Transferring iTunes music from external HD to new iMac

I've searched and read and still am a little confused, so apologies ahead of time for asking yet another transfer music question.
I had to do an erase and install of Leopard onto my iMac Intel; I've since performed a software update and now am running iTunes 9. My iTunes music is still on an external HD back-up.
Can someone be kind enough to list the steps needed to transfer my iTunes 8 library from the external HD to the iMac's iTunes 9 while maintaining playlists, album cover art, etc.? I also have some other music (mp3s) in a separate folder (user/Music/allofmp3) that I need to transfer over as well.
Much thanks ahead of time!

Can someone be kind enough to list the steps needed to transfer my iTunes 8 library from the external HD to the iMac's iTunes 9 while maintaining playlists, album cover art, etc.?
My iTunes music is still on an external HD back-up.
If you only backed up your iTunes music and not the entire \Music\iTunes\ folder, you have no playlists, album cover art, etc.

Similar Messages

  • How to Recover Playlists when Transferring iTunes Library from External Drive to New Computer

    iTunes library copied to external drive and then loaded to new computer. All songs are there but all of the playlists that I had set up do not appear. I cannot figure out how to retrieve/recover them. The back-up was not done by me so I'm not sure of the steps that were followed. Is there something special that needs to be done when backing up to external drive in terms of saving playlists? Help!

    Hello TNCGRCT,
    It sounds like the library was successfully transferred to the new computer, but the songs were imported into a new iTunes library. If you still have access to the external drive, or better yet the previous computer, we will want to transfer the iTunesLibrary.itl file and open it with iTunes:
    iTunes: How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1589
    More helpful information...
    Where are my iTunes files located?
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1391
    iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
    Thanks,
    Matt M.

  • Moving music from external HD to new iMac

    made the jump from PC to Mac, so far so good would be 100% happy if could get music over too. I just bought a new iMac. when i connect the external drive to the Mac it reads it just fine. (have transfered pictures and documents already.) When i go to transfer the music i get an error message that says i can not write to the Mac HD. This is very frustrating. Can anyone help?

    Can someone be kind enough to list the steps needed to transfer my iTunes 8 library from the external HD to the iMac's iTunes 9 while maintaining playlists, album cover art, etc.?
    My iTunes music is still on an external HD back-up.
    If you only backed up your iTunes music and not the entire \Music\iTunes\ folder, you have no playlists, album cover art, etc.

  • Transfer iTunes files from external drive onto new iMac

    I had all of my iTunes files on an external hard drive with an old eMac. I want to transfer the files to my brand-new iMac.
    It's easy to copy the iTunes Library folder from the external drive onto the iMac hard drive, and change the preferences so that new songs are stored onto the iMac, but it doesn't change the settings for iTunes. Then, if I "Add to Library" I get two copies of everything: the file that's on the external drive PLUS the file that's on the new iMac. If I delete all of the "old" duplicates, it will mess up my playlists.
    Isn't there an easy way to point iTunes to the new Library on the iMac and have it change the location setting for all of the songs?

    okay, let me rephrase my question:
    when you moved your files from the old Mac to the external, did you
    (a) drag the entire iTunes folder from <MacintoshHD>/users/<yourname>/music to the external
    or
    (b) use the +consolidate files+ command to move the files to the external
    if (a), connect the external to the new Mac and launch iTunes while pressing option on your keyboard. when prompted, click on +choose library+ and select the iTunes folder on the external.
    if (b), copy the iTunes folder from <MacintoshHD>/users/<yourname>/music on the old Mac to <MacintoshHD>/users/<yourname>/music on the new one, overwriting the iTunes folder in place there. connect the external to your new Mac and fire up iTunes normally.
    if you want to move the media files from the external to the internal disk of your new Mac, go iTunes > preferences > advanced and point +iTunes media folder location+ to the iTunes folder in <MacintoshHD>/users/<yourname>/music. also on the advanced tab, make sure there is a tick in the boxes next to +keep iTunes media folder organized+ and +copy files to ... when adding to library+.
    then file > library > organize library > consolidate files. this will copy all your media files to the location you specified earlier in the advanced tab. when done, you can (if you want) erase the external and use it for other purposes. or keep the files there and use the external as your backup.
    JGG

  • Migrating iTunes, iPhoto from external drives to new iMac

    We've finally decided to upgrade from our trusty Power Mac G4 tower (10.4.11) we've had since 2002 to a new 21.5-inch iMac. It arrives tomorrow.
    I'm already anticipating problems migrating to the new system, tho'. The 20Gb startup disk seemed science-fiction large in 2002, but obviously we quickly ran out of space. Currently, our iPhoto library lives on a second internal SATA HD, and iTunes on an external FireWire drive.
    What's going to be the best way to migrate all that stuff to the new iMac's 2Tb (science fiction numbers, again!) drive? Will the migration assistant find the iPhoto and iTunes files on those other disks?

    den.thed wrote:
    Open iTunes on your new iMac and go to File > Add to Library then navigate to the iTunes library on the External HD and hit the Choose button.
    Do the same for iPhoto File > Add to Library while your connected to the G4.
    Just for clarity's sake, you're talking about selecting the iTunes/iPhoto media folders, right? Not selecting each file individually, I hope.
    And from what you're saying, it doesn't sound like Migration Assistant is going to pull anything over from my old iTunes or iPhoto settings, much less media stored on external/expansion drives, is that correct? I'll have to drag those files over via Ethernet, I imagine.

  • Transferring iTunes library from G4 mini to new iMac

    We have recently upgraded our apple computer. We got a new iMac and now I would like to be able to move my son's itunes library from the old g4 mini to the new imac. He has just received an iphone so he would like to be able to sync his iphone with itunes. I have been doing some research and this was my pan of attack, please let me know if this would work.
    1) Create a user account on the new imac that is identical to his user account on the mac mini.
    2) Copy his itunes files from the mini onto a USB flash drive
    3) Either drag the files from the UBS drive into the new itunes folder on the imac or import the files using itunes (not sure which one to to do)
    I think that should do it.

    I thought I had done this before with Tiger.
    " Migration Assistant (included with Mac OS X 10.4 or later, in the Utilities folder) can easily transfer data from a previous Mac to a new one."
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1554

  • When transfering iTunes music from an older computer to a newer computer, do the versions need to be the same on both?

    When transfering itunes music from my older computer to a newer computer, do both itunes need to be the same version?

    No... the target machine needs to be running the same version or better.
    These are two possible approaches that will normally work to move an existing library to a new computer.
    Method 1
    Backup the library with this User Tip.
    Deauthorize the old computer if you no longer want to access protected content on it.
    Restore the backup to your new computer using the same tool used to back it up.
    Keep your backup up-to-date in future.
    Method 2
    Connect the two computers to the same network. Share your <User's Music> folder from the old computer and copy the entire iTunes library folder into the <User's Music> folder on the new one. Again, deauthorize the old computer if no longer required.
    Both methods should give the new computer a working clone of the library that was on the old one. As far as iTunes is concerned this is still the "home" library for your devices so you shouldn't have any issues with iTunes wanting to erase and reload.
    I'd recommend method 1 since it establishes an ongoing backup for your library.
    If you have an iOS device that syncs with contact & calendar data on your computer you should migrate this information too. If that isn't possible create a dummy entry of each type in your new profile and iTunes should offer to merge the existing data from the device into the computer, otherwise the danger is that it will wipe the information from the device.
    If your media folder has been split out from the main iTunes folder you may need to do some preparatory work to make it easier to move. See make a split library portable.
    Should you be in the unfortunate position where you are no longer able to access your original library, or a backup of it, then see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device for advice on how to set up your devices with a new library with the maximum preservation of data.
    tt2

  • 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

  • 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/

  • Having trouble transferring music from old PowerBook to new iMac

    I'm having trouble transferring my iTunes music from my old PowerBook to my new iMac.  Trying to follow the online instructions by using an external hard drive to transfer from one to another.

    Hi Skingz,
    Welcome to the Support Communities!
    Is the external hard drive that you are working with formatted for Mac OS Extended Journaled?   Is there enough space on it?  
    The process is the same regardless of the operating system you are using:
    OS X Mountain Lion: View information about your disk
    http://support.apple.com/kb/PH11086
    Formatting erases the contents of the external drive so be cautious.  Also this process is for any application, not just Aperture:
    Format external drives to Mac OS Extended before using with Aperture
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3509
    Try the steps in the article again.  
    iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4527
    If you are still not able to copy the library to your new computer this way, then the alternative approach would be to copy the music folder from your old computer to the external drive, and then add the music folder to your new, empty iTunes library on the iMac.   You'll have to recreate your playlists, etc, but at least you will have the music.
    Adding music and other content to iTunes
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1473
    I hope this information helps ....
    Have a great day!
    - Judy

  • How to play itunes music from external hard drive

    How do I either play continuous music from my external hard drive, or make itunes recognize my external hard drive as the library.

    Hi Jim
    I've recently upgraded to a macbook Pro and I copied all data, profiles etc across from my old macbook. I have also created a second account in my mackbook Pro. I am able to play my iTunes music from the external HD in the 'old' account, but not in the 'new' account, despite trying what you've said above. On the external HD, there are two folders: iTunes music and iTunes media. I have tried selecting each of these, but both times, I get this message: "An iTunes library file could not be found in the folder "iTunes Media". Please choose a different folder." ... Please can you help?
    Many thanks in advance!

  • Transferring iTunes music from Mac to PC?

    My mom and I gave my sister a new iPod nano to my sister for a gift. The iPod will not mount on her iMac G3 (10.3.9) where all of her music is but it will mount on her PC running Windows XP. Both computers have firewire. Is it possible to hook them together via firewire and simply transfer her Mac iTunes library to her PC iTunes library? Will the PC just show up as a drive on her Mac if she hooks the computers up via firewire?
    Also, she has some music she wants in her System 9 iTunes library. Where is the iTunes library for System 9 located on the HD? Can she just drag her System 9 iTunes music from from whatever folder they are in to the iTunes library on her PC?

    Thank you for the information about the location of the iTunes System 9 library and about needing MacDrive for a firewire transfer but I doubt if my sister would want to fork over the money for it. Also, she doesn't have any other iPod other than the new one we gave her which won't mount on her Mac. My sisters Mac and PC are networked as they are both hooked up via router to the internet but both she and I are clueless about how to get the PC to show up on her Mac.
    My sister has music in both her iTunes System 10.3.9 library and her iTunes System 9 Library. She mentioned that it was a PITA to convert the complete iTunes over from System 9 to Panther. However, I am hoping that the just the music in the System 9 iTunes library doesn't have any kind of funky file formatting and just the music alone could be just be copied to her PC iTunes library.
    My sister doesn't have her music backed up so I expect that she will have to go ahead and do that and use the CDs to get her music over to her PC. I was just hoping that there might be a faster way to do the transfer so she can enjoy her new iPod sooner.

  • Can i transfer music not purchased from iTunes store from my iPod to new iMac. also need to move photos from iPod to iMac...help! computer was stolen and am now scrambling. Have learned the virtue of backing up the hard way!

    Is there a way to transfer music not purchased from the iTunes store from my ipod to my imac? Also, is it possible to move photos from ipod to imac? My computer was stolen so lost it all...have learned the lesson of backing up the hard way!

    See this older post from another forum member Zevoneer covering the different methods available for copying content on your iPod back to your PC or Mac.
    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2452022?start=0&tstart=0
    B-rock

  • How do I transfer music from my iphone to new imac

    I've just bought an imac and which is empty of itunes and would like to transfer the music from my iphone to the imac. Can anyone help please?

    If you don't still have your PC (copying content between computers) or your content on a backup that you can copy the music from then you will need to get a third-party program for your computer to copy it off your iPad - iTunes will only copy iTunes purchases.
    Recovering content from a device : https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3991 - it lists some programs which are capable of copying music from a device
    Syncing with a new computer : https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3141

  • How do I put iTunes music files back in my new iMac from an external back up?

    I backed up my entire iTunes music library to an external drive. Now that I have purchased a new iMac, i tried to copy the music library and put it back in the music folder located in the iMacs iTunes Media folder. The music is there and if I click on a song it plays in iTunes. But when I try to access the music thru iTunes I do not see the music in the list. How do I fix this? Anyone have a good idea of what I should do?

    thanks i'll try to check that. I have just moved my itunes to new imac and saw that things were not very tidy

Maybe you are looking for