Can someone please explain why my dumb @ss ipod shuffle said all files were converted from mp3 to what ever they are supposed to be and when I load shuffle it is not happening.

Maybe I am missing some simple step or something but ipod is the must frustrating thing I have had to deal with in a long while.

I don't have the shuffle, have the Nano, but the program should be the same.
When Itunes is open on your PC and you are in your music library check to be sure that there is a 'check' mark next to all songs that you would like loaded. When you plug the shuffle in to load it the screen that comes up has option on the bottom that you can place 'check' marks by. One is to 'sync' all items that are checked. I am purely guessing here, but that may be the problem.?? It will tell you when it is done loading and when it is OK to disconnect. I have accidentally disconnected before it is done syncing and it caused to not to download anything.
Gosh I hope it works!!!

There is a function in iTunes that consolidates all of your music (not required.) When it does it converts them to iTunes format. Unfortunately you can't go back.

It also moves those files into a new library which you have to add to you libraries in File/Add Folders to Library. You have to sync from that library.

iTunes doesn't need to convert mp3s. Once a file is mp3 - it can play natively in iTunes. What you may be thinking of is AAC format that is proprietary. When ripping music from a CD, Apple's default is to encode in AAC, but you change this in you preferences area to mp3 (and choose your bitrate). You may also be confusing mp3 with wma (windows media audio). iTunes cannot play native wma, but can convert to AAC for you. Thusly, keep everything in 256k encoded MP3 format you won't go wrong - plays everywhere and sounds great.

Laurie, this is tooo funny. I don't think I have ever heard you say dumb @ss before, too funny.

lol keli if you knew how pissed off I am right now and you all know it takes a lot for me to get that way.

Thanks for all your help I am going to try and slow my brain down now so I can read it.

You would not believe how hard it is to even find an email address on apple website to ask for help.

If everything is loaded correctly you should be able to play the songs on your computer from the music library. If that is OK then it is a syncing problem.

Itunes.com and then click on the support link. They have a questions load on the right and a lot of information to search through on that site.

"iTunes doesn't need to convert mp3s. Once a file is mp3 - it can play natively in iTunes." True but from her intial description it looks like they were converted, which sucks. Actually, in my book iTunes just sucks overall.

Thanks all

tacoboy ended up figuring it out finally but this is over 2 h later lol I would label this venture as rocker science ha ha.

my old rca lyra mp3 player was as simple as dragging any music file and dropping it in and you were good to go.

Anyone who has one of the Apple products clearly wants to get it working, but must be aware that their system seems designed to convert your music to their proprietary format whether you want it to or not. I have to say I'll never buy one - there are some excellent players that don't screw you like this.