Transferring everything to new laptop?

Question

Transferring everything to new laptop?

Hi, this has probably been asked but I have not found a good answer. I got a new laptop and want to switch all of my iTunes to it and be able to sync my iphone 4, ipad, and iPod touch. How can I change the new computer to be my main computer? I tried with the iPod and lost everything, so I am kind of scared to try it on my phone and ipad. What do I need to do to be able to switch laptops permanently? Any help would be appreciated:)

iOS 4

Posted on Sep 1, 2010 10:44 AM

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Answer 1

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,401 points

Sep 1, 2010 10:47 AM in response to princessnina28

Go to the top of this screen and type "move itunes library" into the search bar next to the word "Support".

You need to move everything from the old computer to the new one. You can also use your backup copy to move everything to the new computer.

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Answer 2

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Sep 1, 2010 10:49 AM in response to princessnina28

You need to move your entire itunes library and all other important data to your new computer BEFORE you try & sync your phone. Your phone will be wiped of ALL itunes content when you first sync, but if you move all of your data to your new computer, its a simple matter of syncing it back.

Here's a good article on the subject:

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/moving-your-itunes-library-to -a-new-hard-drive/

Apple's support document:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1364

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Answer 3

Sep 1, 2010 10:54 AM in response to princessnina28

This question gets asked and answered with good answers here every week if not every day. What answers did you find that weren't good - or was it just an answer you didn't like or didn't want to hear?

You need to transfer your iTunes library from your old computer to your new computer along with all other important data that you will need or want to access on your new computer - documents, photos, etc. You can use the external drive used for your computer's backup for this.

Copy the iTunes named folder located in your Music folder on your old computer and with iTunes quit on your new computer, place the iTunes folder in your Music folder. You also need to authorize your new computer with your iTunes account with iTunes.

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Answer 4

Sep 1, 2010 2:39 PM in response to Allan Sampson

It has been a few weeks since I looked on here and I figured I would just ask myself-especially after what happened with my iPod. I have found a lot of very good and accurate information on other topics on this forum, but I just need a more detailed step by step process.

I tried to transfer my library but not everything will transfer. I had backed up everything on discs but when I tried to use them nothing would transfer. The discs are supposed to be user friendly and you just follow the instructions-which I did. Since I don't have a back up do I need to get an external hard drive and back it up on that before I transfer? I did authorize the new laptop and that was successful.

My husband usually does this but he is in Afghanistan until the first week of March, and I am trying to learn how to do this so I can use my new laptop as my primary computer.

Thank you

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Answer 5

Sep 1, 2010 2:47 PM in response to princessnina28

The best and easiest way to do this is by copying the iTunes named folder located in your Music folder and place the copy on an external drive with enough storage capacity to store the entire iTunes folder.

With iTunes quit on your new computer, transfer the iTunes folder from the external drive to the Music folder.

Or if both computers are connected to a wireless network, you can network the computers together via the wireless network and transfer the iTunes folder from your old computer to your new computer.

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Answer 6

Sep 1, 2010 3:24 PM in response to Allan Sampson

I just completed this whole process and it was fairly easy.

first I found the iTunes Library folder and copied everything to a portable hard drive.
Then I created my (existing) account on the new mac within iTunes.
Then I plugged in the portable hard drive and asked iTunes to import from 'Add to Library' and selected the portable HD.

Portable Hard drive was £40 and not wasted as i'll back up my itunes with it from now on.

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Answer 7

Sep 1, 2010 3:29 PM in response to Sickofpcs

You can save a step by not using the Import > Add to Library.

All you need to do is Transfer the iTunes named folder from the external drive to the Music folder on your Mac with iTunes quit before doing so. Launch iTunes and authorize your new computer with your iTunes account with iTunes if you haven't already done so and your iTunes library on your new computer should be identical to the iTunes library on the computer it was transferred from including play count, etc. This also prevents an iPhone from being erased of all iTunes content with the first sync with iTunes on the new computer.

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Answer 8

Sep 1, 2010 7:48 PM in response to Allan Sampson

Thank you Allan:). I will try tomorrow. Please wish me luck-haha! I think I will use the iPod as the guinea pig since it needs everything put back on it. I will update progress by Friday evening.

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Answer 9

Sep 4, 2010 2:41 AM in response to princessnina28

To follow on from this question. I had to get my iphone up and running 2 weeks ago on my works computer due to my home system software not being compatible at that time. (literally just set up the itunes account and upgraded the software - I didn't sync it or transfer music). I have since upgraded to 10.6.4 at home and would like to sync my iphone with my home computer on itunes but it's just not seeing it! I've tried the restart everything...etc etc... when I connect my phone itunes is supposed to open automatically, but it doesn't. Any ideas?

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