How do I move my music from an older macbook to the new iPhone 4s?

Question

My macbook is old (OS X 10.4.11), so I can't update iTunes to a newer version. All the tutorials on syncing deal with newer OSs. I have TONS of music on my macBook, and I want to be able to use it on my new phone, but nothing happens when I plug it in to my laptop.
I know most people don't keep technology as long as I do, but my laptop works great. I don't need a new one, and I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars trying to update to a new OS.
Any savvy techs out there who know of a loop hole of how to get the music files to the iPhone?
Thanks!

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