I am concerned about the health of my current computer but have not yet made the commitment to a new one, but: 1) How can I transfer my iTunes account to a new computer when I get one... and 2) What can I do if my current computer suddenly implodes and I

Question

I am a bit of a computer/Internet/iTunes dummy....
I am concerned about the health of my current computer but have not yet made the commitment to a new one, but:
1) How can I transfer my iTunes account to a new computer when I get one...
and
2) What can I do if my current computer suddenly implodes and I have not yet 'copied/'saved'/otherwise protected my account, as is? -- I have already had my computer crash once and had one of your people help me restore all of the paid for songs (none of the uploaded from my own collection of CD songs, of course, so I had to spend a long time rebuilding that) -- and I believe I was told you could only help me recover that material one or two times altogether, no?
WithOUT purchasing a Mach or iCloud (I actually think I have one of the later, but rarely have checked it) account, is there anything I can do to responsibly protect my account?
Thanks for any time taken on this!!!

Answer 1

These are two possible approaches that will normally work to move an existing library to a new computer.
Method 1
Backup the library with this User Tip.
Deauthorize the old computer if you no longer want to access protected content on it.
Restore the backup to your new computer using the same tool used to back it up.
Keep your backup up-to-date in future.
Method 2
Connect the two computers to the same network. Share your <User's Music> folder from the old computer and copy the entire iTunes library folder into the <User's Music> folder on the new one. Again, deauthorize the old computer if no longer required.
Both methods should give the new computer a working clone of the library that was on the old one. As far as iTunes is concerned this is still the "home" library for your devices so you shouldn't have any issues with iTunes wanting to erase and reload.
I'd recommend method 1 since it establishes an ongoing backup for your library.
Note if you have iOS devices and haven't moved your contacts and calendar items across then you should create one dummy entry of each in your new profile and iTunes should  merge the existing data from the device.
If your media folder has been split out from the main iTunes folder you may need to do some preparatory work to make it easier to move. See make a split library portable.
Should you be in the unfortunate position where you are no longer able to access your original library or a backup then then see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device for advice on how to set up your devices with a new library with the maximum preservation of data.
tt2