Guru's Guide to Uploading Music to iPod nano

Author: LydiaVaughn
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Congratulations on your new iPod nano! In a few minutes we'll have you uploading music to your iPod nano and ready to roll. More interested in playing videos, games or audiobooks? No worries. Once you're uploading music to your nano you'll know how to upload all the other goodies too.

1) Get the music onto your hard drive

Where are your music files? For a lot of new nano owners the answer is "on my CDs." If so, you'll want to make the files available to your computer. Most people start by copying the files from CDs onto the computer's hard disk. Note: If you use iTunes and have selected "Copy files to iTunes music folder," it's enough to just have the CD in your computer's CD drive.

2) Import the music into your iPod manager

What's an iPod manager? For most of us it's the iTunes software Apple provides you for free. If you don't have it on your computer already to go the Apple website and download iTunes. It's a good starting point for new users, and it's free!

Don't worry, using iTunes to manage your iPod doesn't keep you from buying music at other stores. I buy music downloads from Amazon and eMusic, in addition to iTunes.

If you like to be able to find all your iPod music in one location on your computer, set up iTunes to copy all files into the library location. It's an easy configuration: choose Edit, Preferences, Advanced from the menu and click the "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library." This is handy if you're going to pull music from CDs -- let iTunes manage copying the files off the CD for you.

Wherever you got your music from, once it's on your computer you can import it into iTunes. You have a couple options. One way is to select (from the top menu) File, Add Folder to Library, and find the folder holding your music. Click "OK" and iTunes will now show the music in the Library music list. Another way is to use the Control & O keys. Navigate to the files' location and click on the files you want to add.

3) Connect your iPod nano

You probably already did this, but just in case: connect your iPod nano to your computer with the the USB cable that came with your nano. You'll know the connection's successful when the left-hand menu in iTunes shows your iPod.

Now, decide if you want to let iTunes handle synchronizing with your iPod or if you want to handle things manually. I like the "manually manage" approach -- it lets me decide which files to move to my nano. It also lets me synch up different computers to just one iPod.

4) Upload your music

Are you going to let iTunes manage the uploads? If so, you're ready to start. Click your iPod's icon, select "Sync" in the lower right corner, and iTunes handles the rest.

If you want to manage uploading manually, click your iPod's icon, select the "Manually manage music and videos" checkbox on the iTunes screen. (Don't worry, this is a one-time setup step -- you won't have to do it again.) Now all you have to do is select the music (or play lists) you want from your iTunes library and drag it onto the iPod icon.

5) Be sure to eject your iPod

Eject from iTunes by clicking the button at bottom right of the screen. THEN disconnect from your computer.

6) Time for more music!

If you've followed these steps you know how to upload music to your nano. Time to download more games, videos, books, and music for your nano. See my web site for suggestions of where to find great downloads for reasonable prices.

About the Author

Looking for more great music and video downloads? Check out Lydia Vaughn's review of the best sites for downloads for your iPod nano at Nanos Reviewed.