Moving a hard drives with songs from one computer to another

I'm going to have my collection of music on one external hard drive, but I'm streaming from one computer using ATV to my home stereo system, but managing the music on the external drive (adding mostly) from another machine. (The reason is that the streaming machine is much older and slower - works for streaming but my USB ports are crappy and so I want to be able to add music directly to the hard drive from my newer, faster notebook).
Given this scenario, if I add music to the external drive from the newer notebook, when I go to connect it to the streaming machine, what do I have to do each time to update Itunes on that computer?

you could try copying and pasting the songs on to a usb.
plug the usb into the desk top and paste them onto itunes.
idk if it will work but its worth a try. i managed to get songs from my psp to my ipod this way

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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.

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.

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 can I transfer songs from one computer to another

How can I transfer songs from one computer to another

Type "move itunes library" or similar into the Google search bar.

Won't let me transfer purchased songs from one computer to another

The itunes wont let me transfer purchased songs from one computer to the other via home sharing even though both are authorised?

Burn that songs to a *DATA DVD/CD* using iTunes - then take the resulting disk to your desktop computer; that disk will show up in iTunes' left column; drag the songs into your library.

Moving songs from one computer to another

is it possible to move all my songs off one computer and onto my other computer whih also has some music on it stored in itunes. i am moving out of the country in 2 days and am trying to consolidate it. thanks

Thanks Z for the info...you answer most questions with a single search. We frequently sync 2 different Ipods on one computer using windowsxpp without issue; We love our pods no doubt. My concern is legal sharing among our computers. I have read 301478 & too much of 61131, finding the former to be most helpful but I still feel a little lost. Just don't what to expect. Any advice? I can't run more than one OS when I travel tho I'd like to.

How do you transfer songs from one computer to another?

So my current computer's usb cables don't work anymore and I need a way to transfer the songs from this computer to my sister's. I have music that wasn't purchased from the store in my library from things like cd's and other personal files that my friends and family have sent me and I would like to have them all in my library but the only thing that shows up on my sister's computer are the songs that I've purchased. Is there a way to sync my music or put it on my sister's computer somehow? Thank you!

See also Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device. Even if you transfer the songs via some other method when working with a new library you should also look at backing up and then restoring the device to protect the data that you have on it. Alternatively copy over the entire library into a new location on your sister's computer and switch to your library when you want to update your device. See iTunes: How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one.
tt2

How do you move itunes with playlists from one computer to another

how do you move itunes with playlists from a computer to ext hard drive, so it will play from the ext harddrive and not the computer

Type "move itunes library to external hard drive" into the google search bar.

Getting songs from one computer to another

I bought an album a few weeks ago (first time) and I just bought a new laptop. How can I get these files from my old computer to my new one? I thought if I make the new computer authorized, I would have access to these files, but cannot. Please help. I have spent too many hours already reading stuff on this page and have hit a dead end every time. Also, if you answer with something, I may have tried it already, so please be prepared for a follow-up question. Thank you very much.

Well...you physically need to copy them from one computer to the other. You can do this by putting the files on a thumb drive for the transfer, burning them to a disc or via a firewire cable (Google Target Disk Mode for info on using the firewire cable to do this).
You'll also need to authorize the second computer in order to play the purchased content.

Moving playlists AND songs from one computer to another

Hi there,
I need to move several playlists and the songs in those playlists from my Mini to my laptop. Why? The laptop is going to be playing the music at my wedding, and the Mini's staying home.
I have 6 different playlists. I know how to export the playlists as an XML file and import that file onto the laptop. But what about the files themselves? Between the 6 playlists, there's probably over 200 songs. I'd rather not hunt them all down, move them manually to the laptop, export XML playlists, lather, rinse, repeat.... but I suppose I will if I need to!
If it help, my Mini's entire iTunes library lives on an external hard drive.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Moral support?

I'm confused--if your laptop is authorized to play all of the songs in your mini library, why can't you just burn a DATA DVD (if you have a DVD burner) of everything on the playlist. This should work on your laptop (as long as it's authorized to play purchased tunes). Post back if you have questions, but I don't know why this won't work!

Transferring songs from one computer to another without erasing anything

I've read everything here that pertains and don't see my exact problem. I did not realize when I got this iPod the problems involved in using more than one computer, and as a result, I have songs on three computers that I'd like to get into my iPod without erasing what's already there, and without erasing what is in my iTunes library on each computer.
Last night I tried copying the folders/songs I wanted onto an external drive, then copying them to the second computer. I did this in Windows Explorer on both ends, by finding the correct My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music file in each computer. I wasn't sure how to move those songs into the second Library, so I chose "add folder" or "add file" from the File menu. It seemed to work beautifully, the songs played, so I plugged the iPod in and it showed that it updated fine. Problem? The songs are not showing up on the iPod itself. Obviously I'm missing a step or two or have done it incorrectly.
If someone could please point me to a step-by-step process for this, I would greatly appreciate it. The only step-by-step explanations I've found here are the ones for putting files on a new computer that doesn't have any songs, by moving the whole My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music file, and I believe that would erase what is already on the second computer, isn't that right?
Thanks in advance for any help.

What I meant was that after I get all the music on the iPod and one computer, then I'll use that computer for updating and purchasing new music, keeping it as "automatic,"
Ok, yes that would work.
Here's how to use your iPod to transfer music to another computer.
Once you have all your music on one iTunes library, then you can set it to Auto update.
and only use the other computers for listening without updating.
I'm not too sure on this part. You might be able to play music directly from your iPod when its connected to one of these machines. I've never tried this.
If you're expecting your iPod to sync music back to your iTunes library to play directly from iTunes... then no, that won't work.
Good luck!

Transporting songs from one computer to another

All right, so...my music library is extensive and I love the songs that I have on it. My friend recently bought a new computer after his last one develpoed a virus and had to be replaced. His iTunes library only consists of a few songs, and I would like to give him my whole library.
This is where my 20 gig, color display iPod comes in. A few of my other friends have told me that if I plug in my iPod to a different computer, it will delete the iPod's song list. However, I have also heard it works oppisitely, and when you plug in your iPod to a foreign computer, the iPod's songs will go into the iTunes library. Which one is true? How do I bring my library into his library?
I'm sorry if this is confusing, I'm running on 30 minutes of sleep, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.

Hello Angela,
What you are suggesting in terms of transferring your songs to someone else would be breach of copyright. In most parts of the world music file sharing is illegal. To answer the technical part of your question, if an iPod is set to automatically update from iTunes, connecting it to a different library would cause it to erase the original songs and replace them with whatever is in the new one. iTunes brings up a dialogue window asking whether you want to replace the songs on your iPod with the songs in iTunes, you are given the choice of "Yes" or "No". Pressing "Yes" will remove all the original songs from your iPod and they can only be replaced by connecting it back to the library on your own PC.

Tried to transfer songs from one computer to another and lost most of them

I had iTunes installed on one computer but the program was removed so I reinstalled it on another computer and thought that the songs on my iPod would automatically be uploaded into iTunes. There was a screen that popped up that asked if I wanted to replace the existing playlist from the old computer with the new libray. I mistakenly selected yes and now all of the songs I had on my iPod are now gone. Can anyone tell me if there is a way to get those back somehow? Help me please!
Dell Very Important

Pressing "Yes" when iTunes brings up the dialogue window asking whether you want to replace the songs on your iPod with the songs in iTunes unfortunately does exactly what it says. If you linked to an empty iTunes it will have erased your iPod as there were no songs to replace yours with. There are some data recovery programs on the market but I don't know how technically or cost effective they are. Here's an example I found using Google : iPod Data Recovery

Moving a hard drives with songs from one computer to another

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