IPod formatted for windows, connected to mac accidentally

I have an iPod video, 30GB. I formatted it for use with my windows laptop.
Then, my mother hooked it up to her macbook pro. No syncing took place and it didn't show up in iTunes. However, now neither machine will show the iPod in iTunes. The windows machine, on connection to the iPod, brings up an error message saying the iPod is corrupted. When connected to the Mac, the iPod spontaneously crashes iTunes even before it opens.
Through a series of unfortunate events, much of my music is not on hard drives aside from my iPod, so any help resolving this issue without restoring the iPod would be greatly appreciated.

Mac Os X will read Fat 16, Fat32(the windows default for iPod) .
I believe it will read, but not write to NTFS.
Windows can not read or write to HFS(Mac OS X format and iPod for Macs) drives.

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Connecting an iPod formatted for Windows to a MAC

OK here's my situation:
I have a Sony laptop (running XP Pro) that my 8GB iPod nano (G2) is currently "synched" to. Last November I got a new iMac (Leopard, 10.5.2), which I've been meaning to figure out how to transfer all my mp3's from my laptop (PC) to iMac (separate issue).
I never got the chance- my laptop was stolen a week ago. I have yet to break the news to my iPod, which is- I'm guessing- formatted for Windows. I'd like to connect my iPod to my iMac and salvage the 8GB of music on there. I'd estimate that 20% of the music on my iPod was purchased on iTunes, but the rest came from CD's that I uploaded onto my PC. I know about re-downloading purchased music, but what about the rest? I don't have all my CD's anymore =(
Thank you in advance-
Josh

Hey Josh,
Sorry to hear about your stolen laptop. That stinks.
But the good news is Macs can read Windows formatted iPods just fine and there are ways to get your stuff off the iPod and onto the Mac.
Copying from iPod to Computer threads...
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=5044027&#5044027
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=893334&tstart=0
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=797432&#797432
Also these useful internet articles...
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/copying-music-from-ipod-to-co mputer/
http://www.engadget.com/2004/11/02/how-to-get-music-off-your-ipod/
http://playlistmag.com/secrets/2006/12/twowaystreet20/index.php
http://playlistmag.com/help/2005/01/2waystreet/
Patrick

I have a 30 gb ipod formatted for windows I would like to reformat for a macbook

I have a 30 GB ipod formatted for windows How can it be reformatted to work with my macbook?

This process will delete all songs in your iPod. (Sorry if I sound like some outcountry Helpdesk)
But you can transfer Windows iTunes library to your Macbook.
1. Connect to your Macbook, close iTunes if it opened up.
2. Open up Disk Utility, select Checksum CRC
3. Select your iPod icon.
4. Click on Erase tab
5. Select Mac OS X Journal format
6. Press Erase button and wait for about 20 minutes
When it finishes, Itunes will launch and prompt for Restore, so just follow the prompts.
Have a nice day!

IPod formatted for windows... not working on mac! ***????

Hi all...
My iPod mini was my first apple product over a year ago... worked awesome on my Dell laptop. Then I got this Dual Core G5 and the dang thing isn't recognizing any music?!?! Because it is formatted for windows, I can't install an update it is telling me it needs. I am assuming this is why itunes can't see it and my kick butt G5 is being ******** with not showing any of the music on it... any ideas?
I have read the other threads and can't find anything like this... so how can I use this thing on both machines? or did Apple "F" this thing up?
Thanks

Yes, it shows up on desktop but only the calendar, notes, contacts are accessible...
No, iTunes does not recognize it even if I force it into Disk Mode... weird. I am beginning to think I need to keep it on the mac 100% and stop using it on me PC... but that stinks? My Dell is portable, this G5 is not!

Updating Video IPod Once Formatted for Windows, Now Using Mac

The subject pretty much explains it all. I'm trying to update my ipod to the latest software version, but when I attempt to update it, it says that it can't be updated because the Ipod is already formatted to Windows.
What should I do about this situation?
Thanks

i do not set to auto update. I see no real point in having 2 hard drives full of the same music. I have backed up my MP3s on 4 dvd's. I like to keep my hard drive clear for other projects.
There are tools to bring the songs back off the ipod. Maybe I'll let that run over night. The TV shows I purchased were on the windows machine. Maybe they will be lost forever.
I guess I won't be installing this update anytime soon.

IPod Nano Sync with Mac, but iPod formatted for Windows

I finally changed to the Mac platform and all my iPods and iPhones were synced with a Windows based computer. While my iPhones were not a problem, my iPod Nano (4GB 2nd generation) seemed not be recognized by my iMac.
I can't seem to get my iMac to show the iPod under Devices to reformat it. Anyone have any advice to give?
I have plugged it in to a my Windows based work laptop and it seems to work fine. However I don't sync with that machine and I have already sold my old Windows based computer it was synced to.
Thanks in advance for the help.

I have three iPods: 40GB iPod photo, 2GB black iPod nano and 1GB iPod shuffle. Each one has it's own playlist to auto sync songs from (technically, the 40GB iPod is synchronized manually, but the other two have playlists to sync automatically from). They each have different names so iTunes knows they're each different. So, you shouldn't have any trouble keeping just two iPods separate with your Mac mini or iMac.
-Doug

Ipod Formatted to Windows but I want to use Mac!

I know you should be able to use an ipod formatted to windows on a Mac, but I can't. I have itunes 7 and it won't let me put music on my ipod says software is too old.
I've been trying to update the software but everything says you can't unless you have a mac formatted ipod! I'm so confused. I never had this prob with my old ipod. Help.
PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

This is looking like a common problem that has a (fairly) simple solution as long as you have access to another Mac. If not, you may have to do a "clean" install of the OS.
The problem is a corrupted file (at least on Macs with the Power PC processor, id est, not an Intel one) by the name of iPodDriver.kext which resides in the Extensions folder of the Library folder of System folder (not the System Folder, this is an important distinction) which you will see by double clicking on the icon of your hard disk on the desktop.
Drag this file to the trash and delete it (empty the trash).
The idea is that you find a Mac that is happy to mount your iPod and display the update and restore buttons correctly (as well as the full range of tabs and other visual clues, such as a non-generic icon of your iPod).
Then copy the aforementioned iPodDriver.kext to a USB stick, iPod, CD, DVD, whatever from the "good" Mac.
Reverse process to put it on your Mac.
Shut down "your" Mac.
Restart "your" Mac and open iTunes, connect your iPod and, at least in my experience, it will work and provide you with correctly rendered iPod.
Apple used to recognise this problem, but seem to feel that the problem now no longer exists since the introduction of iTunes 7.1.1, however this appears to be arrant nonsense as it keeps cropping up as a problem on these forums (including in iPods and Macs running the most up to date software).
I feel it is also associated with the USB connection itself (for a longer explanation of why I believe this to be so http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=915410&tstart=0 ).
I hope that some of the above helps.

My iPod is formatted for Windows, why should I reformat it for Macintosh?

Hello everyone,
I just made the switch from a PC to a Mac and I am very happy to now be on the Mac side of the fence.
I've been reading these forums to find out how to transfer the contents of my 30GB iPod to iTunes on my new MacBook (I didn't keep the songs in iTunes on my old PC, but I do have all of them on actual CDs).
I can tell from these posts HOW to do this transfer (using Senuti seems easiest), but my question now is WHY do this? If I keep my iPod formatted for Windows I'll still be able to use it on both PCs and Macs, but if I restore it to be formatted for Macs, then I can only use it on Macs. I'm thinking that as long as I have access to a PC to periodically update iTunes, I should be fine with not switching it over. Is there anything that I am missing here? I just don't want to run into problems down the road.
If anyone is using an iPod formatted for Windows, but works almost exclusively with Mac computers, I'd love to hear feedback on how it's going. And if anyone has advice on why this is OR isn't a good idea, I'd love to hear that too.
Thanks.
Andrew

A Mac formatted iPod will mount and unmount slightly faster on OS X than a PC formatted one. Also if you want to use the iPod as a removable drive between other Macs you won't have the same file size restrictions Windows formatting has. A FAT32 formatted iPod or other drive cannot transfer files which are 4GB or larger. In addition to those, (except in the case of the Shuffle) the iPod's firmware cannot be updated from Mac OS X without doing a restore. This would mean you would need to connect back to a PC when a software update came along, however if you are going to continue to use the iPod on a Mac and a PC this isn't an issue.

How can I transfer files off an external hard drive formatted for windows?

I just bought my first mac (yay!) and am trying to transfer my files off of my old pc. The problem is that I stored all my personal files on an external hard drive, which is of course formatted for windows. My mac will open it, but it is "read only." I tried plugging it back into my pc and using the Migration Assistant to transfer my files over, but it was not detected (rest of the pc was).
However, the second time I tried plugging it in to my pc, it told me it would need to be formatted first. Obviously my mac has changed something on it, and now all my personal files are on a hard drive that is unusable by either my old pc or my new mac!
Any suggestions would be appreciated! Heads up though, I am not especially computer literate, and my pc needs to stay intact as the husband needs it and some of the programs on it for school. Also, I have a second external hard drive that is brand new with nothing on it, if that will come in handy.
Thanks!

Format the extra HDD to EXFAT as previously indicated. There are two ways that can use to transferr the data.
1. Connect both drives to the PC and the copy the files to the newly formatted (EXFAT) drive from the HDD with the data . Then connect the EXFAT drive to the MBP and transfer the data to same.
2. Connect both drives to the MBP and open DISK UTILITY>RESTORE. Drag the drive with the data on it to the 'Source' field. Drag the EXFAT drive to the 'Destination' field. Click on the 'Restore' butt is on. After the transfer has been completed, close DISK UTILITY and place the data on the MBP where you want it.
Ciao.

Problem: I have a New Mac and my iPod is formatted for Windows

My old computer (PC with Windows) crashed and took all my music with it.
I got a new computer, a Mac. I have looked at many different programs for moving music from the iPod to the computer and many are appealing (Podworks and iRip). However, they do not seem to be working because my computer is not recognizing my iPod. I set my iPod into disk mode by following the instructions on this website. However, that has not helped.
The problem may be in the fact that my iPod is formatted for Windows and I am no longer using Windows. I cannot reformat my iPod for a Mac at this point because my iPod is the only location of my music. Reformatting it now would erase all my music and I have no backup!!
When I am plugging my iPod into the computer, I am holding the Option+Command keys to make sure that the iPod does not automatically sync. Is this necessary? I ask this because my iPod has no connection with this computer's iTunes and I have doubts that it would automatically sync. It seems that by holding the Option+Command Keys I am preventing the computer from recognizing the iPod. A brief iPod icon appears on the desktop and then disappears.

Have you failed to maintain a backup?

IPod is formatted for windows but i need it formatted for mac

i just got my iPod a couple days ago used from best buy and hooked it up from my mac not aware that it was formatted for windows. when i try to restore my iPod it just freezes up my computer. do i really need it formatted for mac in order to get good performance?

Right. If you restored it in Windows the iPod will still be formatted for Windows.
Now see if you can restore it on your mac.
Also, know that Windows-formatted iPods work fine in Mac OS X. The only "problem" is that you cannot update the iPod's software on your mac if another software version is released. You would have to do that through Windows.
If you plan on using your iPod with both Operating Systems, you may want to keep it formatted for Windows.
btabz

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.

Nano formatted for Windows won't appear on Mac?

Rec'd replacment 2GB nano yesterday. Hooked it up to my iMac G4 running OS X version 10.4.7. The nano charged, but does not appear on my Mac and has not synched. I notice that it is formatted for Windows. Cannot restore or update as the computer does not show an iPod connected.
Do I need to get a different nano or am I missing something?
thanks in advance

Yes, when connecting your iPod to a different type of computer (a Mac), you will need to format it for Windows (by restoring your iPod through the Updater).
Since you can't do this (since your Updater won't recognize your iPod), try resetting your iPod, then putting your iPod into disk mode.
Put it into disk mode, then try restoring it again.
~~Kylene

Error message claims iPod not formatted for windows, when it is. HELP!!

I've had a 4th generation iPod for a couple of years now, and yes this same crappy computer as well. Now all of a sudden, my computer doesn't recognize the iPod as my own. It will show up as hardware, and in my computer just says generically Apple Ipod USB device, not what I had name my ipod originally. If I try to open it up to look at the files that way, which I've done before many times, storing files on it, now it just brings up this message
"Your Ipod needs to be reformatted for use with Windows. Click update to run the ipod updater to restore your ipod."
Well, I'm not doing that, because I have files and music on there. From my ipod itself, when I select "About" from the click-wheel, it shows my ipod perfectly fine- with the name I gave it, having the amount of space used that it should, and shows it formatted for windows. All the music is still there- it works in my car. But I can't get to the files now, or add more music because somehow windows doesn't recognize it.
This started after I updated itunes from 6.05 to 7.02. So then I uninstalled 7 and reinstalled 6. It still doesn't work. I even tried to restore my computer to before I installed itunes 7, in case it's registry keys or something, but it won't even let me do that restore- it's unable to. The iPod software that's been installed is still in my system, unchanged.
So what can I do? Anyone know? Please help, because I'm at a loss and really, really upset.
thanks.

Are you connecting the iPod directly to the computer or through an usb hub .. if you are connecting through an usb hub .. try connecting the iPod directly.
Is the computer connected to a network or is it a stand alone ... if it is connected to a network try following the below article:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93499
Try using the iPod reset utility from a different port if that doesn't work try from a different computer.
If nothing helps, please take the iPod to the nearest Apple Store and they will let you know the further course.

I get a message saying that my ipod needs to be formatted for windows

I originally used my ipod on my pc, but now I want to use it on my laptop. I connected it to my laptop, and I got a message saying something like “your ipod needs to be formatted for windows, would you like itunes to reformat your ipod?” I don’t understand why it’s saying that I need to format it for windows when I have always been using it on windows. I use mediamonkey to transfer my files, and when I click on the ipod in mediamonkey, no songs show up. How can I get mediamonkey to recognize the songs on the ipod without reformatting my ipod (I don’t want to erase all the songs)?
Thanks.

Hmm..Here's a few options:
~Hopefully you can see your Ipod under My Computer.
1. Enable the viewing of hidden files, then browse to (let's call it I:/ drive.)
I:/YourIpod_Name/iPodControl/Music
Copy the whole music folder to your desktop or somewhere safe. That folder contains all your songs, though they will have names such as HGB3.mp3.
(Enable Hidden Files<Under Advanced View>: Control Panel>Appearance and Themes>Folder Options>View Tab>Show Hidden Files and Folders)
~If it doesn't appear under My Computer or if it does.
2. Use a third-party software program to get the songs from your Ipod to a folder on your computer. This will get the songs from your Ipod with the correct artists and names. Not sure if posting links to third-party software is 'legal', but here it goes:
http://download.cnet.com/iDump/3000-2169_4-10407429.html
I use this one to keep a backup of my songs from time to time. It's best to keep the backup on an external drive just in-case you HD dies.
If your still not able to get a backup of your songs, well that's all I have right now. Maybe you can wait for other replies, or just go ahead and format it(but you lose your songs).
Now to restore:
Let's see why it isn't appearing under iTunes.
Open up iTunes with your ipod connected, ignore anything that may pop up. Click the tab called 'Help' and then 'Run Diagnostics...'. Check only the two last boxes:
-Iphone/Ipod connectivity tests
-Iphone/Ipod touch sync tests
Hit next, again make sure your ipod is connected...next one more time.
You should pass all tests for connectivity.
Now sync, which you should fail.
Apple wrote:
This feature tests iPod and iPhone connectivity on a Windows PC running iTunes. Except for syncing, the diagnostic tests in iTunes do not test the hardware or software on the iPod/iPhone.
If any problems occur under the connectivity tests, post here.
If your up to losing your songs, your ipod is treated like a volume so right-click > format, should format it, deleting everything. When connected to iTunes, it should present the option to restore.
^I can say this, because I've done it, but I don't know if the outcome will be the same for you.

IPod formatted for windows, connected to mac accidentally

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