New Computer Transfering Itunes

intodeep

I purchased a new laptop this weekend. It has been a long time coming and a big reason i put it off was I was not looking forward to figuring out how to transfer my itunes to the new computer.

I literally spent 5 hours yesterday and got nothing accomplished :(

On my old computer i keep my itunes folder on my external hard drive. I hooked up the external hard drive to my new computer and dragged and dropped the itunes folder to the new laptop itunes folder.

The music makes the switch and i've gotten the music on the computer BUT. It is not quite the same.

I had to download a lot of album artwork and add it to the albums on the old computer NONE of the albums i had to download the album artwork for have the album artwork on the new computer. Also none of my playlist are on the new computer and none of my play counts (how often a song has been played etc) are carried over.

I was able to authorize the computer to play the songs but I don't want to have to go through and re do all my playlist. When i hooked my ipod up to the new computer it said it would erase my current ipod and replace it with everything on the new computer. I told it not to do that.

All that said I'm so frustrated. Is there an easy way to do this or is there at least a site someone can point me to that has step by step directions?

I'm not tech stupid but i'm not tech savvy either. I'm kind of middle of the road.

It seems like this should be easier then it is. I mean people buy new computers often. I have 60 gigs of music i don't want to add them all to the new computer disc by disc :(


Thank you for your help

KR49749

does this help?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1329

HeavyHands

intodeep wrote:

I literally spent 5 hours yesterday and got nothing accomplished :(...

That sucks. :(

I think this article might answer some/most of your questions. It covers mass moves and file consolidation after explaining how and why iTunes stores things the way it does.

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/moving-your-itunes-library-to-a-new-hard-drive/

I'm sorry if it's too "tech-speak "intensive, but with a project like this I don't know that it can be helped. Overall the article is very thorough and provides some good visuals to assist you.

Post back and let me know if it helped.

intodeep

thank you all for your help. If anyone else has any other information please feel free to share.

I just wish it was as simple as plugging my ipod into my new computer and zapping it in there. :(

intodeep

The shit is still not working and i have no clue why. I think it is partly because I'm stupid and partly because itunes does not make this as easy as they should :(

HeavyHands

intodeep wrote:

The shit is still not working and i have no clue why. I think it is partly because I'm frustrated and partly because itunes does not make this as easy as they should :(

Edited

At the outset, if you provide me with a little bit of information I may be able to get you through it.

1. What kind of computer are you transferring from? Mac, Windows, Linux

2. What kind of computer are you transferring to? Mac, Windows, Linux

3. Open up the new computer's iTunes WITHOUT the external hard drive attached and try to play a song that you know you added through the drag-and-drop operation. Does it play?

If NO, then follow these steps through the menus at the top of the iTunes window:
3.A. Go to iTunes > Preferences > Advanced Tab
3.B. What does the listing for where your "iTunes media folder location" say?

If YES, then let me know.

I'll check back later to see what your answers are, or you can PM me and we can continue from there.

Don't worry, we'll get you going!

intodeep

I should have known the most interesting man in the would would have solutions

I am transfering from Windows PC desktop using XP
I am transfering to Windows PC laptop using Windows 7

I have nothing in the itunes library (even thoug the folder is there the songs did not populate into itunes) but last night i went into the "itunes folder" and clicked on a song and it played it using windows media player.

One thing i think may be an issue is on my external hard drive i have an itunes library that has my 53 gigs of music in it.

Their is also another "itunes" folder that has other "stuff" in it. I don't have the external hard drive here at work but it has old itune library's and other stuff. I'll have to take a look when i get home.

I'm wondering if that is part of the problem....

I went to the apple store today and asked for advice (third time in three days) and again they were basically like hmmm sorry you are sol we don't help with that stuff.

I'm open to advice if you have any.

HeavyHands

intodeep wrote:

I am transfering from Windows PC desktop using XP...I am transfering to Windows PC laptop using Windows 7

At the outset I'll let you know that I don't have any experience with Windows 7 or iTunes on Windows 7 so if you don't feel comfortable trying any of my suggestions because of that I understand. On the whole, though, I expect the functions and menus in iTunes and the file structure to work the same way as they would on XP or on a Mac. That said...

One last bit of clarification before I develop a more in depth line of actions to take:
1. Do you want the actual mp3's to be stored on your laptop for music listening purposes?

2. Do you want the mp3's to remain just on the external HD where you need to plug in the external HD whenever you want to access/add/delete/alter your music library?

3. Do you want the mp3's stored on your laptop for listening purposes, along with a back up copy of the music library on the HD for data redundancy purposes?

The reason I ask this is because I don't store any mp3's on my laptop. I keep everything on an external HD which I do not keep plugged in to the laptop unless I'm transfering something to my iPod. The function this serves is to reduce the number of operational hours/rpms on the HD thereby extending it's lifespan.

I think this is a good practice because I respect the rule that every HD will fail. It is just a matter of time as to when. Just because I do it doesn't mean you have to though. Just let me know what your preference is.

intodeep

Option 3 I would like it on the laptop, but i also plan on keeping backups on the external hard drive. Right not is just really want it on the laptop.

I think what you are saying makes sense about the hard drive makes sense, and perhaps down the road i may move to that, but for now i'm going to gamble and leave it on my hard drive.

Also, I read some forums and most seem to say that if going from xp-vista or xp to windows 7 there should be no additional problems for itunes. I just threw that in there.

Thanks again for any help you can offer.

HeavyHands

intodeep wrote:

Option 3... Thanks again for any help you can offer.

I haven't forgotten you. It might take me a day or two to get some things typed up at my current pace.

intodeep

cool no rush i'm still able to update my ipod with old computer so i'm not in a big hurry

thanks

dottles

I've got to do the same as I got a new laptop today and I am not looking forward to it!
I was told to do it using my ipod as the stoarage rather than my external hard drive.
I'm feeling very uneasy about it!

HeavyHands

Standby to standby. I'm probably not going to be able to get to it until much later today (Sunday) or tomorrow (Monday). Just wanted to let you know. In the mean time, Dottles take a look at the link I posted up for that iLounge webpage. It's really helpful.

dottles

Thanks, will do

intodeep

HeavyHands i must thank you for even considering to offer step by step instructions. I appreciate your willingness to help and the article you shared as it was very informative.

I've been playing around with that information and have not had much sucess but tonight i downloaded software called copytrans

It cost 19.99 but god it was so simple and easy. I basically downloaded the software and plugged my ipod in to the new computer and since all my music is on it it transfered everything. Music, Playlist, play counts, album artwork etc

All i had to do is authorize the new computer and i'm up and runnning now.

Thank you so much for your offer of help and the advice you did share. I'm not sure where i was going wrong but i'm just glad it is working now!

HeavyHands

Ugh! You beat me! I'm really sorry that it's taken so long. Things have gotten severely busy on my end. I feel really bad that you've spent additional $ on this, but I'm glad that it wasn't in vein.

BTW I was going to suggest that you delete the iTunes music folder on the Laptop and re-copy everything over again after configuring some settings in the preferences. It sounds like that is basically what the program you purchased did. $20 for piece of mind isn't a bad price, though!

Happy listening!

intodeep

HeavyHands wrote:

Ugh! You beat me! I'm really sorry that it's taken so long. Things have gotten severely busy on my end. I feel really bad that you've spent additional $ on this, but I'm glad that it wasn't in vein.

BTW I was going to suggest that you delete the iTunes music folder on the Laptop and re-copy everything over again after configuring some settings in the preferences. It sounds like that is basically what the program you purchased did. $20 for piece of mind isn't a bad price, though!

Happy listening!

No worries. The info you provided was great and I appreciate you even attempting to help.

so far so good it seems.