iPod & iTunes: The Missing Manual, Second Edition

The iPod Software CD

The CD that comes with the iPod contains all the software you need to get up and iPodding in no time (Figure 2-5). (There’s only one CD in the box of the latest iPod models. The iPod CD installer program is smart enough to figure out what kind of computer you’re using and show you only the Mac or Windows installer on the disc.)

Figure 2-5.  The typical iPod CD (for Mac, top, and Windows) contains the iPod installer software, a copy of iTunes or MusicMatch Jukebox, an electronic copy of the iPod instruction booklet, and a folder of samples of spoken-word audio files from Audible.com. An Acrobat PDF file of legal and regulatory information is also included for those who really love to read the fine print. (Installation CDs are constantly evolving creatures, so don’t be alarmed if your screen looks different from those pictured here.)

The Macintosh CD

Early versions of the iPod CD included software for both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. But beginning with the 2003 iPods, Apple expects you to use Mac OS X 10.1.5 or later. Recent versions of the iPod CD come with iTunes 4; if that’s not the version you have, download the latest version of iTunes at http://www.apple.com/itunes.

Note

If you’re a stalwart Mac OS 9 fan, there’s still hope. Some people have reported being able to get a new iPod to work with iTunes 2 and the latest version of Mac OS 9, although sometimes erratically. ...