Updating Video IPod Once Formatted for Windows, Now Using Mac

The subject pretty much explains it all. I'm trying to update my ipod to the latest software version, but when I attempt to update it, it says that it can't be updated because the Ipod is already formatted to Windows.
What should I do about this situation?
Thanks

i do not set to auto update. I see no real point in having 2 hard drives full of the same music. I have backed up my MP3s on 4 dvd's. I like to keep my hard drive clear for other projects.
There are tools to bring the songs back off the ipod. Maybe I'll let that run over night. The TV shows I purchased were on the windows machine. Maybe they will be lost forever.
I guess I won't be installing this update anytime soon.

Similar Messages

My ipod is formated for windows xp. new laptop is windows 8. ipod wont update on new laptop, what do i do now?

my new laptop is windows 8. iPod is formatted for windows xp. new laptop knows iPod is there but wont update. how do I fix this?

hey there oddball35,
It sounds like you are trying to update your iPod with your new computer. Without knowing the specific symptoms, I recommend you start with choosing the iPod model you have from the following website:
iPod Troubleshooting Assistants
https://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/
If that does not resolve the issue, are you getting any error messages, or what specifically is preventing the restore from happening?
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
All the best,
Sterling

Problem: I have a New Mac and my iPod is formatted for Windows

My old computer (PC with Windows) crashed and took all my music with it.
I got a new computer, a Mac. I have looked at many different programs for moving music from the iPod to the computer and many are appealing (Podworks and iRip). However, they do not seem to be working because my computer is not recognizing my iPod. I set my iPod into disk mode by following the instructions on this website. However, that has not helped.
The problem may be in the fact that my iPod is formatted for Windows and I am no longer using Windows. I cannot reformat my iPod for a Mac at this point because my iPod is the only location of my music. Reformatting it now would erase all my music and I have no backup!!
When I am plugging my iPod into the computer, I am holding the Option+Command keys to make sure that the iPod does not automatically sync. Is this necessary? I ask this because my iPod has no connection with this computer's iTunes and I have doubts that it would automatically sync. It seems that by holding the Option+Command Keys I am preventing the computer from recognizing the iPod. A brief iPod icon appears on the desktop and then disappears.

Have you failed to maintain a backup?

IPod is formatted for windows but i need it formatted for mac

i just got my iPod a couple days ago used from best buy and hooked it up from my mac not aware that it was formatted for windows. when i try to restore my iPod it just freezes up my computer. do i really need it formatted for mac in order to get good performance?

Right. If you restored it in Windows the iPod will still be formatted for Windows.
Now see if you can restore it on your mac.
Also, know that Windows-formatted iPods work fine in Mac OS X. The only "problem" is that you cannot update the iPod's software on your mac if another software version is released. You would have to do that through Windows.
If you plan on using your iPod with both Operating Systems, you may want to keep it formatted for Windows.
btabz

Error message claims iPod not formatted for windows, when it is. HELP!!

I've had a 4th generation iPod for a couple of years now, and yes this same crappy computer as well. Now all of a sudden, my computer doesn't recognize the iPod as my own. It will show up as hardware, and in my computer just says generically Apple Ipod USB device, not what I had name my ipod originally. If I try to open it up to look at the files that way, which I've done before many times, storing files on it, now it just brings up this message
"Your Ipod needs to be reformatted for use with Windows. Click update to run the ipod updater to restore your ipod."
Well, I'm not doing that, because I have files and music on there. From my ipod itself, when I select "About" from the click-wheel, it shows my ipod perfectly fine- with the name I gave it, having the amount of space used that it should, and shows it formatted for windows. All the music is still there- it works in my car. But I can't get to the files now, or add more music because somehow windows doesn't recognize it.
This started after I updated itunes from 6.05 to 7.02. So then I uninstalled 7 and reinstalled 6. It still doesn't work. I even tried to restore my computer to before I installed itunes 7, in case it's registry keys or something, but it won't even let me do that restore- it's unable to. The iPod software that's been installed is still in my system, unchanged.
So what can I do? Anyone know? Please help, because I'm at a loss and really, really upset.
thanks.

Are you connecting the iPod directly to the computer or through an usb hub .. if you are connecting through an usb hub .. try connecting the iPod directly.
Is the computer connected to a network or is it a stand alone ... if it is connected to a network try following the below article:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93499
Try using the iPod reset utility from a different port if that doesn't work try from a different computer.
If nothing helps, please take the iPod to the nearest Apple Store and they will let you know the further course.

My iPod is formatted for Windows, why should I reformat it for Macintosh?

Hello everyone,
I just made the switch from a PC to a Mac and I am very happy to now be on the Mac side of the fence.
I've been reading these forums to find out how to transfer the contents of my 30GB iPod to iTunes on my new MacBook (I didn't keep the songs in iTunes on my old PC, but I do have all of them on actual CDs).
I can tell from these posts HOW to do this transfer (using Senuti seems easiest), but my question now is WHY do this? If I keep my iPod formatted for Windows I'll still be able to use it on both PCs and Macs, but if I restore it to be formatted for Macs, then I can only use it on Macs. I'm thinking that as long as I have access to a PC to periodically update iTunes, I should be fine with not switching it over. Is there anything that I am missing here? I just don't want to run into problems down the road.
If anyone is using an iPod formatted for Windows, but works almost exclusively with Mac computers, I'd love to hear feedback on how it's going. And if anyone has advice on why this is OR isn't a good idea, I'd love to hear that too.
Thanks.
Andrew

A Mac formatted iPod will mount and unmount slightly faster on OS X than a PC formatted one. Also if you want to use the iPod as a removable drive between other Macs you won't have the same file size restrictions Windows formatting has. A FAT32 formatted iPod or other drive cannot transfer files which are 4GB or larger. In addition to those, (except in the case of the Shuffle) the iPod's firmware cannot be updated from Mac OS X without doing a restore. This would mean you would need to connect back to a PC when a software update came along, however if you are going to continue to use the iPod on a Mac and a PC this isn't an issue.

Connecting an iPod formatted for Windows to a MAC

OK here's my situation:
I have a Sony laptop (running XP Pro) that my 8GB iPod nano (G2) is currently "synched" to. Last November I got a new iMac (Leopard, 10.5.2), which I've been meaning to figure out how to transfer all my mp3's from my laptop (PC) to iMac (separate issue).
I never got the chance- my laptop was stolen a week ago. I have yet to break the news to my iPod, which is- I'm guessing- formatted for Windows. I'd like to connect my iPod to my iMac and salvage the 8GB of music on there. I'd estimate that 20% of the music on my iPod was purchased on iTunes, but the rest came from CD's that I uploaded onto my PC. I know about re-downloading purchased music, but what about the rest? I don't have all my CD's anymore =(
Thank you in advance-
Josh

Hey Josh,
Sorry to hear about your stolen laptop. That stinks.
But the good news is Macs can read Windows formatted iPods just fine and there are ways to get your stuff off the iPod and onto the Mac.
Copying from iPod to Computer threads...
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=5044027&#5044027
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=893334&tstart=0
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=797432&#797432
Also these useful internet articles...
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/copying-music-from-ipod-to-co mputer/
http://www.engadget.com/2004/11/02/how-to-get-music-off-your-ipod/
http://playlistmag.com/secrets/2006/12/twowaystreet20/index.php
http://playlistmag.com/help/2005/01/2waystreet/
Patrick

My ipod was formatted for Windows but now I'm buying the Mac G5

Am I going to be able to re-format my windows ipod to mac?
It would be terrible if I bought this new Apple computer and couldn't use my windows ipod.

Hello Christine, welcome to discussions.
You have two options.
Your Mac will be able to use a Windows formatted iPod, so one option is to simply do nothing. It'll work fine the way it is now.
The other option, which I recommend, is to use the iPod Updater on the Mac, and re-format the iPod for the Mac.
This should give you a bit better performace for data transfers, and you'll also be able to update the firmware on the iPod if/when a new firmware is released.

IPOD originally formatted for Windows...Now I have a IMAC

My IPOD color 30gb was originally formatted and worked on a PC. I now own a IMAC and have transfered the music over. The music plays fine on the IMAC in ITunes, it down loads to the IPOD, but no sound comes from the IPOD.
Do I need to reformat the IPOD hard drive to a MAC ITunes?

The music plays fine on the IMAC in ITunes, it down loads to the IPOD, but no sound comes from the IPOD.
It is nothing relates to which format of your iPod, as it could be a hardware problem of your iPod. See doing a Restore for your iPod on your iMac helps.
Doing a Restore for your iPod on a Mac, will therefore change the format from window to Mac

IPod formatted for windows, connected to mac accidentally

I have an iPod video, 30GB. I formatted it for use with my windows laptop.
Then, my mother hooked it up to her macbook pro. No syncing took place and it didn't show up in iTunes. However, now neither machine will show the iPod in iTunes. The windows machine, on connection to the iPod, brings up an error message saying the iPod is corrupted. When connected to the Mac, the iPod spontaneously crashes iTunes even before it opens.
Through a series of unfortunate events, much of my music is not on hard drives aside from my iPod, so any help resolving this issue without restoring the iPod would be greatly appreciated.

Mac Os X will read Fat 16, Fat32(the windows default for iPod) .
I believe it will read, but not write to NTFS.
Windows can not read or write to HFS(Mac OS X format and iPod for Macs) drives.

Which format for External HD using Mac OSX Windows Xp, and Vista?

Hi
I've had problems with using an extermal HD and am looking for some further information...
I have recently purchased a 500 g external iomega hard drive. I need it to be compatible with my mac using osx, and with pc's using both Windows XP and vista. I will routinely be needing to transfer files from all three platforms.
I had reformatted my hard drive to FAT32 on the pc using windows xp and it worked fine, then took it home and used in on my mac, and it is now no longer recognized on the pc.
The HD is under disk manager is showing that it is formatted as FAT32 but I cannot use the drive. I cannot download programs to use on the PC's to make the drive compatible but could on the mac.
What are my best options to share files reliably?
Thanks

Add NTFS write support to Mac OS instead.
MacFUSE +3G is a good start.

How can I transfer files off an external hard drive formatted for windows?

I just bought my first mac (yay!) and am trying to transfer my files off of my old pc. The problem is that I stored all my personal files on an external hard drive, which is of course formatted for windows. My mac will open it, but it is "read only." I tried plugging it back into my pc and using the Migration Assistant to transfer my files over, but it was not detected (rest of the pc was).
However, the second time I tried plugging it in to my pc, it told me it would need to be formatted first. Obviously my mac has changed something on it, and now all my personal files are on a hard drive that is unusable by either my old pc or my new mac!
Any suggestions would be appreciated! Heads up though, I am not especially computer literate, and my pc needs to stay intact as the husband needs it and some of the programs on it for school. Also, I have a second external hard drive that is brand new with nothing on it, if that will come in handy.
Thanks!

Format the extra HDD to EXFAT as previously indicated. There are two ways that can use to transferr the data.
1. Connect both drives to the PC and the copy the files to the newly formatted (EXFAT) drive from the HDD with the data . Then connect the EXFAT drive to the MBP and transfer the data to same.
2. Connect both drives to the MBP and open DISK UTILITY>RESTORE. Drag the drive with the data on it to the 'Source' field. Drag the EXFAT drive to the 'Destination' field. Click on the 'Restore' butt is on. After the transfer has been completed, close DISK UTILITY and place the data on the MBP where you want it.
Ciao.

HELP! ipod formatted for PC, now have Macbook Pro, how do I transfer ipod?

I have a 30g ipod which is formatted for Windows for my PC. I recently got a MacBook Pro and would like to keep all of my itunes here now. I'm confused as to how to transfer my ipod to my MacBook without loosing everything. I only use my ipod for music (not videos or photos). I more or less need very simplistic instructions. I have been reading some of the posts and am thoroughly confused. Thank you in advance!!!

Connect your iPod to your computer. If it is set to update automatically you'll get a message that it is linked to a different library and asking if you want to link to this one and replace all your songs etc, press "Cancel". Pressing "Erase and Sync" will irretrievably remove all the songs from your iPod. Your iPod should appear in the iTunes source list from where you can change the update setting to manual and use your iPod without the risk of accidentally erasing it. Also when using most of the utilities listed below your iPod needs to be enabled for disc use, changing to manual update will do this by default. Check the "manually manage music and videos" box in Summary then press the Apply button: Managing content manually on iPod
Once you are safely connected there are a few things you can do to restore your iTunes from the iPod. If you have any iTMS purchases the transfer of purchased content from the iPod to authorised computers was introduced with iTunes 7. A paragraph on it has been added to this article: Transfer iTunes Store purchases using iPod
The transfer of non iTMS content such as songs imported from CD is designed by default to be one way from iTunes to iPod. However there are a number of third party utilities that you can use to retrieve music files and playlists from your iPod, this is just a selection. I use Senuti but have a look at the web pages and documentation for the others too, you'll find that they have varying degrees of functionality and some will transfer movies, videos, photos and games as well. This is just a small selection of what's available, you can also read reviews of some of them here: Wired News - Rescue Your Stranded Tunes
Senuti Mac Only
iPodRip Mac Only
PodView Mac Only
PodWorks Mac Only
iPodDisk PPC Mac Only (experimental version available for Intel Macs)
YamiPod Mac & Windows
Music Rescue Mac & Windows
iPodCopy Mac & Windows
There's also a manual method of copying songs from your iPod to a Mac or PC. The procedure is a bit involved and won't recover playlists but if you're interested it's available at this link: Two-way Street: Moving Music Off the iPod
Once you are happy with your reloaded iTunes you can restore your iPod on the Mac. Restoring will erase and reformat the iPod's hard drive, reload the Mac version of the software and put it back to default settings. Once the restore is complete follow the on screen instructions and it should connect to iTunes and give you a prompt to automatically update your library onto the fresh installation. If you want to update manually or using selected playlists choose no and it will default to manual mode and you can choose whatever setting you like: Restoring iPod to factory settings with iTunes 7

IPOD spontaneously formatted to Windows and now I can't retore it with Mac

My IPOD somehow is now formated for Windows. My Itunes doesn't recognize my IPOD and won't let me restore it in the summary tab (IPOD not supported etc...). My Ipod still has data on it (Capacity/Available as shown on the IPOD in the "about" menu in settings) but I can't access any music.
I don't have internet on my Mac so I downloaded the restore and lastest Itunes programs from a different computer and put them on my Mac but to no avail.
How do I convert my IPOD's format back to Mac?
Why did it come out of the closet like this?

I had previously tried to format the disk with the utility but couldn't get it to work (my own ignorance I'm sure).
But using the utility I erased the disk and re-created the single partition. Of course, I was back to the same issue of having Itunes not allowing me to restore the Ipod unless it connects to the internet to check for updates first. The Ipod restore utility stated that the Ipod type is not supported and showed that the Ipod format is still windows.
My plan now is to go to the Apple store where hopefully a sales associate will kindly let me restore my Ipod on a store computer with internet.
It would sure be nice to know why the Ipod just reverted to a windows format.
Thank you for your help thus far.

IPod formatted for windows... not working on mac! ***????

Hi all...
My iPod mini was my first apple product over a year ago... worked awesome on my Dell laptop. Then I got this Dual Core G5 and the dang thing isn't recognizing any music?!?! Because it is formatted for windows, I can't install an update it is telling me it needs. I am assuming this is why itunes can't see it and my kick butt G5 is being ******** with not showing any of the music on it... any ideas?
I have read the other threads and can't find anything like this... so how can I use this thing on both machines? or did Apple "F" this thing up?
Thanks

Yes, it shows up on desktop but only the calendar, notes, contacts are accessible...
No, iTunes does not recognize it even if I force it into Disk Mode... weird. I am beginning to think I need to keep it on the mac 100% and stop using it on me PC... but that stinks? My Dell is portable, this G5 is not!

Updating Video IPod Once Formatted for Windows, Now Using Mac

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