musings, ramblings, things about iPods

links, resources, how-tos on the now ubiquitous mean machine: the iPod

nanos

Most pressing questions

how to copy music from iPod
This is not permitted by the iPod or iTunes inherently but is easily done by e.g. using 3rd party software such as ipodrip (shareware mac/windows) or senuti (freeware mac).

 

how to do a battery test
Make sure you have the latest iPod software, fully charge the iPod, eject from computer, then press play to shuffle songs or play an album set on "repeat all", while refraining from accessing the menu of the iPod. Backlight, EQ off. More details in this apple document.

 

how to change the battery yourself
If your warranty is still valid, then you have apple replace the battery for you. Out-of-warranty? Then you can order a replacement battery from apple or from other suppliers such as ipodbattery or ipoddoctor. The actual replacing is easy as soon as you get over your angst of breaking your precious. Believe me they're built to last so no need to worry that you'll break it. The trick is finding the right spot to pry it open, the rest does itself.

 

how to convert videos for the iPod
By using the software : Quicktime 7 Pro, iSquint (mac freeware), Videora (windows free)

 

how to add album art
In iTunes 7, go to Advanced -> Get Album Art. This adds artwork if available from the music store. For manual adding, get album artwork online from e.g. amazon.com then drag and drop into the mini-window left on the iTunes browser window (select- >show or hide album arwork and video viewer)

 

how to reset the iPod
Clickwheel iPods : press MENU and CENTER (select) buttons for 6 to 10 seconds - you should then see the apple logo as a sign that the unit is rebooting.


Touch or scrollwheel iPods : press PLAY/Pause and MENU until the apple logo appears. Resetting may lose preferenced settings.

Many problems can be solved by resetting or restoring the iPod.

last updated 13 sept 07