Absolute Beginner's Guide to iPod and iTunes
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In order to load music onto an iPod, you must connect the iPod to your computer so the music files can be moved from your iTunes Library onto the iPod. The first time you connect your iPod to your computer you'll need to configure it. Preparing an iPod to Connect to a Computer
To connect all iPods (except the shuffle) to a computer, you use the USB 2 cable supplied with your iPod or the optional FireWire cable. All iPod cables have the Dock connector connection on one end. Connect this to the iPod's Dock connector port located on the bottom of the iPod (see Figure 2.4). Figure 2.4. You use the Dock connector port on the bottom of the iPod to connect it to a computer.
You connect the other end of the cable to either a USB 2 or a FireWire port on your computer, depending on which cable you use and which ports your computer has. All current iPod models (except the shuffle) include a USB cable. Some previous models also included a FireWire cable, which you can also purchase separately. The iPod shuffle has a USB connector built in to one of its ends (see Figure 2.5). To expose the connector, remove the lanyard cap from the end of the shuffle by gently pulling it off the iPod. Figure 2.5. You don't need a cable to connect an iPod shuffle to a computer because it plugs directly into a USB port.
To connect it to your computer, simply plug it into a USB 2 port on the computer itself. Connecting an iPod to a Computer
Connecting an iPod to a computer requires that you decide on the type of connection you will be using. There are two basic options: USB 2 or FireWire. All modern computers (Windows and Mac) include USB 2 ports that you can use to connect an iPod to your computer. All Macs and some Windows computers include FireWire ports you can use just as well. caution
Although these are different connection technologies, you won't really notice any functional difference between them so it doesn't matter which you use. If you have a choice, the option you choose will likely just depend on if you have more ports available of one kind than the other. Using USB 2 to Connect an iPod to a Computer
If you have a computer that supports USB 2 and unless you have a very old computer, it probably does you can use USB 2 to connect your iPod to the computer. If you use a high-power USB 2 port, your iPod's battery will also be charged whenever it is connected to your computer. caution
A USB 2 port is a rectangular port that is fairly thin (see Figure 2.6). USB is also marked with a trident-like icon. You should use only a USB 2 port that is located on your computer's case so the port will provide enough power to charge your iPod when it is connected. Figure 2.6. You can use a USB 2 port to connect your iPod to your computer.
The slightly confusing thing about USB is that there are two basic kinds of USB ports: USB 1 and USB 2. And, some computers have both kinds. Locate the USB ports on your computer's case. Unfortunately, you can't tell by observation whether a USB port supports USB 2 or USB 1 because the ports are identical in appearance. Check the documentation that came with your computer to determine which ports support USB 2. If you can't find that information, contact your computer's manufacturer. If you still can't determine which ports support USB 2, try one of the USB ports on your computer's case. If the iPod's battery charges when it is connected, you have a USB 2 port. If not, you probably are using an USB 1 port. Try a different one until you locate a USB 2 port. Plug the USB end of the USB 2 cable into the USB port on your computer. The connector will only fit one way, so if it isn't going in easily, turn the connector over. After it is connected, you'll be ready to configure your iPod. Skip to the section "Configuring an iPod on Your Computer" on page 31. If you use a shuffle, plug it directly into the USB 2 port. When it is connected, you'll see its status light (located at the top of the iPod shuffle on the same side as the playback controls) glow amber; this means the battery is charging. When the battery is fully charged, this light will become green. If the light doesn't light up, you need to try a different port. When you find a port that causes the light to come on, you'll be ready to configure your iPod and can skip to the section "Configuring an iPod on Your Computer" on page 31. tip
Using FireWire to Connect an iPod to a Computer
All modern Macs and many Windows PCs include FireWire ports that provide high-speed connections and power to devices such as iPods. FireWire ports are shaped like a rectangle with one end being replaced with a sort of semi-circle (see Figure 2.7). Figure 2.7. When you connect an iPod to a computer using FireWire, its battery will be charged.
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Some previous iPod models included a FireWire cable. If yours didn't and you want to use FireWire to connect, you can purchase an iPod Dock Connector to FireWire Cable from the Apple Store (www.apple.com/store). Locate the FireWire ports on your computer's case and connect the FireWire end of your iPod cable to it. You'll be ready to configure your iPod. Configuring an iPod on Your Computer
The first time you connect an iPod to your computer, the iPod will turn on and immediately be mounted on your computer. Depending on the iPod and computer you are using, you might be prompted that your iPod needs to be reformatted. If so, click Update. You'll move into the iPod Updater application, and your iPod will be prepared for use. When that process is complete, you'll see a dialog box that tells you your iPod software is up-to-date (see Figure 2.8). If you are prompted to restart your computer, do so. If not, quit the iPod Updater software on a Windows PC by clicking its Close box or on a Mac by selecting iPod Updater, Quit iPod Updater. Figure 2.8. This updater screen tells you that the iPod's software is up-to-date.
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After your iPod has been updated, iTunes will open and the iPod Setup Assistant will appear (see Figure 2.9). Type a name for your iPod in the text box. You can use any name you'd like; this will be the name of your iPod when it is shown in the iTunes Source List and on your computer's Desktop. Leave the Automatically update songs on my iPod check box checked. Then click Next. You'll move to the Registration screen. If you want to register your iPod, click the Register My iPod button and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the registration process. When you come back to the Assistant, click Finish (Windows) or Done (Mac). iTunes will update the iPod and transfer all the music in your iTunes Library onto the iPod if it can. Figure 2.9. The trusty iPod Setup Assistant is ready to do its work.
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While music is being transferred, the iPod icon on the iTunes Source List will flash red (see Figure 2.10). You'll also see information about the transfer in the iTunes Information area at the top of the iTunes window. Figure 2.10. If this book were printed in color, you would see that the iPod mini icon in the iTunes Source List is flashing red to show that music in the selected playlist is being moved onto the iPod.
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If all the music in your iTunes Library will fit on the iPod, the process will complete without any further action from you. When this process is complete, you will hear a "whoosh" sound and you'll see the iPod update is complete message in the information area at the top of the iTunes window. Click the Eject button next to the iPod's icon on the Source List. The iPod will be removed from the Source List and after a moment or two, the OK to disconnect message will also be displayed on the iPod's screen. When you see this message, you can disconnect your iPod from your computer. Squeeze the buttons on each side of the Dock connector end of the cable and remove the cable from the iPod; the iPod will be ready to use. You can leave the cable plugged into your computer if you want. tip
If there is more music in your iTunes Library than can fit on the iPod, you will see a message telling you that the iPod doesn't have enough room for all your music (see Figure 2.11). You'll be prompted to have iTunes select songs that will fit onto the iPod. Click Yes to allow this. In this case, iTunes will create a playlist of music that will fit on the iPod and then transfer this music to your iPod. This is fine for now; in later chapters, you'll learn how to choose which music is transferred onto your iPod. iTunes will move the playlist it created (whose name will be the name of your iPod plus the word "Selection") onto your iPod. When this process is complete, you will hear a "whoosh" sound and you'll see the iPod update is complete message in the information area at the top of the iTunes window. Click the Eject button next to the iPod's icon on the Source list. The iPod will be removed from the Source list and after a moment or two, the OK to disconnect message will also be displayed on the iPod's screen. When you see this message, you can disconnect your iPod from your computer. Squeeze the buttons on each side of the Dock connector end of the cable and remove the cable from the iPod; the iPod will be ready to use. You can leave the cable plugged into your computer if you want to. Figure 2.11. Because I had more music than can be stored on an iPod mini, iTunes let me know about it.
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