Put H.Drive with iTunes onto new computer...lost playlist and ratings

My main computer that had iTunes on it crashed the other day, my motherboard was fried. So I put the hard drive with the iTunes into another computer. The iTune files are not corrupted, but I have lost my playlist and ratings.
Is there a way to recover my old playlist and ratings?

Yes there may be.
iTunes operates as a database of information for your music files. The actual music files are stored on your PC, not within iTunes. iTunes keeps absolute references of the music file location and other information in its database file. This allows iTunes to use music files from any location on the PC: different directories/folders on the main HD, another internal drive, an external drive, or a network drive (or any combination of the above).
Each song reference has a specific and hardcoded location (both drive letter & path) so iTunes can find and play (or sync) it. Move the file, change the path, re-map the drive it is on, shut down or remove the Drive, and iTunes will lose the file (giving you the '!' of a ‘Broken Link’). Lose, move or corrupt the ‘iTunes Music.itl’ file and your complete Library will ‘vanish’.
If you delete, corrupt, or otherwise lose your ‘iTunes Library.itl’ file, you will end up with a ‘blank’ Library within iTunes. Nine times out of ten, your underlying music files are still on the PC. They can be ‘re-Added’ via the File==>Add Folder/File menu command, but you will lose some of the music meta-data. Recovering your Library via backup copies of the iTunes database file, or from importing the XML file is always preferable.
By your placing the previous C: drive (I'm assuming) into another PC now reading it as the H: drive, iTunes is either looking at a blank Library database file, or reading the old one, but looking for the music on the C: drive where it was before (I'll guess the former).
IF you can put all the music on the C: drive into the exact same path as it was previously
AND you can place a copy of your previous ITL database file into the '..\My Music\iTunes' folder on the C: drive
THEN when you open iTunes, it should restore your complete Library.
Post back if you have questions or if you need to clarify your exact HD situation (I may have misread your meaning...).

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The music will be there once you sign in with your Apple ID that used for purchases. Check out the article below to know the steps on how to make that happen.
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http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2519
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From your OLD computer...
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Ok Smarties, let's see what you've got.
I Have a little dilemma. Ok BIG dilemma. I cant get my old iTunes onto my new computer because my old computer was bashed in by my ex-best friend. I can't afford to fix it so I decided to get a new one!
My little brother always messes things up and already got HIS iPod on MY new computer. Along with HIS music. I'm just wondering if and/or how to get my old iTunes onto my new computer. I will be very grateful to whoever helps me.
Please e-mail me at [email protected]
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A.K.A. Josh
Message was edited by: Trojanman296

Try the following user tip:
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I can see where my response was wrong now, thanks for that
No worries here. Just want to make sure the correct way to do it gets pointed out.
When messing owth the files, users need to understand the differences between *iTunes library* and *iTunes media folder*.
iTunes library consists of everything in iTunes (iTunes folder and all media in iTunes, regardless of where it is located).
iTunes media folder is usually located inside the iTunes folder (doesn't need to be) but it can be welsewhere. Also, medcia files can be located anywhere and not necessarily inside the iTunes media folder location shown in iTunes prefs > Advanced.
The support article I referred to can be used to move the iTunes library to the external hard drive the OP referred to
Actually, the article you linked to moves only the *iTunes media folder* for use with the same iTunes library on the same computer. If you only copy the iTunes media folder to a new computer, iTunes will be empty.
It does not move any of the *iTunes library files*, which contain the playlists.
and then again from there to the new computer, which is what you are also suggesting
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Hello,
I would recommend taking a look at the article below for more information about migrating your iTunes library.
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http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1364
-Griff W.

Put H.Drive with iTunes onto new computer...lost playlist and ratings

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