Mac iPod on Windows?

[GlowingApple]

My iPod is currently formatted for Windows and I've been syncing it with iTunes on PC all this time. However, I would really like to have the much better Mac file system on my iPod. I often use it as a harddrive for my laptop (A 15" 1.25ghz G4 Powerbook), and having it formatted as HFS+ Journaled would be wonderful. If I redo my iPod for Mac can I still sync it with my PC? I know I would not be able to read any files on the iPod, but maybe iTunes could still read it? Maybe I'm just dreaming, but that would be really nice if it could. Well, if anyone has any information about this or applications that would let me do this I would appreciate knowing before I waste the trouble to try it.

Thanks much!

[MBHockey]

if you format your iPod for HFS+, a Windows PC will no longer be able to read/write from/to it. However, your Mac will be able to read/write to a windows formatted iPod just fine (Macs are better :p). So just leave it as it is, and you should be good to go.



PS - sweet machine!! (the powerbook)

[GlowingApple]

Oh, well, it's a shame really. Mac supports a lot of Windows side things but Windows still won't yield. I guess that's why they're still using Telnet instead of SSH. I'll have to start thinking if it's worth the loss of space on my notebook to store and manage my music collection there instead.

[yellow]

I guess that's why they're still using Telnet instead of SSH. Remember, Microsoft is commited to security!

[Kirin]

You can install Xplay or MacDrive on the Windows machine to use a HFS+ Formatted iPod on Windows. You can download that here: www.mediafour.com

Hope that helps.

[macdebble]

I can't find the hint on another Mac forum that detailed this as I would like to give the person proper credit as it was not my idea. I was able to format my iPod on to work on both Windows and Mac OS X. Simply format your iPod on the Windows version of iTunes (you will lose all data on it). Give it a name. Bring to your Mac. It asks if you want to make the Mac the associated machine. Say yes. You now have an iPod that works on both OSs (as a hard drive too) as it probably formats in FAT32 on the Windows side, which Mac OS X can read and write to. You lose the journaling available with HFS+. Any updates to the iPod must be done from the Windows side. Remember this is not supported by Apple. Enjoy :)

[gardenguy]

Hi,
This is an older thread but very related to a current issue I have.
I am a Mac guy.
My grandson gave me his 2 year old iPod 40G since he got a new iPod 30M with video. It has lots of tunes on it, many of which he got from my CDs.
He has Windows XP so the iPod is Windows formatted.

When I connected it to my G4 Mac with the USB cable it was not recognized at all. I do not have 2.0, so I got out the firewire cable. That made the Do not Disconnect message appear on the iPod, then a s/w Updater message with only Restore as valid choice. Finder does not list the device nor does iTunes.

This thread says no problem from Windows to Mac but is an old message and maybe by now the evil Gates has put the kibosh on the deal like he has done to generic MP3 players, none of which work with the Mac anymore !!!
Clues welcome.

[Sam C]

Hi there,
I have an iPod packed with music from a Mac. I want to get the music onto my new PC (Windows XP), and I have downloaded iPodCopy. However my Windows will only recognise if I reformat it (won't recognise with Mac formatted iPod). If I reformat it I will lose my music of course, but I can't do that - I am in a different country to the original Mac, and could not retrieve the music!
Is there a way to work with my iPod on my PC without having to reformat the iPod?
Would be VERY appreciative of ANY help.
Cheers, Sam

[MBHockey]

You can use this (http://www.mediafour.com/products/macdrive6/)

It's a bit pricey ($50) but it will get the job done. I have used it before and it's great.

However, it would be free if you could get access to another Mac (and put it on your same local network). Then you could take your files off your iPod, put them onto the Mac, and then transfer them from the Mac to PC via the built-in filesharing in the two operating systems.

The only question is, why would you buy a new Windows PC? ;)

[Rebecca0630]

I have an ipod Nano that has been formatted for Mac, but all I have is windows. I want the songs off the ipod, because I can not get them again. However my computer will not access the ipod at all unless it's formatted, which will erase all the songs.
I've tried xplay, MacDrive 8, and TouchCopy 09 and none of them will work. It will not read the ipod unless it's formatted. Is there any other way to get these songs off the ipod?

[nictlg7]

The only question is, why would you buy a new Windows PC? ;)

I could answer that. Why did I buy a new PC laptop?

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2331758,00.asp

First, it's a sweet looking machine, a smooth Titanium finish with silver (mirrored) design on the top and inside panels. Next, I log in to it with just a finger, and that's how I access my email and many of my online accounts as well (Mac's can't do that). Then, I enjoy the gorgeous 1080P full HD edge to edge monitor, OR I hook up an HDMI cable and enjoy the full 192KB uncompressed audio in full 7.1 surround sound, and video in full 1080P HD. (again, Mac can't do any of that) It also has a superwhite LED backlit keyboard, touch controls for all of the media, wireless (next gen N btw), tone controls, and so on (also backlit in superwhite LED unless off...wireless LED is blue when on). The touchpad can be turned off by a button just above it, but when on, it has the same pinch controls as a Mac or iPhone. I also have a full numpad, which most Mac's do not. Did I mention it had a built-in Blu-Ray player...pimp huh...in full 1080P HD resolution and uncompressed audio too!! Oh, and if you don't want to listen to the amazing Altec Lansing speakers and sub (yes a sub in a laptop!) built in, and you aren't exporting through the HDMI to a surround sound receover, it also has 2 headphone jacks on the front, for you and your gf to listen to music or watch movies together...hehe. It also has a remote control that docks inside the laptop on the left side. When used, it controls all of the media functions, controls the Blu-Ray or Windows Media Center (which is awesome on this machine, even watch live TV!!), volume, etc. That very small, thin remote even has a scroll dial built in, very cool! This laptop is awesome! Intel Core 2 Duo - 2.2 Ghz processors, 4GB of RAM (8GB max), 500 GB HD, eSATA port (for the fastest connection to an external HD), I already mentioned the 1080P screen with 1920 x 1080 resolution, simulated surround sound with subwoofer, HDMI out, Blu-Ray player, built in SD (and others) card reader, backlit keyboard, full numpad, touch media controls, long life battery (can purchase a 5-8 hour battery for $65), fingerprint reader, next gen wireless, etc. etc.

How much did I pay, you better sit down. It should have been about $2k. Apple would charge you $4k for this. With all of the instant rebates, free upgrades, and the promo code (one rebate and the promo code saved me $250 x 2 = $500)...I got the computer for $699!! :D Free shipping, but I had to pay tax and a $20 recycling fee (must be our stupid gov't imposing that one).

I used a Quad Core Mac at work. It has 8GB of RAM, and a 24" widescreen monitor, so it's not like I'm a hater. I can't believe the company spent about $7k on that machine, though...it's just redonkulous!! My PC can do so much that machine or any Mac can't do, and I got it so cheaply!! I don't know why Mac hasn't figured that out yet, and either matched the PC in hardware/software capabilities, or at least lowered the price to be more competitive.

BTW, thanks for the suggestion about using MacDrive. I hooked my Mac formatted iPod up to my PC, and it recognized it right away!! I had been syncing it at work (Mac), but wanted to sync it with this new laptop (PC), so now I can get the music off of it, then format it and sync it with this new computer. Nice!

[JCP21]

nictlg7 this is not a thread for why windows is better than mac or vise verse if you would like to make a thread about your "amazing" experience with windows please do it in an appropiate forum or create your own thread. http://ipodftw.hostei.com/imgs/signature_smiley.jpg As its not really necessary here.