iPod iPod nano switch into new computer for iTunes

[SactoGuy18]

While I've been reading about using an iPod with two computers, I have this new issue: I am planning to retire my old computer running Windows XP Professional (SP3) with iTunes 7.6.2 and replacing it with an HP Pavilion 6333W computer running Windows Vista Home Premium Edition (SP1) with iTunes installed.

Question: what will happen to my iPod when I plug into my new computer? Will I lose all the songs and podcasts when syncing to iTunes on my new computer? I have quite a lot of podcasts and music loaded on my 3G iPod nano now and I don't want to lose them when I sync my iPod to my new computer.

Help.

 

[EricNau]

Yes, the iPod will sync with your new computer; if iTunes on your new computer is empty, this will essentially erase everything on your iPod.

You have two options. First, you could transfer your songs/podcasts/media directly from your old computer to your new computer (see iTunes for Windows: Moving your iTunes Music folder) or you can transfer your media directly from your iPod to your new computer (see Recovering Songs from an iPod). I recommend the former.

EDIT: This might might be a better link than the first I provided. How to use your iPod to move your music to a new computer

EDITx2: Or there's always this method as well: How to back up your media in iTunes

 

[SactoGuy18]

You have two options. First, you could transfer your songs/podcasts/media directly from your old computer to your new computer (see iTunes for Windows: Moving your iTunes Music folder) or you can transfer your media directly from your iPod to your new computer (see Recovering Songs from an iPod). I recommend the former.

Thanks for the information.

Is it possible to do this, since I recently bought a 750 GB external hard drive:

1) Copy all the iTunes data to the external hard drive.

2) On the new copy of iTunes on my new computer, copy the data on the external hard drive to the new computer.

There's got to be a better way than this.

 

[EricNau]

Thanks for the information.

Is it possible to do this, since I recently bought a 750 GB external hard drive:

1) Copy all the iTunes data to the external hard drive.

2) On the new copy of iTunes on my new computer, copy the data on the external hard drive to the new computer.

There's got to be a better way than this.

Yes, just copy the iTunes music folder on the old computer to the external HDD, and then transfer the iTunes music folder on the external HDD to your new computer. ...It's basically the same method as the "How to use your iPod to move your music to a new computer" link I provided above, without all of the extra iPod hassle.