iPod as a storage device?

Groundhog · 09-29-2006, 01:54 AM

A dumb question I'm sure - particularily as I know that you can access the iPod via windows explorer - but can you drop and drag files on to an iPod and use it as a storage device?

I told a senior manager here yesterday that you could, and he just came to me today and told me he just bought one for that purpose and that he "hopes it works like I told him". That got me thinking that maybe I shouldn't comment on things I don't know about before hand...

Vinatieri for Prez · 09-29-2006, 02:37 AM

You should be able to. If you've updated to Itunes 7.0, this is from the help file:

"To store or view files:
Connect your iPod or mobile phone to your computer.
When the iPod icon appears in the iTunes window, select it, click Summary, and then select "Enable disk use."
An iPod icon or a disk icon or removable disk icon (if you're working with a mobile phone) appears as the next available drive letter in Windows Explorer, in the My Computer window.

To copy files to your iPod or mobile phone, drag files to the icon.
To view files stored on the device, double-click its icon on the desktop.
You can't see music, video, or games copied to your device using iTunes.

To copy files from your iPod or mobile phone to your computer, double-click the icon and drag files from the window that appears."

I've used it to store simple text files.

MJ4H · 09-29-2006, 08:27 AM

Absolutely you can. I do it all the time.

saldana · 09-29-2006, 11:33 AM

my Zen from creative labs actually has a partitioning option in the docking software.

SnDvls · 09-29-2006, 11:40 AM

yes you can and most all IPod books tell you how too.

saldana · 09-29-2006, 11:46 AM

groundhog, if all he wanted it for was a portable storage device, why didnt he just buy a USB flash drive? they are even easier to use than an Ipod.

albionmoonlight · 09-29-2006, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saldana

groundhog, if all he wanted it for was a portable storage device, why didnt he just buy a USB flash drive? they are even easier to use than an Ipod.

My thought, too. It's like buying a car because someone tells you that they are a good place in which to sit and listen to music.

cartman · 09-29-2006, 01:28 PM

If he can't figure out how to get it to work, tell him he must have bought a North American version of the iPod, and the rotation of the drive is opposite that of Aussie hard drives, causing an incompatibility...

wade moore · 09-29-2006, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

My thought, too. It's like buying a car because someone tells you that they are a good place in which to sit and listen to music.

Groundhog · 09-29-2006, 08:37 PM

Well, he wants to use it as an mp3/video player as well, but he was trying to rationalise it with his wife, and that's a feature his wife was interested in.

Vinatieri for Prez · 09-30-2006, 02:35 AM

Also, a 60 or 80 GB ipod holds a lot more than a USB flash drive. Aren't they 2 GB max and running at about $75+?

Of course, you could always buy a pretty small portable hard drive with the same amount of storage of the ipod or more for a lot cheaper. That's probably where he should go if that is all he wants.

Craptacular · 09-30-2006, 09:33 AM

I was thinking of getting an Ipod (or similar device) for temporary file storage and for holding pictures from my D70 camera. I've got a 512MB card and 1GB card, so I can take tons of pictures before I run out of space. I'd probably use it more as a backup, so I don't fear losing all of my pictures from a trip if something happens to the card. The music / video capability would almost be secondary. Has anyone here used the camera connector? Does it drain the batteries quickly?

Maple Leafs · 09-30-2006, 10:47 AM

Thanks guys. Until I read this thread I'd never been able to figure out how to get MP3's off of my iPod and onto another computer. I'd been trying to do it via iTunes. Didn't realize is was that easy. Cool.

Vinatieri for Prez · 09-30-2006, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craptacular

I was thinking of getting an Ipod (or similar device) for temporary file storage and for holding pictures from my D70 camera. I've got a 512MB card and 1GB card, so I can take tons of pictures before I run out of space. I'd probably use it more as a backup, so I don't fear losing all of my pictures from a trip if something happens to the card. The music / video capability would almost be secondary. Has anyone here used the camera connector? Does it drain the batteries quickly?

No, but you can always get a portable battery backup that gives the ipod another 8 hours of battery life or so.

09-29-2006, 08:27 AM	#3
MJ4H Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hog Country	Absolutely you can. I do it all the time. __________________ My YouTube channel My Twitch channel My Sharona

09-29-2006, 01:28 PM	#8
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	If he can't figure out how to get it to work, tell him he must have bought a North American version of the iPod, and the rotation of the drive is opposite that of Aussie hard drives, causing an incompatibility... __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint

09-29-2006, 08:37 PM	#10
Groundhog Coordinator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia	Well, he wants to use it as an mp3/video player as well, but he was trying to rationalise it with his wife, and that's a feature his wife was interested in. __________________ Politics, n. Strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. --Ambrose Bierce

09-30-2006, 10:47 AM	#13
Maple Leafs Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002	Thanks guys. Until I read this thread I'd never been able to figure out how to get MP3's off of my iPod and onto another computer. I'd been trying to do it via iTunes. Didn't realize is was that easy. Cool. __________________ Down Goes Brown: Toronto Maple Leafs Humor and Analysis Last edited by Maple Leafs : 09-30-2006 at 10:47 AM.

09-29-2006, 02:37 AM	#2
Vinatieri for Prez College Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Seattle	You should be able to. If you've updated to Itunes 7.0, this is from the help file: "To store or view files: Connect your iPod or mobile phone to your computer. When the iPod icon appears in the iTunes window, select it, click Summary, and then select "Enable disk use." An iPod icon or a disk icon or removable disk icon (if you're working with a mobile phone) appears as the next available drive letter in Windows Explorer, in the My Computer window. To copy files to your iPod or mobile phone, drag files to the icon. To view files stored on the device, double-click its icon on the desktop. You can't see music, video, or games copied to your device using iTunes. To copy files from your iPod or mobile phone to your computer, double-click the icon and drag files from the window that appears." I've used it to store simple text files.

09-29-2006, 11:33 AM	#4
saldana Pro Starter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bethlehem, Pa	my Zen from creative labs actually has a partitioning option in the docking software.

09-29-2006, 11:40 AM	#5
SnDvls Pro Starter Join Date: Jul 2001	yes you can and most all IPod books tell you how too.

09-29-2006, 11:46 AM	#6
saldana Pro Starter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bethlehem, Pa	groundhog, if all he wanted it for was a portable storage device, why didnt he just buy a USB flash drive? they are even easier to use than an Ipod.

09-30-2006, 02:35 AM	#11
Vinatieri for Prez College Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Seattle	Also, a 60 or 80 GB ipod holds a lot more than a USB flash drive. Aren't they 2 GB max and running at about $75+? Of course, you could always buy a pretty small portable hard drive with the same amount of storage of the ipod or more for a lot cheaper. That's probably where he should go if that is all he wants.

09-30-2006, 09:33 AM	#12
Craptacular College Starter Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: The Mad City, WI	I was thinking of getting an Ipod (or similar device) for temporary file storage and for holding pictures from my D70 camera. I've got a 512MB card and 1GB card, so I can take tons of pictures before I run out of space. I'd probably use it more as a backup, so I don't fear losing all of my pictures from a trip if something happens to the card. The music / video capability would almost be secondary. Has anyone here used the camera connector? Does it drain the batteries quickly?

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)