How can I move my songs from an XP PC to a NAS?

Question

Hi there.
I had an old XP machine, that was holding all my MP3 songs, no DRM. Over the network, my whole family had access, everybody was using his own iTunes for his iPod. So everybody had his own "C:\Users\XXX\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media" database. Worked great.
My MP3 songs were on an USB drive, connected to the XP. Now I want to get rid of the XP machine, and connected the USB drive to a NAS.
On all PC's I was using an alias, drive "M:".
I set up the NAS to offer me the MP3 files also on a drive M:.
So far, so good. If I now start iTunes, it needs 5 Minutes, until I can listen to music, But not to all! Some of them show "no longer available, do you want to search them?" But after some more minutes, they are available.
Any idea? (My "customers" are increasing pressure on me!!!!!)
Rgds, Uwe

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.
If you have an iOS device that syncs with contact & calendar data on your computer you should migrate this information too. If that isn't possible create a dummy entry of each type in your new profile and iTunes should offer to merge the existing data from the device into the computer, otherwise the danger is that it will wipe the information from the device.
If your devices sync with a photos folder you will need to copy this over and update the settings on the photo tab to point to the new location.
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 of it, 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