ipod/ PC Question

[Rushy]

I may be able to get my hands on an early 1st Generation 20GB ipod .

From memory when you bought the first ones you had to pick either an Apple compatible version or a PC version.

Question: Was is just the software/drivers inside the packaging that was different or something more fundamental?

When you buy andipod now you dont get any software with it you just download it for free . Correct?

The person who is willing to post it to me bought it to use with an iMAc originally and I want to use it with a Dell laptop. Can I just download the software and expect it to work?? Or will it not be compatible?

 

[judge]

Its been a while since I had my old 1st gen ipod in my hands but I seem to remember moving it from a mac to a pc did require a reformat before it would work. I bought a PC one and by the time the Mac came along I was on a 5th Gen iPod video which as you say didn't bother which I was on.

 

[Rushy]

I had to wait 3 mins for that reply Andy.........where the hell have you been?

OK............How do you reformat and does that mean losing the library that is on it?

Ian

 

[Mike Gough]

Ipod reformatting

Your iPod should work on PC or Mac...you can connect to either but if it was formatted for the other platform it will wipe your music off and you will find only a portion of the HD is available for use as part of the drive will be allocated for the platform it was originally formatted for.
If you visit the Apple site (support) you will find info on reformatting for the platform you require. You can Google as well which will bring up similar info.

 

[judge]

Look at that, another 3 minutes and you had your next answer!!

 

[johnnystorm]

I had to wait 3 mins for that reply Andy.........where the hell have you been?

OK............How do you reformat and does that mean losing the library that is on it?

Ian

You can only link an ipod to one library anyway (with itunes). Investigate something like anapod, it lets you circumvent this issue.

 

[Yoda]

Media Monkey ???

 

[judge]

I've scratched my head and remembered I did reformat and yes I would have lost my music if I hadn't used copypod to back it all up first. A simple case of restoring the music after.

The same utility allows me to back up any iPod's music and restore it to any device

 

[Rushy]

Media Monkey ???

Name caller......................

Thanks for all the replies guys ....Mike, Andy, Johnny.i'll do a bit more diggin' on the Apple site