Windows XP help? (Latest: transferring previous iTunes purchases to new computer)

[Roscoe Chill]

I tried to hang on to my older computer a little too long I guess. My Windows XP OS does not boot, no error message, just a black screen with no cursor after the Dell logo comes up and loads. I can't start in safe mode, can't do anything.

 

My experience with Dell was awful, can't get anyone that speaks clear English, hate to be cliche, but that's the truth.

 

I couldn't really care less about this computer, I am getting a new one. But I do want to recover Itunes and a few other documents. After doing some research, I'm at least a little optimistic that I can do this with a Windows XP CD. But of course they didn't include a disk with my computer. I get a lot of sites that tell you how to download this disk from Microsoft, but how do I do that when I can't boot up the damn thing.

 

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[sgtcluels]

Is this a laptop or a PC? If you are getting another PC you can simply take the hard disk out and put it in the new box and then snag the files. (ASsuming the disk isn't the problem)

[DKM4Boston]

When you get your new computer, take the old hard drive out of your old computer, pop open your new computer and plug it in as a slave drive. Then when you boot it will show 2 hard drives. Copy the files you want from your old drive to your new drive.

 

Or buy one of these things...my favorite invention EVER.

 

Just plug in the hard drive to the specific adapter, wait 30 seconds for the hard drive to boot up, and then plug in the USB to your computer. Once your computer finds it, copy your files from your old hard drive, or just leave it plugged in as an external drive.

[pitchleague]

Thanks, DKM4Boston, for the link to that wonderful product. I've been wondering for a while now if there was such a thing.

[Roscoe Chill]

Thanks for the responses. A virus apparently wiped out my hard drive, everything gone, and unrecoverable.

 

I didn't have much on there that I am too worried about, and I had a few docs that I backed up to a CD a couple years ago.

 

My main concern is Itunes. Please tell me that I can download Itunes on my new computer (when I get it) and just synch what's on my Ipod to the new computer's Itunes. I have a feeling I can't and I will be ripping 500 CDs...again.

[GoudaBrew]

Thanks for the responses. A virus apparently wiped out my hard drive, everything gone, and unrecoverable.

 

I didn't have much on there that I am too worried about, and I had a few docs that I backed up to a CD a couple years ago.

 

My main concern is Itunes. Please tell me that I can download Itunes on my new computer (when I get it) and just synch what's on my Ipod to the new computer's Itunes. I have a feeling I can't and I will be ripping 500 CDs...again.

iTunes won't allow you to just synch the music from your iPod onto your computer, but there are several programs that will rip your music from your iPod to your iTunes and many of them are free. The one I use is called CopyTrans.

[zurch1818]

That sounds eerily similar to what killed my old Windows XP computer. My problem was not a virus though; instead, the motherboard went bad. The dead motherboard also took down my main hard drive and my internal backup. So I did lose everything. Are you sure it is a virus? I would definitely try to put your hard drive in another computer or trying out one of those things DKM4Boston mentioned. They are a truly amazing invention.

 

I'm not sure about the itunes (and I have no intentions on finding out...I'm a PC). For me, I was happy that the Zune software allowed me to transfer my library over to my new computer.

[1992casey]

Transferring purchases from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to a computer

 

If you can get your current hard drive to boot, make sure that you de-authorize your computer for iTunes. You're limited to seven devices. If you can't, you can't. (Apple will de-authorize all of your devices, but you're limited to making that request once a year.)

 

Also, when you get your next computer:

• Invest in a backup hard drive and make sure it's connected as much as possible. If something goes wrong, you'll have a current backup to restore from.
• Make Windows disks right away. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[LouisEly]

Thanks for the responses. A virus apparently wiped out my hard drive, everything gone, and unrecoverable.

Just curious, what anti-virus software were you using (so we know what NOT to do)?

 

I have had my motherboard crash before and was still able to recover my files via hooking up my hard drive as a slave to another computer. Can't save any software, but recovered all my documents, music, and video files. Think part of the hard drive might have been damaged too but was still able to recover the files. Learned that external hard drives are well worth the less than $100 they cost.

[Roscoe Chill]

I was running Avast. An IT guy at work looked at it, and actually told me what happened before I told him. Some Microsoft message claiming that I had something go very wrong and needed to download something to fix it and would not go away then just crashed never to turn on past a black screen again.

 

Going through all the stuff, it wasn't even recognizing the hard drive, tried to repair the issue with a disk, no change after the whole thing. The computer is actually working now, but it is bare bones, nothing installed, and I am just going to get a new one, but I'll try to get the info off the hard drive.

 

Thanks again.

[Roscoe Chill]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a Windows 7 laptop, docking station, and external hard drives? I don't want the cheapest, but doesn't have to be the top of the line for what I do either. I would love to take a trip to Best Buy and get everything I need.

Thanks in advance.

[RightFieldCoder]

I suggest looking at DealNews.com, TigerDirect.com, and NewEgg.com for a docking station or external hard drive. I was able to buy a TB external drive for $79 using DealNews.

[1992casey]

Whenever I do a search to see which external hard drives are best, all the consumer reviews tend to provide are complaints. I don't think that means that these drives are bad. Rather, I think people only bother to post when they have a problem.

 

Given that external drives aren't expensive, I'd simply go for one whose feature set suits your needs and provides the best bang for your buck. And given the prices, if you find one down the road that you like better, it's cool to own two or more. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

Self-powered drives are the handiest. They're all 5400 RPM and 2.5 inches, but that's fine for backups. Firewire transfers files faster; but it adds to the price. I've noticed that Firewire 400 beats USB 2 hands down for speed, though, and Firewire 800 wallops USB 2. All drives with Firewire also have USB, so compatibility isn't an issue if you want to use it on a machine that isn't equipped with Firewire.

 

Drives that aren't self-powered might be 3.5 inch units, they may offer 7200 RPM, and you get more storage per dollar. I wouldn't go this route for my first backup drive unless it's rarely going to be moved from its "main" computer. I do have one, though, and it's very handy when I need it.

 

My MacBook Pro has all the docking stuff I need built in. I can run it with the lid closed or open. If I open the lid, I can choose whether I want the notebook monitor running or not. When I have it hooked up to an external monitor, I usually leave the notebook monitor turned off unless I need the extra screen real estate. I normally lift the lid, though, as the speakers sound better. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

I would think (but can't confirm) that you could get similar docking functionality built into a Windows-based notebook.

 

EDIT: You can add amazon.com to the list that Robin 19 provides.

[DSFastball55]

"it wasn't even recognizing the hard drive"

 

This means a hardware issue, probably a failing hard drive, not a virus issue. the hard drive would still be recognized regardless of any virus issues.

 

 

Also - I bought this laptop a few months ago and am extremely happy with it. It is recertified, but appeared brand new when I received it. Very powerful laptop for the price, lots of cool features like dual graphics and the best battery life I've ever had in a laptop.

[Roscoe Chill]

Well, I bought a Toshiba Satellite A660. So far so good with the computer, Windows 7 is very nice.

 

However I just started the whole Itunes adventure...

 

FIB4BREW, I downloaded CopyTrans. I have a couple questions. First off, do I use the first option (CopyTrans) or ICloner to get my Ipod on to my computer?

 

I have tried CopyTrans (the first option) and it copies 54 songs, and on song 55 The Allman Brothers "One Way Out" it hangs up and freezes. I've done it twice with the same result. Any thoughts?

 

I'm not optimistic, and wait for you (or anyone else) to reply.

[1992casey]

Did you try Apple's recommendation?

[Roscoe Chill]

Thanks for that casey, but I'm not talking just about purchases. I'm talking about 400 CDs that I don't really want to copy all over again.

[NeedMoreFans]

To transfer songs...

 

Attach your IPod and open ITunes. Enable your IPod for disk use.

Go to my computer and open your IPod. Make sure you change the folder settings to show hidden folders.

Open the folder that says "Ipod_Control"

Go to the "Music" folder

Select everything, transfer it to your computer.

 

There should also be a "Transfer Purchases" option in ITunes.

[Roscoe Chill]

There is no "My Computer" in Windows 7. This whole thing is stupid.

[1992casey]

"Computer" should be available in the Start menu.

 

If you'd like to display "Computer" on your desktop, folllow the steps provided by the How-To Geek. The "Easy Method" gets "Computer" to display in one step. The "Nearly as Easy Method" demonstrates how to put a number of icons onto your desktop.

[Roscoe Chill]

I'm really not a computer moron...really. However I am new to Windows 7. All the advice I've received, which is appreciated, has not been for Windows 7 I'm afraid. I've been told by many different people not on this thread how to do it as well, and nothing is how it seems once I start trying.

Does anyone have step by step directions for Windows 7? If not, I guess I will start the old fashioned way. It may take a while, but to be honest, I could be a good deal in to it by now, and at least I know it's right.

Again, I hate to sound ungrateful, or like a brat, but there is no My Computer...there is no folder options that I can find. I don't think I'm getting Windows 7 instructions.

Also, all my purchases are transferred, but that's about 10% of my library. And I was not able to deauthorize my old Itunes. Something tells me if I was able to do that, all I would need to do is synch normally.

Thanks in advance again.

[xisxisxis]

1) go to the windows icon (lower left corner) and click once.

2) under the menu that pops up select "computer" on the right side to bring up the explorer window.

3) On the far left under the header is "organize" with a down arrow.

4) Click on that and a menu appears. Select "Folder and search options"

5) There should be 3 tabs in the next window: "General", "View", and "Search". Click on "View"

6) mid-way under "Advanced Settings" is a heading "Hidden Files and Folders". Select the radio button next to "show hidden files, folders, and drives". Hit ok or apply, followed by ok. Close Computer.

7) open itunes and attach iPod. Enable iPod for disk use (don't know).

8) go back to the windows icon (lower left) and click once.

9) select "computer" on right again.

10) you should be able to see your iPod and on it will now be a folder called "Ipod_Control". Follow NeedMore Fans instructions....

[Roscoe Chill]

Thanks xis.