iPod Nano Auto Sync (iTunes) problem

[Ignolopi]

(Mac OS 10.6.3, iTunes 9.1.1)

I have an iPod Nano 3rd gen. (the short stubby one), and previously had no problems with it on my laptop (MacBook Pro).
I got a new desktop computer, erased most of my library on my laptop, synced my ipod with the desktop computer, that was OK.
However, when I plug my ipod into the laptop to charge, it automatically syncs with iTunes (erasing everything on the pod). I tried setting it on the laptop to not auto sync, but then on the desktop computer it had that setting as well.
It's as if it thinks they are the same computer.
Is there a way I can 'tell' the ipod that these are two different computers? I just want to be able to charge it from my laptop without syncing.

Thanks,
~Iggy

[rockmyplimsoul]

Do you have "Automatically launch iTunes when this iPod is connected" selected? If so, un-check that option and click Apply. That way you can connect to your laptop and avoid a sync, assuming that iTunes is not turned on

If iTunes is running on your laptop, you avoid an auto-sync by pressing and holding the Ctrl and Shift buttons (Windows*) on your laptop as you connect the Nano. Keep holding Ctrl and Shift until the Nano shows up in iTunes, then release. The Nano will show up in iTunes, but it will not have sync'd (unless you click the Sync button in iTunes).

* I think on a Mac the two buttons are the Cmd and Opt buttons?

Also, the reason your Nano thinks the two computers are the same is probably because you copied your "iTunes Library.itl" file from the laptop to the new computer. While that preserves your playlists, song ratings, etc. it also makes the iPod think they are the same computer due to something in the .itl file. If you create a whole new library on the new computer, you'd lose your playlists, ratings, etc. but you would get a warning when you connect to the laptop's library.

[Ignolopi]

I did try un-checking the 'automatically launch' and it behaved the same way for both computers -- but your second suggestion sounds like it would solve my problems. That makes a lot of sense. I just have to wipe everything out and start again -- shouldn't be too hard, as it's just my extra library.
Thank you for your help!