how to get old itunes library into new computer

Question

how to get old itunes library into new computer

imported my itunes folder into my new computer's users music folder via firewire. i had already pulled over itunes music folder. why don't any songs show up in itunes? if i go through the finder i can drill down to the individual track to play. and i can go to itunes > file > library > import and add each song, one at a time. not happening.

i can't find a thread with a clear instruction on this on the forum either.

what am i missing?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.7), 21. inch, i3 core

Posted on May 16, 2011 8:57 PM

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Answer 1

May 17, 2011 4:06 AM in response to Sofrina Hinton

iTunes Music is only the folder with Music file. You have to transfer the whole iTunes folder, which includes the database, or reimport the music file again, by drag & drop the folder to iTunes oder select it in "Import to iTunes Library".

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Answer 2

May 17, 2011 8:06 PM in response to Sofrina Hinton

okay, i found my problem. i had not changed the name of Itunes folder on the new comp so the transferred folder was called Itunes Music.

Now all the songs are in Itunes, but no Playlists. What do I do about bringing those in? I don't see them in the transferred folder.

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Answer 3

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

May 17, 2011 8:16 PM in response to Sofrina Hinton

Sofrina Hinton wrote:

okay, i found my problem. i had not changed the name of Itunes folder on the new comp so the transferred folder was called Itunes Music.

That was not the problem. Don't rename the iTunes music folder.

The iTunes music folder is inside the iTunes folder.

The /Music/iTunes/ folder is the entire library.

You need to copy the entire /Music/iTunes/ folder from the old computer.

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Answer 4

May 17, 2011 10:38 PM in response to Chris CA

went back and did what you say. everything looks the same. and still no playlists. when i go to import playlists the only options that don't grey out the choose button are individual tracks. i don't see any file that even says playlists in the name.

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Answer 5

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

May 17, 2011 11:06 PM in response to Sofrina Hinton

You don't need to import anything.

Quit iTunes.
On your new computer, delete /Music/iTunes folder.
Copy /Music/iTunes folder from your old computer to /Music/ on the new computer.
Launch iTunes and everything should be identical to iTunes on your old computer.

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Answer 6

May 18, 2011 7:43 PM in response to Chris CA

sir, i followed your direction and am in business! at first i mistakenly put the copy on the macintosh hd instead of on the sofrinahinton icon, and i tried to delete the music folder which isn't allowed. but i got it: delete the itunes folders in the music folder on the user user icon. some of us need explicit directions.

thank you so much!

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Answer 7

May 18, 2011 7:50 PM in response to Sofrina Hinton

one more question: now i can't find the music i bought last night. i burned most of the songs to disc, but not all of them. how do i get them back?

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