ipod shuffle/ itunes question

I just got an ipod shuffle for x-mas and tried to get itunes on my computer but I don't have a new enough version of windows to run it. My main computer is broke right now, and I'm using a P-3 800Mhz Dell w/256megs or RAM, currently running Windows Me. All Itunes versions require Windows 2000 or XP. I have tried running XP on this computer in the past (I own the upgrade disk), and it runs slow as hell. So, where can I DL the Me to 2000 upgrade? Or is there a way to go around using itunes for my ipod?

Yes, there is. http://shuffle-db.sourceforge.net/

You'll need to hook up your iPod shuffle ONCE to iTunes, which will require borrowing someone's Mac or XP pc, where you'll want to:

1. Give it a name
2. Enable using it as a mass storage disk (one of the last settings on the iTunes settings page)
3. Turn off the "automatically run iTunes when this iPod is plugged in" flag (one of the first settings on the page)
4. Update the firmware to 1.0.2 (if you want)

Once that's done, put audio files on it like a USB stick, install Python (so you can run the script), and run the shuffle_db.py script from the root directory of the iPod Shuffle itself. It will build the playlist database on the shuffle.

If you plug it into iTunes after you've done this, it will usually screw up your playlist. It's not permanent, just run the script again to fix it.

I hate iTunes.

sweet thanx