Best way to format iPod for Win

[mulgar]

From my understanding there are two ways to format the hard drive of an iPod (to change it from the MAC format to FAT32)

1) Run the setup CD included in the iPod
2) Run the Windows format, ie: right click on the removable iPod drive and click format.

Now searching around on the net I bumped into some forums where people had talked to Apple tech support and they had recommended to use the Windows format tool as the way the Apple software formats tends to be a little off or something (I forgot exact words of what they said).

My question is which way should I do it? Which way of people here used at and has anybody run into problems on formatting using either method?

[ashawley]

I've never heard the problems that their version of the format isn't "correct". Interesting. I'd like to see a link for that if you have it. Especially if Apple is saying it.

Either way will work, but you've got to get the firmware on as well.

The best way to do it is to download the updater from Apples site. Get the correct version for your model iPod (1.3 for gen 1 & 2, 2.0.1 for gen 3). Install that program and run it. Click the Restore button and you're done.

That's the simplest and best way IMO.

Adam

[Aqualung]

I did install Apple's Updater...and get a message saying I should run it. However, I've already purchased and installed MacOpener, and am running that w/ Ephpod.

Should I remove MacOpener and then run the Updater? Can I continue to use Ephpod after?

[mulgar]

Yeah, I just wanted to do it without having to install anything from the CD (I wanted to use the latest Update download I had).

I ended up accidently doing the windows format thing anyways, and it took a little time (as expected to format a 15gb drive) but did it successfully. However app's like ephpod still complained.

I then did a restore from the update software which I guess also does a format, but it also adds some other stuff that windows doesn't like some control directories and files etc. After this it worked fine. So now considering this I can't see how a windows format can get you going other then formatting the drive clean (but not setting up the iPod like the Update does).

However since you were interested I did some digging to try and find out where I heard some of thie [crazy]ish stuff from so below is one of the links I found while searching:
http://guttedgeek.com/CC256C7A00828100/0/CWIS-5NA4ME

[ashawley]

Originally posted by Aqualung
I did install Apple's Updater...and get a message saying I should run it. However, I've already purchased and installed MacOpener, and am running that w/ Ephpod.

Should I remove MacOpener and then run the Updater? Can I continue to use Ephpod after?

There is no need for you to have MacOpener. It's not needed by ephpod nor for your iPod as long as it's formatted as a Windows iPod.

Might as well uninstall it.

Adam