How Can I get My Music Back From My iPod to My PC?

                  Here's how ..............................

Often it's asked in panic - because an iTunes library has been lost, or a disk has failed, or a laptop has been stolen. The files on the iPod represent the only way to recover a large music library. While people are familiar with synchronising the usual way (from the PC to the iPod) they can't find a way in iTunes to reverse the flow. Here's what to do.

First, do not connect your iPod to a PC with iTunes. This is generally good advice and ESSENTIAL if the PC is that to which your iPod is normally connected. Uninstall iTunes if in doubt - removing iTunes doesn't mean you lose any music that's on your PC. You can always reload iTunes later.

Second, you need to get special software which will recover the files on your iPod. There are several products available to do this, we use XPlay 2 which comes from Media Four (www.mediafour.com). XPlay is a powerful system which will accomplish this task. Download XPlay and install it on your PC.

Third, using your normal white iPod connector cable, connect the iPod to your computer. Then open XPlay to access the contents of its hard drive. You might have to be patient, it takes a little while for the computer and XPlay to recognise your iPod. Once that's done you can use XPlay to browse the contents of your iPod just as you'd use Explorer to look at a local disc drive.

Open the folder on your iPod containing your music tracks, select all the entries and copy / paste into a new folder on your computer's hard drive. This is your next lesson in patience - this can be a long process, particularly if you've got an 80 GB iPod packed with music.

When this is complete you'll have a secure copy of your tunes back on your PC. Download / install iTunes. Open iTunes then go to File / Add Folder to Library and navigate to the folder where your rescued tracks were copied. iTunes loads them all and you'll be back to where you want to be. Next time you connect your iPod you'll be able to synchronize in the normal way.

ALTERNATIVELY
If all this sounds too daunting, let us do it for you. Ring 01277 222398 and we'll sort out the details.

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