Im moving my ipod to a new computer....will all my songs be deleted?

Question

I moved to a different state and dont have a flash drive. I am nowhere near my old computer and have to make a new library. I understand that my old songs wont be in my library, but will the songs on my ipod be deleted?

Answer 1

Nope, not if you use your iPod as a memory card and just plug it in after you install it. That's what I did and before I was worried to just install iTunes, then plug it in plug it in (iPod)

Answer 2

You'll have to start completely over, but I have a few steps that will allow you to transfer over the music on your iPod to your library. These steps worked for me and the only thing you'll lose are your games and possibly your videos too.

This is how you get all the songs from your iPod to your computer, without buying or downloading any kind of software (other than iTunes, of course). I'm going to write step-by-step instructions on how to do it.

NOTE: If you bought ALL of your music/etc. from iTunes, simply log into the new iTunes and plug in your iPod. Then sync it. A box will pop up and ask if you want to transfer your music. Click Yes. If you got your music from CDs, or off the internet, etc. then follow the directions below.

Keep in mind that all computers are different. If this doesn't work for you, I'm sorry.

STEP 1:

- Plug in your iPod. iTunes should open up. If not, then open it how you normally open. Wait until it connects with the iPod.

STEP 2:

- A message will pop up and ask if you want to erase this iPod and sync with the iTunes library (or sometimes it asks if you want to transfer your music). Click Cancel.

STEP 3:

- Make sure you are on the iPod Options page (your iPod should pop up under Devices; click on it). Make sure the box that says "Enable disk use" is CHECKED.

STEP 4:

- Exit iTunes. Don't eject the iPod, though.

STEP 5:

- Go to your iTunes music folders. (It's usually located in Start > My Documents > My Music > iTunes.) Delete the XML and ITL files. NOTE: This will erase your existing iTunes library. Usually you only do this because you don't want copies of your songs, so you don't necessarily have to do this step. IF YOU ALREADY HAVE AN EXISTING LIBRARY, DO NOT DO THIS STEP!!!!!

STEP 6:

- Go to Start > My Computer. Then click on Tools > Folder Options > the "View" tab. In Advanced Settings (under Files and Folders) click "Show hidden files and folders". Then click OK.

NOTE: If you have Vista, you might need to go to Organize > Layout, and check Menu Bar first.

STEP 7:

- Go to Start > My Computer. Click on your iPod (for instance, mine says "VICKY'S IPOD (:F)". See the slightly see-through iPod_Control folder? Right click on it and scroll down to "Send to ... " and pick My Documents. NOTE: You can save it anywhere on your computer, but to make it easy I'm just going to pick a spot for you.

STEP 8:

- It will take a few minutes to copy everything. When it's done, unhide the iPod_Control folder that you just copied to My Documents (NOT the iPod_Control that is on your iPod!) by right-clicking on it. Scroll down to Properties. Then uncheck the Hidden attribute. A message will pop up and ask if you want to apply this to this folder, subfolders, and files. Make sure this option is chosen, and click OK. (You MUST do this step.)

STEP 9:

- Open iTunes. Remember that your iPod is still connected to the computer. You will get the same messages asking if you want to erase this iPod and sync it with the iTunes library, unless you chose "Do not ask me again". Click Cancel.

STEP 10:

- At the top, click on Edit > Preferences. Choose the "Advanced" tab. Make sure "Keep iTunes Music folder organized" and "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library" are checked.

STEP 11:

- From iTunes, choose File (at the top) > Add Folder to Library. Navigate to the iPod_Control folder and click OK.

STEP 12:

- The files will begin to copy into your iTunes library. You might want to take this time to write down all your playlists, because when you sync your iPod again you'll lose them.

STEP 13:

- After your library fills up, simply click on your iPod under Devices and sync it! It will ask if you want to erase the songs and sync. Just click Yes. It doesn't matter now because all of your songs are on your computer.

Sometimes, for an unkown reason, songs are copied into iTunes with four-letter titles (ex: WGYT or JSFU). I'm sorry, I don't know any way to correct that aside from doing them each manually.

Answer 3

yes unless you move all your old songs onto a zip drive from itunes then move them to your new itunes and then hook up your ipod.  

Answer 4

When you plug you're iPod in, don't click "yes" when it asks you if you want to erase your library. Somewhere under devices on the side menu of iTunes will be your iPod. Click on the name, and it will open up the list of songs on your iPod. Copy and paste into your new library and enjoy : )

Answer 5

yes ma'am

Answer 6

If you choose the "sync" option, all the old songs on your iPod will be deleted.  If you choose to manually manage your music, then your old songs will stay on your iPod.

Answer 7

same happened to me.

i had to download all new and old songs to get them into new library.

Answer 8

When you plug your iPod into your new computer, iTunes will give you two choices:

one says you can erase everything you have on it and copy the new library you plugged it into

DONT DO THAT!!!!!!!

the other option is to add all your music to the new library.

do that! ^^

If it asks you again with these choices (afters the new library has your songs) go ahead and pick the first.