How To Use Your Apple iPod as a Backup Hard Drive

Since Apple’s introduction of the iPod to the portable media device market, it has sold millions of them in each version. It has evolved over the years, and the company has introduced more models to choose from. From audio to later adding video capabilities, the iPod has become one of the most sought after portable media devices today. Aside from playing your favorite tunes and videos, there is another use for your iPod, and that is to use it as a backup hard drive. You may be using someone else’s computer and you badly need to save an important document, research materials or an audio file but don’t have a blank CD or flash drive with you. All you have is the iPod that you never seem to leave home without. That may be all you need to save your files. Now that iPod storage capacities have grown to about 120 gigabytes or maybe more, you will have more than enough space for the most important files you need to backup.

1. Plug in your iPod to the USB port on the computer. The iPod connects to the computer through the USB port on a computer, using the USB cable connector. The smaller connector end of the USB cable fits into the USB port on the computer, and the wider end connects to the iPod.
2. Wait for iTunes to initiate. Once the iPod is connected through the USB port, you will have to wait for iTunes to launch, since iTunes may be set to automatically initiate once the iPod is connected to the computer. When the iTunes application is done loading you can choose to exit the program, since we won’t be using it, or choose to minimize it for use later.
3. Go to My Computer. You will now locate your iPod device in My Computer. Go to Start on the bottom left corner of your tool bar, select it and click My Computer on the Start menu. You will see all the hard disks and CD/DVD ROM drives that are connected to your computer. Find your iPod among the list and select it by double-clicking, or right click and choose the explore option.
4. Create a new folder. When you have opened your iPod’s files you will notice a couple of folders like Contacts, or Calendars. Create a new folder on this window and name it anything you want, like naming it “File Transfers” for example.
5. Transfer or copy files to the folder. You can now copy and paste files into this folder to separate them from the essential iPod folders. Transfer files with the method you are accustomed to like dragging and dropping or copy/paste.
6. Eject the iPod. When you are done you can eject the iPod from the computer through iTunes or by clicking the connected device icon on your tool bar and choosing to safely disconnect the device.

Since the iPod has a flash disk or hard drive on board, you can use it as a portable hard drive or a backup hard drive. You can save files on the iPod just like you would on any portable hard drive.