moving i tune from one computer to another

IF you have an external hard drive you can route the existing iTunes libray there easily. I did that when I bought a Drobo and it was a snap. iTunes can direct you through help on how to do that.

The latest iTunes version has an export function. You can export your iTunes account to CD-Roms (it will tell you how many you need and automatically backup across them). Just install iTunes on the new machine and use the import function. iTunes will restore your account and you're back in business.

Interesting - I've contacted Itune's supportabout syncing my library that was 1) linked to an 'original' computer that crapped out and 2)backed up on an external drive. I can sync the ipod to the new computer , however, the only songs that are'allowed' to come over are the ones purchased via the Itunes store, any that I burned via cd need to be re-burned

OK, since noone has bothered to give you a simple step-by-step and I'm snowed in here in Seattle, I'll walk you through it. This is a safe method and will leave your original files in tact and on your laptop just in case something happens. Once you've confirmed they are on the external drive you can delete them from your laptop, but I would STRONGLY recommend having a second backup copy somewhere. Hard drives DO and WILL fail eventually.

This is how I'd do it on my Mac. You may want to confirm the procedure is the same on PC, but I think it is.

1. Attach the external hard drive to you computer and format it if it has not already been formatted.

2. Open iTunes

3. Go to iTunes>Preferences

4. Click the "Advanced" tab at the top of the preferences window.

5. Now in the upper part of the window it will show your iTunes music folder location - Make sure "Keep iTunes Organized" is checked, then click the "Change" button to change the iTunes music folder location.

6. Navigate to your external hard drive and choose that as the new location for your iTunes folder.

7. Click "OK" I think iTunes will ask you if you want to move all your music to the new folder (I use a Mac so not sure) - if so click "yes" iTunes should then give you a progress bar that says "updating iTunes library"

8. That's it - iTunes will proceed to copy all the files on your laptop over to your external hard drive. It will leave all the files on your laptop as well in the same folder they were in (Music>iTunes>iTunes Music on my Mac). Again, once you've confirmed they've all been moved to the external you are safe to dump the original files, but, again, I would strongly recommend a backup copy.

If you don't understand any of these instructions or are not comfortable doing them, don't. I've found that the folks at the Apple Genius Bar can be very helpful should you be located nearby an Apple Store. I don't know how much they can help if you are on a PC though, but they do know iTunes.

Regarding the problem you had when you first tried moving files - You must move the files within the program so it can keep track of them. If you just move the files manually outside of the program you are setting yourself up for trouble and that would explain why the files did not show up in the play list.

Hope that helps.

Jacks2
On a PC I don't think the terminology actually means relocating ALL files following your outline for migrating the whole of the library to another folder… especially if it’s in another pc.

on a PC the info window which appears following the change of music folders says, "would you like iTunes to move and rename the files in this new folder to keep it inline with your preferences of Keep itunes organized."…. or words to that effect.

Meaning IMO ONLY the files in this new folder will be moved and renamed. Not those from other folders in previous itunes music libraries or folders.

I just did this twice... moving my default music folder to another location, and then back again. No files were moved physically from either location to either location during this process.

It must be different on a Mac somehow.

if as well though, in your prefferences, and on the same page as the instructions you provided, the "Copy files to itunes music folder wehn adding files to library" selection is checked, perhaps then this method will work.

Naturally the new pc itunes software must be able to see the music files on the older pc too.

I know of one who checked this above named box, just following their installation of itunes after wiping and reinstalling a new OS onto their old PC....

She had all her music on a 80 GB USB drive. her desktop’s C drive was only 20 GB. the default location of the itunes music folder was never changed so it remained on her C:\ drive.... she doesn't turn her pc off either.

She went to bed and the next morning awoke to find her pc sluggish and despondent. The 17GB of free space she had prior to the new itunes install was gone! itunes copied all it could of the 80 GB drive onto her C\ drive overnight.

... and that's another way to migrate files... if their location can be seen by the new pc's itunes application. Just check the second box down under the music folders location on the Preffs page under the ADVANCED TAB.

Selecting also the "SHARE MY MUSIC LIBRARY" box will help with this too.
The folder itunes is in might have to be placed in your shared folder during this networked relocating effort.

Another poster pointed out the Backup to disc plan... you can use dVDs as well for that maneuver. Just remember, at less than 5GB per disc, IF you have 500 GB of music already on the hard drive, you'll need to sit there and feed it over 100 DVDs!! one after another, over and over again. over ... and over 700 CDs.

That's why I said get a USB or firewire outboard drive for this exercise in the first place.

Iomega's website store had some 500 gb for well under $100. i think they had a 650GB for $80 + ship a week or two ago.

use explorer to copy and paste them files onto the new HDD and let itunes find them... all you lose are the playlists that way.

One last caveat here... IF ALL THE FILES WERE RIPPED TO wav? THE FILES WILL COPY, SURE. BUT THE INFO ATTACHED TO THEM LIKE TRACK #, ALBUM NAME, ETC... WON'T. That info was placed into the database of the previous pc.... not onto the file itself. One great reason to choose files which have ID tag abilities....

Good luck, ever how you do it…. And back them files up.