How to Manually Recover Music from Your iPod

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Make sure iTunes is installed on your computer.

   This will prevent iTunes from erasing any songs on your iPod that are not listed in iTunes. ,,,,,,,,, The next step won't work if the folder is hidden.
   
   Click "OK" when done. ,, Drag the music folder to the iTunes button on your task bar and position it inside the iTunes window, then release the mouse button.
   
   Your music is now being copied to your iTunes library.
   
   If you find that all of your music file or album names are gibberish, close iTunes, repeat step 2, then... open iTunes, create a new (empty) library when prompted, and add your iTunes music folder back to your library (under the iTunes 'File' menu.. see step 15). ,,, Selecting "Erase and Sync" will erase all the songs on your iPod and replace them with the ones on your computer.
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   Step 2: Open the iTunes folder (located in your "My Music" folder) and delete everything except the "iTunes Music" folder.

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   Step 3: Connect your iPod to your computer and open iTunes.

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   Step 4: When the message asking if you want to erase everything on your iPod and synchronize with the new library

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   Step 5: click "Cancel".

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   Step 6: Enable disk use by checking the "Enable disk use" box on the iPod preferences page.

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   Step 7: Open "My Computer" and double-click your iPod.

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   Step 8: Enable hidden folders by performing the following steps: Open the "Tools" menu and select "Folder Options" (if you are using Windows Vista

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   Step 9: the menu may be hidden - pressing the "Alt" key will open it) Click the "View" tab Select the "Show hidden files and folders" option

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    Step 10: then click "OK"

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    Step 11: You should now see a folder called "iPod_Control" - open it

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    Step 12: Make sure iTunes is open

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    Step 13: press "Ctrl+

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    Step 14: " or "Ctrl

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    Step 15: " depending on your computer

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    Step 16: to open the iTunes preferences screen

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    Step 17: then click the "Advanced" tab

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    Step 18: Select the "Keep iTunes music folder organized" and "Copy files when added to iTunes library" options

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    Step 19: then click "OK"

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    Step 20: In the iPod_Control folder

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    Step 21: right-click the "Music" folder and uncheck the "Hidden" box.

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    Step 22: Click "Music" in the left-hand pane of iTunes.

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    Step 23: This is the fun part!

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    Step 24: Turn off hidden folders if you don't want to see them.

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    Step 25: If you have any songs in your iTunes Music folder that are not on your iPod

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    Step 26: use the "File -> Add Folder to Library" option to add them to your music library.

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    Step 27: Select your iPod in the left pane

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    Step 28: then click the "Sync" button.

Detailed Guide

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