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Resolved Question

Transferring music back onto laptop after reinstall

Oct 21, 2011 5:14AM PDT

Hi
I'm about to reinstall windows and the one thing I don't want to lose is my tunes in itunes. Some of it's paid for (from the itunes store) the rest is from my CDs.
What's the best way to transfer the music back onto my laptop, so far I have copied the folders onto an external drive.
Should I now deauthorise the laptop (I have had previous computers and i recall when i set this one up that itunes told me this was my fith computer which means, i think, that thats my limit) then reinstall itunes and authorise the new installation, then copy my music across?
I have an ipod touch (not the new one) and i believe I cannot transfer my music from the toch to windows because windows cannot read the touch's operating system?
Have I got it right or is there something I have missed?
Thanks

Discussion is locked

tomg35 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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I have a question.
Oct 21, 2011 5:23AM PDT

Why don't you use the Apple article on this rather than guessing?

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And here's the article.
Oct 21, 2011 5:27AM PDT
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Thanks
Oct 22, 2011 2:23AM PDT

Thank you, but do I still need to de-authorise the laptop before the re-install of windows?

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Sorry.
Oct 22, 2011 2:33AM PDT

I follow the directions to avoid any issues. Folk that make up a new method tend to post here about losses.
Bob

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I've experienced issues following the directions.
Oct 22, 2011 3:14AM PDT

I've found there are times when following the "instructions" that loss is still possible.

You need the backup of the old (consolidated) iTunes, and a separate backup of your iPod if possible. I found it is possible to mount the iPods as "drives" and do a backup that way. I still don't know if that is a complete backup that will restore an iPod to fully functioning status if it get wiped somehow.

I've followed the directions and still witnessed an iPod getting wiped of all content.

Also, installed instance of iTunes needs to be decommissioned "de-authorized" before removing them, that includes if youi're reinstalling Windows on the same machine or even doing a reinstall of iTunes on the same machine.

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An iPod does not retain content unless!
Oct 22, 2011 8:28AM PDT

Unless we do something else and use iRip.

Look up iRip for more details on how to get tunes back without wiping out the iPod.

As to backup. If you have a backup, how could we lose the tunes? (never happens at our office.)
Bob

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Thanks
Oct 26, 2011 4:53AM PDT

I have made a backup, will de-authorise the laptop, load windows re-authorise the laptop and see what happens. I'm sure that I read that the touch cannot be used as an external drive.

Thanks for the help

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you are correct.
Oct 26, 2011 6:56AM PDT

the iPod touch does not have a Hard Drive mode

P

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Done
Oct 28, 2011 7:13PM PDT

Hi
Thanks to you both for your help, itunes back on and the ipod synced no problem. Thanks

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(NT) Good Job!
Oct 28, 2011 11:48PM PDT