Copying Audio Files from a Computer to an MP3 Player

For people unfamiliar with MP3 players, here are some simple steps for copying audio files from a computer running Windows Vista to an MP3 player:

(Note: These instructions are for everyday MP3 players, not iPods. I have never used an iPod, nor do I intend to buy one solely for the purpose of testing this out, but I have heard that the process might be a little different.)

(1) Insert the MP3 player into one of the computer's USB ports. With some players, an "AutoPlay" menu like this will appear:
















Left click on "Open folder to view files.

Also note the drive letter assigned to the MP3 player. You will need to know this when you are finished and want to remove the MP3 player from the computer.

(2) A standard file folder will next appear. (Some MP3 players will skip the AutoPlay menu and go directly to the folder.)

















As there was no data on the MP3 player, the folder is empty. If there had been audio files, they would have been listed in the same way as files on the hard drive. There is really nothing new to learn as far as accessing and managing files is concerned.


(3) Navigate to the folder on your computer that contains the audio files you wish to copy to your MP3 player.












Here, I've shown the folders side by side.

(4) In the folder for the computer, right click on the file containing the audio you wish to copy to the MP3 player. A menu will appear. Left click on "Copy" in the menu.












(5) Right click inside the folder for the MP3 player and select "Paste."










(6) The audio file will be copied to the MP3 player and and entry for it will appear inside the folder. Do this for each file you wish to copy, in the sequence you wish them to be heard.*










*Note 1: I have 3 different, inexpensive MP3 players and they all play the audio files in the sequence they were added. I did, however, come across a player owned by a learner that played the files in ascending alphabetical order. This is something you need to double check.

Note 2: You can also drag and drop the files from the computer to the MP3 player (and back again) but I've had experiences where the file was moved instead of copied. To be safe, I always copy and paste.

Note 3: You can also copy entire folders and their contents to the MP3 player, but you need to check to verify that they will be played in the correct order.

Note 4: When you are done with them, you delete files and folders from the MP3 player the same way you do from your computer's hard drive.

(7) Removing the MP3 player from the computer.

Because the computer might be communicating with the MP3 player without your knowing it, you need to disconnect the MP3 player from the operating system before you physically remove it. This will protect you from accidentally corrupting the files on the MP3 player.

To do this, left click on the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon at the lower right of the desktop:















(8) In the menu that appears, left click on the entry for your MP3 player. (This is why you needed to note the player's drive letter assignment.)













(9) When the MP3 player has been disconnected, a message like this will appear, letting you know it is safe to physically remove the device.
















If you don't get a message like this, the folder for the MP3 player is probably still open. Close the folder and any other applications (such as a media player) that might be accessing the player and click on the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon again. If this still doesn't work (I love Vista), log out and remove the MP3 player before logging in again. Logging out will disconnect the device.

(10) Additional Notes:

(a) Removable flash drives work in exactly the same way as MP3 players, but without the self-contained audio playback capability. In other words, you need to plug a flash drive into a USB port on a computer and play the audio files it contains on one of the computer's media players. If a learner has access to a computer with a USB port (at home, school, the library, etc.), audio lessons can be copied to a flash drive and the learner can listen to them on the computer.

(b) In a manner of speaking, an MP3 player is nothing more than a flash drive with earphones. This means that you can also plug an MP3 player into a computer or laptop and listen to it through the computer's headphones or speakers. Audio files on the MP3 player could then be used for group practice in a classroom setting before giving the learners individual copies to take home.