[mishap]

I'm guessing this will work fine and the ipod just comes with different software cds. Or is there different firmware for the Mac & PC?

would i have a problem using a new windows ipod on a mac?

[G-mac]

Not sure. I think you'd need to reformat your winipod to a macipod first, although you could probably find some way to use it otherwise. I think Macs use a different drive formatting method (HFS) than Wintel computers, so the winipod might not even show up on the desktop. Head over to Apple's info section and there's a ton of stuff about iPod usage.

As far as I know, Apple supports iPod for Windows conversions into Mac versions, but not the other way around (although the reverse can be done as well). You can convert your winipod to a macipod by using the iPod for Mac Software Updater (go to Apple's website). However, you might not be at leisure to reformat the iPod whenever you choose!

[velocipede]

Originally posted by G-mac:
Not sure. I think you'd need to reformat your winipod to a macipod first, although you could probably find some way to use it otherwise. I think Macs use a different drive formatting method (HFS) than Wintel computers, so the winipod might not even show up on the desktop. Head over to Apple's info section and there's a ton of stuff about iPod usage.

As far as I know, Apple supports iPod for Windows conversions into Mac versions, but not the other way around (although the reverse can be done as well). You can convert your winipod to a macipod by using the iPod for Mac Software Updater (go to Apple's website). However, you might not be at leisure to reformat the iPod whenever you choose!

Actually, a Mac can read a Windows (FAT or FAT32, not sure about NTFS) formatted drive, so you should be able to use a Windows iPod with a Mac, although I'm not sure how well it would work with iTunes.

[-Q-]

Here's Apple's answer to the question.

[tasslehawf]

I've been holding off for some time on getting an ipod because I really need cross-platform compatibility. I work in the PC labs at school a lot and they don't have any sort of Mac compatibility software.

So what I really want is an iPod for my mac but the ability to have the iPod mount as a harddrive on the pc so I can copy my files back to my Mac.

I've been wondering for a long time if there was a way to reformat a portion of the drive to FAT32 say like 3 or 4 gigs of a 10 gig Mac iPod.

I read the FAQ about the iPod on Apple's site and basically the PC iPod will not sync (or work at all) with iTunes.

[motorhead]

Originally posted by tasslehawf:
I've been holding off for some time on getting an ipod because I really need cross-platform compatibility. I work in the PC labs at school a lot and they don't have any sort of Mac compatibility software.

So what I really want is an iPod for my mac but the ability to have the iPod mount as a harddrive on the pc so I can copy my files back to my Mac.

I've been wondering for a long time if there was a way to reformat a portion of the drive to FAT32 say like 3 or 4 gigs of a 10 gig Mac iPod.

I read the FAQ about the iPod on Apple's site and basically the PC iPod will not sync (or work at all) with iTunes.

You can mount a Mac iPod on a PC with MacOpener (http://www.dataviz.com/products/macopener/index.html). I have a 10gb Mac iPod, which I sync with a Mac. I can mount the iPod on my PC using MacOpener, copy files, etc.

Go to http://www.dataviz.com/products/maco...mp_ephpod.html and there's a $10 discount offer, putting the price at $40 for MacOpener. Would be better if it were free, but what ya gonna do.

[tasslehawf]

mainly the problem is that I can't modify the pcs in anyway. they're win2kpro workstations and i don't have access to install anything.

think i'm just going to get a 10gig PC ipod. ipoding.com notes that the pc ipod works fine with the mac.

[caseygittings]

I have a mac ipod with all mac software and it works fine on my new powerbook and my pc without any problems. Or firmware update. I use win 2k pro

Casey

[clarkgoble]

If you want to be bi-os then get the Mac version of the iPod and then there is some iPod software for the PC that came out before the Windows version of the iPod. It'll read your HFS directory and let you sync up with PC MP3 players. I forget the name but I know around here they stock it at CompUSA for around $29. (It isn't the same as MacOpener which someone mentioned earlier)

[velocipede]

Originally posted by clarkgoble:
If you want to be bi-os then get the Mac version of the iPod and then there is some iPod software for the PC that came out before the Windows version of the iPod. It'll read your HFS directory and let you sync up with PC MP3 players. I forget the name but I know around here they stock it at CompUSA for around $29. (It isn't the same as MacOpener which someone mentioned earlier)

I think you're talking about XPlay, which works great for accessing a Mac iPod through windows. I've used it with my girlfriend's XP machine and it works flawlessly. It's designed to let you transfer songs to and from the iPod, but it also enables you to use the iPod as a hard drive on a PC (I think it uses MacOpener, actually). It's $29 to download or buy from CompuUSA. You can find it online at http://www.versiontracker.com/morein...620&db=win . And no, I don't work for them

[tasslehawf]

All of this is well and good advice and I thank you. But the problem stands that I CANNOT install any software on the PC's. They're workstations for running Alias|Wavefront's Studiotools.

I already know they don't have any mac compatability software on them, such as mac opener. I've tried to mount a mac firewire harddrive and that didn't work. And I talked to the lab IT guys who confirmed that there's no mac compatibility software on the pc's and they don't plan to install anything like that.

I'm just going to get the Windows iPod because it works fine with iTunes except for dynamic playlists. And I'm only going to use it for a firewire harddrive on the pc side so I don't need any software anyhow.

[Moderator]

I have the same situation but with a firewire HD. It won't show up on Win2k Pro machines even when its formated MS-DOS with Disk Utility.

BUT I have friends who have purchased firewire drives that are cross compatible out of the box. So there is something that will work