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Most of us, upon laying eyes on our brand new iPod, can't wait to fill it up and get some tunes coming out of those headphones. Luckily, the setup process for a new iPod is straightforward and easy. I will discuss the steps here so that you will be prepared to set up an iPod with no worries and no hassles.

1) INSTALL iTUNES ON YOUR COMPUTER

iTunes Software is used to organize your library of music, videos etc. and you will use the software to "sync" your iPod, filling it with the songs you have accumulated. Macs already have iTunes installed when you purchase them, however if yours for some reason doesn't, or if you are using a PC, you can download iTunes at www.apple.com/iTunes/download. Click on the blue "Download iTunes Free" button and follow the instructions for the software installation.

2) PLUG IN YOUR NEW iPOD

Find the cable that came with your iPod and that has an iPod connector on one end and a USB connector on the other. Plug each end into its proper location - the port on the iPod and the USB port on the computer, respectively. If your iPod needs charging, it will charge through the USB connection (if the battery is completely dead you may need to wait awhile for it to charge before it comes on and starts up).

3) SET UP YOUR iPOD WITH iTUNES

The "iPod Assistant" will start and will assist you with setting iTunes up with your new iPod. You will be asked to choose whether to sync. your iPod automatically when you plug it in , or to manually manage your music and to choose what to sync. After making this choice and clicking Next, you can choose whether or not to Register your iPod at that time (to Register click "Register" then "Finish").

4) GATHER YOUR MUSIC

To being organizing your music collection, open the iTunes program on your computer, and gather your music from its various locations into iTunes. For CDs, insert a CD into the tray and, once the song list has come up, click "Import CD". For songs already on your computer, go to File, Add File to Library (or File, Add Folder to Library), find the file or folder and click OK to import it.

In addition, you can set up an account with the iTunes Store in order to purchase music (as well as videos and other media) from there. To do this, click on the iTunes Store entry, then click the "Sign In" button and choose "Create New Account". Follow through the steps in each screen entering the required information and your account will be created and ready to use. You can click on Store to go to the iTunes store, browse for a song you like and click "Buy Now" to purchase it (each song shows its price beside it and, when you buy it, the song will be downloaded to your account and your credit card will be charged.

5) SYNC YOUR iPOD

Now you are ready to sync your iPod and get your music into it! To do this, in iTunes click on the entry for your iPod and click the Music tab. Ensure that the option to sync music is checked off, then click Sync. in the bottom right corner. Your iPod will sync and you can watch the progress in the top of the screen (this will return to the Apple icon when finished). Then, click the Eject icon next to the device's entry. You can now unplug your iPod.

The setup is complete and your iPod is now ready for use - enjoy!

References:
1) The New User's Guide for iPod
http://docs.info.apple.com /article.html?artnum=303632

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