New computer ... how to move iTunes?

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

I just got a new computer. Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit. 2*2TB disk, 8Gb RAM. Some sort of fast Pentium dual core CPU.

Now gotta put my stuff on it. Got most of it covered. But how do I move iTunes stuff over? I want to keep my playlists (containing both music imported from WMP11) and music downloaded from iTunes. If I re-import the music from WMP11 (easy enough to copy that), it will not go cleanly (didn't the first time) and would likely mess up my playlists. Is there a trick? Can I just copy a certain directory over? Import/export? Ideas? Any help would be appreciated.

Also assume once iTunes is set up, I should be able to sync my phone to the new computer without causing too much trouble? Do I need too copy anything for that?

 

[Wolf]

Congrats on your new purchase IdRather! Syncing your phone to a new computer should be no problem. Like you said, finish installing iTunes and your iPhone will transfer all your apps to your new computer. But moving songs from one computer to the another, I would transfer all the songs onto a External Hard Drive.

I found this link, it has other options as well, which ever you prefer.
How to Transfer iTunes to a New Computer - How to Move iTunes Library

 

[Jon]

Transfer to an external hard drive from the old computer, then transfer to the new one from the HD. Fairly simple although I have seen people have their entire libraries erased while in the process. So I'd make sure it's already backed up first. Especially if you have a lot of music and apps like I do.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Ok, I don't have external hard drive, just a 16Gb card which has all my pictures and music on it). I can re-import from my main music library. It is under WMP11 if I absolutely have to. Playlists would be the big issue. I don't suppose those will sync with the phone?

 

[Wolf]

I don't know if you can sync it with your phone, I doubt it? I really don't play with WMP, but with your 16GB card, I guess that your only option for now. Unless you can buy an external hard drive or use quite a few cd's?

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Ok. Got the music over. I just put them under WMP (really easy). Playlists restored and everything. Re-imported music into iTunes. No issues. Problems before must have been memory on my old computer.

Now I have a new problem. I need to redownload the stuff I purchased from iTunes. My download menu under the store was there when iTunes first came up but is now gone. I clicked it before I had realized I had to Authorize this computer. I did authorize it but nothing I do gets the download option back. How do I get my iTune purchases on my new computer and presumably get my download button back?

 

[MM]

When you open up iTunes on the right side when you are in the store there is a "quick links" menu. There will be a purchased button. Then you will see what you purchased.

Log in to the store first.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

When you open up iTunes on the right side when you are in the store there is a "quick links" menu. There will be a purchased button. Then you will see what you purchased.

Log in to the store first.

I see my apps. What I do not see is my tunes. I want the music I downloaded on my old comptuer redownloaded on my new one.

 

[HecticArt]

Wow. What a hassle. I know iTunes has a lot of good features, but I'm glad I never got hooked on it. It sounds like a lot of work.

Glad you're getting it sorted out.

 

[Biaviian]

I see my apps. What I do not see is my tunes. I want the music I downloaded on my old comptuer redownloaded on my new one.

It should be there. I went through the same thing (re-downloading anything not in my library) and it had all of my music, books, movies, and TV shows.

 

[MM]

I see my apps. What I do not see is my tunes. I want the music I downloaded on my old comptuer redownloaded on my new one.

Was this music purchased from iTunes?

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Was this music purchased from iTunes?

Yes. Most through me old pc, some through my phone.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

On a hunch I searched for a couple of songs I had downloaded and they somehow got added to the library. Not sure when they got there. Maybe thats why the download option disappeared.

So now I just have to get my playlists transfered.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

On a hunch I searched for a couple of songs I had downloaded and they somehow got added to the library. Not sure when they got there. Maybe thats why the download option disappeared.

So now I just have to get my playlists transfered.

Not so fast. It seemed to have picked some of up my converted versions of them. Not what I wanted. Still need to figure out how to get my purchased songs.

 

[DAB]

Wow. What a hassle. I know iTunes has a lot of good features, but I'm glad I never got hooked on it. It sounds like a lot of work.

Glad you're getting it sorted out.

Reality is that most of the extra work in the manner in which he did this. He has no backup drive, which is always problematic for switching over to a new computer. I have swapped hard drives when I went to SSD's and even upgraded to a new computer and all this stuff is pretty automatic if it is setup correctly. He doesn't have it setup correctly that is evident.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Reality is that most of the extra work in the manner in which he did this. He has no backup drive, which is always problematic for switching over to a new computer. I have swapped hard drives when I went to SSD's and even upgraded to a new computer and all this stuff is pretty automatic if it is setup correctly. He doesn't have it setup correctly that is evident.

I am not sure how a backup drive would have helped. I had all the music on a flash drive. The only thing I did not have (because I figured I didn't need -- iTunes was supposed to handle it) was music downloaded from iTunes.

And, my setup for WMP was flawless -- playlists and everything. And I have my music for iTunes (re-imported). The flaws appear to be in the P.O.S program otherwise called iTunes. I am hoping that once my music re-appears I can re-import the playlists and not have any issues.

In reading Apples support (now that it is back up again -- was down Sunday morning) it looks like these purchases will re-appear when I get around to syncing my iPhone to the new computer. Pretty backass way to do it. And I will certainly not fuck up my iPhone until I am damn sure that the setup on my new PC is back up to snuff.

 

[memebag]

I've moved iTunes with no problem, but I never buy music from iTunes. All of my music was either ripped from CDs or bought from Amazon.

You can't just copy the music that iTunes downloaded on computer A over to computer B?

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

I've moved iTunes with no problem, but I never buy music from iTunes. All of my music was either ripped from CDs or bought from Amazon.

You can't just copy the music that iTunes downloaded on computer A over to computer B?

I could. Perhaps that would be the best approach. Problem is it is mixed with copies of my ripped music. Maybe I can just overwite the whole library and let iTunes sort it out.

 

[memebag]

I could. Perhaps that would be the best approach. Problem is it is mixed with copies of my ripped music. Maybe I can just overwite the whole library and let iTunes sort it out.

I don't understand. Did you copy the ripped music from computer A to computer B? If so, why didn't you copy the iTunes music at the same time?

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

I don't understand. Did you copy the ripped music from computer A to computer B? If so, why didn't you copy the iTunes music at the same time?

On my old computer I had my ripped music under directory A. I had the iTunes copy of the music under directory B. The music downloaded from iTunes wound up also under B (and not A).

When I copied, I copied A to A'. I reimported A' into B' on the new computer. What I think I should have done (and will do) is wipe out B' and copy B into B'. Then restart iTunes and let it sort it out. I may even get my playlists that way.