Synching 1 iPod on 2 computers

I-SIG

Is there a way to sync 1 iPods on 2 PC's and not wipe the iPods or the music library out?

Thanks,
Wes

mmadden28

I don't think so, at least not without 3rd party software.

audiobliss

I don't think you can "sync" it to two computers through iTunes. However, if you enable disk use on either (or both) computers and then access it as an external drive and select to view hidden files and folders, you can think copy all the music from the iPod to the computer.

The only downside to this is that all your folders and files will have unintelligible names that you canNOT make ANY sense out of. But if you just copy them into your iTunes music folder on your computer and play them back with iTunes, it will read the names just fine.

adam2434

Building on Audiobliss' post...

Check out freeware like Sharepod. It allows you to treat the iPod like a portable hard drive. With this, iTunes is not needed for adding music to the iPod.

However, this approach gets more complicated if you still want to use iTunes to sync the iPod to one of the PCs.

Fatbrando

Why do you want to share an ipod on 2 computers? Get a cheap jump drive to transfer the tunes to the other computer and keep the ipod for use on one.

audiobliss

Fatbrando wrote: »

Why do you want to share an ipod on 2 computers? Get a cheap jump drive to transfer the tunes to the other computer and keep the ipod for use on one.

The largest 'jump drive' I've seen is 32GB, isn't that cheap, and still won't hold near as much as my 80GB iPod.

If the OP is at all similar to myself, then that's not a viable option.

I-SIG

Thanks for the comments, guys. When I looked at the iPod as a disk, it didn't show any songs at all, hence the question.

I have an 80GB iPod and rip only to ALE, so a lipstick drive doesn't do me any good.

Wes

mmadden28

They also make external USB hard drives, doesn't have to be solid state.
What are you trying to accomplish by syncing two computers with one iPod?

audiobliss

I-SIG wrote: »

Thanks for the comments, guys. When I looked at the iPod as a disk, it didn't show any songs at all, hence the question.

I have an 80GB iPod and rip only to ALE, so a lipstick drive doesn't do me any good.

Wes

As I recall you have to select to view hidden files and folders (through folder options), of course. Methinks you probably tried that, but just in case, thought I'd mention it again.

I just double checked with my iPod to see how it works. I plugged it in and apparently already have disk use enabled. I opened the drive through My computer. The only three folders I saw were Calendar, Contacts, and Notes. However, after going to Tools > Folder Options > View tab, I selected "View hidden files and folders." That let me see the folder "iPod_Control." Within that folder you'll find several more, but one of which is titled "Music." And that's where you'll find all your music. However, as I said, all the folder names will be jumbled up. But if you open a folder, you will see music files in them. And if you open them in iTunes, it will make sense of the file names.

Hope that helps some!

EDIT - Actually, foobar2k displayed the song info correctly, as well.

Fatbrando

Just get an external hard drive and call it good. You can get them for under one hundred bucks and they're 10 times as big as your ipods....

FB

audiobliss

Fatbrando wrote: »

Just get an external hard drive and call it good. You can get them for under one hundred bucks and they're 10 times as big as your ipods....

FB

You ain't getting no external drive with NEAR an 800GB capacity for $100. That's for dang sure.

mmadden28

You can get dang near that anyway Here's a 750 GB ext. Maxtor for $130. Of course when you get this big you have to provide external power.
There are lots of mini 120GB and 250GB portable drives that will run off USB power to make it more convenient.

It'd likely be cheaper and easier to just get a second ipod. Assuming the songs weren't purchased from iTunes or anything. Or are you allowed to shared amongst you're own?

EDIT: Actually here's a whole page of 'em (close nuff)

Fatbrando

Thank you Mmadden28....


FB

BigMac

You can do it this way: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1202 and here is a few free neat little apps for you as well. http://www.floola.com/modules/wiwimod/index.php?page=WiwiHome .
http://www.ipodsoft.com/site/index.php?n=PodPlayer.HomePage

If you are tired of using the software that comes with your ipod then you can always use this. My son uses this on his and he loves it. As always, use this at your own risk.
http://www.rockbox.org/

audiobliss

mmadden28 wrote: »

You can get dang near that anyway Here's a 750 GB ext. Maxtor for $130. Of course when you get this big you have to provide external power.
There are lots of mini 120GB and 250GB portable drives that will run off USB power to make it more convenient.

It'd likely be cheaper and easier to just get a second ipod. Assuming the songs weren't purchased from iTunes or anything. Or are you allowed to shared amongst you're own?

EDIT: Actually here's a whole page of 'em (close nuff)

Wow, those are pretty stinking awesome! Apparently I was wrong.


EDIT - Oh, I see what I did! I've been looking at 1.5TB HD's and for some reason was thinking of the prices for 1.5TB HD's and external HD's. Yeah, the 1TB and lower HD's are a good bit cheaper. Which is awesome...might have to get me one.

mmadden28

The prices for computer accessories/peripherals drops so fast its amazing. If only high end audio equipment did the same.