Can't sync iPad or iPhone - new iTunes library wants to erase contents!

Hi,
I have an iPhone, iPad & iPod touch & all are synced using my iMac. I have the latest version of iTunes and for some reason, I am unable to sync my devices because I'm getting a pop up window that says that the devices are synced with another iTunes library. I can sync with the current library but the contents of the device will be erased.
I looked in my iTunes folder: User ->music -> iTunes and found the following folders: Album Artwork, iTunes Music, Previous iTunes Libraries (imported to this iMac from my other 20" iMac but both library folders indicate they were created on Dec 8 2010 ... bought the iMac in Sept) & iTunes Media.
There are also a couple of icons in the iTunes folder: iTunes Library, iTunes Library Extras.itdb, iTunes Library Genius.itdb and iTunes Music Library.xml.
Everything synced just fine until recently. I added a couple of mv4 format movies to iTunes and can watch them in iTunes. I'd like to transfer them to my iPad so my kids can watch the movies while travelling. The syncing issues started AFTER the movies were added to iTunes so I don't know if this did anything to the original library. In the summary panel in iTunes (when looking at the info of the device connected) I have generally had the box checked off to manually manage music & videos. The box is no longer checked. Any attempt to check it and apply the change also results in the prompt that I'm dealing with a new library.
I don't have a lot of photos, music, apps on my devices so if I have to start over using the new library fine ... just can't figure out where things went wrong.
Is there a way to let me revert back to my old settings/library without messing things up????
Thanks for your help.
Brent

Thanks for the suggestion on the Time Machine ... it's on my list of items to get.
I've noticed under my iTunes preferences -> advanced that the iTunes Media Folder Location window has both boxes checked (Keep iTunes Media folder organized & Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library) and the file path is users/name/music/iTunes/iTunes Media. Also, in the preferences -> general window the library name is the default name ... there's no other iTunes library that I can see so I have no idea as to where this "new" library is located.
I really don't want to lose any music, apps or photos by going with a new library. All my other settings in my iPad have been preserved & my music in iTunes on my iMac is fine and I can even watch the blasted movies that I added to iTunes ... just can't seem to get anything to sync without having to use this new iTunes Library ... getting frustrated here.
Take care,
Brent

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how to use iTunes to sync is in the
http://www.apple.com/support/itunes
For MacBook Pro community and OS X
MacBook Pro
https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_pro
https://discussions.apple.com/community/mac_os?view=discussions
http://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro
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http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1386
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1351
They are all there searchable from Bing, Google or every Mac product has a support page.
http://www.apple.com/support/

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Hi keale.26,
Welcome to the Support Communities! First of all, congratulations on acquiring your new MacBook Pro! It sounds like you are really asking about two different questions here ...
1) How to move your iTunes library from your family computer to your new MacBook Pro so that you can sync to it.
2) How to retain all of the information that was in iCloud (contacts, calendars, photos, etc.) on your new computer.
Did you have your own Apple ID when you were using your family computer? If so, you don't need to create a new one just because you got a new computer. You can just sign into iCloud on your MacBook Pro with your old Apple ID.
Did you have your own User Account on your family computer? If so, you could copy your home folder (contains your documents, photos, music, etc.) to your new computer.
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How to move your iTunes library to a new computer - Apple Support
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT4527
When you get a new computer, you can move your iTunes library so that you can play your media on and sync with your new computer.
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Make a new backup of your iTunes library or update your existing backup before you move it. Even if you already have a backup of your iTunes library, this step makes sure you capture any changes and makes the process easier.
Use an external drive
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From the Finder menu, choose Preferences.
Make sure that the boxes next to "External disks" and "Hard disks" are enabled.
Part 1: Install iTunes
Download and install the latest version of iTunes.
Part 2: Move any new content
If you’ve used iTunes on your new computer, move your media to a new folder. This will keep anything you added to your new computer separate from your old library. These files can be added back to your library in Part 4.
Move your iTunes Media folder (Mac)
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To copy all of your media files, including the library file that holds all your playlists and other settings, to your new computer:
Locate the following folder on your new computer.Mac: Choose Go > Home from the Finder menu bar. Double click the Music folder.
Drag the iTunes folder in this location onto the desktop.
Mac: From the Music folder to the Desktop:
Part 4 (optional): Add back new content
Copy the iTunes Media folder you created in Part 2 into the "Automatically Add to iTunes" folder inside the iTunes Media folder you copied in Part 3. iTunes will automatically import the content.
Use iTunes in the Cloud
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If you have multiple Apple IDs, you might find it easier to transfer purchases from a device after authorizing your new computer with your Apple ID.
If you previously subscribed to iTunes Match, you can turn on iTunes Match once your new computer is authorized.
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If you plan to stop using your old computer, deauthorize it by choosing Store > Deauthorize This Computer from the iTunes menu bar.
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If you used iCloud with your old computer for syncing, set up iCloud on your new computer.
If you will continue to use your old computer, recreate your iTunes library. This prevents an iOS device from seeing the old computer as the new one because of the old library files.
Last Modified: Nov 10, 2014
Set up your Apple ID for iCloud and iTunes - Apple Support
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204053
Can I merge multiple Apple IDs into one?
No. You can't merge two or more Apple IDs into a single one. You can, however, use one Apple ID for iCloud services and another Apple ID for Store purchases (including iTunes in the Cloud and iTunes Match). See “Using one Apple ID for iCloud and a different Apple ID for Store Purchases” for details.
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Apple - iCloud - Learn how to set up iCloud on all your devices.
http://www.apple.com/icloud/setup/mac.html
To update to the latest version, go to the Apple menu and choose Software Update to see if there’s an update available.
Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu on your Mac. Click iCloud, enter your Apple ID, and select the services you’d like to enable.
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Learn more
With iCloud, you can get an @icloud.com email account that’s ad-free, is up to date everywhere you check it, and includes webmail at iCloud.com. Just select Mail in iCloud preferences and follow the onscreen instructions.
Open iPhoto and click the Use iCloud button.
To enable automatic downloads for your music and apps, open iTunes and choose Preferences. Then click Store and select Music, Apps, and Books.*
To get the most out of iCloud, set it up everywhere.
Set up iCloud on your iPhone,
iPad, or iPod touch
I hope this information helps ....
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