How to Backup an iPod on Two Different Computers

By eHow Electronics Editor

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Your newest purchase includes an iPod and you've put a lot of thought as to what information--music, books and pictures--you're going to download. If there's a computer failure or crash, you can save the hassle of restoring all your items by backing up your iPod on two different computers now.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

iPod
iPod docking station
USB flash drive device

Step1

Determine which computer is going to be the main computer for your iTunes account. It's easier to have one computer as the Go To computer for all your downloads, and then backup off that computer onto your second computer.

Step2

Sign up for an iTunes account. You can have numerous iPods synced into one iTunes account, so it's not necessary to have more than one account under your name and e-mail address.

Step3

Download iTunes onto your main computer and secondary computer, and then activate your computers. iTunes allows five activations per account. If you happen to reach the maximum activations for your account, you can deactivate all computers and then reactivate the two you are currently using.

Step4

Set up iTunes on your main computer. You can make your Playlists to include all the music, videos and any other information you want to add.

Step5

Sync your iPod with your main computer. Log off iTunes after syncing is complete.

Step6

Plug in your USB flash drive device into your main computer and locate the "iTunes" folder in the "My Music" section of your computer. Right Click on "iTunes" and copy the entire folder. Go into "My Computer" and locate the removable drive containing your USB flash device and "Paste" the "iTunes" folder.

Step7

Remove the USB flash drive device from your main computer and plug it into your secondary computer. "Cut" your iTunes folder from the flash drive and "Paste" it into the "My Music" folder under "My Computer" on your secondary computer.

Tips & Warnings

If your USB flash drive device doesn't have the capacity for a full "Copy" and "Paste," you may have to back up individual folders from your iTunes account from your main computer to your secondary computer.