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This document explains how to transfer data from your Windows computer onto your iPod. This is useful in the event that you get a virus and have to reformat your computer. Reformatting your computer will destroy all data, so unless you back it up to CDs, an external hard drive, or an iPod, it will be lost. After the reinstall has been completed, you can easily transfer the files back onto the computer.
This procedure is intended for PC users only. If you are using a Mac, you can find similar instructions here. You will only need your iPod and USB cable for this procedure.
You will take all the files you want to back up (i.e. your documents, photos, and anything that isn't already on your iPod) and copy them to your iPod. iPods are nothing more than external storage devices and while they have large capacities, duplicating music and/or movies is a waste of time and space. Stick to your documents and anything unique that can't be replaced. After all the files are copied over, you'll just click and drag them back to your computer when you're done with the reinstallation. If at any time, you are unsure of what to do or something doesn't work as described, please call the UNet Help Desk at 781-529-UNET.
First, plug in your iPod to the computer. A pop-up should appear, and click on the Take no action icon and click OK. The exact response of your computer might vary a bit from what you see above. For example, iTunes might pop up. Close iTunes and continue to step 2.
"My Computer" should be one of the icons on your desktop. If it is not there, try clicking on the START menu and look for My Computer in there. Once you find the My Computer icon/folder, double click on it. You should see some sort of list or array of icons. Among those icons, you will see an item labelled iPod. In this case it is called Bigs IPOD. Double click on the icon. Four folders should be visible; they are Calendars, Contacts, Notes, and Recordings. You can see this in the left part of the picture below.
Leave the window that you opened above, and open up a new instance of My Computer. Locate the files that you want to backup. (Note: If the files that you want to backup are on the desktop, you don't need to go to My Computer). To make this procedure easier, it is strongly recommended that you create a new folder called "Copy Folder" and drag any folder you want to have backed up into it; this allows you to easily move the files from your computer to your iPod and back again. In this example, the folder is called, "Drag this File!". Click down on the file or folder with your left mouse button, and don't let it back up. Drag the cursor to the iPod window that you opened before and release the left click. The file should then transfer onto the iPod. Bear in mind that if you drag a folder over, all of the files and folders inside of it will be copied over as well.
If done correctly, the file should be copied into the iPod as shown above. Properly disconnect the iPod from the computer to prevent data loss.
At this point, you should be ready to recover the files you backed up. The reinstall of your hard drive is complete.
Similar to Step 1, plug in your iPod and close the window that pops up. Go to My Computer, and locate your iPod on the list. Double click on the iPod icon to find your files. As you can see in the picture on the left above, the folder we dragged onto the iPod before "DRAG THIS FILE!" is there.
The final step is to left click down on the file/folder that you backed up, and while holding down the left mouse button, bring the cursor to your desktop and release. This will place those files on your computer. Alternatively, as the picture shows above, you can drag the file/folder to other locations on the hard drive. This is a matter of preference and organization.
Before disconnecting your iPod again, it's a good idea to delete the copy folder by clicking and dragging it to the Recycle Bin. This will free up extra space on your iPod for regular use.
You're officially done. If you have any further questions, please call the UNet Help Desk at 781-529-UNET.
