iPhone and New Reinstall of Windows and Syncing
Discussion
I have just reinstalled Windows (XP Pro) and am trying to get my iPhone to sync with iTunes (obviously I don't want to sync the new install's data as it will wipe the iPhone clean).
Now, I have a full backup of my old system - what files are required to make iTunes think it isn't new??
Cheers
The Moose
Now, I have a full backup of my old system - what files are required to make iTunes think it isn't new??
Cheers
The Moose
OK, I appreciate this is for a Mac because that is what I use. But Windows must be similar in the way it backs up the iPhone data...
/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup
Then copy the files into the same directory on the new PC, making sure iTunes is not running - you'll end up having to restore your iPhone's info from this backup - and then right click on your iPhone in the device list and click "Restore Backup" or the equivalent option, I can't remember the exact wording.
/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup
Then copy the files into the same directory on the new PC, making sure iTunes is not running - you'll end up having to restore your iPhone's info from this backup - and then right click on your iPhone in the device list and click "Restore Backup" or the equivalent option, I can't remember the exact wording.
AB said:
OK, I appreciate this is for a Mac because that is what I use. But Windows must be similar in the way it backs up the iPhone data...
/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup
Then copy the files into the same directory on the new PC, making sure iTunes is not running - you'll end up having to restore your iPhone's info from this backup - and then right click on your iPhone in the device list and click "Restore Backup" or the equivalent option, I can't remember the exact wording.
Will that f/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup
Then copy the files into the same directory on the new PC, making sure iTunes is not running - you'll end up having to restore your iPhone's info from this backup - and then right click on your iPhone in the device list and click "Restore Backup" or the equivalent option, I can't remember the exact wording.
k up what I have on the iPhone since the last backup/restore?Cheers
The Moose
I did this last week with two iPod Touches. Although I found out with trial an error, I'd recommend:
1. If the drive you have you 'old' iTunes library on is still bootable, use that to log into iTunes, sync your iPhone so you have an exact copy on your local disk and then use the 'Consolidate' option. This ensures all your music/vid etc is in a single location (something like my 'my documents\my music\iTunes').
2. On your new windows installation with iTunes, use the import folder option and select your previous consolidated folder. With any luck, iTunes will copy all of your data into the new library. You can then sync your iPhone with the new library. It will wipe you music off your phone and take ages, but the new library should be an exact copy as you previously sync'd.
Should work, but some other things I did and to maybe consider:
There are various programs around which will allow you to pull the music/vids/photos etc directly from your iPhone into a local folder. The file names will probably not be understandable, but if you pull all the files off at the same time and use the iTunes 'import from file' you should be able to get the vast majority of it back. (you may want to use this as a back-up option).
It is worth noting, however, the age and operating system of you iPhone may effect things. The 'ripping' from my year old iPod Touch onto a local drive and then into iTunes worked fine, although the file structures and support file configuration seems to have changed more recently. Another, month old iPod touch saved the songs (mp3s / aac's) with a unique id as the filename which then tied it to a supporting jpg (album picture) and xml (song information). iTunes didn't decode this when importing from folder.
If you have any questions, give me a shout, although I'm far from an apple expert (or even fan come to that) so anyone feel free to correct me!
1. If the drive you have you 'old' iTunes library on is still bootable, use that to log into iTunes, sync your iPhone so you have an exact copy on your local disk and then use the 'Consolidate' option. This ensures all your music/vid etc is in a single location (something like my 'my documents\my music\iTunes').
2. On your new windows installation with iTunes, use the import folder option and select your previous consolidated folder. With any luck, iTunes will copy all of your data into the new library. You can then sync your iPhone with the new library. It will wipe you music off your phone and take ages, but the new library should be an exact copy as you previously sync'd.
Should work, but some other things I did and to maybe consider:
There are various programs around which will allow you to pull the music/vids/photos etc directly from your iPhone into a local folder. The file names will probably not be understandable, but if you pull all the files off at the same time and use the iTunes 'import from file' you should be able to get the vast majority of it back. (you may want to use this as a back-up option).
It is worth noting, however, the age and operating system of you iPhone may effect things. The 'ripping' from my year old iPod Touch onto a local drive and then into iTunes worked fine, although the file structures and support file configuration seems to have changed more recently. Another, month old iPod touch saved the songs (mp3s / aac's) with a unique id as the filename which then tied it to a supporting jpg (album picture) and xml (song information). iTunes didn't decode this when importing from folder.
If you have any questions, give me a shout, although I'm far from an apple expert (or even fan come to that) so anyone feel free to correct me!
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