iPod is currently formatted for a Mac. Can I use it as a storage drive?

dak125 · dak125 #1 (**permalink**)

07-04-2007, 05:36 PM

Hey there,

My iPod is currently formatted for Macintosh and I just enabled it to be used as an external drive. When I plug it into my Windows PC and try to access the drive, it says I need to format it first. This most certainly is not something I want to do (it reads it as a full 60 GB so it will definitely erase everything). What do I need to do in order for a PC to read it properly?

5G 60 GB iPod Video
Macbook

Thanks!

dang0001 · dang0001 #2 (**permalink**)

07-04-2007, 06:25 PM

The only way a PC can read an iPod is if it is first formatted in FAT32 (that is, if the iPod is formatted by the PC). Macs can read iPods formatted by PCs, but the reverse is not true.

I'm pretty sure you can buy software that will allow your PC to read disks (iPods included) that are in Mac format. That usually costs money, although if you look around, you might find software that has a try-before-you-buy allowance.

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iPod is currently formatted for a Mac. Can I use it as a storage drive?

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dak125 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 08, 2007 Posts: 35	07-04-2007, 05:36 PM Hey there, My iPod is currently formatted for Macintosh and I just enabled it to be used as an external drive. When I plug it into my Windows PC and try to access the drive, it says I need to format it first. This most certainly is not something I want to do (it reads it as a full 60 GB so it will definitely erase everything). What do I need to do in order for a PC to read it properly? 5G 60 GB iPod Video Macbook Thanks!
	QUOTE Thanks

dang0001 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 10, 2007 Posts: 35	07-04-2007, 06:25 PM The only way a PC can read an iPod is if it is first formatted in FAT32 (that is, if the iPod is formatted by the PC). Macs can read iPods formatted by PCs, but the reverse is not true. I'm pretty sure you can buy software that will allow your PC to read disks (iPods included) that are in Mac format. That usually costs money, although if you look around, you might find software that has a try-before-you-buy allowance.
	QUOTE Thanks

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