Q: Need help migrating iTunes library from PC to Mac
This is probably not the first "need to migrate iTunes library" question, and doubtless won't be the last. Nevertheless, I'm seeing multiple different methods to this, and with the current technology (I just got a 2012 iMac), I need to make sure that what I'm doing is appropriate for the current OS.
First of all, I'm trying to migrate my PC iTunes library (currently stored on external hard drvie) to my Mac's hard drive and still keep all the music/TV show/movie metadata, playlists, ratings, etc. It would be nice to keep play count and last played values, although I could do without these.
Now, Setup Assistant and Migration Assistant were the first thing I tried. They don't work. Period. I keep gettng some sort of error with the program preparing my data for transfer. So I'm resigned to transferring my data manually. My existing iTunes library is being organized by iTunes and I consolidated before I copied the files over.
For the iTunes library, I've seen three different articles with slightly different approaches:
http://lifehacker.com/242468/geek-to-live--how-to-move-an-itunes-library-from-a- pc-to-mac-and-back
http://www.macworld.com/article/1146958/move_itunes_windows_mac.html
I tried the method mentioned in the first link. I copied over my iTunes media, and then I copied over my iTunes Library.itl file. However, when I open iTunes, it doesn't "see" the library at all (although I'm given options to scan for the music and so on, but by doing this, won't it just end up rebuilding the library and thus losing my playlists and metadata??). I made sure that the iTunes library directory is the correct one, that the media files are were they are supposed to be (/Music/iTunes/iTunes Media) and the library file copied to /Music/iTunes. Of note, the iTunes Library.itl file does not seem to be recognized by Apple iTunes as a valid file, which makes me think that the article from myfirstmac.com was wrong.
Can someone tell me which of the above links I should be trying, or if there is another method that would work best with the current OS? Also, when I copy over the library files and start iTunes, shouldn't it just "see" the library and load up all the playlists without having to search for them again?
Please help me make my Christmas iMac dream come true. :-)
Thanks,
JB
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)
Posted on Dec 14, 2012 6:50 AM
I believe all you have to do is reunify the two groupings. I have not moved my library in 3 years and when I did it last time I needed to use a completly different process.
If something goes wrong you will still have the original files with which to try a different process. If it ends up with broken links then it may be possible to repair them all by finding one link and then let iTunes find all the other files based upon the same pattern.
Posted on Dec 14, 2012 10:43 AM