Trying to move iPod touch to new computer. iTunes library from old computer already on external hard drive. Don't want to lose playlists, apps, etc. Help?

I am trying to move iPod touch to a new computer. My iTunes library was already on a 1 TB external hard drive. I downloaded iTunes on my new computer, plugged in my external hard drive with my iTunes library, and changed my iTunes media folder location (preferences-advanced) to my external hard drive location. But now all my songs are "checked" (all were not before) and none of my old playlists are present. When I plug in my iPod touch to the new computer, it asks if I want to erase and sync. I do not want to lose my playlists, apps, etc. How do I move over to my new cpmputer without erasing my iPod and losing stuff?

Forgot to add, my iPod touch is backed up on iCloud

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Got new computer, can someone tell me how to transfer itunes library from old computer to new computer. Please go step by step, i am new at this.

got a new computer, need help transferring itunes library from old computer to new computer. i am very new at this please give instructions step by step.

Hi 45atopp,
Thanks for visiting Apple Support Communities.
The article at the link below describes a few methods and provides some detailed instructions on how to transfer your iTunes library to your new computer:
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4527
Best,
Jeremy

How do I transfer my itunes library from old computer to new computer

How do I transfer my itunes library from old computer to new computer?

See this migrate iTunes library post.
tt2

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/

Trandferring iTunes library from old computer to new computer

How do I transfer files from my old computer to my new computer. I have copied my music library to an external hard drive and copied it to my new computer. However, I have lost most of the album artwork. Also, I am showing multiple copies of the same album, but each album has a song or two only. I encountered this problem previously when I first loaded my CDs onto my computer. I spent countless hours fixing that mess and it now appears that I am faced with having to redo it. Help anyone.

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!
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

How do I transfer my itunes library from old computer to new?

How do I transfer my itunes library from old windows based computer to a new one?

From your OLD computer...
Copy your ENTIRE iTunes FOLDER to an External Drive... and then from the External Drive to your New Computer..
Full Details Here > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751
Also...
Have a look at these 2 Videos...
http://macmost.com/moving-your-itunes-library.html
http://macmost.com/moving-your-itunes-media-to-an-external-drive.html

I just transfered my Iphoto Library of 40k pictures to an external hard drive. I want to put them on a new desktop, how do I do that?

I just transfered my iphoto library of 40k pictures to an external hard drive. I now want to put them onto a newer desktop. How do I do that?

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Itunes no longer has my music in my music library. How do I transfer ALL my music (not just the purchased from Itunes) from my Ipod Touch back to my Itunes library on my computer.

ITunes no longer has any of my music in my music library. How do I transfer all of my music ( not just the purchased music from ITunes) from my IPod Touch to Itunes library on my computer for syncing to other devices.

Recovering your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device: Apple Support Communities

Moving iTunes library from old computer using iPod gives me error message?

My old computer recently died. I have a new computer-- a Vista-- that also has iTunes. I am trying to move my iTunes library from my old computer to the Vista using my iPod, which I heard you can do. My iPod has all my old computer's songs on it.
I used the 'transfer purchases' command, and all of the songs from the iPod appeared on the Vista's iTunes screen. However, any time I tried to play one of them, an exclamation mark appeared next to it and I got an error message saying "Itunes cannot play this song because it cannot locate it" (or something like that).
Not all of the songs have this problem. Some of the transferred songs can play just fine. But over half of my transferred songs have that damned exclamation mark next to them.
Here's a screenshot of what I mean:
http://i43.tinypic.com/2090uic.jpg

Hi,
Probably the best and easiest way to do this, is the following:
First Enable "Disk Mode". You can read [here|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93446] more info about this. Then make sure that the "Keep iTunes Music folder organized" option is checked in iTunes Preferences:
. Open iTunes.
. From the Edit menu, choose Preferences.
. Click the Advanced tab in the Preferences window and then click the General tab.
. Select the "Keep iTunes Music folder organized" checkbox.
After doing that, move the entire iTunes folder to the iPod Disk.
Once, you'll transfer the library to other computer using the same platform, this will not only copies your audio files over, it also retains your ratings and playlists...
On your new computer:
. Open iTunes.
. From the Edit menu, choose Preferences.
. Click the Advanced tab in the Preferences window and then click the General tab.
. Click the Change button in the iTunes Music folder location pane.
. In the Change Music Folder Location window that appears, navigate to the location where you would like your new Music folder to be created.
. Click the Make New Folder button in the Change Music Folder Location window.
. Enter the name of the new iTunes Music folder.
. Click OK in the Change Music Folder Location window. Click OK in the Advanced window.
. From the Advanced menu, choose Consolidate Library.
Hope this helps!
!http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/122/A57996D55BE7ABB4A67DE686D381A27 4.png!

Transfering ITunes Library From Old Computer To New

I just got a new Dell Inspiron 1720 laptop with Vista. I want to move my ITunes library over from the old HP desktop with XP to the new laptop. Three Questions:
1) Is there a relatively easy way of doing this?
2) If yes, what are the steps?
3) 99% of my library is comprised of songs that I have uploaded from CDs, not purchased from ITunes... does that make a difference?
I'd prefer not to have to reload all of my cd's onto the new computer.

Probably the most straightforward way to get iTunes onto your new computer is to network it with the old one and copy your iTunes folder across. This works fine if you have been using iTunes to completely manage your music and all your songs are in iTunes Music not in different folders. You can also use this method with an external hard drive, you drag the folder from the old computer to the external drive and then from the drive to the new computer. If the songs in your library are not all in the iTunes Music folder you can consolidate them. When you consolidate, any songs in the iTunes Library that are not in the iTunes Music Folder are copied to the Music Folder and the Library is updated to point to those new files. Files already in the iTunes Music Folder have no changes made to them: Copying all your iTunes files to one location - Windows
Copying the whole folder brings with it the iTunes Music folder and also the iTunes Library (iTunes Library.itl in Windows) database file which holds all the information about your songs (Playlists, Ratings, Play Counts, Last Played, Date Added, etc). You'll get more information including the Folder/File structure in this article: What are the iTunes library files?
When you copy the iTunes folder make sure you put it into the same location on the new computer. This has to be the exact same place, on a PC this is \Documents and Settings\Username\My Documents\My Music\. When you open iTunes on the new computer it will be the same as on the original one Songs, Playlists, Play Counts, Ratings etc. When I moved iTunes a while ago for my daughter I was also using the same version of iTunes, not sure how important that is but it's probably worth keeping them the same.
If you have an iPod it can be used as an external drive and you can move the iTunes folder onto it: How to use your iPod to move your music to a new computer
If you have any iTunes purchases in your library don't forget that you'll need to authorise your new computer to play them. Also if you are disposing of the old PC remember to deauthorise it so you don't use up one of your allowances: About iTunes Music Store Authorisation and Deauthorisation

Transferring complete iTunes library from old computer to new one?

My old computer isn't connecting to the internet. I can't enable home sharing since the old computer won't connect to the Internet, and I can't transfer using an external hard drive since the old computer needs software downloaded to connect to it. Is there another way of transferring my entire itunes library from my old computer to the new one That doesn't need for the old computer to be connected to the Internet?

I've tried backing up the iPod to my new computer, but it doesn't save anything. The only thing that has worked is backing up what was on my phone. I now try to back up the phone to the new computer and it'll tell me there are purchases on my phone that need to be transferred, so I click for them to be transferred. The computer does it's thing and if I click for it to back up again right away, it tells me the same thing even though there are no purchases. I can turn on the home sharing on the new computer, but when I go do it on the old one it says 'Home Sharing could not be activated because of an error occurred (-3150)'

Moving iTunes library from old computer to new laptop

Please help! I have no idea how to do this.

Probably the most straightforward way to get iTunes onto your second computer is to network it with the first one and copy your iTunes folder across. Start by consolidating your library. When you consolidate, any songs in the iTunes Library that are not in the iTunes Music Folder are copied to the Music Folder and the Library is updated to point to those new files. Files already in the iTunes Music Folder have no changes made to them: Copying all your iTunes files to one location - Windows
Copying the whole folder brings with it the iTunes Music folder and also the iTunes Library (iTunes Library.itl in Windows) database file which holds all the information about your songs (Playlists, Ratings, Play Counts, Last Played, Date Added, etc). You'll get more information including the Folder/File structure in this article: What are the iTunes library files?
When you copy the iTunes folder make sure you put it into the same location on the new computer. This has to be the exact same place, on a PC this is \Documents and Settings\Username\My Documents\My Music\ (or C:\Username\Music\ in Vista). Everything has to be exactly the same on the new computer including the Windows user account name. When you open iTunes on the new computer it will be the same as on the original one Songs, Playlists, Play Counts, Ratings etc. You should also use the same version of iTunes on both computers.
You can also use this method with an external hard drive, you drag the folder from the first computer to the external drive and then from the drive to the second computer.
If you have an iPod it can be used as an external drive and you can move the iTunes folder onto it: How to use your iPod to move your music to a new computer
If you have any iTunes purchases in your library don't forget that you'll need to authorise your new computer to play them. Also if you are disposing of the old one remember to deauthorise it so you don't use up one of your allowances: About iTunes Music Store Authorisation and Deauthorisation

Need to tranfer Itunes library from old computer to new computer

I bought a laptop which is a Compaq with Windows 7. I wanted to "transfer" my Itunes library from my old computer to my new computer. In other words, I wanted my Itunes account and Ipod to be on the new computer. So I installed Itunes on my new laptop and synced my Ipod classic to the new computer. I lost all of my music except for the music I purchased off of Itunes.
I have looked through the Apple articles and have gone through many, many times to copy my Itunes library from my hard drive to the new computer. It does not copy correctly. It shows up in my Itunes library but WILL NOT sync to my ipod. I have also lost the games I purchased off of Itunes. Everytime I try to download the games, it wants to charge me all over again.
Is there someone out there that can tell me a simple way of tranferring my Itunes library with my games I have purchased to my new computer??? I know it is possible.
**one more thing, my old computer can't be hooked up to the internet anymore since I got a laptop and my internet is wireless.

You need to copy the entire iTunes folder from the old computer to the new one. You should be able to link the machines to each other, either directly with a cross over network cable, or via your internet router - typically wireless models also include one or two wired connections.
The important thing to is to copy the library files from the iTunes folder as well as the media. If you won't be using the old machine any more then you should also deauthorize it (which will need an internet connection).
The new computer will need to be authorized to your account before it will copy protected content, such as games, to your iPod.
tt2

How can i transfer my iTunes library from old computer to new with all artwork and tags intact?

Is it possible to just copy the iTunes folder on my Windows PC from the old computer to a hard drive and then to the new Mac Book, and have the library look the same? Importing the files using the "add folder to library" function results in many files coming up with "unknown artist" and/or "unknown album." But I didn't think just copying the iTunes folder from one computer to the other would work, without somehow also using the "add folder to library" function.
I know there are other questions on site (one by me, actually), but I was hoping for any more information. Many thanks, in advance.

FYI, just in case anyone sees this and has the same problem, I posted another question beginning with the words "How can I get all music "tags" to transfer . . . " which outlines a solution. Good luck to anyone with the same issue - the transfer can be done!

Using Home Sharing to transfer itunes library from old computer to new but connection keeps timing out...anyone have a solution?

Hello everyone,
I am attempting to use Home Sharing to import my itunes library from my old computer to new (as per instructions on this site), but the connection keeps "timing out" and so the import gets cut short.
Both computers have the new itunes (I updated them last night), but only seem to get about 5 minutes (or 100 songs in) before the connection error occurs.
I have an external hard drive and would use it to transfer my library (which is ~45GB) however my old computer isn't recognizing the hard drive so I thought Home Sharing was a good option...perhaps I was wrong?
Help Please!
Thanks

You might need to make sure neither is going to sleep (System Prefs > Energy Saver)
Also check your settings under System Prefs > Security. My sisters new laptop kept logging off due to some setting there.
HTH

Trying to move iPod touch to new computer. iTunes library from old computer already on external hard drive. Don't want to lose playlists, apps, etc. Help?

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