Connecting an iPod to a Computer with a Dock

If your iPod came with a Dock, you can connect the Dock to your computer instead of the iPod itself. When you want to transfer music to the iPod, you simply set it into the Dock. Using a Dock means that you don’t need to mess around with cables To use a Dock, connect the Dock connector end of the cable you use to connect the iPod to your computer into the Dock connector port on the Dock instead of the port on the iPod.

To connect the iPod to the computer, simply set it into the Dock. When the Dock can communicate with the iPod, you’ll hear a tone. Other than that, using an iPod in a Dock is just like using one connected to a computer by a cable. When you connect the Dock connector end of the cable into the Dock connector port on the Dock, make sure the icon on the cable faces up. If you try to insert the cable in upside down, you can damage the connector.

When you want to disconnect your iPod from the computer, lift it out of the Dock. (You might have to place one hand on the Dock to keep it from lifting up when you lift the iPod out.) Before you pull an iPod out of a Dock, make sure the “OK to disconnect” message appears on the iPod’s screen.

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, iTunes will open, and the iPod Setup Assistant will open. 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. Check the Automatically update my iPod check box.

Then click Finish (Windows) or Done (Mac). iTunes will update the iPod and will transfer all the music in your iTunes Library onto the iPod—if it can. While music is being transferred, the iPod icon on the iTunes Source List will flash red. You’ll also see information about the transfer in the iTunes Information area at the top of the iTunes window. If you are playing music while you transfer music to an iPod, you will see information about the music you are playing rather than information about the transfer.

If all the music in your iTunes Library will fit on the iPod, the rocess will complete without any further action rom you. When this process is complete, you will ear a “whoosh” sound and you’ll see the “iPod pdate is complete” message in the information rea at the top of the iTunes window. The “OK to isconnect” message will also be displayed on the Pod’s screen. When you see these messages, you an disconnect your iPod from your computer. queeze the buttons on each side of the Dock onnector end of the cable and remove the cable rom the iPod; the iPod will be ready to use. You an leave the cable plugged into your computer f you want to.

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 2.9). 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. Click OK to close the message window.

iTunes will move the playlist it created (whose ame will be the name of your iPod plus the word Selection”) onto your iPod. When this process is omplete, you will hear a “whoosh” sound and u’ll see the “iPod update is complete” message in the information area at the top of the iTunes window.

The “OK to disconnect” message will also be isplayed on the iPod’s screen. When you see these essages, you can disconnect your iPod from your omputer. Squeeze the buttons on each side of the ock connector end of the cable and remove the able from the iPod; the iPod will be ready to use.

You can leave the cable plugged into your computer if you want to.

Connecting an iPod to a Macintosh Computer

All Macintoshes produced in the past several ears have at least one six-pin FireWire port. You an use the FireWire cable included with your Pod to connect it to your Mac. Connect the Dock nnector end of the cable to Dock connector port on the iPod. Then plug the FireWire end of the cable into a FireWire port on your Mac.

Many Macs also support USB 2, but because the iPod will charge when you use a six-pin FireWire cable to connect it to your Mac, you should use FireWire instead of USB 2. However, if you don’t have an available FireWire port, you can use the USB 2 cable included with an iPod mini or the iPod Dock Connector to FireWire and USB 2.0 cable to connect an iPod to your Mac.

Using Four-Pin FireWire to Connect an iPod to a Windows Computer

To use four-pin FireWire, you will need to have a four-pin to six-pin FireWire adapter (this is included with all iPods except the mini). Connect this adapter to the FireWire end of the iPod’s FireWire cable. Next, connect the Dock connector end to the Dock connector port on the iPod. Then, plug the fourpin end of the adapter into your computer. The iPod will immediately be mounted on your computer.

Using USB 2 to Connect an iPod to a Windows Computer

If your computer supports USB 2, use the USB 2 cable included with an iPod mini or the accessory FireWire/USB 2 cable you purchased to connect an iPod to the computer. Use a USB 2 port that is on the computer itself rather than one that is on a keyboard, monitor, or other peripheral.

To use the USB 2 cable included with the iPod mini, plug the Dock connector end into the Dock connector port on the iPod and the USB 2 end into the USB port on your computer. The iPod will immediately be mounted on your computer. Make sure you insert the Dock connector end of the cable into the iPod’s Dock connector port so that the icon on the connector is facing toward the front face of the iPod.

If you attempt to force the connector in upside down, you can damage your iPod. To use the iPod Dock Connector to FireWire and USB 2.0 cable, connect the Dock connector end to the Dock connector port on the iPod (this cable is not supported on a iPod mini). Then, connect the USB 2 cable to a USB port on your computer.

Connect the FireWire end to the iPod power adapter and then plug the power adapter into a power outlet. The iPod will immediately be mounted on your computer

Using Six-Pin FireWire to Connect an iPod to a Windows Computer

If your computer has a six-pin FireWire port, use the six-pin FireWire cable included with your iPod. Connect the Dock connector end to the Dock connector port on the iPod and the FireWire end to the FireWire port on your computer. The iPod will immediately be mounted on your computer.