I had to transferr my music files from one computer to another by directly copying the files from the hard drive to a new drive. Itunes recognized the files and I was able to load in new songs. The new songs won't sync with ipod. Ideas?

To copy the files I had to remove the hard drive and direct copy them to an expansion drive on another machine. ITunes recognized the copied files and operates correctly on the computer. I was able to download additional songs to ITunes on the computer without problem. The IPod however will not recognize the new songs, does an abreviated sync process and gives a message that the IPod cannot sync because files are being used by another application. It is also does not want to accept the disconnect command. Any suggestions on how to solve the sync problem?

how did you save the songs? can you play the songs? have you restarted the computer?

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Moving music from one computer to another using an iPod?

Thing is I want to buy a new laptop soon, and I'd like to move my music from my old computer to the new one, but I'd like to use my iPod 160GB as a hard disk to transport it, I've copied my music and video files along with other important data into folders I've created inside the iPod, it covers about a 3rd of the total space in the iPod. Question is, can I transport the music to the new computer without the system resetting the iPod to work with the new computer itself?
Last time(like 3 weeks ago) I had to reset my computer(the old one) because of viruses trouble and such, but I had previously saved my data inside the iPod, so I just copied the files to the same locations as they were in the previous configuration including the iTunes folders library files to a folder I created, then installed iTunes and then the iTunes library files to its own folder; it worked wonders because no files or playlists were lost, and when I plugged my iPod, I had no problems, but I reckoned no problems happened there because this iPod had been used with this computer already, so I wonder if this would be effective with a new computer.
So question remains, could I transport the files(all data) from the iPod to the new computer without it resetting itself and hence losing any of the data?

How to Copy and Move (Clone) your iTunes Library from One Computer to Another – or Archive Prior to a PC Re-Image or Reformat
This well-written iLounge Article is a must-read for anyone considering moving their Library to a new computer or a new location. Or, just wants a better understanding of how iTunes manages your music.
Below 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!
Preserving and transferring the original Library Database file (iTunes Library.itl) is most critical with iPhones as they can sync with only one iTunes Library at a time. This is managed by the ‘Library Persistent ID’ hardcoded within each iTunes database file. If your ITL file has a different ID, your iTunes/iPhone attachment will be seen as a new Library and you will need to completely re-sync your iPhone. This may or may not be an issue for you. See how to manage the LPID via This Link.
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 (for iPod, iTouch &/or iPhone – use as needed)
1) All Music Files in their current folder structure (usually located in and under the ‘iTunes Music’ folder)
2) All Application Files in their current folder structure (usually located in the ‘Mobile Applications’ folder)
3) All Album Artwork Files in their current folder structure (usually located in and under the ‘Album Artwork’ folder)
4) The Library database file: ‘iTunes Library.itl’ located in the ‘iTunes’ folder
5) The Library XML file: ‘iTunes Music Library.xml’ located in the ‘iTunes’ folder
6) The iTunes Library Extras.itdb and iTunes Library Genius.itdb files, also in the ‘iTunes’ folder
Some additional files to consider also include in a backup:
7) Any XML playlist files created for Playlist retention
8) The two iTunes.pref files (optional)
i) C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes.pref
ii) C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer Inc\iTunes.pref
9) 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.”
10) The folder(s) used to store and sync photos to your iPhone (if applicable)
11) The iTunes created Backup of your iPhone usually located at:
C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup
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 500GBs-1TB 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 you reformat it, dispose of it, or retire it from iTMS use (if applicable).
Best of Luck

How do i get my music from one computer to another on itunes?

I am trying to import my itunes nusic library from one computer to another. Is there a way to do this?

See also this migrate iTunes library post.
tt2

Can I move photos from one computer to another using Vault?

Can I move photos from one computer to another using Vault? I use an external hard drive as a vault for my Imac and I want to import photos to my Macbook pro. I have aperture 3 on both units. Can I just plug the ext. drive into the laptop and import from the vault?

You can't import from the vault but you can restore that vault onto the MBP. This will restore the complete library that is contained in the vault.

I bought a new laptop and used Windows Easy Transfer cable and moved all files from one computer to another. I installed iTunes and found my iTunes music Library. However, when I plug in my iPod it says it is already synced with another iTunes Library.

I bought a new laptop and used Windows Easy Transfer cable and moved all files from one computer to another. I installed iTunes and found my iTunes music Library. However, when I plug in my iPod it says it is already synced with another iTunes Library.
I don't see anything in Help that shows when you already have transfered all the files over. Why would it want to erase and sync when I already have all the music folder copied over? I didn't have an issue when I had another technician copy from one laptop to another. Home sharing is also on but not being recognized.

I suspect you only migrated the media folder instead of the complete working library. Either review the transfer process and copy over the entire iTunes folder from your old profile's music folder or see Recovering your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
tt2

How do I transfer my checked songs from one computer to another - tried exporting library playlist etc but no luck! Please help! I have 26,000 songs - 17,000 are selected and I can't run down the list on my new computer and re-check 17,000 songs! Thanks!

How do I transfer my checked songs from one computer to another - tried exporting library playlist etc but no luck! Please help! I have 26,000 songs - 17,000 are selected and I can't run down the list on my new computer and re-check 17,000 songs! Thanks!

Make a smart playlist of your whole library but only checked songs - #4 on http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1801
Highlight all files in that playlist, then drag to the other drive. This isn't preserving any playlists or whatever, just copying files from one drive to another.
You might want to delete the smart playlist this once you are done because it will probably gobble up resources with that many files.

I want to transfer my music from one computer to another, however a large majority of my songs are already on the new computer, is there a way to transfer only the ones not there? or to see what songs are only on the one computer

i want to transfer my music from one computer to another, however a large majority of my songs are already on the new computer, is there a way to transfer only the ones not there? or to see what songs are only on the one computer

Welcome to the Apple Community.
Homesharing gives you the option of seeing only the content in the shared library, that is not already in your own library.

I am in the process of trying to transfer my iTunes library from one computer to another. Some of the music/film info has been edited (by me) in my library (using get info). When put onto new computer the info has gone back to before i edited it.. Help!?

I am in the process of trying to transfer my iTunes library from one computer to another. Some of the music/film info has been edited (by me) in my library (using get info). When put onto new computer (following apple's instructions- using an external hard drive) the info has gone back to how it was before i edited it.. Help!?

Hello,
I would recommend taking a look at the article below for more information about migrating your iTunes library.
iTunes for Windows: Moving your iTunes Media folder
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1364
-Griff W.

The other day I was writing an essay while listening to my iTunes. Then all of a sudden, the power of my house went out. When we finally got power back, and I was able to open up itunes, over 700 songs of mine were deleted. How do I get them back?

The other day I was writing an essay while listening to my iTunes. Then all of a sudden, the power of my house went out. When we finally got power back, and I was able to open up itunes, over 700 songs of mine were deleted. When I looked in the trash, I saw two things labled "iTunes library extras", and "iTunes library genius". When I tried opening them, it said that I needed to open them with an application, and that I needed to chose one. I chose iTunes. When I tried double clicking on "iTunes library extras" after this, all it did was open up iTunes. Nothing else. Someone please help me because I had a lot of songs that I liked, and recently downloaded. And it will be a pain to get them all back if no one can help me.

Are the files still physically on your HD?
[User]/Music/iTunes/Media/Music is the default location. Unless you suddenly have a bunch of new "free space" on your hard drive, they're still where they were, you just need to create a new library file.

TS2972 Why is the "Import" button grey when I'm trying to transfer music from one computer to another?

Why is the "Import" button grey when I'm trying to transfer music from one computer to another using Home Sharing?

Hi lexipuppy,
I dont know if you have your music on your other computer was on itunes, but if it was, make sure that you signed into your itunes account on your other computer. If you are signed in then your music should show up in your library.

Trying to take songs from one computer to another

I am using iTunes on one computer with three ipods. My mother has a laptop and she wants to put all the songs from my computer onto hers so she can use her ipod on her laptop instead of using mine. I searched online to see how to do it and was told to plug ipod in and click on enable disk use, then I went to my computer and dragged over the artists and songs from my music to the ipod. I then plugged the cord for the ipod into my mothers laptop and dragged each artist into itunes under music. When I tried to eject her ipod it said it was in use so I just left it in. When I had plugged it in a box came up that said that the ipod could only be used on one computer so if I wanted to use it on this new computer I would have to delete it. I thought that's what I was supposed to do so I pressed delete. I went through the songs and took out ones I didn't want and then synced her ipod. I took it out and when I go to play a song that is listed under music in the library it says it can not be found. It only works when I have the ipod connected. My father wants to use the laptop as well and I don't understand what happened. Did I mess it up when I pushed delete? Should I take everything off her ipod and then redo it all on my other computer? I really don't understand. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please e-mail me at [email protected] and put something in the subject line about itunes or ipod so I won't delete it. Thanks so much

Although an iPod can be used in disk mode, it is easier to move songs from one computer to another using a USB flash drive.
When the songs are on the computer where you want them, add them to the iTunes library on that computer, and then you will be ready to sync the iPod.

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.

How do I get songs from one computer to another?

I had found it once on apple support, but I'm having trouble finding it again. Can someone tell me how you get your songs from one computer to another? I'm consolidating all the songs from my wife's laptop on to mine so we can share the same library, but I don't know how to get her songs on my computer, and as a result, my iTunes.

Go to the itunes folder and copy all of the songs on to an external hard drive. Then copy them from the hard drive to the other computer
You could also use home sharing which will send the songs over your wireless.

HT3819 Can I transfer music from one computer to another via home sharing?

Can I transfer my music from one computer to another via home sharing?

So long as they are on the same wifi network, yes.
Have both computers running and have iTunes open on both computers.
Now, in the iTunes on the computer you want to transfer music to, select the library that you want to transfer music from, as per the following screenshot:
Once the other library loads, go down to the bottom of the screen and in "Show:" select "Items not in my library":
If you want to import all of the songs you can now see, head up to the iTunes menu bar and go "Edit > Select all". Then head down to the bottom of the screen again and click the "Import" button in the bottom-right-hand corner.
If there's a lot of stuff in the library you're transferring from, the transfer may take some time.

Can't download song purchased from Itunes from one computer to another using same Apple ID

Hi, I am operating itunes 11 at home, using Mac OS 10.7.5.. I purchased a song at work (also a Mac, I am not sure which version of OSM or itunes). I accessed the purchase of the song in the "Purchased" menu option in itunes on my home Mac. When I tried to download the song at home so I can include it in my Library, I got the following message:
This computer is already associated with an Apple ID. You can download past purchases on this computer with just one Apple ID every 90 days.
So: just to be clear:I can only buy something from itunes from one computer and save to another with the same Apple ID only every 90 days??? And if that is the case, I have not purchased anything from my work computer within 90 days of this recent song purchase. That just does not make sense to me, since the license covers 10 devices anyway, and I am using the same Apple ID.
Let me know if I am not understanding this correctly, or am doing something wrong. It just does make not sense to me that I can't download a purchase I made from one computer to another since I am paying Apple for the music and just accessing it elsewhere, using the same account.
Thanks so much.

Thanks for the response. Yes, my husband logged on to our computer and rented a movie for us to view. That is how we use Itunes: I purchase the music, he may purchase a movie or a rental now and then. This is new, it never happend before.
Also, I contacted customer support, both by phone and email. Not only does someone else using the home computer under a different account trigger this, but so does simply activating my own user id from a different computer (one of the 5 I am allowed to under the service agreement.)
Customer support was very helpful and lifted the 90 day ban. I called them because I purchased a season pass of a TV show and could not download the first episode because it was a "past purchase" (the episode was not even available to download when I purchased the pass, so “past” is indeed relevant.)
But I don't see the point of purchasing content from Apple now. This feature limits the accessibility of legal purchases under the service agreement. Why allow 5 computers per Apple ID if activating one of them limits the ability to download content for 90 days??
I (used to) buy movies, rentals and TV shows all the time. I don’t have cable, so Apple was the source for all “must have” shows that I couldn’t wait for. Too bad.

I had to transferr my music files from one computer to another by directly copying the files from the hard drive to a new drive. Itunes recognized the files and I was able to load in new songs. The new songs won't sync with ipod. Ideas?

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