Multiple ipods on single computer?

Can I manage 2 ipods on a single computer? My wife wants one now . . . Are there any gotchas? Things to know before I buy the 2nd one?
wayne

That delt with one iPod and multiple computers. Though there are some hints there that might be helpful.
Anyone using multiple iPods with a single computer/music library?
wayne
HP Windows XP

Similar Messages

  • Managing Multiple iPods on One Computer

    Can I manage three iPods on one computer? One is an iPod Mini and two are Fifth Generation 80 GB iPods, so I need to be able to have at least two different music libraries due to memory space. (Three would be preferable.) Does anyone know if this is possible? Thank you!
    Dell Desktop   Windows XP  

    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
    If you want to share the one library, you can set either or all of the iPods so that they only get updated with only certain playlists (you can update from more than one if you wish):
    Loading songs onto iPod automatically - Windows
    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

  • Help! syncing multiple ipods on same computer!

    i will soon have two different ipods syncing to the same computer. how can i keep libraries separate so that my brother's music doesn't show up on my ipod and my music doesn't get synced to his?
    iPod Video 30GB   Windows XP  

    There are basically two methods for managing multiple iPods on one computer. See here:
    Method 1 - Create different Windows users accounts for each iPod on this computer.
    Method 2 - Create a playlist in iTunes for each iPod.
    To make Method 2 work, connect one of your iPods, and click on it in the left-source panel.
    Under the "Music" tab, and set your option for a specific playlist(s) under the "Sync Music" option.
    Do the same with your other iPod; not connected at the same time as the other one, though.
    For more details on this matter, check out Apple's Support article about it:
    How to manage multiple iPods using one computer
    I hope that helps you.
    -Kylene

  • Multiple ipods on same computer?

    Is it possible to download music onto two separate ipods using the same computer? I don't mean at the same time.
    I want to get an ipod for myself, but would like to be able to download my CD's and not have to have my wife's songs/CD's on my ipod.
    I'm not sure this explains what I want to do, but I'll use it as a departure point.
    I appreciate any help you can provide. Thanks.

    Is it possible to download music onto two separate
    ipods using the same computer? I don't mean at the
    same time.
    I want to get an ipod for myself, but would like to
    be able to download my CD's and not have to have my
    wife's songs/CD's on my ipod.
    I'm not sure this explains what I want to do, but
    I'll use it as a departure point.
    I appreciate any help you can provide. Thanks.
    How to use multiple iPods with one computer
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300432

  • Need advice on multiple iPods on one computer

    I have found the article on running more than one iPod on a computer. The directions seem simple. I just wanted to post my situation and ask an additional question.
    My wife's laptop recently died but we were able to save the hard drive. So her iTunes library should still be there in tact (everything else is). With the current state of the ecomony we are trying to save money and have her "share" my laptop. Is there a way to copy over her library from that hard drive without screwing up my library?
    In looking at the instructions for running multiple iPods on one computer, option 3 seems like the best method for the time being. I also have an HP Smart Media Server that has an iTunes system for sharing but I have not had the time to explore that in much depth and have not found much in the documentation that comes with the server. I would greatly appreciate any advice you may have.

    Yes, if you are both on your laptop with one windows user login, method 3 can work.....but it can also be really confusing.
    You will both have to train yourselves to ALWAYS do the itunes shift-start before opening itunes, every time. Your ITL file is on the laptop and hers is on the salvaged hard drive. I assume you put it in an enclosure and it's connected via USB?
    You might also need to check the preferences every time.
    For instance if you want your new additions to go to the laptops's hard drive. She wants her podcasts to go to the salvaged drive. You'd have to change your preferences every time using method 3.
    You might want to get he media server going before too much longer! And switch to Method 1 with a shared folder on the server.

  • Can u have multiple Ipods on one Computer?

    I have a iPod and would like to get my husband one but I want to make sure that we can have two ipods connected to the same computer. We use the same computer at home. I have my ipod dock connected now, would I need to add a dock for his or can he use mine? Do I have to change any settings to allow more then one ipod to use the same library?
    Thanks
    Springer

    "How to use multiple iPods with one computer" http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300432

  • Using multiple iPods on same computer

    I connected another iPod to my computer but can only access my original Music Library. Is there a way to edit the Music Library on the additional iPod?

    I connected another iPod to my computer but can only
    access my original Music Library. Is there a way to
    edit the Music Library on the additional iPod?
    Are you asking if you can extract what's on the iPod into your music library? Please expand on your question.
    How to use multiple iPods with one computer:
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300432

  • Multiple ipods but one computer--different libraries?

    We will soon have 3 different ipods--nano, 30G, & a soon to be 80G. We only have 1 computer now. Is it possible to keep libraries separate? I've tried to create libraries using the shift key while opening iTunes, but it didn't seem to work well. Both ipods kept loading the original library. And now I can't even find the other 2 libraries I created. Help!

    The easiest way to have separate iTunes libraries is to have different user accounts on Windows.
    This may be of help:
    How to use multiple iPods with one computer
    Regards.

  • THERE IS NO SOLUTION TO MULTIPLE iPODS ON ONE COMPUTER!

    Hello,
    This is a very common problem for those of us who belived that iPods were easy to connect to computers. The first iPod was, so why can't I just connect another?
    Well...you can. It just takes HOURS. Last night, I spent over 4 hours trying to get my windows computer to recognize both my mini and my sister's nano. Apple claims that using two iPods on one computer is "easy." It is, you just have to go through the grueling process of connecting them both first!
    Maybe there is a faster way than I know about, but I have probably read EVERY POST about "How to connect 2 iPods to the same computer." I even called Apple and they GAVE UP on me! They told me it was a hardware problem and I should send my iPod in for repair.
    What Apple needs to realize, is the fact that most people are NOT trying to steal music. All of the crazy restrictions that Apple has placed on iTunes (1 download per song, can't burn videos to dvd, can't play other music software on iPods...) are just to make sure no one steals $0.99 from Apple? WHAT?!?
    My suggestion to Apple is that you make a new version of iTunes where a user can register MANY iPods to a single computer, and let them all be on at the same time. The way Apple has it now, only one iPod can be connected at a time. This is, of course, to insure that no one steals music.
    The easy solution is to throuw out your Windows computer and buy a Mac. Or just one iPod.
    I hope that this clears up any confusion you were having about your own iPods. I'm sorry if you aren't technically savvy and won't be able to figure out how to connect your two iPods, it literally took me hours.
    Sincerely,
    iRock my iLife
    p.s. Please leave any comments or questions about the process of attatching a second iPod. I'll try to help you out as much as I can.

    Hello,
    This is a very common problem for those of us who
    belived that iPods were easy to connect to
    computers. The first iPod was, so why can't I just
    connect another?
    Sincerely,
    iRock my iLife
    .s. Please leave any comments or questions about the
    process of attatching a second iPod. I'll try to
    help you out as much as I can.
    Just blow itunes out and use RealPlayer. Just as easy to load from CD type playlists but not sure about downloads from web - yet. Had to do this as Itunes took out my CD and DVD drives in one go and couldnt have both. Cost me a fortune to get pc unstuck and windows completely re installed and guess what? Went to load Itunes again and there went the drives. Gave up and using RealPlayer now.
    Packard Bell   Windows XP  

  • Multiple ipods on one computer

    I have one PC running Windows 7 and 2 children each with their own ipod touch. How do I set things up to permit them to have seperate libraries and to be able to sync to their own library.

    See:
    How to use multiple iPods, iPads, or iPhones with one computer
    What is the best way to manage multiple...: Apple Support Communities

  • Multiple iPods on one computer question

    Hello,
    I know this question has been asked already and I've read all the help topics about multiple iPods.
    I've tried twice to use two iPods on one computer and it was not as easy as described. I'm just wondering if I'm doing something wrong.
    The first time I tried was on a PC running XP with two iPod minis. I had seperate user accounts and it kept erasing all the songs in one account.
    The other situation was on a different PC running XP Pro with a shuffle and a 30gig photo.
    I had my 30gig for about a year and as soon as I plugged in my shuffle it didn't recognize it and the next time I plugged in my 30 gig photo it froze and I had to end up doing the hard reset for it.
    Tomorrow I am about to try a PC running XP with a shuffle, nano, and a video iPod.
    I've read the two ways to do it and am going to try the specific playlist option.
    I'm worried that as soon as I plug in the second iPod it will freeze and I won't be able to even get to the "iPod Option" Button in iTunes.
    The computer is not mine nor are the music devices. I'm doing it for a friend who doesn't understand computers that well. All devices are new, never used.
    Is it as easy as the process sounds?
    Also the last time I tried multiple iPods was at least two iTunes updates ago.
    Thanks for any help,
    Chris
    PC and iMac Intel   Windows XP Pro  

    Hello!
    Let me explain this in detail for you:
    The Do Not Disconnect screen
    It is normal for your iPod to say this message to you when you connect it to your computer.
    When you need to disconnect it from your computer, you'll first need to eject it.
    There are a few ways to eject your iPod; through iTunes, the Safely Remove Hardware program, and "My Computer".
    Through iTunes
    Ejecting your iPod via iTunes depends on what setting your iPod is on for.
    Connect your iPod. Go into Edit> preferences> iPod. See what setting your iPod is on; "automatic" or "manual".
    Automatic
    If you aren't restoring, or updating your iPod, iTunes should automatically eject your iPod from iTunes. If it doesn't, then right-click the name of your iPod in iTunes, and make sure that the "enable for disk use" is un-checked.
    Manual
    If you need to eject your iPod from iTunes if the setting is "manual", click the little arrow that's next to the name of your iPod in the left source list in iTunes.
    Through the "Safely Remove Hardware" program
    Look at the bottom-right corner of your screen, and there's the system tray icons there. If the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon is there, click on it, select your iPod, and click "stop".
    Through "My Computer"
    Go to "My Computer".
    Find your iPod's listing there (it's typically "E:" or "F:").
    Right-click it, click on "eject".
    For additional information about ejecting your iPod, check this Apple Support articles about it.
    Safely disconnecting your iPod
    About the "Do Not Disconnect" and "OK to Disconnect" screens on iPod
    Any more questions? I'll be glad to try to help you again.
    ~~Kylene

  • Registering multiple iPods on same computer

    I currently have a 4G 2nd generation iPod that is registered to our computer. My husband just received a 4th generation iPod. Can you register multiple iPods onto the same computer?
    My other question is if you purchase a used iPod, how do you register that and is there anything else we should consider when looking at purchasing a used iPod?
    Thanks for any help.

    Can you register multiple iPods onto the same computer?
    Yes. Register each iPod as if it was the only iPod being used on that computer.
    My other question is if you purchase a used iPod, how do you register that
    If iTunes doesn't give you the option of registering it, click here and fill out the forms.
    and is there anything else we should consider when looking at purchasing a used iPod?
    Restore it when you connect it to the computer.
    (37330)

  • Adding multiple IPods to one computer

    I would like to connect more than one Ipod to my Itunes. Right now, the second Ipod has a discreet playlist, but I cannot set up playlists under it. Is there a way to have two Ipods with multiple discreet playists connected to one Itunes program running on one computer?

    Are you trying to set up playlists within a playlist? That can't be done I'm afraid. You can choose to sync multiple playlists to the iPod but not create playlists within playlists: How to use multiple iPods with one computer

  • Multiple ipods on same computer, ok?

    I have 1, want 1 for wife!

    Fine.  See:
    How to use multiple iPods, iPads, or iPhones with one computer
    What is the best way to manage multiple...: Apple Support Communities

  • Multiple iPods on single PC not working on v7.0.2.16

    At some later version of iTunes 6.x I bought my partner a Nano. Everthing worked fine, so my daughter got a Mini and I got a Video 30GB.
    Each user is in a separate Windows user account and has their own iTunes library.
    Then v7 struck and loads of problems came, and then went as I upgraded versions, right up to v7.0.2.16. My Video works fine with iTunes - it's now back to "normal". The Nano only managed to sync once since the upgrades.
    One problem persists and it's a show stopper.
    The Mini, the Nano and also a new Nano (Nano2) are not seen by iTunes.
    Windows recognises them and mounts them as USB drives but the iTunes diagnostics shows that the iTunes "mount" is failing.
    Looking at the Windows process list, I also see iPodService.exe running at 25-40% of CPU, after connecting the iPod. Once you have got iPodService.exe in this state, it doesn't respond to "stop" requests.
    I've tried all manner of combinations over several hours (running through the 5 R's until I went mad!) and am now stuck with a bunch of useless iPods and irrate users who aren't being very complimentary about Apple!
    My view is that there is a problem with iPodService.exe when it comes to multiple iPods on the same computer.
    To support this, I clean installed iTunes 7.0.2.16 on a different PC, recently built with XP and all Windows updates - This was a first time install. The Nano2 worked first time and my other daughter (whose birthday present it was) is very happy. When I tried the Mini on the second PC I observed the USB mount and an iPodService.exe that chewed the CPU but did nothing else.
    Has anyone else seen this and found a work around?
    If not, how do we log support requests with Apple?
    Are they good at fixing things like this?
    Rgds
    Gordon

    Try this:
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93716
    (particularly the "Restart the iPod Service" and "Disable conflicting System Services and Startup Items" steps
    This may help also:
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93499
    Also try disconnecting all other USB/FireWire devices from the computer and have only one ipod physically connected at a time.
    Good Luck!

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