How to use an iPod to combine your iTunes library with a friends library

Your iPod with an expanded library

Your iTunes library

Your friends music library

Attention!
This can only be done using an iPod classic and will not work for the iPod shuffle, touch, or nano.

Things to keep in mind before beginning

This instruction set is written for a Windows 7 operating system. It may be completed with another operating system but the steps may differ. The iPod being used has a limited amount of free space and may not allow a friends entire library to be imported to it. Make sure the desired files are smaller than the amount of free space on the iPod. iTunes must be installed on your computer. All copying and pasting steps can take up to 10 minutes. This depends on the total amount of memory being copied and also on PC performance. However, these steps usually only take a minute or so. To avoid complications it is highly recommended that you are able to find your itunes music library folder and your friends music library folder before starting.

Musical Magic
Are you a regular iPod user? Have you ever wanted to listen to your friends awesome music on your iPod but cant because you dont want to lose your own songs? This instruction set will provide the necessary steps to combine your friends library with yours. This will allow you to obtain a massive amount of great songs without having to pay or download them. Part one of this process takes about two minutes and part two takes about five minutes.

Summary of steps to become a music master

Part 1
1) 2) 3) 4) Plug iPod charger into your computer Plug charger into the iPod Wait for/initiate the opening of itunes Enable disk use from itunes

Part 2
1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) 13) 14) 15) Plug iPod charger into computer with desired music library Plug iPod charger into iPod Open iPod folder to view contents Locate music files Copy desired music files Paste them into the iPod folder Eject the iPod Disconnect iPod from computer Plug iPod charger into your computer Plug charger into the iPod Open iPod folder and view contents Open your music library folder Cut and paste the music files from the iPod folder to your music library folder Sync your library with you iPod Enjoy

How to Combine Music Libraries

Materials Needed:

IPod Classic

USB Data Charge and Sync Cable for iPod

Your computer with itunes installed

Friends computer containing desired music library

Part 1. Enabling disk use on iPod from itunes

Note: If your iPod is configured to allow disk use, skip to Part 2.
1. Plug the charger into your computer 2. Plug the charger into the IPod Upon doing so itunes should automatically open if the default settings are being used. If itunes does not open automatically, open it manually. A second window will appear that has your iPods name at the top and different options to select as well as. Exit this window.

Exit window

Fig 1. Itunes and iPod navigation window 3. From the left panel of the itunes interface click your iPod under the Devices category This will open a summary of the iPod. If you are viewing the summary tab you should see a picture of an iPod, the name of your iPod, the version, and options. If you do not see this, look at the tabs that are arranged horizontally along the top of the itunes window and select summary. Summary tab

Click here

Fig 2. Left panel of itunes

Fig 3. iPod summary page in itunes

4. Under options check the box next to Enable disk use Enabling disk use allows you to use your iPod as an external hard drive. This means you can transfer any type of file from a computer to your iPod or from your iPod to another computer.

Check this box

Fig 4. Options on iPod summary page Note: When copying files to your iPod, you should know that you do not have access to these files through your iPod. You need to use a computer to access and utilize these files.

Part 2. Combining music libraries.

1. Plug the charger into your friends computer 2. Plug the charger into the IPod A screen will appear that has your iPods name at the top and different options to select. Note: It is likely that itunes will open. Ignore or close this because it is not needed.

You should see this

Fig 5. IPod navigation window

3. Select the option that reads Open folder to view files Once the folder is opened you may notice that it contains files or other folders. You can ignore them. If many files and/or folders are present it is a good idea to create a folder by right clicking in white space, going to New, then clicking on Folder. This will allow you to easily find your files.

1) Click this

Fig 6. IPod navigation window

Fig 7. IPod disk drive folder

4. Locate the desired music library If you and your friend are unable to do this, try searching your computer for .mp3. This is done by clicking on the start menu and typing into the text box about the start menu symbol. This will locate all files ending in .mp3 which is the file format for songs played on an iPod. Right click one of the .mp3 files and select Open file location This will take you to the folder containing this song.

3) Click Open file location 2) Right click the music file

1) Type .mp3 Fig 8. Windows search function

Note: It is okay if the files are in different locations. You will just have to repeat steps 4, 5, and 6 for all of the files. 5. Select the desired music and copy it If you want to copy all the files in the folder you can easily do so by holding Ctrl and pressing A. This will select all files. While holding Ctrl press C to copy the files. If you would only like some of the files you must individually copy each one, proceed to step 6, and repeat steps 5 and 6 until all desired music files are in your iPod folder.

1) Select files

2) Click copy

Fig 9. Friends desired folder with music files Hint: If you would like multiple consecutive files you can hold control and click on the first and last file you want. This will select both files clicked and every file in between. 6. Paste files into your iPod folder This may take a couple minutes. A window will appear showing the copying progress. This window disappears when copying is complete. 3) Make sure 2) Wait for music files copying to have been complete copied

1) Click paste Fig 10. IPod folder Fig 11. Copying status window Fig 12. IPod folder with copied files

7. Eject the iPod Find the icon for your iPod at the right hand side of the start menu bar. Right click it and hit eject. A message should appear when it is safe to unplug your iPod. This can take a few seconds.

2) Click eject iPod

1) Right click this button

Fig. 13 Device ejection button

Fig. 14 IPod ejection button

8. Disconnect iPod and charger from friends computer 9. Plug the charger into your computer 10. Plug the charger into the iPod Both itunes and a screen that will ask What do you want Windows to do (same screen from step 3) should pop up. 11. Click Open folder to view files. Your files or folder that you created should be present. Friends music files are still in iPod folder

Click this

Fig 15. IPod navigation window

Fig 16. IPod folder with friends music files

12. Locate and open the folder containing your music library This can be done by selecting the itunes window, clicking on file, and the clicking Add file to library.

Click Add file to library

Fig 17. Itunes file menu 13. Select the new songs in your iPod folder then CUT and paste into your music library

1) Select songs and then cut them

Right click and then paste in folder

Fig 18. IPod folder(left) next to itunes library folder(right) Your music library now contains the songs from your previous library as well as the songs from your friends library.. Warning: If you copy instead of cutting the songs from your iPod folder, the files will remain on your iPod and take up memory. If this is done by accident ensure the files were succesfully copied to your library and then delete them from the iPod folder.

14. From itunes, sync your iPod to your library by clicking on the sync button from the file menu

Click sync

Fig 19. Itunes file menu Your iPod should now contain all of the songs from your previous library and your friends library. 15. Enjoy!

References
Pictures: IPod family - http://www.tauxeef.com/new-apple-iPod-nano-listen-the-cool-way/ IPod classic - http://www.apple.com/iPodclassic/ IPod cord - http://www.macblogz.com/Media/2008/11/iPodconn.jpg Itunes logo - http://www.chriswrites.com/tag/combining-libraries/