Transferring iTunes library to a new HD

I'm in the process of transferring all my CD's uncompressed to my computer and have it "sync" (part of it) to my Apple TV replacing my CD player in my main audio system. I'm getting a 1T external HD for that purpose.
Yesterday, I tried moving my iTunes folder from a 80GB internal ATA HD to a 120GB external firewire.
All kinds of problems occurred. I lost many custom albums, and album art, iTunes wouldn't know where half the music was, etc. It was a mess. I was able to recover most of it, but I don't want to continue the transfers if I'll have the same problem once I move the all the music to the new 1T HD.
Is there a clean and safe way to make such transition, where nothing changes? Can iTunes automatically update the location of its library and re-link all songs to the new location?
Thanks,
J

You might find this article useful: iLounge - Managing your iTunes Library on an External Hard Drive

Similar Messages

Transferring Itunes Library to a new computer with songs on External HD?

I have a similar problem
I need to transfer my itunes library to my new laptop
I believe i have to install a new version of itunes on the new laptop
My mp3's and videos are all manually arranged on an external harddrive. Only the itunes program is on the internal harddrive of my computer
Is it possible to transfer my itunes library to the new laptop? I want to preserve my playlist.
A mistake i did....
Few months ago, i reformatted our old computer. Installed the new version of itunes. I also copied the .itl, xml music file from old itunes folder to the new itunes folder (re-installed itunes). When i opened the new itunes, my library was blank. What mistake did i make? Should i have hold the SHIFT key (i use windows) while i open the itunes so that it'll ask me to look for an old library?

There is a simpler way.
Copy the iTunes folder containing your library files from My Music onto the external drive, but not into the music folder. It is best to avoid confusion by keeping them separate.
Install iTunes on the new PC. Don't add any music yet.
With iTunes closed, drag the iTunes folder out of the Music folder to the desktop.
Plug in the external drive and copy the iTunes folder from the old PC into the Music folder.
Adjust the permissions on this folder so the account you are using has full control. Here is help if you don't know how:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/2464a180-e5dc-45d1-a2b8-3c8a 2b571e9d1033.mspx
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/05/25/how-to-take-ownership-and-grant-permiss ions-in-windows-vista/
Before attempting to open iTunes make sure your external drive has the same letter as it had before - I think you already know how to do this.
You should also check the permissions on your music folder as above.
Fingers crossed, when you start iTunes things should be as they were on the old PC.
The crucial thing is that the path to the music files has not changed.

Transfering iTunes library/music to new comuter.

I currently have an iMac G5 but have a new iMac on order. When it arrives, how do I move my iTunes library and all its music from the old iMac to the new one?
I don't want to mess up any of the playlists.

Connect the two computers with a FireWire cable, start up the iMac G5 with the T key held down, and drag the iTunes folder inside of the Music folder of your account's home folder from the old iMac to the same location on the new one. Home folders are located in the Users folder of the hard disk by default.
(29647)

Transferring iTunes Library file to new Mac

I recently purchased a new MacBook Pro and have tried to transfer my iTunes Library files from my old MacBook Pro to my new one. Both are running iTunes 11. All music, video, apps etc are stored on an external drive which iTunes is set to look at. I copied the 'iTunes' folder from my 'Music' folder on my old MacBook Pro to an external hard drive and then plugged it in to my new MacBook pro and replaced the 'iTunes' folder in my 'Music' folder with the existing contents. However when opening iTunes 11 on my new MacBook Pro iTunes seems to create a new blank library file and overwrite the one I previously copied. Any help with this would be much appreciated.

Are just your media are stored on the external, or is the whole iTunes library (which includes artwork files, the central iTunes Librarby.itl files, and other things)?
If the whole iTunes library, there's no need to copy the unused folder on your old computer. Start iTunes with the option key held down and guide it to the library file on the external.
If you keep just your media on the external, copying your library folder is correct. I don't know why iTunes 11 is erasing it. One thing though is I believe the media folder location is stored in preferences. I know I once changed it on my older iTunes version where I have multiple libraries and when I changed it for one it did it to them all. You may have to configure this in iTunes preferences though that still doesn't explain why it erases the copied library folder.

Transferring itunes library to a new pc??

All my music on Itunes needs to be transfered to a new pc, my laptop bit the dust, I can sign in to itunes, but cant find all my music from my library??/ Please Help

You can redownload any iTunes purchases from the iTunes Store (Purchased in quick links section on the right). Any non-iTunes purchases need to be re-added to iTunes from your backup.
To restore your whole library as it was, you need the iTunes folder in My Music from your old computer.

Transferred itunes library from Windows XP PC to new Windows 7 PC. plugged in 3rd gen Ipod. Ipod icon appears along with playlists, music etc. Songs are grayed out and won't play. Please help!

I recently transferred itunes library from windows XP PC to new Windows 7 PC. The transfer was successful, however when I plug my 3rd gen Ipod Nano into the new PC, the Ipod icon appears along with the music, playlists, etc. The songs are shown but are 'grayed out' and wont play or sync.The 'Devices & Printers' window in new PC shows icon for Ipod driver & is OK. The icon for the Ipod appears but depicts a delta shaped warning icon that states that the Ipod is'not operating properly'. Tried troubleshooting. The troubleshooting message states the the Ipod is 'disconnecting'. Can you help me with this problem?

Then, I dropped the entire itunes file from the old PC (XP) into an empty external drive.
That "itunes file from the old PC"? Is that the iTunes folder, from the old PC, that was in the user home folder's Music folder?
All of the library, playlists, etc. from the ipod as they always have been are shown, by they are 'grayed out' and will not open or play.
That's on the iPod, correct? Are all of your old playlists in iTunes, from the old PC, still there in iTunes on the new PC? Are the songs in iTunes still playable?
This document provides the steps to transfer a complete iTunes library between two computers. See the section called External drive.
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer - Apple Support
There are many steps, but this is a summary. (1) On the old PC, consolidate all of your iTunes data into the iTunes folder. (2) Copy this iTunes folder to the external drive. (3) On the new PC (that has iTunes installed but NOT running), replace its existing iTunes folder with the one from the old PC (on the external drive). When you run iTunes, it uses the iTunes folder from the old PC, and it should look like iTunes on the old PC (with all the playlists, ratings, play count, etc.), and your iPod will see the iTunes library as the same iTunes library (because it is the same library).
If you did something different, and the old PC is still accessible, you may want to try it using the method from the linked document.

I have moved my iTunes library to a new Windows 7 PC and cannot transfer music from the new iTunes PC to my iPhone. The iPhone only accepts transfers from the original iTunes PC.

I have moved my iTunes library to a new Windows 7 PC and cannot transfer music from the new iTunes PC to my iPhone 4S. The iPhone will only accept music transfers from the original iTunes PC. I have come to understand that an iPhone can have only one "daddy" iTunes PC, but have not been able to find out how to change the "daddy". I have done a backup of the iPhone, and a "Restore to Original Settings". Then I restored the content using the new iTunes PC. My Apps and contacts, etc. are back on the iPhone, but it still won't accept music from the new iTunes PC.

What happens when you try to sync the iphone to the new computer?

Transferring iTunes library to new computer with Windows Vista OS

Using the Apple Support Guide I have tried to move my iTunes library to my new laptop using my iPod as the back up device. When I went to copy my music to my new computer by dragging the iTunes folder out of the Music folder to the desktop, a message occurred saying I must be the Administrator to do this (I am) so it would not complete the task. Instead I have located the iPod in Computer and dragged the iTunes folder into the Music Folder and replaced the iTunes folder in Music with the iTunes folder from Computer (i.e. iPod).
When I open the iTunes folder in Music, all the folders with all my music are there. However when I open the iTunes program there is no music in the library that shows up. If I sync my iPod will all the music then be transferred into the iTunes library?
As we have moved overseas I no longer have the old computer so the backup on my iPod is the only backup of the music we have so I don't want to risk deleting it.
Many thanks for any help.

thanks Bocaken , just bought new pc. will be useful
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I transferred itunes library from old PC to new PC. The content all shows when I launch iTunes on the new PC now. The previous content does not show in iTunes but folder still looks like it is on hard drive on new PC. Suggestions on how to properly merge?

I transferred itunes library from old PC to new PC. The content all shows when I launch iTunes on the new PC now. The previous content does not show in iTunes but folder still looks like it is on hard drive on new PC. Suggestions on how to properly merge?

Before you connect any device to a new library go to the Devices tab of the the preferences panel via Edit > Preferences (Windows) or iTunes > Preferences (Mac) and ensure the box next to Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically is ticked. You can now safely connect the device to your computer without the danger of media being automatically deleted or overwritten.
To get all your content off your connect your iPad to your new computer.
Then use a 3rd party piece of software to transfer your content
I have found Senuti useful but there are others listed in the article I linked to in a previous post.
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3991
That will let you transfer your non purchased content
For Purchased content log in to iTunes on the new computer
In Itunes Store click on Purchased under the Quick Links section on the right.
Download any music by clicking on the cloud button

Problems with transferring iTunes Library to new iMac

I am having a problem with transferring my iTunes library to my new iMac. I have read many of the suggestions posted in this forum along with numerous articles on other sites. I have not seen anyone describe my exact problem.
When I got my new iMac, I used Migration Assistant to transfer everything (files, applications, settings, etc.) from my old iMac to the new iMac. On my old iMac, the iTunes music folder (i.e., the actual mp3s) are on an external HD, while the iTunes Library file (the database and xml files) were in the /user/Music/ folder on the old iMac.
After the Migration Assistant was done, the /user/music/ folder and the library files were copied to the new iMac, but the iTunes music folder was not. It is still on the external HD.
If I open iTunes on the new iMac, iTunes shows me all of my songs, but if I play one, I get the "song can't be found; do you want to find it" error. In iTunes preferences on the new iMac, the "iTunes music folder location" is the new iMac.
I have the 2 iMacs connected by a firewire cable, but neither iMac recognizes the other computer as being on the same network. That is, in Finder on the new iMac, I cannot see the external HD of the old iMac.
I can't change the library location on the old iMac, because the new iMac does not appear in Finder or in the "Change Music Folder Location" dialog box.
I want to move the music folder (the actual mp3s) from the external HD of the old iMac to the INTERNAL HD of the new iMac. I don't need to keep them on the old IMac, as I will be selling that computer. Of course, I want to keep all my playlists, artwork, etc from the old library.
Does anyone have a suggestion?
Thanks.

Never mind. Figured it out. I attached external HD to new iMac and consolidated. Duh.

Need help transferring itunes library from old computer to new laptop

Hello,
I recently purchased a new laptop and am having trouble getting my library to transfer to my new laptop, i followed this step by step process http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1329?viewlocale=en_US and in the end ended up with no music on my ipod and no music in the itunes library on my new computer...
So then i went into Itunes on the new computer and clicked import library under File, so i found the Music folder that i had transferred over and it imported the music but all my playlist were not there, just songs. So i ended up syncing my ipod back to my old computer so i would get all the songs and playlist back on as it was originally before this whole process...
My desktop runs XP while my new laptop runs Vista Ultimate w/ SP1 home edition, dont know if this matters...
So not sure where i should go from here, i have already Authorized my laptop with the itunes store , i was thinking of uninstalling Itunes on my laptop and starting over from scratch, will this help?
BTW when i did the original transfer i used my Ipod as the hard drive as it had plenty of storage room left on it, i do have access to a 250GB external HD i was thinking of using that and trying that to transfer the library...
So if anyone can tell me how to transfer my Itunes library from old comp to new laptop it would be greatly appreciated...

The method you used should work if followed exactly.
The key points are - is your music all together? It must all be in the iTunes Music folder in the iTunes folder.
When you copy the iTunes folder to the iPod you get the library database with your playlists and the iTunes Music folder containing the music files.
Since you had trouble doing this with the iPod, why not try copying your iTunes folder to the external drive.
The method is identical the one for the iPod except you leave out the iPod specific stuff.
You install iTunes on the new PC, then you drag the newly created iTunes folder out the Music folder to the desktop, then you copy the iTunes folder from the EHD into Music, replacing the one you dragged out.
When you have done that, you need to check that your account has full control of your iTunes folder - Vista is fussy about that - you will not be able to edit track info if you don't have full control.
Vista file folder permissions help
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/2464a180-e5dc-45d1-a2b8-3c8a 2b571e9d1033.mspx
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/05/25/how-to-take-ownership-and-grant-permiss ions-in-windows-vista/

Recently I have switched out computers and had copied/ transferred my I ITunes library to the new computer and encountered problem. Many of the songs in the library were purchased from my old email address of that I no longer use nor did I remember the o

Recently I have switched out computers and had copied/ transferred my I ITunes library to the new computer and encountered problem. Many of the songs in the library were purchased from my old email address of that I no longer use nor did I remember the old password in order to authorize playing from the new computer. Request advice/assistance to where I am able to play songs acquired through lost password?

This is a user to user tech support forum. Posting questions and getting responses here is the extent of the support.
If you want phone support, call Apple and pay for it.
Posting your phone number of a public forum is not smart, I have asked the moderators to remove it.

New laptop & trouble transferring itunes library

I am having trouble transferring the contents of my itunes library to the new computer. The songs are all in the library but there is a grey ! next to all songs that were not purchased by me. I have many that were put on there from my cd's or from my husbands itunes purchases. Is there a way to make them work? BTW I no longer have my original laptop as I deleted the library & gave it away before I tried to play a song.

Hi lfarr00,
If you are having issues moving your music, you may find the following article helpful:
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
Regards,
- Brenden

Transferred iTunes library from pc to new mac, iTunes ; however, when opening iTunes on mac it reports the library was created with a newer version of iTunes and won't open.

Transferred Itunes library from pc to new mac; however, when opening itunes on the new mac it reported that the library was created with a newer version of itunes and could not be opened. It asked if I wanted to download updates and I did. However, the new mac is up to date. Itunes won't open. What to do now? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Jim

Hello, Stephen.
Thank you for the question. You will need to rebuild your iTunes library file in order to open an older version of iTunes. Below, I have included the article that walks you through this process. Start with the section labeled Re-creating the iTunes Library file.
iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451
Cheers,
Jason H.

Permissions Issues after Transferring iTunes Library to new Mac.

My intention is to move the library off my old iMac, and keep the iTunes library on the new one, while still keeping the old iMac around. After the transfer i intend to delete the library off the old one, and use HomeSharing to utlize iTunes on both Macs. Also, the old iMac is where our family has synced ever iPod, iPhone, & iPad we've owned... I've been on the support community for almost two days now, and thought I had it figured out, but... i obviously don't. So i apologize if there is a thread that already answers this question, if so, please be kind
in the process of moving my iTunes from my old iMac (iMac7,1 - OS X 10.6.8) to my new iMac (iMac Late 2012 - OS X 10.8.5) i used the instructions on: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527. It identified how to move the library found in (on my old iMac) VolumeA/music/iTunes. I used the External Hard Drive method, only I linked up the two iMacs with an Ethernet cable (direct connect, no router) and copied the iTunes folder (as described in the instructions) to the desktop of the new iMac. Then I pasted the iTunes folder over the existing folder on the new iMac.
Now I'm having trouble with permissions on the new iMac now. At first iTunes wouldn't even open. It said I didn't have permission, or the library was in a locked file. I thought I had it figured out by going into "get info" in the iTunes folder (on the new iMac) and adjusting the permissions. which worked as far as allowing iTunes to open now (Both computers are running iTunes 11.1 (126)).
Now that i've synced my iphone 5 with the iTunes (on the new iMac) i noticed that some of the songs wouldn't sync because I don't have permission...?
Beginning to think I've screwed this whole thing up...
Also, I noticed that there is another iTunes folder, that wasn't discussed in this article: VolumeA/Library/iTunes - Do i need to copy this one over as well?
I'm such a noob at this that i'm almost embarrased to ask for some help, but PLEASE HELP!! I haven't touched my old iMac's library, and won't until
Thanks in advance for anything you can do!

It helps to know which instructions you are following. Some people follow the wrong instructions and just move media, not the whole library which consists of many files and folders. You do not do it with changing preferences.
iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
Quick answer if you use iTunes' default preferences settings: Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive. Open iTunes and immediately hold down the Option (alt) key (shift on Windows), then guide it to the new location of the library.

Transferring iTunes library to a new HD

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