Transferring iPod from one computer to another

I just got a new laptop and it will only let me transfer my purchases to it. How do I move my entire iTunes library from one computer to another, easily?

Click here and follow the instructions if possible.
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Transfering songs from one computer onto another...

My Brother has an ipod mini (as I used to) but our computer is so old that it can only hold one ipod (Therefore, I returned my ipod so he could use his). However, several months after I returned mine we bought two new computers, but still kept the old computer. After this I bought an ipod nano and have been using it on my new computer. Although we are glad that we can both use our ipods efficiently (on seperate computers) he is afraid that the old computer might crash soon. I tried putting his ipod into disk mode and tried transferring it to his [new] computer over a month ago, but it was too confusing and did not work correctly. Is there any possible way to transfer it without the directions being so confusing? Or could someone kind of "Translate" the directions for us?
<center>Thank you so much,
<center>pnkpolo92

How to Copy and Move (Clone) your Music Files from One Computer to Another – or Archive Prior to a PC Re-Image or Reformat
This is the conceptual framework with related and important links. Apply and adapt it to your specific situation and equipment resources.
The safest, quickest, and most optimal method to move your Library to a new computer is to actually clone the entire ‘iTunes’ folder (directory) structure, rather than just copying just the song files. By copying the entire ‘iTunes’ folder and all sub-folders, you capture not only the music files, but the all-important ‘iTunes Library.itl’ database file (usually located in the ‘iTunes’ folder), which contains all the data about your songs (Playlists, Ratings, Play Counts, Last Played, Date Added, etc). See: What are the iTunes Library files?
Install iTunes on the new computer. Then go back to your old computer and move (copy) the "iTunes" folder which usually resides inside your "…\My Documents\My Music" folder from the old computer to the exact same place (both Drive Letter and complete Path) on the new computer. When you open iTunes on the new computer it will look and behave exactly the same way it did on the old, Play Counts, Ratings, Comments and all!
NOTE: It is usually safer moving files between computers with the same version of iTunes!!
iTunes Files to Copy and Move to your New PC
1) All music files in their current folder structure (usually located in and under the ‘iTunes Music’ folder)
2) The Library database file: ‘iTunes Library.itl’ located in the ‘iTunes’ folder
3) The Library XML file: ‘iTunes Music Library.xml’ located in the ‘iTunes’ folder
4) Any XML playlist files you created for Playlist retention
5) The two iTunes.pref files (optional)
-- C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes.pref
-- C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer Inc\iTunes.pref
6) The XML file of Ratings, Play Counts and Last Played attributes saved from the main Library and created by Otto’s SaveRatings script (also optional, but recommended):
“Download this: http://ottodestruct.com/itunes/SaveRatings.zip . It's a program, just run it like any other program. Run it on the machine where you're copying the info from BEFORE you move the files to the new machine. Click the "Save Ratings" button and it'll create a ratings.xml file. Now when you move the files, move the program and this file as well. Then after you make your new iTunes library, run it again and click the "Restore Ratings" button. Voila, all your information is back in the Library. Well, most of it anyway, it's not perfect. It'll tell you what songs it couldn't figure out though, and there's usually not very many.”
Here's a list of methods to copy and move your music files from one computer to another:
1) Use an External Hard Drive (ExHD) to move the complete files and Folder structures from one computer to another (my preferred option). You can clone’ the entire ‘iTunes’ folder structure in one very easy step. Also great to have available for complete backups of your Library. External hard drives now run less than $100 for 200-250GBs of storage. See This Link
2) Directly connect the two computers....
- 2a) Connect them through a Router &/or Network
- 2b) Directly connect using an Ethernet cable: Straight for using at least one Mac; or Crossover for PC/PC Instructions here.
- 2c) Connect them via a USB-to-USB Network Bridge. Example here. There are various types out there (use Google).
....Then copy the files from one computer to the other.
3) Use the iPod as a transfer device, as this extensive Apple link explains. It will be a bit easier if your iPod has a larger capacity than your music collection, otherwise you will need to perform multiple copy/move transfers. This well written process also works fine while using any other data transfer medium (ExHD, Flash Drive, DVD, CD, Zipp, Jazz, etc.).
4) Burn several DVDs (at 4.7GBs each) with your music data files and folder structure, and load them onto the new computer. Re-writable DVDs are more cost effective (if your DVD drive can manage these types).
5) Burn 6x more on CDs (at 700MB each) than in #4 above and load the files and folders on the new computer. Re-writable CDs are more cost effective (if your CD drive can manage these types).
6) Use a larger USB Flash drive (1GB - 4GB) to move the files and folders. Best if the flash drive is larger than your Library, otherwise you will need multiple copy/move transfers.
These are links to various additional instructions on performing the transfer (read them all, but some listed steps may not be required depending on your specific situation):
Switch from PC to Mac Using the iPod
hudgie: Migrating iTunes for Windows to a new PC
How to copy music between authorized computers
Also, remember to Deauthorize your PC before reformatting or disposing of it. Or, if you no longer will use it for iTMS use.

Transferring EVERYTHING from one computer to another w/ same source

I want to transfer all my iTunes files (playlists, music, play counts, everything) from one computer to another, on account of the logic board of my old one is messed up and I want to get everything on my Mac Book Pro.
HOWEVER.
When I was using my old computer, I had my iTunes folder on an external hard drive, which would then be the source of all the music and where the new music would automatically go. So I have the external hard drive, and I can't save the playlists from my old computer because I can't use it.
So how do I transfer all the information? I've tried doing the whole "delete iTunes Data, import XML file" thing and it says it doesn't detect certain music and therefore doesn't place everything where it needs to be.
Any help?

Well the way to work around it I think would be to remove the hard drive from your broken computer, assuming of course that your broken computer is broken because of something else besides the hard drive.
Put that drive into an external enclosure. Hook up to the new computer. Copy the iTunes stuff from the old drive into the new computer overwriting the existing database files on the internal.
Now with the other external hooked up, start iTunes and see if it then sees everything properly.
Patrick

Transferring songs from one computer to another without erasing anything

I've read everything here that pertains and don't see my exact problem. I did not realize when I got this iPod the problems involved in using more than one computer, and as a result, I have songs on three computers that I'd like to get into my iPod without erasing what's already there, and without erasing what is in my iTunes library on each computer.
Last night I tried copying the folders/songs I wanted onto an external drive, then copying them to the second computer. I did this in Windows Explorer on both ends, by finding the correct My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music file in each computer. I wasn't sure how to move those songs into the second Library, so I chose "add folder" or "add file" from the File menu. It seemed to work beautifully, the songs played, so I plugged the iPod in and it showed that it updated fine. Problem? The songs are not showing up on the iPod itself. Obviously I'm missing a step or two or have done it incorrectly.
If someone could please point me to a step-by-step process for this, I would greatly appreciate it. The only step-by-step explanations I've found here are the ones for putting files on a new computer that doesn't have any songs, by moving the whole My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music file, and I believe that would erase what is already on the second computer, isn't that right?
Thanks in advance for any help.

What I meant was that after I get all the music on the iPod and one computer, then I'll use that computer for updating and purchasing new music, keeping it as "automatic,"
Ok, yes that would work.
Here's how to use your iPod to transfer music to another computer.
Once you have all your music on one iTunes library, then you can set it to Auto update.
and only use the other computers for listening without updating.
I'm not too sure on this part. You might be able to play music directly from your iPod when its connected to one of these machines. I've never tried this.
If you're expecting your iPod to sync music back to your iTunes library to play directly from iTunes... then no, that won't work.
Good luck!

Transferring music from one computer to another

I'm transferring my music off of one computer to another using my new 30G ipod - and have followed instructions online - my ipod has been doign something and is saying do not disconnect for about over an hour - does anyone know if that is normal when making your ipod a hard drive? Thanks.

Your iPod has disk use enabled, so you must eject it otherwise that message will continue to appear.
You can do this by clicking on the little eject icon next to the iPod listing in the source window of iTunes, or right click on it and select “eject”. There is also an iPod 'eject' icon in the lower right hand corner of iTunes. Another way would be to use the “safely remove hardware” icon in the system tray next to the clock (looks like a grey rectangle with a green arrow above it). Click on this then select your iPod. Or through Windows, select start/my computer, right click on the iPod, select eject.

Help transferring data from one computer to another

My aunt uses Palm Desktop as her calendar but does not have a palm pda or phone.
Her computer at home recently died but she was able to get the palm installation folder from the old hard drive.
She has Palm Desktop installed at work but the information in it is totally different than what she had at home. She wants to import the data from her home installation into the installation she has at work.
It used to be really easy to transfer settings from one Palm installation to another. Side note: My wife has a Palm Treo 650 and I recently formatted her computer and tried to copy her old installation folder from a backup to the new install directory. Well, it didn't work like it used to. I don't know if the software has changed or what. But, she didn't get everything. It's been a while, I can't remember if she didn't get ANY of it, or just some. I remember at one point it only showed her contacts for A-M...N-Z were just plain gone. Really strange.
But, back on topic, I tried creating a new user in Palm Desktop and then copy the files under her old username folder to the new username folder in the Palm install directory. But, Palm Desktop doesn't show anything for the new username.
How should I go about doing this for her?
Thanks!
Post relates to: Treo 650 (Alltel)

The user on her home install was also Trisha. So, I created a new user on the work computer, "Trisha2". Then I closed Palm and copied the contents of her backed-up Trisha user folder from home into the new Trisha2 folder on the work install. Then I started Palm and flipped to the Trisha2 user. Nothing showed up. So, I've pretty much done the exact process from the link already. Which is exactly the way I thought it should work and have had it work in the past.
I'll try it again without using numbers in the username and see what happens.
Thanks!
Post relates to: Treo 650 (Alltel)

Transferring itunes from one computer to another - D drive to C drive

Is there an easy way to change the drive location in iTunes for stored music and videos? I am getting a new computer, and my current data resides on a "D:" drive. The new computer will just have a single "C:" drive partition. I don't want iTunes to reorganize my files from their current folders. The only thing I want to change is the drive letter designation. Thanks!

backup from old computer and restore to new either to icloud or an external drive also check out turingtest2's excellent article on backup using synctoy

Transferring iTunes from One Computer to Another

I have a laptop (Thinkpad, Windows 2000) issued through work that has my iTunes program and all my songs loaded onto it. I'm leaving this current job and have to turn in my laptop. I understand how to transfer all my songs to removable media, I've already done that. My main question is: how do I load the iTunes program itself onto the new computer? Do I have to re-download the iTunes CD I received with the iPod purchase 2 years ago; or, do I have to go the Apple website and download the iTunes program from there? I assume once I do that I can then re-load the music onto my new computer. Please advise. Thanks! AK

Alison,
Download the iTunes program from the Apple site and install it on the new PC. Then copy the music files to the same exact spot they were in the old PC. If you have also made a copy of the 'iTunes Library.itl' file (found in the 'iTunes' folder), copy that file in place of the one just created by the new iTunes.
You complete Library will be 'cloned' from on PC to the other: playlists, ratings, and other attributes.
If you have not made a copy of the original ITL file on your current PC, do so now.

HT4527 moving ipod from one computer to another

I have already backed up all my music to an external hard drive and also installed to DVD's. I have installed itunes on the new PC and put all music back on there. I have restored my iPod back to factory settings and are now trying to sync from the new computer and it is not working. HELP

See this http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
Also, follow the steps given here...
Syncing to a "New" Computer or replacing a "crashed" Hard Drive

Transfering Files from one computer to another over the internet using ftp

I am not sure if this is the right section to post this question but i wanted to know if it was possible to use the mac ftp file sharing to transfer a file from a friends computer to mine. He is not on my network we were hoping to transfer the file over the internet the file is quite larger about 2gb. Can any one help me in telling me a way that i could do this thanks.

Enable FTP in Preferences on the target machine.
You will need the IP address...
You can find it by going here
http://whatismyip.com/
This may be a problem if the target machine is behind a router.
If all goes well... Go to Connect to Server.. and enter
ftp://ipaddress
OR
If you want to send a large file then you can check this out...
www.yousendit.com/

Transfering Library From One Computer to Another

Hello! I recently got a new computer and I installed iTunes on it and uploaded my iPod, but only my purchased songs would transfer. Now, anything I buy on my new computer will not go on my ipod. Also, I would like to get the rest of my music on my new computer. Can you help? Thanks!

Do you not have a back up of your itunes library on an external source?
If not, you should. If so use the back up to transfer the library to the new computer.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751

Transfering Tags from One computer to another

I have all my Pictures on a external Hard drive. I have assigned it the drive letter M: I want to be able to see the tags I added to all my photos on either my laptop or my desktop which ever the hard drive is plugged into. I have lettered the drive M on both computers and have keep the file folders exactly the same. I tried moving the My Cataloge.psa file and that does not seem to work. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I really like Tagging feature but is useless to me it I can't take the tags with the pictures.

Hi Lee,
Tags are written in the catalog file and inorder to view these tags with photos you need to have the same catalog file. There is another option which can be used to Write Tags to File where the tags are nolonger stored in the Catalog File but stored in the Photos itself.You can use this option to view tags both from your laptop and desktop.
-Smriti

Transferring Mail from one computer to another

I have an iMac. I bought a MacBook and did the whole thing with the ethernet cable, copying my iMac to my MacBook, so that the two machines were pretty much identical.
Then I used the MacBook exclusively for 4 months (was traveling). Now I am going back to the iMac, and I want all the messages I received on the MacBook to be on the iMac.
Since they started out as identical, am I correct in thinking that I can replace the mail on the iMac with that of the MacBook? That way, it will contain all the emails and contacts from the last four months, in addition to what was already there.
I found this post:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=12010148&#12010148
is that the way to go about it?

Did you copy the entire /Home/Library/Mail/ folder and the /Home/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail.plist file?
You must first quit Mail before the transfer. What type of mail account do you have - POP or IMAP? The latter may take some time to first fetch the server-based mailboxes then transfer message headers. Sometimes this takes opening Mail then see if it reconstructs everything then quitting and reopening so it connects properly with the server-based mailboxes.
Or you may find your Inbox is inside another set of mailboxes listed in the sidebar.

Transferring software from one computer to another

I had a paid version of Adobe Acrobat X Pro downloaded on my computer. That computer has died and has been replaced. My original purchase was a DVD download. My new computer does not have a DVD drive. How do I transfer the service to my new computer?

You can download and install the program and use the serial number from your disc to activate it.
Acrobat XI, X - http://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/acrobat-downloads.html

Transferring ipod from old computer to new computer

I have recently purchased a MacBook afer many years of owning a PC. I currently have my ipod connected to the old PC and would like to transfer it to my new computer. I have transferred the music files to itunes on the new computer but the ipod is still only syncing properly with the old computer.
How do i properly change the ipod from one computer to another?

You will need to re-sync to your new computer. This will erase all the files on the iPod and put what is in your MacBooks library in.
Be sure you have all the music off the iPod you want save. I like to use YamiPod to do this. It allows you to pull everything off your iPod in case there is some music there that isn't on your old computer.
I hope you enjoy your MacBook as much as I enjoy mine. Makes me wonder why I didn't switch to Macs sooner.
Mort

Transferring iPod from one computer to another

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