Issues with transferring itunes library from one PC to another?

Question

Right, I know there are lots of similar questions about this, but I have read them and am still having issues tranferring my itunes library from my old computer to my new laptop.

After reading about the different options online of how to do this, I burned the entire library to two DVDs which worked fine, and all the files are now on these discs. My problem is, when I put these discs into my new laptop, I don't know where to save the files on my new laptop so itunes can find and play them?

I tried moving them to my music folder and a folder named itunes, but itunes keeps saying 'file cannot be played because original file cannot be found'.

Where should I store all these files on my new laptop so itunes can read them? Is what I'm trying to do actually possible, ie. just copy the entire library from two DVDs onto a new laptop? I don't have an external hardrive nor a memory stick so these are not options.

I also don't really understand how to use my ipod as a hard drive in itself and am worried about wiping all my music from it so I'm not keen on this idea either. I'd like to finish what I started if possible - move my entire library using these 2 DVDs which now contain all my music.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks :o)

Answer 1

First you need to copy over the library file and xml file from the itunes folder as well.

Basically you copy them back to the same place on the laptop as on the old computer (install itunes first then run it to create folders) then drag and drop replacing any files with same name with ones from old computer.

on Windows:-

Music Files:-

/My Documents/My Music/Itunes/Itunes Music

Library and .xml files

/My Documents/My Music/Itunes

On a Mac

Music Files:-

{Home Folder} / 'Music' / 'iTunes' /  'Itunes Music'

Library and .xml files

{Home Folder} / 'Music' /'iTunes'

if any files show an '!' in itunes then they were not copied over and you need to find them on your old computer and  drag them onto the itunes library icon in itunes when its running but also set 'itunes to manage my music' and  'itunes to make a copy of music' in the preferences.

The ipod is designed to work with and be the slave to itunes on the computer to which its paired.

If you do not pair a ipod to a computer you cannot alter its settings.

If you pair your ipod to a new computer it overwrites whats on it.

Simply dragging music onto an ipod does NOT make that music playable it then acts as hard disk. To make the music playable you MUST use itunes to sync with it as only itunes can put the music files in the correct file names (not the same as on the computer) in hidden folders and create the hidden indexes for them to be playable.

Now reconnect the ipod and when it asks pair say YES and it will transfer the music to your computer.

When you pair the ipod to a computer it erases ALL the previous library and tracks and replaces it with what the current computer want it to.

if you want to erase the ipod you select RESTORE form the ipod's tab in itunes then it re formats and re installs the ipods firmware resetting everything to default values and removing the lock (except for the touch which asks for the code to allow this)

the ipod needing a master player to sync with is NOT unique to apple Creative, Zune, Sony al have one of one sort or another.

Answer 2

get itunes backup/transfer software from http://www.ipodtocomputer.net/itunes-lib... you can backup from one computer and restore to another, very easy to use.

Answer 3

Backing up your iTunes library to CD or DVD

You can easily back up your iTunes library, playlists, and iTunes Store purchases for safekeeping. To reduce the number of discs needed for a backup, iTunes can perform incremental backups (only items added or changed since the last backup).

To create backup CDs or DVDs:

Choose File > "Back Up to Disc" and then select your options.

Insert a blank disc (CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, or DVD-RW)

Click Back Up.

iTunes burns the number of items that fit on one disc, and then asks you to insert subsequent discs to continue burning the remaining files.

To restore backed-up files, insert a backup disc, choose File > "Back Up to Disc," and then click Restore.

Programs purchased from the Audible website are not backed up.

Discs you create using the iTunes backup feature can be used only to restore; they can't be played in a CD or DVD play

The files are added to Mymusic/iTunes folder