New computer, want to upload iPod

Question

I recently got a new computer and lost my original iTunes library, but it's all on my iPod. Someone told me if I plug in my iPod it will automatically clear itself because of this. How can I get my music from my iPod onto this library?
video ipod 30gb   Windows XP  

Answer 1

If your iPod is set to automatically update then you need to prevent it auto-syncing and erasing the music currently on it.
While connecting the iPod to the computer, hold down the Shift + Ctrl keys (On a Mac, hold ⌥ and ⌘). 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 3 and 30 seconds depending on your computer. Then go to Preferences>iPod and check the "Manually manage songs and playlists" box.
Another way is to connect your iPod and before it starts to sync, click the little X on the right hand side of the display beside the "Do Not Disconnect" message. The display is the little window to the right of the iTunes control buttons: http://www.apple.com/support/ipod101/tunes/1/#1
Or you could look at the method described in this link "How to keep iTunes from automatically updating your iPod" http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93779
Go with whichever method you feel most comfortable. If at any point you are asked if you want to link your iPod to a new library, click No.
After that, there are a number of third party utilities you can use to retrieve the files from your iPod.
YamiPod http://www.yamipod.com/
PodUtil http://www.kennettnet.co.uk/software/podutil.php
PodPlayer http://www.ipodsoft.com/software.aspx
iPod Agent: http://www.ipodsoft.com/index.php?/software/ipodagent
There is also a manual method of accessing the iPod's hard drive posted in this thread: http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=797432#797432
.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300173-en