Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MollyBloom]

I just bought a new laptop, and I need to move my iTunes library and files from my desktop. Can someone give me a quick tutorial? I did it once before a year or so ago, but honestly I forgot the steps.

I also browsed the internet, but it seems there are a few way to do it. I would rather not back up my entire library onto discs. Can I just install iTunes.exe, plug in my ipod, and then have the iTunes copy my "new" iPod onto my computer? I sort of remember doing something like that...

Thanks!

[superdave]

itunes is a flaming piece of horse-s.h.i.t

however, there's a very, very easy way to transfer your entire library.

under 'my documents' you will have a folder called itunes. your entire library and relevant data are all saved in that folder. you may need an external hard drive ... just directly transfer the entire folder.

on your new laptop, install itunes with a clean install. the library will be empty.

then, delete the itunes folder from your new laptop, and upload your saved itunes folder over the top.

viola!!! the computer thinks it's the same itunes. all your data will be there and the itunes will automatically sync with your ipod.

i used to have an ipod and i did this 4 or 5 times during formats and stuff ... it works well.

now i have a cowon D2 ... much better than ipods ... and no crappy itunes.

good luck with the install.

[spliff]

If you can't move them I suggest you buy a new computer. Ipod blows donkey dick!

[MollyBloom]

huh? I just bought a new laptop that I want to transfer all the stuff on !

[MollyBloom]

[DCJames]

put me in the camp that think icraps (ipods/itunes) are horrible just horrible products...

[MollyBloom]

Yeah, well, I have an Ipod now and need to deal with it. If anyone can help me, let me know.

[superdave]

dude ... the instructions were simple, no?

don't bother de-authorising your computer, cause you're transferring it all to the new pc. just transfer the entire itunes folder ... really really easy!!!

there's another way. it's this revolutionary concept called google. what you do is visit their site and type in a few relevant keywords. just like you used to do at your library. then, hey presto! you can find information and stuff.

jeez ... if you can't figure out the technology, throw it in the trash and buy yourself a nice 8 track.

[yeongil]

This is the way I do it. It's slightly different from Superdave's method.

* On the desktop, find the "iTunes Library.itl" file. Edit it with Notepad, erase all the gibberish that's shown, and then save it to another location. The file's size should now be 0kb.
* Install iTunes on the laptop.
* Copy this saved "iTunes Library.itl" file and the "iTunes Music Library.xml" file to the corresponding location on your laptop (your My Documents\My Music\iTunes directory in XP).
* Copy all music files from your desktop to your laptop, maintaining the directory structure. (I usually use an external drive for this purpose.) For example, if all of your music on your desktop is on your "D:\MP3" directory, you'll have to make a "D:\MP3" directory on your laptop and copy everything over. Otherwise, you'll have to edit the "iTunes Music Library.xml" file and change the locations to all of your files (ugh).
* Open iTunes on your laptop. You'll get a warning that your "iTunes Library.itl" file is corrupted, but I think iTunes will automatically repair the file and make a backup ("iTunes Library (Damaged).itl"), so don't worry about it.
* Your library should appear on the laptop as it was on the desktop.

On another note, so iPods and iTunes aren't perfect. But not all of us have the money to just ditch them and get something else. To suggest that the OP do that may not be practical for him/her.


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[MollyBloom]

[Dodgy Al]

superdave is not an asshole. He gave you advice, and you chose to ignore it. You should be thanking him.

You need to get an external hard drive.

[Easter Clark]

Another ("caveman") way to do it is to burn all of your music to DVD-Rs (assuming you:1. have a DVD burner and 2. your laptop has a DVD-ROM) and just copy and paste the music into your "My Music" folder before you install iTunes. Then have iTunes search for new music. I'd also recommend an external (2.5") hard drive though. Sure beats a stack of DVD-Rs.

Is Windows MediaPlayer not compatible with iPod? I personally can't stand iTunes because it's a drain on your system (memory in particular) and renaming the songs / file names can be a royal pain.

[MollyBloom]

[DCJames]

[MollyBloom]