Is there a way to transfer songs from the iPhone 4s to PC without first erasing and syncing everything? The CD's were stolen and the only copy is currently on my iPhone.

Question

Here's the order which things occured.
New iPhone 4S
Synched to computer, everything is cool.
Computer explodes, new HD purchased
Itunes empty, everything is on phone.
Download whatever was purchased off itunes (1000+ songs)
Still missing bout 400 songs from CD's
INSULT TO INJURY TIME:
CD's stolen. Only copy is on iphone.
When I try to sync to my computer (manually or otherwise) it wants to erase everything and put only what's on my PC.
What are my options to save the 400+ songs from my CD's that are still stored on my iphone?
Please advise, thanks!

Answer 1

I have all my whole iTunes library backed up in mp3 format on a hard drive, as well as all my CDs backed up in full quality format (FLAC) on other hard drives.  If somebody steals my CDs I can always burn them again in full quality format (many of mine are from small bands that no longer exist and are irreplaceable otherwise).  Bottom line -- it is worth spending a few bucks on backup drives if you are serious about your collection.
Some of the information below has subsequently appeared in a document by turingtest2: Recovering your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3991
Your i-device was not designed for unique storage of your media. It is not a backup device and media transfer was designed for you maintaining a master copy of your media on a computer which is itself properly backed up against loss. Syncing is one way, computer to device, updating the device content to the content on the computer, not updating or restoring content on a computer. The exception is iTunes Store purchased content.
iTunes Store: Transferring purchases from your iOS device or iPod to a computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1848 - only media purchased from iTunes Store
For transferring other items from an i-device to a computer you will have to use third party commercial software. Examples (check the web for others; this is not an exhaustive listing, nor do I have any idea if they are any good):
- Senuti - http://www.fadingred.com/senuti/
- Phoneview - http://www.ecamm.com/mac/phoneview/
- MusicRescue - http://www.kennettnet.co.uk/products/musicrescue/
- Sharepod (free) - http://download.cnet.com/SharePod/3000-2141_4-10794489.html?tag=mncol;2 - Windows
- Snowfox/iMedia - http://www.mac-videoconverter.com/imedia-transfer-mac.html - Mac & PC
- iexplorer (free) - http://www.macroplant.com/iexplorer/ - Mac&PC
- Yamipod (free) - http://www.yamipod.com/main/modules/downloads/ - PC, Linux, Mac [Still updated for use on newer devices? No edits to site since 2010.]
- 2010 Post by Zevoneer: iPod media recovery options - https://discussions.apple.com/message/11624224 - this is an older post and many of the links are also for old posts, so bear this in mind when reading them.
Syncing to a "New" Computer or replacing a "crashed" Hard Drive - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3141 - dates from 2008 and some outdated information now.
Copying Content from your iPod to your Computer - The Definitive Guide - http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/copying-music-from-ipod-to-co mputer/ - Information about use in disk mode pertains only to older model iPods.
Get Your Music Off of Your iPod - http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Get_Your_Music_Off_of_Your_iPod - I am not sure but this may only work with some models and not newer Touch, iPhone, or iPad.
Additional information here https://discussions.apple.com/message/18324797