting to manual, that will let you use our iPod without the risk of accidentally erasing it. Check the "manually manage music and videos" box in Summary then press the Apply button. Also when using most of the utilities listed below your iPod needs to be enabled for disc use, changing to manual update will do this by default: Managing content manually on iPod and iPhone
Once you are safely connected there are a few things you can do to restore your iTunes from the iPod. There are a number of third party utilities that you can use to retrieve music files and playlists from your iPod. I use Senuti but have a look at the web pages and documentation for the others too, you'll find that they have varying degrees of functionality and some will transfer movies, videos, photos and games as well. This is just a small selection of what's available, you can read reviews and comparisons of some of them here:
Wired News - Rescue Your Stranded Tunes
Comparison of iPod managers
Senuti Mac Only (iPod Touch & iPhone compatible)
PodView Mac Only
PodWorks Mac Only
iPodDisk PPC Mac Only (experimental version available for Intel Macs)
TuneAid Mac only (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
iPodRip Mac & Windows
YamiPod Mac & Windows
iPod Music Liberator Mac & Windows
iGadget Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
Floola Mac & Windows
Music Rescue Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
iRepo Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
iPod Access Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
TouchCopy Mac & Windows (iPhone and iPod Touch compatible)
If you have any iTunes Music Store purchases the transfer of purchased content only from the iPod to authorised computers was introduced with iTunes 7. You'll find details in this article: Copying iTunes Store purchases from your iPod or iPhone to a computer
There's also a manual method of copying songs from your iPod to a Mac or PC. The procedure is a bit involved and won't recover playlists but if you're interested it's available on page 2 at this link: Copying Content from your iPod to your Computer - The Definitive Guide
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.

Problems With An iPod Formatted For a Mac

I have a 30GB 5G iPod and i formatted it for my mac but now i can't use it as a portable drive to move files from my pc to my mac, do i have to reformat it for a pc to use it to transfer files?

Hi Anthony,
As you have found out, Windows does not have any native support for Mac formatted drives so your freshly Mac formatted iPod will not be readable on a Windows machine.
However Macs can read Windows formatted iPods just fine, so to answer your question, if you reformat back to DOS (Fat32) format using a Windows machine and iTunes loaded on the Windows machine to perform the "Restore" which will reformat it, you can then plug it into your Mac and sync it to your Mac library, the iPod will remain Windows formatted, and if you enable Disk Mode on the iPod it can be used as an external drive on both Mac and Windows systems.
The only other solution I know of is paying for software to run on the Windows machine to be able to read Mac formats.
Patrick

Ipod formatted on intel Mac can't be read when connected to G4 w/ 10.3.9

Is there anyway to add music to an iPod (from iTunes) running on a an older G4 Mac with OS X 10.3.9 if the iPod has been formatted on a newer intel based Mac running Lepord? The error I get on my G4 says that the disc I've inserted has volumes on it that can't be read by my Mac OS software.
Message was edited by: thewinnman

Is there anyway to add music to an iPod (from iTunes) running on a an older G4 Mac with OS X 10.3.9 if the iPod has been formatted on a newer intel based Mac running Lepord?
The iPod needs to be formatted using the APM partition format if the Disk Utility is used to erase it. Mac OS X 10.3 and earlier will not access GUID formatted drives.
(32733)

Just bought a mac.. want to change the ipod from win to mac

how can i do that and save the playlist, purchases, etc ??

You can transfer all of your song files from iPod to Mac using a third-party utility. Macs can read the Windows format, so it should work even if the iPod is formatted for Windows.
The free utility of choice for Mac seems to be Senuti.
http://www.fadingred.com/senuti/
(just noticed it's now shareware, but there is a 30-day trial).

IPod Format - PC Vs. Mac

I am genuinely not trying to start a fight but which format is better for my pod. I have both Macs and PC's. I am aware that the Mac formatted pod can not be seen by a PC. However I am find that the PC formatted pod is very slow on my Mac (and to be honest pretty slow onthe PC hence I generally only Sync with the Mac).
Is there any benefits/disadvantages to either format as I am giving real consideration to formatting it back to Mac format as I now spend the majority of my time on the mac! (The way it should be as PC's are dirty!)

Ok explain this to me? I have formatted the pod from PC to Mac, put all my songs and movies on it, but I now have lots more free space? PC formatted it had 7.6gb free now I have 13.6gb free with it mac formatted? Any ideas. (Everything has definatley copied ok too!)

I want to back up my IPOD music on to my PC, but IPOD is formatted for my MAC, how do I do it?

Can anyone help me back up my IPOD music to my Laptop PC? I have my IPOD formatted for my MAC and can't back it up on PC......Help!

Install software on your PC such as MediaFour's MacDrive to enable it to read/write Mac formatted disks.

Can an iPod formatted for Macs play on Windows iTunes?

I have an iPod formatted for a Mac but have to use a Windows computer at work. Is there a way to play my iPod through the Windows iTunes player? I tried plugging it int through a USB adaptor, but my computer doesn't trecognize my iPod.
Thanks!

If your iPod is formatted for Mac it won't run natively on a PC because Windows operating systems don't recognize Mac OS-formatted disks (HFS or HFS Plus formats). There are third party programs that will allow you to use a Mac formatted iPod on Windows. XPlay for instance gets good reviews, you can find it at this link: XPlay 2
XPlay is currently only compatible with Windows XP, 2000, Me or 98SE, a new version for Vista is planned for release later this year.

PC FORMATTED iPod read by MAC & PC? MAC formatted iPod read only by MAC?

Is this how the formatting issue works? I'm looking to buy an iPod for a friend who (I think) has PC.....
Since I'm a mac person, I want to buy the gift, load some music on, and ship it off to the lucky recipient....but if they have a PC , will it be recongnized once it's plugged in?
Any info would be helpful.
Thanks.

PC FORMATTED iPod read by MAC & PC? MAC formatted iPod read only by MAC? Is this how the formatting issue works?
Yes, that is how it works.
Since I'm a mac person, I want to buy the gift, load some music on, and ship it off to the lucky recipient....but if they have a PC , will it be recongnized once it's plugged in?
Okay, unless you restore your iPod while you're on the Mac, I believe it will still be formatted for a PC.
(You will not need to restore the iPod for transferring music to it on a Mac unless you want to upgrade the iPod's firmware on a Mac computer, then it will have to be Mac-formatted).
You see, when you recieve an iPod, it is shipped to you as a Windows-formatted iPod, probably since the majority of the population has PCs, and also, PC-formatted iPods are compatible for music transfer for a Mac also.
Does that make sense?
EDIT: Zevoneer has already answered your question, so you can ignore all of my post if you wish.
-Kylene

Trying to hook up my windows formatted ipod to an old mac

Long story short...i worked at a record store and i used the computer there for my ipod so i could have a huge variety of music. Well the store went out of business and now i have the same music on my ipod and i want to add more music. I know i will have to start over with my music since everything will be erased. Now my computer at my house is an old mac (Mac Os 9.2.2). Now im wondering does any of the admins or anyone know where i can get a copy of the old iTunes that was formatted for my computer? My sencond question is also whenever i hook up my ipod to my mac it says "the disk is unreadable" and asks my to initialize it. My question is will this mess up my ipod since it is formatted for windows and if i do format it for mac will it still be able to be read by my xbox 360? Any help is appreciated.
Matt
iMac/ iPod Nano 2nd Generation Mac OS 9.2.x Need to find itunes!

for example : http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macos/9688

How do I reformat an IPod Touch for Windows that has been formatted for a Mac? All instructions I have been able to find use ITunes or Device Manager to reformat. My IPod is not being recognized by ITunes or in Device Manager.

I have an IPod Touch that has been formatted for a Mac. All instructions I have been able to find use ITunes or Device Manager to reformat the device for Windows. This cannot be done if Windows doesn't recognize the device. Is there another way to set the device back to the factory settings directly on the device without using ITunes?

Ipod touch is not formatted one way or the other at all.
Just sync it to the new computer using itunes.
iPod touch User Guide (For iOS 5.1 Software)

IPod format WIN vs. MAC Question

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