Songs wont go on my ipod

Question

My sister and I each got an ipod shuffle. mine works, on my computer, and the songs transfer wonderfully. my sister's song transferred the first time loaded, and we went to put some new different songs on, and they wouldn't go on. the song list would update on the itunes, but not on the ipod. but when I connected it to my computer, it updated the songs. she's moving out soon, so she needs her computer and won't be able to use mine. why won't they transfer?

Answer 1

Hi Firemandan. I don't know if your pointed statement of "if you read the first message" was aimed at me, but I think it was. If so, well, it was a little unfair, and really, somewhat ignorant. Of course I read the post. Here are the salient points: the ipod works on one computer and not on another. The most important point is not, in fact, that they have two ipods, but rather that they have two computers on which to test the seemingly defective ipod. But it ain't defective.
On the sister's computer (let's call it exhibit A) the itunes looks like it has loaded up new songs, but upon investigation, nothing has changed. "The songlist would update on itunes, but not on the ipod" says our intrepid reporter, Heather. The other ipod, about which we don't know much, works on Heather's computer, but we don't know if it's worked on exhibit A. And I wouldn't try it, just in case Exhibit A is posessed.
Well, it sounds like a configuration problem. Configuration problems are basically a form of compatibility problem, because if the ipod and itunes can't work with Exhibit A's configuration, they're not compatible. (I know, "compatiblity" usually means whether or not a program or hardware is supposed to work on certain machines, but basically it's the same thing in this case, human will notwithstanding.) Unless Heather & sis's computers are the EXACT same computer, with the EXACT same software and registries, this problem is most likely buried in the configuration of files, drivers, etc. that makes every computer as unique and special as a snowflake.
So, back to begging for super helpful tech support.
I actually took mine back, and won't likely buy another one (it is not essential to my life) but if some of the information from my experience can help Heather troubleshoot, what the heck.
The pattern she has (looked like they had loaded but in fact did not) mirrors what was going on with my computer and shuffle. I spent a long time with a very helpful but ultimately baffled Apple tech guy, and we ran the gamut of troubleshooting procedures. No satisfaction. So I took that ipod back, got another one, and guess what: same problem. Not the ipod. It was the computer. And since the computer is relatively new, and tech guy and I did all sorts of interesting things to see if the computer was working properly, the problem, again, seems like some sort of compatibility between itunes and the computer. If we extrapolate this experience to Heather's sister's computer, this is likely a problem between itunes, the ipod shuffle, and poor, much maligned, Exhibit A.
Here is something for Heather and her sister: first: you're not alone. It may be cold comfort, but this is happening with other people's machines. Second: have you read other posts on this forum? I suspect you have, but if not, take some time to do so, since there are elements of this problem mentioned on other posts. I found one posting that mentioned something about some virus scanners causing potential issues with ipod shuffle (I turned mine off and it didn't help, but who knows about your sister's snowflake). Tech guy said something about there being an issue with Toshiba laptops (which my computer is). Is Exhibit A a Toshiba? I went on the Toshiba help site and found no mention of ipod incompatibility. But then again, I didn't search for "itunes" which is probably the culprit. See if your sister's computer's company has any sort of information on their "knowledge base" relating to configurations and itunes. (I would doubt it, since what computer company wants to announce anywhere that their machines are in fact not compatible with some of the biggest trends in tech today?)
Forums like this are usually pretty good. Thanks to everyone for constructive help. Firemandan, keep the condescension to yourself, okay? Be nice. Heck, you're a FIREMAN: chicks dig firemen. How can you not be nice?