Reformatting iPod for Mac

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Reformatting iPod for Mac

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Q: When I got my iPod nano I had a PC so it was formatted with Windows. I have now replaced PC with a MacBook and when I sync my new iTunes library it says that I can only update (with software) my iPod if it were formatted by a Macintosh. So my question is : can I reformat my iPod to Macintosh format??

- Debbie

A: Yes, the iPod can be reformatted to a Mac format by using the “Restore” option found in iTunes on the “Summary” page that appears while your iPod is connected. This will reformat your iPod for Mac OS X, installing the latest iPod firmware and returning it to factory default settings.

Note that this will also erase everything on your iPod so be certain your music is already in your iTunes library before doing this. If you normally use automatic synchronization of content from your iTunes library, the process of reloading your iPod after a restore should be relatively trivial. If you’re using manual management however (ie, dragging and dropping content to the iPod from your iTunes library manually), you’ll want to ensure that you do not have anything on your iPod that is not backed up in your iTunes library or elsewhere, since it will be lost after a restore operation.

Once the restore has completed, your iPod will be Mac-formatted, and can be updated to new iPod firmware versions in the future without having to erase the content again.

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Comments

1

Thanks Jesse for the answer. So there was no jump in output quality from 5.5 to classic, besides the ability to output on component video?

Also, you the article you point to indicates that the iPod 5.0 is only capable of outputing 320x240. I thought that with the release of 5.5, Apple released a firmware update to 5.0 that allowed it to output 640x480.

I want to be sure because I use my 5.0 to send to the HDTV all the time, and the quality seems a bit jagged but fine.

Posted by alexarch in Dallas, TX on January 12, 2008 at 7:09 AM (PST)

2

I just tried to move all of my iTunes library to an external hard drive. I thought I was following all of the instructions correctly, but apparently not. All my music made it successfully to the E drive, but when I try to play a song i get the exclamation point, and the small screen prompting me to locate the original file. Each file is in the E drive, and I can certainly find them singularly, but that would take all day. Is there any way I can get iTunes to locate all of these songs? Thanks, mabowen

Posted by mabowen on January 14, 2008 at 3:08 AM (PST)

3

okay so i just got my ipod touch problem is that i was mesing around and know i dont know what to do.
heres my prob;;

so you know on itunes you click your ipod thing and then all the tabs come up well in the tab called “summary”
idont know what to do it wont let me add the song i have onto my ipod what do i check mark??

sync only checked songs and videos ormanually manage music or video.

pleasee help.

Posted by gloryan on September 28, 2008 at 9:02 AM (PST)

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