New computer won't recognize old library

The library doesn't contain the music files, it's simply a catalogue of your music - hence the "computer talk". If you look in the iTunes Media folder that should contain the music files, if not then they haven't been copied.

If I were you, I'd start from scratch and copy the music files over manually using an external hard drive or flash drive.

Creisnouer wrote:

However, do you think the fact that the old computer can't connect to the internet anymore has any bearing on this?

I didn't realise you meant the computer can't connect, I thought you meant just the iTunes. I've never tried to use iTunes on the computer offline but I do know it can cause problems. I can't see why it should matter for transferring physical music files, but if it's stuff you bought from iTunes then I think that could explain your problem.

I wouldn't try and transfer music from the iPod though as this could erase the music on it completely. There is 3rd party software that can help you do this but it shouldn't be necessary if you have the files on the computer.

P.S. There is no reason why you shouldn't be able to transfer music files from the desk top to the laptop.

Have checked to see whether the music files are on the lap top? If they're not, how did you try to transfer them?

What you describe is what would happen if you go into the iTunes library file, are you sure you're seeing the actual music files?

I assume you mean folder, not file? To make sure it does contain the actual music, could you right click on the folder and check the memory size and number of files?

Lyon need to copy the entire /Music/iTunes/ from old computer to /Music/ on new computer.

That's supposed to be;

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

Oh Dear it sounds like you will need a something bigger than a thumb drive or how are you going to transfer your song files in addition to your library.xml file to your new computer? One song at a time?

Although if your library.xml file is only 7MB then I don't imagine your library is too big to begin with 🙂

Creisnouer wrote:

Thank you so much, Chris! I was trying to copy a file, not the whole thing. Well, now I have to go out and buy a thumb drive that can transfer all my data. The iTunes folder is 7.30 MB

Perhaps you mean GB?

7 MB is barely even one song.

You could simply network the computers and copy the folder across.

I haven't done it but it seems simple enough.

-> http://www.ehow.com/how_8166962_network-windows-computers.html

"I can't download any updates to iTunes"

You don't need to run iTunes to update it. Download and run the installer.

-> http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

"when I try to select the library,"

You don't need to select a library.

Just put the iTunes folder from old computer into your Music folder and launch iTunes normally. It will open the iTunes library in your Music folder.