using an ipod

[suziek]

Hi. I want to start loading the cds I own onto my ipod (which I received 2 years ago and have never figured out). This is what I don't understand:

If I want to copy a cd do I have to put it on my hard drive and keep it there? If I don't will it disappear from the ipod when I update the ipod?

If this is true can I load my music onto an exterior drive that I just attach whenever I am updating the ipod?

I'm confused....

[russsk]

Yes, you need to store the music so you have it whenever you sync your ipod. Whether its on your hard drive or an external drive doesn't really make much difference. As long as it shows up in your iTunes it will be fine.

[TCMoulton]

Originally Posted by suziek

Hi. I want to start loading the cds I own onto my ipod (which I received 2 years ago and have never figured out). This is what I don't understand:

If I want to copy a cd do I have to put it on my hard drive and keep it there? If I don't will it disappear from the ipod when I update the ipod?

If this is true can I load my music onto an exterior drive that I just attach whenever I am updating the ipod?

I'm confused....

If you select to have your iPod automatically sync with your library when connected then yes, the music must remain on your computer for it to remain on your iPod.

I have all of my iTunes files stored on an external hard drive and it works perfectly for me - I can have all of my music/videos in iTunes and they do not take up space on my laptop!

[suziek]

Thank you. I have a few more questions:

Do I need to download itunes onto the external drive itself? And what if I don't select to automatically sync my ipod?

Thanks again.

[russsk]

Originally Posted by suziek

Thank you. I have a few more questions:

Do I need to download itunes onto the external drive itself? And what if I don't select to automatically sync my ipod?

Thanks again.

iTunes does not have to be on the external drive.That's just where you would store the music.

You have a few options for syncing. You can choose to manually update, where you check the dongs that you want loaded on. However, I believe that your ipod would then delete everything but the checked songs. There may be a way to only add songs, not delete , but its my understanding that it works this way so that you cannot load a bunch of songs from a bunch of different computers. I use mine in the typical way, though, so someone else might be able to offer more insight.

[TCMoulton]

No - as long as iTunes is installed on your computer you are just fine.

If you do not select to automatically sync your music to your iPod then it wouldn't matter if the music was still there or not, the songs would remain on your iPod until you removed them.

[russsk]

Originally Posted by TCMoulton

If you do not select to automatically sync your music to your iPod then it wouldn't matter if the music was still there or not, the songs would remain on your iPod until you removed them.

How does that work when you want to add more songs?

[TCMoulton]

Originally Posted by russsk

How does that work when you want to add more songs?

You would manually add the music by selecting the music in your iTunes library and dragging and dropping it onto your iPod.

[Bell]

Did it work??

[suziek]

I have to confess I haven't tried it. I need to get another external hard drive. The one I have has all my photos and I want to keep them separate.

Thanks for the reminder! I'm going to order one today.

S