STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

bex · Chanel

moving ITunes files to new computer?

Maddie · Coach

You could put it on a zip drive or put it all on your iPod and then load it onto your new computer, but you'll need to buy a computer program to do it.

bex · Chanel

i'm confused.

why would i need to buy the program to move my files? why can't i just reload itunes on my new computer and then download my IPod onto ITunes? wouldn't that work? most of my songs are from cds except about 30 are ones that i bought. i am only worried about losing the 30 that i bought and paid for off ITunes. b/c i can always just reload the cds again on my new laptop

Maddie · Coach

Your computer won't just pick up the songs off of your iPod. Without a special program you can only go iTunes --> iPod not iPod --> iTunes. Also, if you only have about 30 songs you're worried about losing, you could just burn those to a CD since it would only be probably 2 CDs worth. Then you could just reupload them all. Or, if you have your computers both connected to the internet on the same network you can download myTunes redux and download it from one computer to the other.

Cecilia · Nine West

Assuming that your new laptop is Windows XP and probably has both USB and Ethernet (in case of Mac you could use Firewire), make sure your old computer has either an Ethernet connection (it looks like an oversized phone plug) or USB and get a Crossover cable (not a regular cable, so make sure you ask your sales rep at BestBuy or RadioShack)

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F004%5F003%5F001%5F004&product%5Fid=278%2D2011 Ethernet Version

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=5310745&type=product&id=1051384689628 USB version

Windows XP has a function to import all your files from your old computer using a cable like this. I'm sure Mac has something similar, but in any case, crossover cables often come with software to help you transfer files.

The other way is to search the web for software that will let you backup your ipod onto your new computer. Anapod is one, I think ephod will do that too, but not certain.

Hope this helps,