Using an iPod as a Regular Hard Disk

Reader Sarath Chandra writes: I want to buy a 30GB iPod and I was told it may not be used for storing files? Is this true? I was also told it might work with some tweaking.

Someone slipped you some misinformation, Sarath. All iPods (except the Shuffle, I believe) can be used to store any sort of data you want, at the expense, of course, of some of your music.

Here's how to do it: Install iTunes and connect your iPod. Assuming you use Windows (as Sarath later told me), click Edit > Preferences > iPod. Here, put a check mark next to "Enable disk use."

That's it! Your iPod will now appear in Windows Explorer and can be used just like any external hard drive, giving you a great way for one device to do double duty as a music player and a storage system. Just remember that to manage your music you still need to use iTunes, of course.

If you change your mind later, just follow the same instructions and uncheck "Enable disk use." It's that easy.