Thinking of buying a new iPod, do I have to delete the songs already there?

Question

Hi
This is probably the completely wrong forum for this question, but I don't know exactly where to put it.
The thing is, I have an iPod mini (green) with 4 GB, which now is full and I am thinking of buying a 60 GB one. Last year I got a laptop, and when I was to connect my iPod to it, I had to delete all the music from the library in the stationary computer in order to install iTunes on the laptop. I tried to plug in the iPod to the laptop, but it only said that "This iPod unit belongs to another music library. Do you want to delete all content in order to download the new songs?" or something similar. This meant that I lost about 1200 songs, and pretty much had to start all over again.
Now that I'm thinking of buying a new iPod, I am wondering if anyone could answer me if I'll have to do the same thing as I did when I got the laptop. Does a new iPod belong to another music library, and can't just be set up with the one I've already got?
I'd really apriciate some help here, especially if someone have been in the same situation. It has to be possible to get a new iPod without having to delete all the songs you've saved in iTunes.
Thanks
  Windows 2000  

Answer 1

If an iPod is set to update automatically it will be associated with a particular library. If you connect that iPod to a different computer or a different library on the same computer you get the the message you are referring to. "The iPod "iPod Name"is linked to another another iTunes music library. Do you want to change the link to this iTunes music library and replace all existing songs and playlists on this iPod with those from this library". To use an iPod on multiple computers you change the update method to "manually manage songs and playlists". You can also use multiple iPods on a single computer so you will be able to connect both of your iPods to your existing iTunes. Connect the new iPod and follow the on screen instructions, iTunes will open and update your iPod.
For info:
The iPod offers three ways to transfer music from your computer. You can select one of the following update modes from the iPod Preferences menu in iTunes (Edit=>Preferences=>'iPod' tab):
1) Automatically update all songs and playlists. This is the default mode, in which your entire music library, including playlists, is automatically synced to your iPod. If the music library on your computer exceeds the iPod storage capacity, you are prompted to select a different update method.
2) Automatically update selected playlists only. With this option, iTunes automatically copies the playlists you have selected to the iPod when you connect it to the computer.
3) Manually manage songs and playlists. You can also choose to transfer music to the iPod manually. This allows you to drag and drop individual songs and playlists from iTunes to the iPod.