iPod Formatting Question


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I have a PC right now and want to get an iPod but I might get a mac later on, then be screwed b/c of the 2 different file systems. Anyone know if I would be able to format an iPod from FAT32 to HFS?

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Well, I'm not sure about formatting it. I have an ipod with the 1.2 software and i haven't seen that option.

I'd get the Mac version. Even with that version, there is software out there that lets you use it on pc. It's as good as the program that comes with the pc version. But you can't use the Mac ipod as is on pc

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If you don't trust what other people post regarding this topic, then why don't you call up the local Apple Store and ask the "Mac Genius" . I went in and asked them the same question. The updaters are supposed to have the ability to convert the iPod to the other platform.

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Originally posted by Rivak

Sorry, I wasn't clear. That option formats any iPod to FAT32.

I'm still not sure about formatting to a different file system. But assuming you are correct, it would only format an iPod to fat32 that was originally fat32. It won't format an HFS to fat32

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This should clear things up...

Quoted from the Apple page at http://www.apple.com/ipod/faq.html

I have both a Mac and a PC. Will my iPod work on both?

No, iPod is specially configured for either Mac or PC. iPod for Mac comes in the HFS+ file format which is optimized for performance and usability in Mac OS X and 9. iPod for Windows comes in the FAT32 file format which is optimized for performance and usability in Windows ME, 2000, and XP.

If you purchased an iPod for Windows, you can easily reformat it to work on your Mac by downloading the iPod for Mac Software Updater on the Apple website. Note that once it is reformatted, it will only work with Macs. You need Mac OS 9.2 or Mac OS X version 10.1 or later to reformat an iPod for Windows into an iPod for Mac.

You cannot reformat an iPod for Mac to work with Windows usless you own an iPod for Windows, which includes the iPod for Windows software updater. This software is only available when you purchase an iPod for Windows.

Using the iPod for Mac on a PC, or using the iPod for Windows on a Mac, is not supported by Apple.

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um, no, superfula.

if you want it to work on your operating system of your choice, you simply load up the updating software for that os, and do a restore. if you load up the mac restore, it formats HFS. if you load up the win restore, it formats fat32.

make sense now?

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you can't format it back to pc use.
That's not what it says. ;)
Note that once it is reformatted, it will only work with Macs.
That means that you cannot read a HFS+ formatted iPod on a PC. You can convert between the two formats, even though Apple does not officially support it.
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Originally posted by Rivak

How many times do I have to say "any"?

Argh :p

Did you read apple's faq? And I quote "You cannot reformat an iPod for Mac to work with Windows."

But I agree that you can reformat a fat32 to hfs and back.

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