Ipod V3 and USB/Win98SE?
Hi,
I'm thinking about buying a new (V3, with docking station) Ipod. However before I do so, I want to make sure that it would work with my (old) computer, which is running W98SE.Yeah, I know, it's not the latest Win, but however I've installed a lot of SW and I don't want to change a running system... I don't have any problems with crashes or similar :-)
I would also not like installing a Firewire port.
Reading the spec of the new Ipod I understood that USB 2.0x is supported. Win98Se doesn't have any USB drivers with it, I would need a Ipod driver, I guess. Win98Se is not supported by Ipod's SW, however I red in this (excellent) forum that there is a way to get the HDD formated in Fat32 and so on ...
Now, my first question is, can I make Ipod running over USB on WIn98SE? I would like to have the Ipod as a new drive (like on Archos). What do I need to do so?
Next question: I learned that the MP3 are placed in hidden directories, this is done somehow by the sync SW. Just manually placing the MP3s on the Ipod doesn't help? Can I use my Ipod as a removable drive, i.e. can I copy down the MP3 on another computer, XP or so, (w/o installing any extra SW)?? Can I see the hidden files with the Explorer on the Ipod?
Last question: I use MMJB 7.5. It's fine for me. Is this version able to sync to Ipod? If yes, could I get it running over USB?
You advise will be gladly appreciated. Thank You!
Juergen
PS. Please excuse my poor English. I've to improve.
[1599 byte] By [
Juergen] at [2007-11-9 12:11:59]
# 1 Re: Ipod V3 and USB/Win98SE?
Hey Juergen, welcome to the 'lounge! ;) And might I congratulate you on your excellent english! No need to apologize.
All the things you want to do are possible. Here are the details though...
1. The iPod will support USB. It doesn't yet. They have to release a firmware update to make it work. This is supposed to be out this month. But Apple has been known to be late. You can get a firewire card for around $20US though. You might want to consider that as it's probably going to be faster, and it will power your iPod when connected to you PC. Very handy when you synchronize music as this can take an hour. It's a much better option. USB does no provide power.
2. You'll need this patch (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;242975) from microsoft to make firewire work w/your Win98SE machine though.
3. The iPod can be recognized just as a plain old hard drive. So you can copy files to it. You cannot just copy the MP3s to it and have them playable on the iPod though, because the iPod has an internal database that needs to be updated when music is added. That's what MMJB and these other programs do.
4. You can continue to use MMJB 7.5. You'll just need to get the iPod Plugin for MMJB 7.5 It's available from their web site for free.
5. Since you 98SE you'll have to do a couple of tricks to get the iPod "Updater" program onto your computer. Basically, just copy a file called "updater.exe" off of the CD and run it. This will get your iPod setup for use w/windows. You won't be able to install the other Apple software off of the CD, because of 98SE, but you don't need the other software in fact, it can cause problems and I recommend not installing it at all.
6. Once USB is supported, you'll be able to connect your iPod to any other computer w/USB without any additional software. You can do that today if the other computer has firewire. It'll just show up as a new drive in My Computer.
Hope that helps.
Adam
# 2 Re: Ipod V3 and USB/Win98SE?
Adam,
Thank you very much for the precise informations and the warm reception in the lounge.
Actually I'm a newby on this (Ipod, Mac...) , but being an electrical engineer I want to understand as much as possible of what happens inside and outside of the Ipod, you know...
I like this forum very much as I can find almost all information I need herein. Obviously many specialists here... :-)
OK, if USB is not yet running, I will have to get the Firewire card and will blow up my old PC even more... :-)
I have more questions.
Is it true that I can't download the files from the Ipod to another computer but only to that computer which did the upload? Consequently the Ipod would not be usable for MP3 exchanges with friends etc...
I red this in some postings - but for me it sounds crazy. Hopefully it is not true.
Well here another question: does the new Ipod has an low current RTC inside? Or is the CPU still sucking battery for clock and date purpose. I red that some old FW caused batteries to be drained very quickly.
And last, just for general information: US prices compared to Europe prices for an 30GB Ipod: $500 vs. Euro599. Taking into account the $/E rate of actually about 1/1,17 we pay in "old" Europe about 40% more than you in US. Nice! And today (11. July 2003) the device is even not yet available in our shops... what a service!
I'll have a friend of mine to get me the box from US.
Thanks
Juergen
# 3 Re: Ipod V3 and USB/Win98SE?
Originally posted by ashawley
5. Since you 98SE you'll have to do a couple of tricks to get the iPod "Updater" program onto your computer. Basically, just copy a file called "updater.exe" off of the CD and run it. This will get your iPod setup for use w/windows. You won't be able to install the other Apple software off of the CD, because of 98SE, but you don't need the other software in fact, it can cause problems and I recommend not installing it at all.
6. Once USB is supported, you'll be able to connect your iPod to any other computer w/USB without any additional software. You can do that today if the other computer has firewire. It'll just show up as a new drive in My Computer.
Hope that helps.
Adam
I was in the same boat as Juergen, so I tried to copy and run the updater .exe off of the software CD. However a popup box came up that said the iPod was not connected...
But the iPod was securely connected via the USB + firewire to dock cable.
Also, the first time I plugged in the iPod, a prompt from windows came up looking for new drivers. When it couldn't find any, it disappeared, and I haven't seen it since. What happened there? Do I need the 2.0.1 update before USB is compatable?
Since I'm running Windows98 SE, I can't make use of any of the updaters from apple... however I'm going to have a friend who owns Windows XP update the iPod for me.
Could all these problems be stemming from the fact that I haven't updated with a higher OS yet? Do you think after the iPod IS updated, I'll be able to use the USB + firewire cable? Or do I have to download more drivers from the Win98 CD before the newly updated iPod will be recognized by my machine?
Sorry for so many questions but it's really disheartening to see my shiny new iPod lying in it's box, unused. I'd like to do whatever I can to get that baby running as soon as possible.
# 4 Re: Ipod V3 and USB/Win98SE?
Oh, wow guys, so many questions. OK, I'll try and we'll see how I do.
Juergen:
You most definitely can copy the files on the iPod off of it to another computer. Apple would like you to think it's not possible, but it is. There are some tricks to it. See, all the files are stored randomly in 20 folders (f00-f19) in a hidden directory on the iPod (ipod_control\music). The problem is that most programs you use to upload the files will rename the files and randomly put them in these directories. So, you need to search or use one of the software programs that allow you to copy off of the iPod (MC9, Xplay and ephpod all allow for this, very simply).
I don't know what "low current RTC inside" is. I, unlike you am not and electrical engineer ;). But I think I know what you're referring to. The iPod never really turns off, it just goes to sleep. Well, actually, I think that's changed w/the new gen3 ipods. They turn off after a day or so. But some voltage is used for clock/calendar features. They will lose their charge after a week or so.
Sorry, can't help you with the price issue. ;)
prototypechild:
Hm, seems like you tried to use USB before it was available in the update. I've read that it was possible to use it, but haven't tried myself. What you need to do is the restore, it can be done on Win98. Have you tried the trick here (http://ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2970)?
This will let you get the iPod updated to 2.01 and hopefully will get you in business w/USB. I'm guessing you'll need some USB drivers, but windows should prompt you for those. If you can't get the "New Hardware Found" back, do it manually--run the Add New Hardware wizard (from Control Panel) with your iPod connected to the PC.
Adam
# 5 Re: Ipod V3 and USB/Win98SE?
Thanks a bunch, Adam!
I wish I had known about the work-arounds I could have done to make the updaters work with Win98se sooner, (I tried your first suggestion and it didn't work, but the suggestions in the thread you linked might just have done the trick) I probably could have save myself as well as you some time. >_<;
However I had a friend of mine pick up my iPod earlier today, and he's going to update my iPod from his computer with Windows XP.
Hopefully when he brings it back to me later, everything will be fine. If I have any more problems with the USB, you can bet I'll be back here bothering all you fine people for advice. :D
Keep up the good work, loungers! This is the most informative iPod-centric site I've found yet, and if it weren't for you I doubt I'd have even bought my iPod. Thanks from all of us decidedly un-techy savy iPod lovers!
# 6 Re: Ipod V3 and USB/Win98SE?
Glad to be of help proto. And if I didn't say it earlier, welcome to the 'lounge. ;)
Adam
# 7 Re: Ipod V3 and USB/Win98SE?
Hi, back again.
I just got my iPod back from my friend and freshly updated with USB support.
The iPod isn't being recognized as a drive, and the USB isn't recognizing the unit either. Well it does, but only sometimes after I restart.
I did the "Add New Hardware Wizard" thing but it found no drivers that would work with the iPod. Even when I checked the win98se disk, nothing compatable came up.
What am I doing wrong? Do the drivers just not exist on my disk? If so, how can I find them? I'm so frustrated.
Could you give me a step-by step rundown of what I'm supposed to do? Perhaps the name of the driver I'm looking for? I fear I just missed something... I read in some other post that the drivers are located in the win98se disk under in the cabs folder. Supposedly I'm supposed to be installing the "mass usb storage" driver...
And yet when I tried to find the cab file, it didn't exist! What should I do?
# 8 Re: Ipod V3 and USB/Win98SE?
I have the same exact problem as you!! I went to a computer store where I could update the firmware. So now it says VERSION 2.0.1 on the ipod, which is good. But then I try plugging the iPod in my computer (Win98), but it does not recognize the iPod, and I don't have a driver for it! There's none on the Windows CD, nothing in the Apple CD! I followed everything perfectly, though. So please help!
Thanks
Tartampion
# 9 Re: Ipod V3 and USB/Win98SE?
By the way, when I tried doing the trick to update the firmware on my computer (Win98), I could install the thing, but then the PC would crash as soon as I tried closing the update window; I don't if this as something to do with that.
# 10 Re: Ipod V3 and USB/Win98SE?
Sorry, guys, I've had zero experience w/USB and the iPods. I really don't have anything to offer you. Hopefully someone else will come along that's had better luck.
Adam
# 11 Re: Ipod V3 and USB/Win98SE?
Thanks anyway, Adam... I'm thinking I might as well just buy myself a cheap firewire card and see if that can't solve my USB problems once and for all. ;)
Has anyone else had the same problems as tartampion and I? Even if I do get a firewire card, I'd still like the option to use USB. Any information at all would help!
# 12 Re: Ipod V3 and USB/Win98SE?
Question for those with Win98 and USB 2.0: What kind of motherboard are you using and what drivers? That might help me a lot actually.
I got mine to work; I went to Surcouf (French CompUSA) and thee I connected my iPod to a WinXP PC, and downloaded the 50Mos that I had put on a CD-ROM. But now back at home, impossible to connect via USB 2.0! So I'll probably buy a firewire card and still try to get the USB 2.0 to work.
