Importing Existing Music Files to New Computer

Hi:
I have a new computer and am trying to get iTunes to recognize the existing music files on an external drive (created via my previous laptop). I changed the Pref-Advanced=Folder location to the external drive but it does not see the existing files. If I import folder then the first one works but the second messes up the existing album/folder structure and I get 2 or 3 songs per folder, even for the folder that came in OK (I have turned on "Keep iTunes Folder organized") . Also, very tedious to import one folder at a time. Is there no way to say "get all the stuff under this main folder or drive"?
thanks
don

Don - If "Get Info" looks like it is not editable, that usually means the song file is set to "Read Only," which you can fix in Windows via right-click, Properties.
As far as consolidating albums, after the songs are imported you can highlight a group of them and use Get Info to edit the "Album" and "Album Artist" to new values.

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http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1567
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How can I import my library to a new computer?

Hi:
I just bought a new computer, and I'm trying to import my library from my old computer to the new one. I've transferred my 'My Music' folder (along with the iTunes folder inside it) onto the new computer using an external hard-drive, and I've reinstalled iTunes, but when I import the XML file (which I manually backed up from my old computer), I only get 400 songs of my 6,000 (I think these are the songs from 'My Music / iTunes').
I've tried clearing my library and just adding 'My Music' folder, and although this gets all my songs into the library, it puts the full file name under song name (my files don't have any tags on them), and it leaves the artist field blank. Basically, I'd have to go through all my songs and re-do the sorting fields.
I think the problem is that on my old computer, the pathway to 'My Music' was different from the pathway to 'My Music' on my new computer. Does anyone know how I can get my library to look exactly the same as it did on my old computer? As I've said, I have all the files in place, and I have the XML file ready to go. I think I just need to figure out how to get iTunes to find the songs in 'My Music'.
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If you have an iPod touch or iPhone with iOS 4 or later software, or an iPad, you can use iTunes to transfer files between your computer and an app on your device that supports file sharing.
You might want to do this if, for example, you want to save files you create on your device to your computer, or take files with you so you can use them when you’re away from your computer.
You don’t need to sync your device to transfer files, but your device needs to be connected to your computer.
For information about supported apps, see the documentation for your apps.
Hide
To transfer files from your iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad to your computer:
Connect your iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad to your computer.
In iTunes, select your device (below Devices), and click the Apps button.
Below File Sharing, from the list on the left, select the app on your device that you want to transfer a file from.
From the list on the right, select the file you want to transfer, and click “Save to.”
In the window that appears, select the destination where you want to save the file, and click Choose.
The file is saved to the selected destination on your computer.
SImport music and video already on your computer
If you have audio or video files on your computer, you can import them into iTunes so that they appear in your iTunes library.
Hide
Here are ways to add items from your computer to your iTunes library:
Drag a file or folder from the Finder to the iTunes window.
If you add a folder, all the files it contains are added to your library.
In iTunes, choose File > “Add to Library,” locate a file or folder, and then click Choose.
By default, iTunes places a copy of each audio file in the iTunes folder (Home/Music); the original file remains in the current location. For information about adding an alias to the file (instead of creating a copy), see Add items to your library without copying them to your iTunes folder.

How do I find and include pre-existing music files on my PC?

I'm new to iTunes and believe that I should be able to find and include pre-existing music files on my PC?
I've found out how to show the menu bar but I can't see how to do the above except file/folder by file/folder.

Hello there, LeighCenturion.
The following Knowledge Base article provides instruction on how to add content from your computer to iTunes:
Adding music and other content to iTunes
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1473#2
Specifically:
Adding content on your computer to iTunes
iTunes helps you add digital audio and video files on your computer directly to your iTunes library. You can add audio files that are in AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, Apple Lossless, or Audible.com (.aa) format. If you have unprotected WMA content, iTunes for Windows can convert these files to one of these formats. You can also add video content in QuickTime or MPEG-4 format to iTunes. To learn how to add these files to iTunes follow the steps below.
Open iTunes
From the File menu, choose one of the following choices:
MacAdd to Library
Windows
Add File to Library
Add Folder to Library
Navigate to and select the file or folder that you want to add
If iTunes is set to "Copy files to the iTunes Music folder when adding to library," iTunes will copy all content that is added to the iTunes library to the iTunes Music folder. To adjust this setting or change the location of this folder, go to the Advanced tab in iTunes Preferences.
Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.
Cheers,
Pedro.

I have transfered my music to a new computer. I have a iPhone 4S 64g and I have a lot of music. I believed i have followed all instructions to do this. I have even unistalled itunes and reinstalled. Synching to new computer not responding well

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It is probably best to start over. 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 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. If you don't have any Apple devices then see HT2519 - Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store.
tt2

Importing Existing Music Files to New Computer

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