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APPLEFAN08 · May 20, 2007, 12:00 AM

I have a fifth generation ipod video 30GB and I was wondering right now the format for my ipod is windows but when I get my mac this summer how can I change the format from windows to mac? I'm just wondering becuase then i'll have my own itunes and account and I was just wondering if it was possible to change the format of the ipod. and how would I transfer all 800 songs from my windows to my Imac? thanks

Rodster · May 20, 2007, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by APPLEFAN08

I have a fifth generation ipod video 30GB and I was wondering right now the format for my ipod is windows but when I get my mac this summer how can I change the format from windows to mac? I'm just wondering becuase then i'll have my own itunes and account and I was just wondering if it was possible to change the format of the ipod. and how would I transfer all 800 songs from my windows to my Imac? thanks

The short answer is you will need to restore the iPod to it's factory settings so it will work on your Mac. The best way is to import your songs into your Mac iTunes. Once your iPod and your Mac are synced it will transfer all of your songs.

iPod: Frequently Asked Questions
Question: I have both a Mac and a PC. Will my iPod work on both?
Answer: No, not at the same time. iPod is configured for either Mac or PC. You can use iTunes 7 or later to restore iPod to work with a Mac or a PC. See "Restoring iPod to factory settings" for more information. Note: Using the iPod for Mac on a PC, or using the iPod for Windows on a Mac, is not supported by Apple. FAT32 is the format used by Windows, and while some FAT32 iPod models may work with your Mac, Apple only supports using the iPod shuffle in FAT32 format on Mac. For more information see the iPod shuffle Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Question: Can I use an iPod formatted for Mac on a PC, or an iPod formatted for Windows on a Mac?

Answer: It is not possible to use an iPod formatted for Mac with Windows. This is because Windows does not support the HFS Plus file system and therefore will not see the drive. When you connect an iPod formatted for Mac to your PC, iTunes will prompt you to restore the iPod.

iTunes will allow you to use an iPod formatted for Windows on a Mac; however, Apple currently only supports using the iPod shuffle in FAT32 format on Mac. For more information see the iPod shuffle Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

ibook_steve · May 21, 2007, 01:52 PM

This doesn't really answer the question because he has an iPod Video formatted for Windows, not a Shuffle. This will mount and work fine on the Mac. The FAQ is misleading. The problem would only be if the iPod is formatted for Mac and going to a Windows machine. You don't need to factory restore.

You still, of course, need to transfer your songs from the PC to the Mac, but you'd do that with Firewire or over a network using the Mac's Migration Assistant (or simple file copying).

Steve

APPLEFAN08 · May 23, 2007, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by ibook_steve

This doesn't really answer the question because he has an iPod Video formatted for Windows, not a Shuffle. This will mount and work fine on the Mac. The FAQ is misleading. The problem would only be if the iPod is formatted for Mac and going to a Windows machine. You don't need to factory restore.

You still, of course, need to transfer your songs from the PC to the Mac, but you'd do that with Firewire or over a network using the Mac's Migration Assistant (or simple file copying).

Steve

How will I transfer all my dongs from my windows to my iMac? I'm just wondering but I don't have my iMac yet but I will soon. Also what does the firewire do?

peeb · May 23, 2007, 02:56 PM

Your dongs, alas, I cannot help you with, but in case you want to transfer songs, use something like MyTunes or YammiPod to removed them from the ipod, then add them to iTunes. Firewire is a type of connection much like USB. It tends to be the method of connection of choice for the Mac, but USB works just as well for iPods.

APPLEFAN08 · May 27, 2007, 11:25 PM

You think I could just get an external hard drive and transfer all the songs from my windows computer to my iMac? Just wondering becuase I can't figure out how to get all 700 songs from my windows computer to my iMac.

bigjarom · May 28, 2007, 12:39 AM

Originally Posted by APPLEFAN08

You think I could just get an external hard drive and transfer all the songs from my windows computer to my iMac? Just wondering becuase I can't figure out how to get all 700 songs from my windows computer to my iMac.

Just last week I transfered about 4000 songs from an XP box to a Mac Book via my home network. It took a few hours but it worked like a charm.

ibook_steve · May 28, 2007, 01:11 AM

Or you can boot up the iMac in target disk mode (hold T at boot) and mount it via Firewire to the PC (though it sounds like you may not have Firewire on your PC).

Steve

APPLEFAN08 · May 28, 2007, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by bigjarom

Just last week I transfered about 4000 songs from an XP box to a Mac Book via my home network. It took a few hours but it worked like a charm.

How would I do that yes I have a wireless router and all but how would I transfer all the songs from my XP computer to my iMac? I'm just wondering if you could get me an explanation on how you did it. And ibook_steve I don't have a firewire on my computer we got our dell like in 2003 and I don't think we have one. Thanks anyway.