I want to buy an Ipod Mini. On the website it says: My laptop at home and computer at work both run on WindowsMe millenium edition.

Would this be compatible to run an ipod on? If not is there any alternative... (besides buying a new laptop that is!!)

I called up apple and the rep I got wasn't certain. Told me to buy the ipod anyways and try!


P.S.: I posted this in OMNI first, but was guided to try in this forum instead, so apologies for that.

I'm guessing that the compatibility issue isn't with the iPod but rather with the iTunes software that you have to use to load music onto the iPod. But that iTunes software is available for free from Apple.
Find information about it here:
http://ipodlounge.com/
http://www.ipodlounge.com/index.php/...ses-itunes-48/
and download it from:
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93506

Basically they've stopped supporting Windows ME but you can get around it with an Ipod. All this means is that you will lose one or two of the whizzier features available, but to be honest there should be nothing you will miss. You could then updater the Ipod to the newer version of the onboard software once you or your employer upgrades to XP.

The bad news, according to this answer from Apple, is that Ipod Mini is not supported in any version of the software that supports Windows ME, so you would have to shell out for a white Ipod rather than a Mini.

Thanks House. ^

Bugger, that's quite irritating indeed.

Is it possible to change from WindowsME software to WindowsXP/2000 on the same laptop? Or will it just be too complicated? And if so, what'll be the cost of this "upgrade"?

From what I hear about Windows ME I'd be looking for any good reason to upgrade to XP.

WinXP Home Edition (Upgrade package) is around $95.

You can sometimes get the full OEM WinXP CD for about the same price with "hardware purchase" (sometimes the seller throws in some piece of junk motherboard or network card to make the deal legal without increasing your price above the software price). The advantage of the full package vs. upgrade is that it you don't have to keep your ME CDs around to "prove" ownership to the installer program.

EDIT: Just noticed you live in the UK. Looks like XP Home Upgrade is a bit higher there - �78.99 on amazon.co.uk.

If I recall correclty, the iTunes installer will refuse to install on any Windows lower than 2000. You could upgrade the laptop to 2000 or XP, but this might not be easy, because there may not be good driver suppport. Exactly which laptop do you own?

You could also use winamp with the Ipod plugin, but you won't be able to get support from Apple for that configuration. I've heard it works well, though.

Also, your laptop may not have USB2, which means you should be prepared for slower than normally sync times.

If it were up to me, I'd upgrade the laptop OS if at all possible. 2000/XP is a pretty good OS, while ME is a piece of garbage. Also, MS has only committed to 1 more year of security updates for the 98 family. This may be extended, though.

Thanks a heap everyone. This is certainly turning out way more complicated than I had bargained for!
A Dell Insipron 4000 series that I purchased about 3 yrs ago.

Really, AJ. Windows ME is five years old! I know you wouldn't be caught dead in a suit of that vintage!

XP will run fine on your Dell. Next time you're in SE Asia, you can pick up an upgrade for about 80 cents.

Windows ME is absolutely the worst release of Windows ever. Even the people at MS are ashamed of it, as my brother-in-law asked them about it when he was interviewing for them

Upgrade to XP, and buy your self some cheap RAM, it will be worth it.

Quite true. Knew you'd be able to convince me Alan!
So I guess I would need go into any computer shop in SIN and ask for a "WindowsXP software disc" then...

And 'm assuming even a relative tech-idiot like me will then be able to load it on to my laptop without much hassle! And all my files/documents etc that are currently saved on the harddrive won't be affected?

cheers
AJ

Your upgrade shouldn't affect your files, but I would back them up, just to be safe

I ran Windows ME for a long time and loved it. Out of all the Windows versions, It's the one that you never think of upgrading. Why? Because, it was often trouble free. Many fewer virus problems, etc.

IF you do want to upgrade, and I dont' know that you really need to. Wouldn't it be better to save all your files you want to keep and wipe everything off the laptop at the same time?

I want what he's smoking! Me, trouble free? It combined the worst part of windows 2000 (not being able to reboot to MS-DOS mode) with the worst parts of 95/98 (the very poor stability, poor utilization of more powerful computers, quirky support for firewire). I think it would be more accurately described as the one version of windows you would never think of keeping! I "downgraded" a few PC's to windows 98SE, and upgraded others to 2000 just to have Me out of my hair.

Thanks jfe. ^ Will do the backup.

But I'm kind a confused now about the actual need to upgrade purely for using a ipod. Especially after reading seanthepilot's post. I've never had <touchwood> any problems with WinME so far. And I'm probably going to be buying a new laptop next year anyways...

The program I suggested above, Winamp with the Ipod plugin, will work on Windows ME. You just won't be able to use iTunes, which is Apple's music management program. As much as I despise Windows ME, I'm not sure I'd recommend a non-technical person to install an OS upgrade just to use an Ipod. Particulary someone who is not having problems, and is planning to purchase aa new laptop.