How do I not erase all of my iPod's music?

June 21, 2007 7:43 PM

How can I plug in my iPod without erasing its music?

The harddrive on my MacBook Pro broke, and I got a new one with no data or music. I want to plug in my iPod, but I'm afraid it will automatically "sync" it and wipe off all of its songs. I would like to know how to prevent this as well as how to load the songs from my iPod onto my computer. Thanks!

posted by JamesJD to Technology (9 answers total)

When you plug it in, iTunes will warn you and ask if you would like to erase and sync. Say no.
posted by rancidchickn at 7:47 PM on June 21, 2007

That is not always true- I had an erased hard drive and a full iPod, and iTunes did not ask me before deleting all of my music. I had to use iPodRip to get it all back.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:51 PM on June 21, 2007 [1 favorite]

When you plug it in, iTunes will warn you and ask if you would like to erase and sync. Say no.

This has always been my experience as well.
posted by chrisamiller at 8:02 PM on June 21, 2007

Response by poster: It asked me! Splendid. iPodRip is working quite nicely at the moment.
posted by JamesJD at 8:11 PM on June 21, 2007

i'm not sure if i'm misunderstanding the question, but i think there's a setting option that allows you to NOT automatically sync your 'pod w/ the itunes library.
posted by mittenedsex at 9:10 PM on June 21, 2007

Hold down ctrl+shift or cmd+option when you plug in your iPod. This will override the autosync feature.
posted by robcorr at 9:35 PM on June 21, 2007

Is iTunes installed? No iTunes, no erasure. Do a backup of the iPod before installing iTunes.
posted by caddis at 11:34 PM on June 21, 2007

Try MediaMonkey or any other iTunes replacement.
posted by Hugh Jorgan at 6:35 AM on June 22, 2007

Also, if you have a mac formatted iPod and hook it up to a windows iTunes, it does not auto-erase and sync.
posted by Arthur Dent at 7:20 AM on June 24, 2007