Q. I have a new laptop, and when I synchronised my iPad with it for the first time I received a message saying that I had now used my fifth allowed device. Does this mean that I have a problem looming?

A. No! Apple permit any number of their handheld devices to be associated with a single Apple account, but limit the number of PCs or Macs that may use a single Apple account to access the iTunes Store to five. So, when you need next to use a previously unused PC or Mac with your Apple account you will need to do the following. Open iTunes (on one of previous PCs or Macs) and then click on the iTunes Store link. Now log-in to your Apple account. You will see an option to de-authorise all of the computers associated with the account. Select this, and then re-authorise the computers you will be using from now on by opening iTunes on them.

Q. I want to play Scrabble online with a brother who lives in the US. We both have the official Scrabble app, but they appear to be incompatible!

A. Think of Churchill's comment about "two countries separated by a common language"! You are using the British English "dictionary", whilst your brother will be using the North American one, so I suspect that that is the cause of the problem. Try using the Lexulous online equivalent to Scrabble, which works in all browsers and is free. To play online with your brother, you will both need to sign up using your e-mail addresses.

Q. I recently upgraded to the latest version of iTunes, since when my computer can't recognise my iPod. What might the problem be?

A. Whilst it is possible that the iTunes upgrade is the culprit, the most likely causes are simple physical ones. Check for damage or dirt in the iPod's socket. Fluff can easily cause a problem. Blow hard into the socket to dislodge any dust or dirt. If that doesn't work, try plugging the USB cable into a different port on your computer. If that doesn't work, try using a different USB cable. If that doesn't work, uninstall iTunes, download it again and then reinstall it. (Your music won't disappear!) If none of this works, then go to http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1363, where Apple suggests some procedures that you might try.

Q. I put all of my music collection into my iTunes library, and from there onto my iPod. Now I've somehow managed to erase the library from iTunes! Is it possible to transfer the collection back from the iPod to my iTunes on my PC?

A. Providing that your iPod is not an iPod Touch, then yes it is possible though it is a rather lengthy procedure, involving persuading your PC to see the iPod as simply external storage like a memory stick. Connect your iPod to your PC via USB as normal. Once iTunes has started, click on the iPod's icon, select the Settings tab, and make sure that the Manually manage music and Enable disk use options are checked on. Close iTunes. Now go to Start and select Computer, or My Computer, depending on your version of Windows. The iPod should be showing as an external drive. Select it and open the Folder Options Window, which will be in either the Tools or Organise menu depending on your Windows version. Click the View tab, and find the option for Hidden files and folders. Tick it on and select OK. A new folder will have appeared on the iPod called iPod Control. Open this folder, and find the sub-folder called Music. Drag the sub-folder called Music across to your PC, which will copy all of the music on the iPod. Open iTunes again, and select Add folder to library from the File menu, and direct it the Music folder that you copied across. Your music collection will then be imported back into iTunes.