My mate has an iPod touch. He was using it with iTunes on a laptop running Vista. He now has a new PC running W7. What is the best way for him to sync his iPod to the new computer and not lose data, settings music etc?


CC

1) Sync the iPod Touch
2) Deauthorise the old computer with the iTunes store if he's bought any apps or media from there
3) Install iTunes on the new computer
4) Authorise the new computer with the Itunes shop, if he deauthed the old one
5) copy the contents of the <home directory>/My Music/iTunes folder on the old computer to the same place on the new computer.
6) Plug the iPod in on the new computer.

(note, this is what works under XP, the place the files are stored may be different. The trick is to copy ALL the itunes data, not just the music)

That should import the relevant data and settings to the the new computer. That should stop it from doing a 'first sync' when plugged into the new one.

You are a star.

I did search online but could not find the info.

I will visit him this eve and help him do the deed.

Have just done this on my Ipod. As long as the computer is authorized on Itunes when plugged in, it really wont make much difference.
For instance I synced my ipod after I installed but before I transferred the old files. As long as it recognises that it hasnt changed owner there shouldnt be a problem.

Ok, disaster.


My mate has wiped his hard drive on the lappy.



On a Mac I would now reach for Senuti but on Windows I am at a loss. Any ideas how he can restore his PC to full syncing goodness just by using the data on his iPod?

Tell your mate to get a Zune? never had such silly problems!

If he's wiped his hard drive how can the iPod help with that?
I don't understand.

Mark

Do Zunes not have any DRM restrictions then?

On his iPod he has his address book and music. He needs some way to get this data into his new copy of iTunes. Senuti will do this on the Mac but not on the PC.

CC

There are many PC alternatives to senuTi, just do a search on versiontracker
CLICKY

Never had to do it on a PC, so can't advise which one's best, but there's plenty to try out.

Thanks for the link and advice.

I have passed it over to him. I still am in disbelief that he had a laptop with no backup, that he then wiped the HDD before having his new system up and running.

*shakes head*

CC

Unfortunately, such a cavalier attitude is pretty "normal" behaviour. People expect computer stuff to "just work". On any other media player, you'd simply be able to drag-and-drop mp3 files onto a new device, so it's not entirely stupid to expect an iPod to be just as easy.

Eight out of ten cats do not have a belts and braces back-up scheme. Most trust the elastic never to snap...

I know that some other devices don't have much by way of DRM. Also it is not always obvious the role that iTunes plays in backing up your applications, address contacts passwords pref. files and suchlike.

Even so, no backup on a laptop.


A portable/dropable device. It seems none too sensible to me.

Most humans lack your sense.

You used to be able to delve into iTunes settings, set your iPod to work as a portable hard disk, and then use windows explorer to just copy and paste the stuff you need, takes about 5 minutes - a lot longer if you do it the Jobs way. Don't know if they've removed this option for the newer iPods. PS, OMFG the latest iTunes is the most sluggish piece of crap ever, and it slows my 4 year old PC down to an almost standstill at times.