iPod - computer question and issues

[NS2A]

Well, my computer is toast according to the shop I took it into. Some data was recovered, not much, but most of my 6000 songs I had in iTunes are mostly gone. They are all on my iPod though. So, I guess I'm getting a new computer.

What is the best software, or is it even needed to copy my iPod data back into my computer?

Once I get that up and running, how long will it take to move over 6000 songs?

I'm not totally inept, but not super techy either.

[ThatGermanDude]

you don't need any extra software.

assuming widows vista

plug in your iPod
go to 'My Computer' - you should see your Ipod, double click it
in the menu bar go to 'Organize'
then 'Folder and Search options'
go to the 'view'tab
then enable 'show hidden files and folders'
apply the new settings

you should now see a folder called 'iPod_control'
in there is a folder called 'Music'
now type in '.mp3' in the search bar and copy all the files that show up into a non-hidden folder on your computer
then type in '.m4a' in the search bar and copy all the files that show up into a non-hidden folder on your computer
open iTunes and under 'file' choose 'add folder to library'
select the folder you copied all the files to and you're done.

[bloodfairy13]

I used Sharepod...it's pretty cool.

That's my 2 cents...

[Green Mind]

I don't have a whole lot of experience with it but I know you can use Senuti.

[jkritchey]

You can use Winamp quite easily. Plug it in, tell it where you want your music folder to be (defaults to My Music) and it can move the files in, creating folders by album, band, or whatever you want.

iTunes is set up specifically to make this difficult, as it is "iTunes music store" focused, not "songs from all over the place that I have on my iPod" focused.

[marcray]

Originally Posted by NS2A

Well, my computer is toast according to the shop I took it into. Some data was recovered, not much, but most of my 6000 songs I had in iTunes are mostly gone. They are all on my iPod though. So, I guess I'm getting a new computer.

What is the best software, or is it even needed to copy my iPod data back into my computer?

Once I get that up and running, how long will it take to move over 6000 songs?

I'm not totally inept, but not super techy either.

& next time, get a back up drive...