- install iTunes (download latest version)
- make sure iTunes has your itunes music folder set as default: goto edit->preferences->advanced. listedn should be my documents\my music\itunes\itunes music
- download yamipod onto laptop. no installation required.
- plug in iPod. if iTunes pops up asking to associate iPod, click NO and then close itunes
- double-click yamipod, after a few seconds should load up all your music on iPod.
- file->select all. file->copy. keep the default settings intact if you like (help is available here); copy to the directory i mentioned above, that iTunes should have listed too.
- wait while it does this! may take some time depending how much music you have
- once completed, close yamipod. open iTunes, and go file->add folder to library... and choose (once again) this folder i keep referring to: \my documents\my music\itunes\itunes music
- all music should now appear in itunes now, and you should be able to listen to it. yes?
- now click advanced->consolidate library. this will sort your music to how itunes likes it.
thats it!