Moving music from one computer to a new computer

I printed out the directions from the web site and followed the 13 pages exactly and successfully transferred my music library to the ipod, then from the ipod to the new library. None of my music that was purchased from iTunes will copy from the library on the new computer back to the ipod (nano). Music that was imported from CD copied fine. I do not have too many computers authorized. Only had the one on which music was purchased and now only want to still have one, the new one. Please help!

I figured out my answer. Had to authorize the new computer by playing a purchased song.

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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

Moving music from one computer to another

I downloaded my music from another computer to an external drive, then uploaded to a new computer. I put it in the same folder as the current music from iTunes. iTunes does not recognize that the music is there. can someone help me get iTunes to see the music so it can be included on this new computer in the program?
Thanks.
Mike

Unless you've moved away from the default iTunes settings simply copying the entire iTunes folder from <User's Music> on the source machine into <User's Music> on the target computer (over a network, or via an intermediate copy on a portable drive) will transfer the library.
See this migrate iTunes library post for more.
tt2

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.

How to take music from one computer to the other

ok so i need to take my music from my mom's computer and put it on mine, and i've tried putting it on a floppy or a cd, but every time i do it'll act like it's doin something and then it says it can't complete becuase some of the songs couldn't be found. so my question is how do i transfer my music from one computer to another? it lets me view all my music while plugged in to the new computer it just won't let me take anything off the ipod and add it to any of the folders or playlists.
30 ipod video Windows XP Pro

Try these:
Copying music between authorized computers with iTunes for Windows
Copying songs over a network to use with iTunes for Windows

HT2729 how can i transfer my itunes music from one computer to another?

How can I transfer my Itunes music from one computer to another

Copy the ENTIRE iTunes folder from the old computer to the new computer.

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.

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.

Need to move music from one computer to another

Wondering how to move my music from one computer to another. My laptop is being replaced and need to move all my iTunes items from here to a desktop. What is the best/most cost effective way to do this? TY

It is very easy. First get something to transfer your itunes file to the laptop (network$, thumb drive$$ (depending the size), external hard drive$$$ with cost of drive and plus a case it can be costly). Those are in order of slowness! After all those files are on the desktop download itunes. DO NOT download itunes first you will be begging for trouble. Open itunes and it will take a few seconds and it should find the file on it's own. Now all you need to do is sign into itunes agree to all the fun stuff and there you go. I did mine with an external Sata hard drive via esata and it could not of been easier. To find the file you need go into music/my music and find the big file named itunes. just copy and past and let er rip.
Good luck

I would like to transfer a playlist and associated music from one computer on a home sharing network to another without transferring the entire library. How?

I would like to transfer a playlist and associated music from one computer to another in a home sharing network without transfering the entire itunes library. How would I do that?

you can transfer playlists using home sharing but it won't copy the actual music files within to the other machine.
however, i believe TuneRanger can do that.

How to transfer music from one computer to another

I NEED HELP TRANSFERRING MUSIC FROM ONE COMPUTER TO ANOTHER. ALL USED ON THE SAME APPLE ID JUST PURCHASED FROM MY IPHONE RATHER THAN ITUNES ON THE COMPUTER. SAME CREDIT CARD, TRIED SYNCING SAID IT COULDNT.

See this migrate iTunes library post...
tt2

How do I transfer music from one computer to another with ratings?

How do I transfer music from one PC to another along with the ratings and # plays?

Refer to these articles:
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
iTunes: Back up your iTunes library by copying to an external hard drive
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751

Moving music from one pc to another

How do I move music from one pc to another? Also, I just bought a new ipod shuffle, so how do I incorperate that as well?? Anyone?
Thanks!!

This document provides some methods
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
Not mentioned is signing up for the iTunes Match service ($25/year), which matches or uploads your iTunes music library to iCloud, making your songs accessible from your computers and supported iOS devices, through the Internet. An extra benefit is that any "matched" song in your library that is lower sound quality, can be replaced by a higher quality 256 kbps ("iTunes Plus") version. You can keep them, even if you decide to cancel iTunes Match after the first year.
iPods (that are not iPod touch) are synced to your iTunes library. So, after you move your iTunes library to the new computer, sync the shuffle to that iTunes library.

Asking if I want to locate the original file I just clicked on. I did move my music from one computer to another and am now getting this error on about 50% of my music. HELP! Suggestions?

ERROR when I click on newly moved music files.
"The song ______ can not be used because the original file can not be found. Do you want to locate it?"
Help!
I moved my itunes files from one computer to the other and now I'm getting this error on about 50% of my songs when I click on them.

Moving a library from machine to another can require some preparation if it is to go smoothly.
As long as the files are organized within a media folder in a way that is vaguley consistent with iTunes, i.e. folders for artists, with subfolders for albums, then my FindTracks script might be able to relink the files.
tt2

Transferring my itunes music from one computer to another.

How do i get the music in itunes from one computer to another without having to rip all the music over again?
Windows XP

How to use your iPod to move your music to a new computer
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300173
And in case you are interested in other methods...
Copying from iPod to Computer thread...
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=3536077#3536077
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=797432
Also these useful internet articles...
http://www.engadget.com/2004/11/02/how-to-get-music-off-your-ipod/
http://playlistmag.com/help/2005/01/2waystreet/
iPod: Frequently Asked Questions
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60920
Patrick

Moving music from one computer to a new computer

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