how do you load files? (sync ipod 5g w/itunes)

[zacmobile]

i have been unable to sync my files from itunes to my ipod while running rockbox. i've tried manually loading files but it doesn't work either. i have to uninstall rockbox just to load new files and then reinstall, quite a drag! and there doesn't appear to be any mention of how to accomplish this in the rockbox manual.

whats the trick?

[Llorean]

Usually no special action is necessary.

You can drag files over in Disk Mode, if you just want them for Rockbox, or you can sync in iTunes (or rather most people can).

[zacmobile]

well, when i click "sync ipod" it goes through its normal routine: "do not disconnect, syncing ipod" and rockbox appears to be connecting, but when its done the files just aren't there.

[Llorean]

In the Apple firmware?

[zacmobile]

i don't know, i'm assuming not, it's not in the rockbox database.

[Llorean]

Have you set database to auto-update, or tried updating it manually or even reinitializing it (they should be tried in that order).

[mc_365]

You cant sync with itunes to rockbox.

Boot your ipod in apple firmware.

Sync as you would before rockbox.

Disconnect.

Boot to apple firmware and check your files are as expected.

Reboot to rockbox and update tagcache / Database.

Reboot and put your iPod in Tag mode and you should see your music.

I didn't explain everything in baby steps and maybe they enhanced some stuff in the newest builds but if you don't get the jist you should read some more.

[zacmobile]

wow, that's quite a convoluted process, being a noob i'd better read up some more.

[Llorean]

That process is almost entirely unnecessary. Please answer my questions.

[mc_365]

It goes realy fast to me.

Some of the reboot and update database steps may no longer be necessary becuase of bug fixes but it dosent hurt.

By far the longest part of the process for me was loading the songs.

Everything else takes like 5 min. combined.

But now I just drag and drop I don't even fool with iTunes, well never really used iTunes, I mean I don't load anything into the apple firmware.

[Llorean]

The reboot steps were NEVER necessary.

The whole process was:
1) Plug in USB
2) Sync
3) Eject properly
4) Update database in Rockbox (auto-update if it's working, manual update if it's not).

This has been true from the day Database existed.

[mc_365]

I seem to remember a stretch when it was even necessary to delete the tagcache files from the ipod as it wouldn't update them.

Yes this might have been a year ago but if he can't get it to go my thinking is take all precautions first then shorten my steps to see where its going wrong.

But of course you know best and I would suggest he follow any instructions you give him

[Llorean]

There may have been a period where the update feature was buggy, but that didn't change the process that was *supposed* to work, just the fact that for certain builds it didn't work.

And what you most often got with that was duplicated entries. You didn't get files not showing up at all.

It's generally a bad idea to write overcomplicated instructions before you even know what the person is doing, because it can just confuse them more.

[zacmobile]

The whole process was:
1) Plug in USB
2) Sync
3) Eject properly
4) Update database in Rockbox (auto-update if it's working, manual update if it's not).

works! quite painless too. thanks Llorean!