New PC: how do I transfer itunes??

[admin_exported]

I have not used my old desktop PC for about a year. It has about 40gig of music on, and ran my itunes.

We now have a faster, newer, bigger n better laptop that I have just loaded itunes on.

If I connect my ipod it wants to wipe it clean and add only what is on my new itunes.

I know this is to stop sharing etc etc... BUT there must be some way to transfer my old itunes to my new itunes (from one old pc to my new one)??? And I mean do this without having to import my whole 40gig library accross?

Itunes must have a solution for moving acounts across pc's?

Help!?

 

[John Duncan]

Not really. Personally, I'd hook up the old hard drive using a USB-to-IDE-or-SATA cable and copy the whole lot over - will be quicker than attaching the old PC to the network and copying it over that, I'd guess.

If you copy the whole iTunes directory onto your new PC, you should keep all your tags and artwork blah de blah, and it may even continue to recognise your old iPod - not sure if that info is stored in the iTunes db or the registry. If not, then all you need to do is sync the iPod again.

Lastly, you may goodle "share ipod", as there are some pieces of software which allow you to copy from iPod, but on your own head be it (ie I can't warrant any of them)

 

[Big Aura]

your ipod is a portable hard-drive, except the music files are "hidden". If you google the phrase "show hidden files" and ipod, it should see you right. don't do this to rip a mate's ipod, that's against the law. Play nice.

 

[Anonymous]

Some links to give you the low down;

http://lifehacker.com/software/itunes/geek-to-live--how-to-move-an-itunes-library-from-a-pc-to-mac-and-back-242468.php
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751

 

[GetCarter]

try Googling yamipod software, this allow you to copy all your music from your ipod, to you computer, without itunes initialising the ipods disk. (its free as well!)

 

[seashell]

maybe try setting your ipod to 'manually manage' when you plug it into itunes. that should stop it trying to wipe it. just have to drag the songs across yourself.

 

[professorhat]

seashell:maybe try setting your ipod to 'manually manage' when you plug it into itunes. that should stop it trying to wipe it. just have to drag the songs across yourself.

This won't work - basically because the iPod is regiseterd with another copy of iTunes, your only option when attaching to a different copy of iTunes is to wipe it and then sync with the new iTunes. This prevents you loading up your iPod, going round a mates and then sharing all your music.

Of course, as you can see, there are many ways round it if someone is determined to illegally share their music with friends, but I guess Apple has to be seen to be making it difficult.