How to authorize a new computer?

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Level 1

90 points

How to authorize a new computer?

I am purchasing a previously owned computer from a friend, and part of the deal is acquiring her songs purchased from iTunes store. I will be using this computer as my primary machine, so will be moving all by files, etc. to it, including my existing iTunes library. I'm pretty clear on how to move my existing library to the new computer and consolidate the libraries (my existing one and her old one). But I'm not sure how to be authorized to use the songs she purchased (and has now sold to me). I will be taking her computer and erasing all files and reinstalling the system software to start from scratch (having first moved the iTunes library off the machine!).

So - I presume the songs she purchased have some kind of "tag" on them associated with the computer she originally authorized to play them. That computer will essentially go away when I reinstall the system sofware (creating a new admin account, user accounts, etc).

G5 iMac, G4 PowerMac, G3 iMac, G3 iBook, Mac OS X (10.4)

Posted on Oct 29, 2008 5:56 PM

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Answer 1

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CasperGemini

Level 5

4,305 points

Oct 29, 2008 7:28 PM in response to Jim Douglas1

Deauthorize the computer (in iTunes: Store > Deauthorize Computer) prior to reinstalling any operating system or system software. Once that's all done, though, the computer will need to be reauthorized for the account used to purchase the items. Otherwise, the computer will not be able to play, burn, sync, or basically do anything with those files. A library can be authorized for more than 1 iTunes store account, so it shouldn't interfere with yours at all.

CG

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Answer 2

Jim Douglas1 Author

Level 1

90 points

Oct 30, 2008 4:11 AM in response to CasperGemini

thanks, this helps. But I still have a question. Can the authorization actually be transferred to me (not just the computer)? That is, once the computer is reauthorized for the account used to purchase the item, do I need continued access to that account? For example, if I log on to iTunes using my friend's iTunes (Apple) username and password and do the authorization, can she then change the password so that I can't access her account? Seems like the only consequence of this is that I could not authorize any future computers to play these songs.

Or is there a way for me to "own" the authorization under my iTunes account now that I have purchased this library of songs from her?

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Answer 3

varjak paw

Level 10

170,200 points

Oct 30, 2008 7:35 AM in response to Jim Douglas1

If I log on to iTunes using my friend's iTunes (Apple) username and password and do the authorization, can she then change the password so that I can't access her account?

Yes, she certainly can, and she can do it from any computer anywhere (as long as it's connected to the Internet, of course). Of more import to you, though, is if she ever reaches the limit of five computers authorized to her account and uses the "deauthorize all" command, or something happens that would require Apple to deauthorize her systems for her (it's not unheard of for authorization problems to require that resetting), it would cut off the authorization of your computer and you would no longer be able to play the tracks without having access to her account again.

Or is there a way for me to "own" the authorization under my iTunes account now that I have purchased this library of songs from her?

No. There's no way to transfer a purchased track from one iTunes Store account to another. And the terms of sale and use of the iTunes Store prohibit her from selling tracks she purchased from the iTunes Store to anyone else, so that transfer was a violation and could get the account cut off completely should Apple find out about it.

So I'd strongly recommend that you get your money back from her, delete all those tracks from your system (if I'm understanding correctly and that's where they are), and buy them again using your own iTunes Store account if you want them. That's the safe way and the legal way.

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