If I restore my ipod, will all my songs get deleted?

Question

If I restore my ipod, will all my songs get deleted?
I need to restore my ipod, but Im afraid once Im done, I wont have my old songs. Will they still be there, or will I have to purchase new songs?

Answer

It will erase everything on your iPod. However, it does NOT erase anything in iTunes! So youll be okay. Trust me, Ive had to restore like times.brbrIf you dont have everything backed up, follow these directionsbrbrbrThis is how you get all the songsvideosgamesetc. from your iPod to your computer. Im going to write stepbystep instructions on how to do it, but Im also gonna provide a link that shows pics and stuff of how to do it because it can seem a little confusing sometimes.brbrNOTE If you bought ALL of your musicetc. from iTunes, simply log into the new iTunes and plug in your iPod. Then sync it. A box will pop up and ask if you want to transfer your music. Click Yes. If you got your music from CDs, or off the internet, etc. then follow the directions below.brbrKeep in mind that all computers are different. If this doesnt work for you, Im sorry. Email me at princessgreengmail.com or kweenfaerieyahoo.com and Ill try to help you out!brbrbrbrSTEP br Plug in your iPod. iTunes should open up. If not, then open it how you normally open. Wait until it connects with the iPod.brbrbrSTEP br A message will pop up and ask if you want to erase this iPod and sync with the iTunes library or sometimes it asks if you want to transfer your music. Click Cancel.brbrbrSTEP br Make sure you are on the iPod Options page your iPod should pop up under Devices click on it. Make sure the box that says quotEnable disk usequot is CHECKED.brbrbrSTEP br Exit iTunes. Dont eject it, though.brbrbrSTEP br Go to your iTunes music folders. Its usually located in Start gt My Documents gt My Music gt iTunes. Delete the XML and ITL files.brbrbrSTEP br Go to Start gt My Computer. Then click on Tools gt Folder Options gt the quotViewquot tab. In Advanced Settings under Files and Folders click quotShow hidden files and foldersquot. Then click OK.brbrbrSTEP br Go to Start gt My Computer. Click on your iPod for instance, mine says quotVICKYS IPOD Fquot. See the slightly seethrough iPodControl folder? Right click on it and scroll down to quotSend to ... quot and pick My Documents. NOTE You can save it anywhere on your computer, but to make it easy Im just going to pick a spot for you.brbrbrSTEP br It will take a few minutes to copy everything. When its done, unhide the iPodControl folder that you just copied to My Documents NOT the iPodControl that is on your iPod! by rightclicking on it. Scroll down to Properties. Then uncheck the Hidden attribute. A message will pop up and ask if you want to apply this to this folder, subfolders, and files. Make sure this option is chosen, and click OK. You MUST do this step.brbrbrSTEP br Open iTunes. Remember that your iPod is still connected to the computer. You will get the same messages asking if you want to erase this iPod and sync it with the iTunes library, unless you chose quotDo not ask me againquot. Click Cancel.brbrbrSTEP br At the top, click on Edit gt Preferences. Choose the quotAdvancedquot tab. Make sure quotKeep iTunes Music folder organizedquot and quotCopy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to libraryquot are checked.brbrbrSTEP br From iTunes, choose File at the top gt Add Folder to Library. Navigate to the iPodControl folder and click OK.brbrbrSTEP br The files will begin to copy into your iTunes library. You might want to take this time to write down all your playlists, because when you sync your iPod again youll lose them.brbrbrSTEP br After your library fills up, simply click on your iPod under Devices and sync it! It will ask if you want to erase the songs and sync. Just click Yes. It doesnt matter now because all of your songs are on your computer.brbrbrbrbrbrSometimes, for an unkown reason, songs are copied into iTunes with fourletter titles ex WGYT or JSFU. Im sorry, I dont know any way to correct that aside from doing them each manually. Keep in mind that this is a FREE tutorial. Youre not paying for anything, so just be happy that you got your songs D