HELP! - First Time Ipod Mini HOWTO?

[catachresis]

Gosh, I feel so gormless. My friend bought an Ipod Mini. I followed directions (Windows):

1. Install Ipod and Itunes software.
2. Allow pc to detect Ipod. It installed with Windows usb drivers and was detected as an external storage device.
3. The ipod soft said it wanted to reformat. It allowed it to. It seems to have installed correctly.
4. The guide said to insert a cd and click 'import'. I did not want it to use the bizarre apple format codec, so I indicated that I wanted it to use the familiar MP3 codec. It ripped all the songs to (the pc I think).
5. I disconnected the ipod after stopping the usb device. The ipod said that it contained no songs.
6. I rechecked the instructions. It said to rip songs and then connect the ipod, which would automatically download the songs. I reconnected the ipod. The song list shows all the mp3s that were previously ripped. The ipod screen shows that it is charging and Windows indicates that it is not safe to disconnect the device, as it is being used by another application. That was forty minutes ago. The situation doesn't seem to have changed.
7. I cannot find a clear command to manually tell the ipod to download or to end download of the ripped songs. The process continues (whatever that might be).
8. The instructions say that the first time the ipod is connected to the usb, it will need to charge for at least an hour. Could that be the problem?

Please, reassure me, suggest to me, tell me what to do or what I'm doing wrong here. The friend is really upset that she doesn't have her five cds transported and ready to play yet. All suggestions are immensely welcome. Thanks in advance! -Manny

 

[catachresis]

The ipod seems to have stopped charging, but no tunes have been transferred to the unit.

 

[viator122]

With the iPod connected to your computer, check for the "Do Not Disconnect" message. If that message is flashing, look to the left side of the screen in iTunes where you see "Library" and the various playlists. There should also be an icon for your iPod there. Right click that icon and choose "Update Songs". Give that a try.

 

[blessingx]

You can also eject from there. BTW, Apple's AAC isn't really Apple's or bizarre.

There's also an icon in iTunes in the lower right corner (or under toolbar preferences) which sets auto-syncing of music and podcasts. Make sure that is set as you want. If you're having problems set to manual for a try or two. Just drag songs over.

 

[catachresis]

Thanks to both Viator and BlessingX - yes, I had the song synchronisation option set to manual, but I wasn't doing the appropriate things to get the songs transferred. I set the switch for automatic, and everything started to make sense. This was only after ripping, deleting and re-ripping songs, trying twice to reinstall drivers, etc. As my (finally) happy friend has said, friends in need are friends indeed. I'm glad to have acute friends on headfi. Thanks again.