Using Ipod on up to 5 computers

I have owned my Ipod for about 2 1/2 year so I believe the forums is my only option for getting help with this issue. I use my Ipod on my desktop and my laptop. I recently suffered a crash with my desktop so when I installed a new drive and reinstalled Itunes I used up my third slot. While setting up my wireless network and moving files around to share them I discovered now I am about to use up my fourth slot. Is there any way to prove to Apple what is happening so if something like this happens once more before I have to eventually get a new Ipod I will not have used up 5 of my slots on 2 machines? Any help on this would be greatly appreciated as I don't think I can contact Apple on this issue. Thanks.
TJ

This is not an issue with the number of iPods. You can sync as many iPods as you want to your library. The "5" limit is the number of authorized systems to play any iTunes store purchases. This link will explain what you need to do to deauthorize everything, then simply re-suthorize the systems you are using. If possible, you need to remember to de-authorize any computer prior to getting rid of it, or doing any major repairs on it, so 1 machine is not using multiple authorizations. Hope this helps.
So sorry, wrong link!
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300161
Message was edited by: StarDeb55

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Welcome to Apple Discussions!
The reason iTunes does this is because it is illegal to use your friend's music.
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Hey guys,
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"Does anyone know the process to authorize more than one computer to play and recognize an ipod's library?"
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Hello hoagie96,
And welcome to Apple Discussions!
If you have your iPod set up to automatically sync iTunes content, any computer that you hook it up to (other than its original) will ask you to erase and sync, which, yes, will delete everything from your iPod, so make sure you hit Cancel.
If you wish to sync your iPod between two computers, you will need to set it up to manually manage music and videos, which can be accomplished via iTunes. For more information on how to use your iPod with multiple computers, check out this Apple support document. Hope it helps.
[Using iPod with multiple computers|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1202]
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