How do I transfer my iTunes to a different computer.?

Question

I have almost 300 songs in my iPod. I am getting a new computer from my aunt as a graduation present. How do I transfer the iTunes without losing my songs, pictures, lyrics, etc....

Answer 1

Try this !! it worked for me and all 4000 of my mp3 files


-open iTunes on your new computer, then open iTunes preferences and leave running (this will temporarily prevent your computer from trying to sync with iPod)
-connect your iPod and wait about 15 seconds
-Go to My Computer,click tools, click on 'folder options', then 'view tab,' then 'show hidden files.'
-open the iPod icon in My Computer
-open ipod_control
-save the 'music' folder to your documents
-eject iPod from your System Tray using the 'Safely Remove Hardware' icon at the bottom right corner of your screen
-cancel the iTunes preferences window
-go to File menu, click 'add folder to library,' add 'music' folder


Let me know if you have any problems ! it took a while for the download because i had so many files ...but it was worth the wait

Bryan

Answer 2

Connect your iPod to your computer. If it is set to update automatically you'll get a message that it is linked to a different library and asking if you want to link to this one and replace all your songs etc, press "Cancel". Pressing "Erase and Sync" will irretrievably remove all songs from your iPod. Your iPod should appear in the iTunes source list from where you can change the update setting to manual and use your iPod without the risk of accidentally erasing it. Also when using a lot of the utilities your iPod needs to be enabled for disc use, changing to manual update will do this by default. Check the "manually manage music and videos" box in Summary then press the Apply button: Managing content manually on iPod

Once you are safely connected there are a few things you can do to restore your iTunes from the iPod. If you have any iTMS purchases the transfer of purchased content from the iPod to authorised computers has been introduced with iTunes 7. A paragraph on it has been added to this article: Transfer iTunes Store purchases using iPod

The transfer of non iTMS content such as songs imported from CD is designed by default to be one way from iTunes to iPod. However there is a manual method of accessing the iPod's hard drive and copying songs back to iTunes on Windows. The procedure is a bit involved and it won't recover playlists but if you're interested it's posted in this thread: MacMuse - iPod to iTunes

If you prefer something more automated then there are a number of third party utilities that you can use to retrieve the music files and playlists from your iPod. This is just a selection, you'll find that they have varying degrees of functionality and some will transfer movies, videos, photos and games as well. Have a look at the web pages and documentation, they are generally quite straightforward. You can also read reviews of some of them here: Wired News - Rescue Your Stranded Tunes

YamiPod Mac and Windows Versions
iGadget Windows Only
iPod Access Mac and Windows Versions
PodUtil Mac and Windows Versions
iPodCopy Mac and Windows Versions
TuneJack Windows Only
CopyPod Windows Only

Whichever of these retrieval methods you choose, keep your iPod in manual mode until you have reloaded your iTunes and you are happy with your playlists etc then it will be safe to return it auto-sync.

Answer 3

I've done this following the instructions on itunes help site. I burned the songs in the iTunes library onto a DVD and copied them into the same directory in the new computer. Then the iTunes in the new computer has to be authorized.

Not so bad, especially with 300 songs.

Answer 4

One way is to back up all of your files to an external hard drive. But if all of the info is saved in your iPod, all you need to do is plug it into your new system and copy all your files to the iTunes folder on your new system

Answer 5

theres also a software on this website.

www.zeleksoftware.com

its called the music liberator , that will upload the songs from the ipod to your computer. i would think the dvd method would be the way to go though.

Answer 6

good question ive learnt the hard way....i installed my ipod on this comp,it updated and left all my songs behind i now have an empty ipod!!!!

Answer 7

i had to burn all of my songs onto a disk and then rip it onto the different workstation. you could acquire itunes onto your new workstation and make a sparkling account however the only thank you to maintain all your songs is to place them on a disk.

Answer 8

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10166_7-5664731-1.html