using Shuffle on another computer
I bought the Shuffle in hopes of being able to load music from a home computer and play music via itunes on a work computer. I don't want to (can't) store music on my work computer. I can't use the ear buds at work either.
I feel that it's a legitimate use to be able to load songs from one computer and be able to only play from another computer.
I believe this can be done with the ipod. I already have a 3G 40 GB and thought the shuffle would be a nice compliment.
Can Xplay accomplish this? Is there any way anthing can?
Thanks! - Mike
[595 byte] By [
mpmiller] at [2007-11-10 9:14:20]
# 1 Re: using Shuffle on another computer
If you are okay with not using iTunes, you can listen to the songs from your Shuffle on another computer. I did this at work when I first got it. I'm assuming it's running XP. If so, just enable viewing of hidden files (in Explorer, go to Tools - Folder Options; click the View tab and check the dot that says, "Show hidden files and folders), and then you can access the music files in the Music Control folder (I think) and you can then play them that way.
Now that I'm thinking about it, you could probably select them all and drag them to iTunes and listen to them that way. Since we don't have iTunes at work, I was thinking I could just drag them to Windows Media Player and make a playlist and listen to them that way.
Let me know if that works for you.
# 2 Re: using Shuffle on another computer
I did what you recommended and it works, just need to go to F0, F1 & F2. If you open itunes 1st, it'll ask to link shuffle with this computer, if you anser no it disconnects the shuffle and it will need remounting (unplugged, plugged). The way around this (for me) is to highlight all the files in 1 of the directories and press enter. The file types are associated with itunes and automaticaly imported, itunes will also ask to link and answering no now has no effect and everything works, just goto the other directories and highlight those files, press enter to import them.
I downloaded a trial version of Xplay 2.1 which works with the Shuffle and it'll show all the file from F0, F1 & F2 in a subdirectory called Songs. I'll highlight all those files, press enter and there all imported into itunes. Life is wonderful.
Thanks!
# 3 Re: using Shuffle on another computer
I'm glad it worked. As an FYI, DON'T EVER delete a song off the shuffle through Explorer. I did that yesterday at work trying to transfer a file on it (it was filled with music) and then it stopped working. I had to wait till I got home to restore it and now all is well again.
Do you know if the playcounts are updated when you listen to the files that way? I'm assuming not, so for me (who uses playcounts in all my playlists) that's not the best way to do it. I actually have an mp3 player boombox at work in my lab that I listen to, so when I'm at my desk, I can just pop those in and import the files into Windows Media Player and play them from there.
# 4 Re: using Shuffle on another computer
My smartlists are partly dependent on play date and this method does not update the playcount or date so when I reconnect at home I get some of the same songs.
# 5 Re: using Shuffle on another computer
Just as I thought. That kind of sticks. Oh well, I don't really listen to music much at my desk anyway.
