HT4527 Followed all steps - phone not syncing with new itunes/new pc

Question

I have followed the steps in this article for moving itunes to a new computer. I had no problems with loading my music, itunes folder and mobilesync backups to an external drive and copying them all to a new pc. (Windows 8). Installed itunes onto the new computer and plugged in my phone and restored with last backup. All went well with that. The computer is authorised with my account.
THE PROBLEM:  Now when I plug in my iphone 5 to new itunes/ new windows 8 pc, it does not sync. It goes through 3 of 3 steps in about 2 seconds saying syncing, but not really syncing. I tested by adding a new app through the itunes and then synced phone. It didn't add it to the phone. Then I deleted it and added an app to the phone through the app store on the phone. When I synced the phone itunes failed to recognize a purchase on the phone that needed to be added to itunes.
So the itunes and phone are not actually in sync with each other and I don't know how to correct that. I have an ipad with retina display which needs to be added but I don't dare until I figure out what the problem is with syncing the devices to the new itunes/computer. It sees my phone when plugged in - I see my 4 pages of apps on the apps tab. I do not see my email accounts listed on the INFO tab. It just says "your contacts/calendars are being synced with your phone over the air." In the block where my accounts were listed on the old itunes/computer it is empty on this one. The phone is continuing to download email though.
Any help in getting the phone and new itunes in true sync again would be much appreciated!

Answer 1

Same problem with a mac. My computer will recognize the iPod on the desktop and itunes even opens up when I plug it in, but the iPod doesn't appear on the iTunes menu and won't let me sync.