iPod question - can it be used as a normal drive in XP

[Schnieds]

Hey,

I am in the market to purchase and external drive to share code between my work computer, desktop and laptop. My requirements are as follows:
-Small form factor
-Decently fast transfer rates
-At least 20GB of space
-Needs to show up as a normal windows drive when connected (i.e. D: .NET Studio is kinda picky about this.)

I was looking at some LaCie small portable drives, however after I started thinking about it I wondered if I could get an MP3 player plus portable hard drive all in one.... which is where the iPod comes into play. So now to my question....

When you connect an iPod to a Windows XP machine does the iPod show up in Windows Explorer like a normal drive (i.e. the D: drive?)

If it does I may just have to get me one.

Thanks....

Schnieds

 

[MattTech]

It doesn't but the far superior Iriver IHP-120 does.
I couldn't find the IHP-120 on Amazon, but they have the slightly heavier 40GB version:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...1748-1546321?v=glance&s=electronics&n=3005201

 

[MattTech]

The 20GB version is available at newegg:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...150-015&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=10

 

[MattTech]

The 20GB version is available at newegg:
Here.

 

[MDE]

Flamesuits on, red alert!
I feel a flamefest coming on...

 

[x3m]

"When you connect an iPod to a Windows XP machine does the iPod show up in Windows Explorer like a normal drive (i.e. the D: drive?)"

Yes, it does. But you'll to have a program such as iTunes to transfer music into it (of course you can add .mp3 files into it, but your iPod won't play 'em then).

 

[UncleWai]

Originally posted by: MattTech
It doesn't but the far superior Iriver IHP-120 does.
I couldn't find the IHP-120 on Amazon, but they have the slightly heavier 40GB version:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001BRITE/ref=br_fq_e_hmmm_1//104-6501748-1546321?v=glance&s=electronics&n=3005201

*cough* bullshit *cough*

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: MattTech
It doesn't but the far superior Iriver IHP-120 does.
I couldn't find the IHP-120 on Amazon, but they have the slightly heavier 40GB version:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001BRITE/ref=br_fq_e_hmmm_1//104-6501748-1546321?v=glance&s=electronics&n=3005201

get your facts straight before posting. an Ipod can easily be used for an external HDD

 

[MattTech]

Originally posted by: shady06

Originally posted by: MattTech
It doesn't but the far superior Iriver IHP-120 does.
I couldn't find the IHP-120 on Amazon, but they have the slightly heavier 40GB version:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001BRITE/ref=br_fq_e_hmmm_1//104-6501748-1546321?v=glance&s=electronics&n=3005201

get your facts straight before posting. an Ipod can easily be used for an external HDD

OK calm down. I'd still go with an iRiver though. Twice the battery life, better sound quality, OGG support, non-scratchable screen, far better remote and almost the same weight, and you don't need any software to transfer songs. I'd only go with an iPod if you are bothered about the image.

 

[Bryans]

Originally posted by: MattTech

Originally posted by: shady06

Originally posted by: MattTech
It doesn't but the far superior Iriver IHP-120 does.
I couldn't find the IHP-120 on Amazon, but they have the slightly heavier 40GB version:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001BRITE/ref=br_fq_e_hmmm_1//104-6501748-1546321?v=glance&s=electronics&n=3005201

get your facts straight before posting. an Ipod can easily be used for an external HDD

OK calm down. I'd still go with an iRiver though. Twice the battery life, better sound quality, OGG support, non-scratchable screen, far better remote and almost the same weight, and you don't need any software to transfer songs. I'd only go with an iPod if you are bothered about the image.

They should calm down because you gave bad advice?

 

[MattTech]

I was misinformed.
It wasn't bad advice, The Iriver is a better product, and being as it requires no software to be installed for it to be recognised as a drive, it is mnore suitable if you wish to transfer information to different computers.

 

[Bryans]

Originally posted by: MattTech
I was misinformed.
It wasn't bad advice, The Iriver is a better product, and being as it requires no software to be installed for it to be recognised as a drive, it is mnore suitable if you wish to transfer information to different computers.

Wow, I wonder how my iPOD was recognized as a harddrive in winXP without the need to install any software?

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: MattTech
I was misinformed.
It wasn't bad advice, The Iriver is a better product, and being as it requires no software to be installed for it to be recognised as a drive, it is mnore suitable if you wish to transfer information to different computers.

You're still mis-informed. The iPod requires no software for external drive mode, software is only required to transfer songs to it, as a special DB needs to be written to the iPod.

 

[wetcat007]

How's the creative zen? I've heard good things bout those, I think they work as a normal external drive.

 

[Schnieds]

Wow.... thanks for all of the replies and the information.

So it sounds like the iPod will fit the bill. I have been looking around this morning and notice that Dell DJ is over $100 less for the 20GB version than the iPod, does anyone have experience with the DJ?

Hehe... thanks again for the information. I will check out the Iriver, although I have to admit the iPod is damn sexy (even though I am a mac-hater.):beer:

Schnieds

 

[SuPrEIVIE]

Schnieds, if i were you i would get the iriver over the ipod its seems better overall and the DJ should show up as a normal harddrive...if the main purpose is to have an external harddrive check out the Zen its the cheapest

 

[50]

Originally posted by: UncleWai

Originally posted by: MattTech
It doesn't but the far superior Iriver IHP-120 does.
I couldn't find the IHP-120 on Amazon, but they have the slightly heavier 40GB version:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001BRITE/ref=br_fq_e_hmmm_1//104-6501748-1546321?v=glance&s=electronics&n=3005201[/Q

*cough* bullshit *cough*

Wow N: drive...you must have a lot of optical/hard drive devices! BTW what theme is that you have going there? And also Matttech stop making your stupid assumptions

 

[MattTech]

Originally posted by: 50

Originally posted by: UncleWai

Originally posted by: MattTech
It doesn't but the far superior Iriver IHP-120 does.
I couldn't find the IHP-120 on Amazon, but they have the slightly heavier 40GB version:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001BRITE/ref=br_fq_e_hmmm_1//104-6501748-1546321?v=glance&s=electronics&n=3005201[/Q

*cough* bullshit *cough*

Wow N: drive...you must have a lot of optical/hard drive devices! BTW what theme is that you have going there? And also Matttech stop making your stupid assumptions

Interesting that you've totally ignored the fact that I gave good advice, my iPod did not show up as a drive in WinXp until I installed the drivers.

 

[merlocka]

Originally posted by: MattTech

Originally posted by: 50

Originally posted by: UncleWai

Originally posted by: MattTech
It doesn't but the far superior Iriver IHP-120 does.
I couldn't find the IHP-120 on Amazon, but they have the slightly heavier 40GB version:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001BRITE/ref=br_fq_e_hmmm_1//104-6501748-1546321?v=glance&s=electronics&n=3005201[/Q

*cough* bullshit *cough*

Wow N: drive...you must have a lot of optical/hard drive devices! BTW what theme is that you have going there? And also Matttech stop making your stupid assumptions

Interesting that you've totally ignored the fact that I gave good advice, my iPod did not show up as a drive in WinXp until I installed the drivers.

If good advice = you're wrong, then yes, you gave good advice.

And if you had problems seeing an iPod show up as a device under WinXP until you installed a driver (which driver might that be, I wonder?) should you really be the guy offering advice to others on mp3 players?

 

[MattTech]

Yes, I have both an iRiver and iPod, the fact that the iPod did not show up as a drive until I installed the software does notmake me any less aware of how good they sound, and how many features they offer. I was wrong, okay, if he had gone with my advice on the chance that nobody else had posted, he would have still ended up with a much better player.

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: MattTech
Yes, I have both an iRiver and iPod, the fact that the iPod did not show up as a drive until I installed the software does notmake me any less aware of how good they sound, and how many features they offer. I was wrong, okay, if he had gone with my advice on the chance that nobody else had posted, he would have still ended up with a much better player.

Ahh, I bet I know what your problem was. iPods used to(and do they still?) come pre-formatted for Macs, meaning their HD was formatted HFS+, so PC users had to run Apple's formatting utility to convert the iPod over to FAT32 for PCs. In that case, it's "sort of" a driver thing, but since it only has to be done to an iPod once, you can still take the iPod around and use it as an external drive once it's been formatted.

 

[MattTech]

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: MattTech
Yes, I have both an iRiver and iPod, the fact that the iPod did not show up as a drive until I installed the software does notmake me any less aware of how good they sound, and how many features they offer. I was wrong, okay, if he had gone with my advice on the chance that nobody else had posted, he would have still ended up with a much better player.

Ahh, I bet I know what your problem was. iPods used to(and do they still?) come pre-formatted for Macs, meaning their HD was formatted HFS+, so PC users had to run Apple's formatting utility to convert the iPod over to FAT32 for PCs. In that case, it's "sort of" a driver thing, but since it only has to be done to an iPod once, you can still take the iPod around and use it as an external drive once it's been formatted.

I had only used it on a Mac before-hand, so that may have been it. Though I only had to install the software disc.

 

[Schnieds]

Thanks again for all of the information.

After doing some research, reading review and poking around in other forums, I am leaning towards the iPod at this point. The iRiver looks like a nice product, so I am also going to consider that one. After looking into the Dell DJ I read about way too many problems to make me feel comfortable going that route.

Thanks again for all of the info!

Schnieds

 

[UncleWai]

I bought the ipod because it looks good and the touch wheel/buttons are very convenient.
If you are looking to use it as just a small removable hdd, the GB/$ ratio might not be the best for ipod.

 

[UncleWai]

Originally posted by: 50

Originally posted by: UncleWai

Originally posted by: MattTech
It doesn't but the far superior Iriver IHP-120 does.
I couldn't find the IHP-120 on Amazon, but they have the slightly heavier 40GB version:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001BRITE/ref=br_fq_e_hmmm_1//104-6501748-1546321?v=glance&s=electronics&n=3005201[/Q

*cough* bullshit *cough*

Wow N: drive...you must have a lot of optical/hard drive devices! BTW what theme is that you have going there? And also Matttech stop making your stupid assumptions

Three 100GB+ hdd, cdrom, cdr/w, Digital camera, and a virtual cdrom will do.
Lightstar1's crystalblue theme
I paired it with the wallpaper from their Illusion theme.