beadboy

Q: How do I get ITunes to reveal my files on a new Mac?

I have IOS 7 on my IOS devices and Itunes 10.6.3 on my PC.  I can no longer synch because ITunes requires me to update to Version 11.1.3.  I have tried several times to download the upgrade and it kept failing, a problem I had in the last major upgrade, so as instructed before I uninstalled ITunes from my PC and tried to download  the latest version of ITunes with no success, because there seems to be remnant files that need to be cleaned up.  The last time I went through this it was a challenge for the Apple Genius and after going through the hassle of trying to make an appointment without the need to download yet another app, I decided to purchase a Mac Book Air.  After I was finally able to download Mavericks, then ITunes 11.1.3 and my purchased music and movies appeared, (although it won't let me play anything), ut none of the the music I had loaded onto the PC is available.  I cannot share between the PC and the Mac, because the PC o longer has ITunes .

 

So how do I get all my files to reveal in ITunes on the new Mac?  Can I plug in my iPad to sync and hope that it will upload the files and playlists without losing them on the iPad?  Is there a simpler method of getting the material assigned to my ITunes account to show wherever I need it?  ITunes allows you to have up to 5 computers using your account (and presumably it's contents), however this would appear to be hypothetical.  And please advise how to get the movies to play on the Mac. Please help!

MacBook Air, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Jan 22, 2014 4:59 PM

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Q: How do I get ITunes to reveal my files on a new Mac?

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  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Jan 22, 2014 6:07 PM in response to beadboy
    Level 9 (54,543 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 22, 2014 6:07 PM in response to beadboy

    Anything you purchased from Apple you can (and it seems have to some extent) re-download from the iTunes Store.  Do you still have access to the PC?  Does it still have your old iTunes folder on it?  The easiest thing would be to copy that whole folder to a flash drive (may take multiple trips) and then to the Mac.  Once it is on the Mac, start iTunes with the option key held down and guide it to the moved folder.  iTunes should start up with your old library, playlists and all.

     

    You can only transfer iTunes Store purchases and not other media from an iPad to a computer, unless you buy special software.

     

    What's the issue with the movies?

  • by beadboy,

    beadboy beadboy Jan 23, 2014 8:13 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 23, 2014 8:13 AM in response to Limnos

    Thanks.  I presume all the books, pictures and apps can also be transferred the same way.  Please advise.

    It seems very strange that info within a single common ITunes account does not port over when registered on a different computer.  So what is the point of ITunes allowing up to five computers to be registered if this cannot be done?

    The movies issue resolved itself.  I guess iCloud needed time to sync.

     

    Thanks

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Jan 23, 2014 9:05 AM in response to beadboy
    Level 9 (54,543 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 23, 2014 9:05 AM in response to beadboy

    Apple provides repeat downloads as a convenience, not a substitute for your computers being the primary source of file transfers.  All your iTunes information such as playlists, ratings, etc. are in a file on your computer, not in the Apple Store.  Typically when you move computers you copy the whole iTunes folder and everything it contains to the new computer.  Moving media files can be done with a drive, or by Home Sharing.  You can also redownload media but let's say somebody desiced Apple may no longer sell a certain album; it cannot be downloaded again but if you already have it on a computer you can move your copy of the file.

     

    5 authorizations:  Some households have multiple computers.  If you want ot use one with an account it has to be authroized.  It means you can use any computer in the house to make purchaes, etc.

     

    Okay, my 5 minute typing limit for any one response is up.

     

    What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660

     

    More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management

     

    What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html

     

    Where are my iTunes files located? - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391