iPod: Old PC New PC, External Hard Drive

[TiVoSoFine]

If this is in the FAQ, I must've missed it.

I have an old pc which I set up my iPod (3G, 30GB) and iTunes at. The actual library is on an external hard drive.

Now I want to "migrate" the setup to a new pc, while keeping library info, playlists, (most importantly) song ratings and all.

I know I could just hook up the external hard drive and point the iTunes library to it. But that would mean re-importing and I'd lose other information.

So what do I need to do?

Thanks!

[TiVoSoFine]

No answer? Maybe this question should be moved to iTunes forum?

[Mr94Supra]

Don't think it can be done. I believe you will lose the playlists and all. I did the same but I have my playlists set up by artist so it was easy to recreate playlists with the browse feature. anyway I don't think there is a way to do it. But I could and probably am wrong. Sorry I couldn't be much help.

BUT, luv your name. I can't live without my Tivo. I hate watching tv anywhere but home and find myself wishing there was something like it for radio.

[TiVoSoFine]

I will try to edit iTunes' library XML file to see how it goes. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[TiVoSoFine]

It turns out to be much simpler than I thought. I mapped the external hard drive on the new PC to same drive letter (drive G: in this case) as on the old PC, then copied two files under iTunes directory- iTunes 4 Music Library.itl and iTunes Music Library.xml - from the old PC to the new PC. Voila!

[simpleman46]

I'm going to be formatting my primary hard drive and reinstalling XP on my computer in a couple days. All of my music is stored on a second hard drive which will not be formatted.

Hopefully I'll have a similar experience as you and be able to keep all my ratings/playlists/etc. Anybody else have experience with this? Anything I need to know? I'd hate to lose all the information I put into iTunes.

[sparks9]

Originally posted by simpleman46
I'm going to be formatting my primary hard drive and reinstalling XP on my computer in a couple days. All of my music is stored on a second hard drive which will not be formatted.

Hopefully I'll have a similar experience as you and be able to keep all my ratings/playlists/etc. Anybody else have experience with this? Anything I need to know? I'd hate to lose all the information I put into iTunes.

Yes you will just need to backup the iTunes 4 Music Library.itl and iTunes Music Library.xml files from the iTunes music directory as Tivosofine posted.

When you have done the format, you should just place your music files in exactly the same path and folder as before and copy the library files back to your iTunes folder.