Apple Use iPod as external drive then reformat?

I want to do a format of my Powerbook because it's being infuriatingly slow. What I want to know is this: Can I use my iPod (30gb video) as an external drive to keep my music/other bits on while I format the thing? I am guessing the answer is yes, but I just thought I'd check. I know the iPod needs pairing to iTunes, is that going to cause any problems when I wipe the computer?

The only thing I am worried about is the computer saying it can't pair with the iPod or something stupid and my data will be on there but inaccessible. I'm guessing it'll be fine, but I want someone to tell me before I do it.

Of maybe I should just buy that external hard drive I've been wanting for a while...

 

if you start itunes up and get into the ipod options, cant really ermember how, right click the ipod name? then you can make it run as an external drive and it will show up as a drive aswell.

it only syncs songs through itunes so data is fine, as it displays the ipod as a removable drive in the file system, well on windows anyway

 

iPod, enable disk usage

you'll have to "wipe" all music off the iPod, then transfer it onto the iPod by creating a folder like you would with any other external drive.

 

Yeah it's enabled for disk usage, just wanted to check it'd all work fine and it would let me at the files after the format.

 

They should all be visible normally. iTunes shouldn't overwrite anything that's copied over from 'enable disk use' upon connecting after the reformatting, either. In fact, I'm almost positive that Apple has a guide to do so on their website (though it's under the Switch from Windows section IIRC)

 

If it's really important stuff, back it up on other media, too. Better to be safe than sorry.