IPod Nano - iPOD auto updates - can't load music from library to music file

Question

Every time I plug my nano in it automatically updates. How do I stop this?
Also I cannot load songs from my iTunes library to my personal music file. There is a padlock that appears to the right of the bar that indicates space useage at the bottom of the page. I am not sure if that has anything to do with not being able to load songs from my library to my personal music file. PLEASE HELP I AM DESPERATE!!
Parrott

Answer 1

Grey text when you look at the content and lock symbol at the bottom of the screen simply shows that your iPod is set to automatically update. If you want to access your iPod directly, drag songs to it, play it through your iTunes, connect it to a second computer etc. you just need to change the update method to "Manually manage songs and videos" in the iPod Summary tab and click Apply. The text will change from grey to dark and the padlock will disappear: Managing content manually on iPod
One thing to be aware of with manually updating is that the iPod also has to be manually ejected before the "Do Not Disconnect" message will go away. Safely disconnect iPod