Old computer dead. How do I sync my iPad's contents to a new computer?

Question

My computer died, and all the data with it. Have a new computer with iTunes. How do I get the iPad do dump all its data to the new computer's iTunes?
Anyone?

Answer 1

This is one reason why maintaining a backup of all important data on your computer's hard drive is important stored on an external drive or some other external media used for backup purposes only which should include your iTunes library.
iTunes includes an option to transfer iTunes content that was purchased/downloaded from the iTunes store from an iPod/iPhone/iPad, but this is for iTunes content that was purchased from the iTunes store only.
First you need to authorize your new computer with your iTunes account with iTunes. With your iPad connected and without syncing, at the iTunes menu bar go to File and select Transfer Purchases From - the name of your iPad.
Before syncing contacts and calendar events with an empty supported address book and calendar application, enter one contact in the address book and one calendar event in the calendar application on your computer. This will provide a merge prompt with the first sync for this data, which you want to select.
Photos transferred from your computer via the iTunes sync/transfer process is a one way transfer process only. Photos transferred from your computer are optimized for viewing on the iPad as part of the iTunes sync/transfer process - the original resolution of these photos is reduced. There are 3rd party paid utilities available that provide for transferring this data in the opposite direction with an iPhone, but if successful the original resolution of these photos will be lost in the process. Photos store on your computer's hard drive should be included with your computer's backup also.