How can I back up my Itunes? - Blu-ray Forum

GOAT · 12-21-2009, 12:32 AM

So I have had a PC crash before and LOST everything in my itunes including movies... help me prevent that from happening please... is there a way I can back everything up to a flash drive?

MaCruz · 12-21-2009, 12:43 AM

Yes google search "back up itunes using flash drive". Tons of links.

I did the same thing in Feb.

GOAT · 12-21-2009, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaCruz

Yes google search "back up itunes using flash drive". Tons of links.

I did the same thing in Feb.

sweet... and can you confirm they actually work?

sfmarine · 12-21-2009, 01:11 AM

Flash drive is probably the cheapest and easiest way. Just move all your MP3's over onto one. Depending on how many MP3's you need. An 8 gig one should be enough or just load them onto an external hard drive.

GOAT · 12-21-2009, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfmarine

Flash drive is probably the cheapest and easiest way. Just move all your MP3's over onto one. Depending on how many MP3's you need. An 8 gig one should be enough or just load them onto an external hard drive.

what about my movies (EG Digital Copies)
I have 36.15 GB of Music and 10 GB of movies right now

phantompwr · 12-21-2009, 01:28 AM

I keep all essential files on separate hard drives from the one the operating system is on. Then if to OS fails, all my stuff will be waiting for me when I reformat and start over. If you don't know how to add an internal hard drive, or you use a laptop, just get a good external hard drive and you'll be all set.
Btw, I couldn't believe someone would have only 8 GB in their iTunes folder. I have about 70 GB and I don't think that includes the non-music stuff, which is a lot.

sfmarine · 12-21-2009, 01:28 AM

Hmm..ya I'd definitely get an external hd. You can get a 320gb hd for around $70 or less. I'm sure there is some type of "itunes" backup program from Apple but I'd suggest just getting another hard drive and storing your files on there.

GOAT · 12-21-2009, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phantompwr

I keep all essential files on separate hard drives from the one the operating system is on. Then if to OS fails, all my stuff will be waiting for me when I reformat and start over. If you don't know how to add an internal hard drive, or you use a laptop, just get a good external hard drive and you'll be all set.
Btw, I couldn't believe someone would have only 8 GB in their iTunes folder. I have about 70 GB and I don't think that includes the non-music stuff, which is a lot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfmarine

Hmm..ya I'd definitely get an external hd. You can get a 320gb hd for around $70 or less. I'm sure there is some type of "itunes" backup program from Apple but I'd suggest just getting another hard drive and storing your files on there.

Thanks! Is this easy to do? Setting up the external HD? This is for sure something I am interested in especially for that price (where should I be looking, newegg, BB, ebay, AMZ, etc.)

sfmarine · 12-21-2009, 01:45 AM

I'd suggest just going to BB and taking a look. They come in all kinds of different colors so pick one that you like

:...connect the USB cable to your computer(it should automatically detect the new drive) and start transferring the files! It's that easy.

GOAT · 12-21-2009, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfmarine

I'd suggest just going to BB and taking a look. They come in all kinds of different colors so pick one that you like

:...connect the USB cable to your computer(it should automatically detect the new drive) and start transferring the files! It's that easy.

SWEET even I can do that, lol! Is that the same price everyone else recommends?

GOAT · 12-21-2009, 03:44 AM

http://www.amazon.com/Iomega-Prestig...9&sr=8-2-spell

good find?

GOAT · 12-21-2009, 04:05 AM

also found these at Wal Mart (I already have 50 bucks in GCs there so it wouldn't be coming right out of pocket)

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=12347237

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=13045891

alright and this item
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=10779046

instead of having a DVR installed for my Time Warner Digital Cable can I use this??

RockChalk · 12-21-2009, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phantompwr

I keep all essential files on separate hard drives from the one the operating system is on. Then if to OS fails, all my stuff will be waiting for me when I reformat and start over. If you don't know how to add an internal hard drive, or you use a laptop, just get a good external hard drive and you'll be all set.
Btw, I couldn't believe someone would have only 8 GB in their iTunes folder. I have about 70 GB and I don't think that includes the non-music stuff, which is a lot.

Yea I hear ya I have around 150GB of music, soundtracks and comedy...

Needless to say I dont like lsitening to the same thing a lot

sfmarine · 12-21-2009, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOAT

also found these at Wal Mart (I already have 50 bucks in GCs there so it wouldn't be coming right out of pocket)

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=12347237

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=13045891

alright and this item
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=10779046

instead of having a DVR installed for my Time Warner Digital Cable can I use this??

Your first link is a nice one. I have that model but in 500gb. The HP one is even nicer.

The last one for your DVR is an expander. Many people fill up their hard drives on their DVR and get one of those to store the existing movies on. You still need a physical DVR from your cable provider to be able to record. That unit does not have DVR capabilities it only recognizes the hard drive from the DVR etc. hence, DVR expander.

master_8ball · 12-21-2009, 03:21 PM

I would spend an extra 20 bucks and find a terabyte HD.
Also there is a shareware program called Sharepod which you download and drag and drop to your ipod, this lets you back up your ipod onto any pc or HD, I also use this program to plug my ipod in at work and listen to music without having to have itunes on my work pc.

atomik kinder · 12-21-2009, 03:26 PM

I have just used whatever comes with itunes. It allows you to make backups of you files. When I got a new hard drive for my laptop, I did this, but for whatever reason, the DVDs I burned the info on did not completely restore everything. I don't know if it is my itunes or if it is my DVD burner. I have tried to make CDs of music on my itunes and they are always unplayable. I can do it with only one song, which really doesn't help. When you open itunes and stick the CD in, it asks you if you want to restore. It seems pretty simple. You should be able to just copy the files to another hard drive too. Itunes will let you use your files on 7 different computers. If you are only using the hard drive for storage and not using it to play the files, you should be fine. I am pretty sure though that if you format your hard drive or your hard drive crashes, and you need to replace it, it will think the new hard drive or the formatted hard drive is a new computer. If you are going to replace the hard drive, you should deauthorize that computer so you don't find yourself in a bind in the future, especially if you reformat it and then it will be impossible to deauthorize it.

I don't think you really need to buy any software to do this.

Siri · 12-21-2009, 03:53 PM

I just took my iTunes folder and copied it to my external hard drive, don't really need a special program or anything for it. 14 GB of Music, 18 GB of Movies (Digital Copies), 5 GB of TV Shows, and about 4-5 GB of Apps for my iPhone all safe on my external HD.

I had the same thing happen to me though, my computer went crazy and I lost everything, very very annoying when that happens!

also if you reformat your computers you can deauthorize each computer within your iTunes account

Sagacious Koreo · 12-21-2009, 04:25 PM

I use a program called iPod Robot. With it I'm able to rip every single thing off of my iPod and put them in seperate folders (i.e. Music, Movies, Podcasts, Audiobooks, etc.). Then from there I can just put them directly to a hard drive.

Hammie · 12-21-2009, 04:36 PM

You will always need to have the external hard drive connected to the computer, but I run a 500GB external hard drive for all my multimedia files, my laptop backup and my wife's laptop backup. I also have another "server" where all those files are "mirrored" using one of Karen's Power Tools, 'Replicator.'

I always have believed in multiple copies because you never know when a hard drive may go bad.

Brandon · 12-21-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louhamilton

You will always need to have the external hard drive connected to the computer, but I run a 500GB external hard drive for all my multimedia files, my laptop backup and my wife's laptop backup. I also have another "server" where all those files are "mirrored" using one of Karen's Power Tools, 'Replicator.'

I always have believed in multiple copies because you never know when a hard drive may go bad.

I do the same thing...I keep my newest music in the itunes on my computer, everything else is on my external 500GB HD. It's almost full now though, will get a 1TB hard drive next time.

12-21-2009, 12:32 AM	#1
GOAT Banned Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Maine Blu-ray collection:112 Blu-ray reviews:10 Trading Score:53	How can I back up my Itunes? So I have had a PC crash before and LOST everything in my itunes including movies... help me prevent that from happening please... is there a way I can back everything up to a flash drive?

12-21-2009, 01:45 AM	#9
sfmarine Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Apr 2008 Location:The Swan Station aDdIcTeD 2 LOST PSN:U5MC51473 Home Theater Gallery:18 4K collection:930 Blu-ray collection:2311 DVD collection:276 MA collection:461 Digital collection:492 iTunes collection:534 Blu-ray reviews: 7 Trading Score:43	I'd suggest just going to BB and taking a look. They come in all kinds of different colors so pick one that you like:...connect the USB cable to your computer(it should automatically detect the new drive) and start transferring the files! It's that easy.

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12-21-2009, 12:43 AM	#2
MaCruz Community Gaming Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Mar 2009 Location:Jacksonville, FL Home Theater Gallery:160 4K collection:104 Blu-ray collection:958 DVD collection:18 MA collection:394 Digital collection:570 iTunes collection:527 Prime collection:192 Blu-ray reviews: 23 Trading Score:139	Yes google search "back up itunes using flash drive". Tons of links. I did the same thing in Feb.

12-21-2009, 01:11 AM	#4
sfmarine Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Apr 2008 Location:The Swan Station aDdIcTeD 2 LOST PSN:U5MC51473 Home Theater Gallery:18 4K collection:930 Blu-ray collection:2311 DVD collection:276 MA collection:461 Digital collection:492 iTunes collection:534 Blu-ray reviews: 7 Trading Score:43	Flash drive is probably the cheapest and easiest way. Just move all your MP3's over onto one. Depending on how many MP3's you need. An 8 gig one should be enough or just load them onto an external hard drive.

12-21-2009, 01:28 AM	#6
phantompwr Active Member Member since:Apr 2008 Location:Cape Cod, MA Home Theater Gallery:16 Blu-ray collection:63	I keep all essential files on separate hard drives from the one the operating system is on. Then if to OS fails, all my stuff will be waiting for me when I reformat and start over. If you don't know how to add an internal hard drive, or you use a laptop, just get a good external hard drive and you'll be all set. Btw, I couldn't believe someone would have only 8 GB in their iTunes folder. I have about 70 GB and I don't think that includes the non-music stuff, which is a lot.

12-21-2009, 03:44 AM	#11
GOAT Banned Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Maine Blu-ray collection:112 Blu-ray reviews:10 Trading Score:53	http://www.amazon.com/Iomega-Prestig...9&sr=8-2-spell good find?

12-21-2009, 04:05 AM	#12
GOAT Banned Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Maine Blu-ray collection:112 Blu-ray reviews:10 Trading Score:53	also found these at Wal Mart (I already have 50 bucks in GCs there so it wouldn't be coming right out of pocket) http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=12347237 http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=13045891 alright and this item http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=10779046 instead of having a DVR installed for my Time Warner Digital Cable can I use this??

12-21-2009, 03:21 PM	#15
master_8ball Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:675 Blu-ray reviews: 7 Trading Score:2	I would spend an extra 20 bucks and find a terabyte HD. Also there is a shareware program called Sharepod which you download and drag and drop to your ipod, this lets you back up your ipod onto any pc or HD, I also use this program to plug my ipod in at work and listen to music without having to have itunes on my work pc.

12-21-2009, 03:26 PM	#16
atomik kinder Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Omaha NE 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:-	I have just used whatever comes with itunes. It allows you to make backups of you files. When I got a new hard drive for my laptop, I did this, but for whatever reason, the DVDs I burned the info on did not completely restore everything. I don't know if it is my itunes or if it is my DVD burner. I have tried to make CDs of music on my itunes and they are always unplayable. I can do it with only one song, which really doesn't help. When you open itunes and stick the CD in, it asks you if you want to restore. It seems pretty simple. You should be able to just copy the files to another hard drive too. Itunes will let you use your files on 7 different computers. If you are only using the hard drive for storage and not using it to play the files, you should be fine. I am pretty sure though that if you format your hard drive or your hard drive crashes, and you need to replace it, it will think the new hard drive or the formatted hard drive is a new computer. If you are going to replace the hard drive, you should deauthorize that computer so you don't find yourself in a bind in the future, especially if you reformat it and then it will be impossible to deauthorize it. I don't think you really need to buy any software to do this.

12-21-2009, 03:53 PM	#17
Siri Blu-ray Guru Member since:Aug 2007 Location:New Jersey Home Theater Gallery:34 Blu-ray collection:357 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:5	I just took my iTunes folder and copied it to my external hard drive, don't really need a special program or anything for it. 14 GB of Music, 18 GB of Movies (Digital Copies), 5 GB of TV Shows, and about 4-5 GB of Apps for my iPhone all safe on my external HD. I had the same thing happen to me though, my computer went crazy and I lost everything, very very annoying when that happens! also if you reformat your computers you can deauthorize each computer within your iTunes account

12-21-2009, 04:25 PM	#18
Sagacious Koreo Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:May 2009 Blu-ray collection:685 Trading Score:3	I use a program called iPod Robot. With it I'm able to rip every single thing off of my iPod and put them in seperate folders (i.e. Music, Movies, Podcasts, Audiobooks, etc.). Then from there I can just put them directly to a hard drive.

12-21-2009, 04:36 PM	#19
Hammie Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Washington, DC Metro Home Theater Gallery:53 Blu-ray collection:545 DVD collection:12 Trading Score:12	You will always need to have the external hard drive connected to the computer, but I run a 500GB external hard drive for all my multimedia files, my laptop backup and my wife's laptop backup. I also have another "server" where all those files are "mirrored" using one of Karen's Power Tools, 'Replicator.' I always have believed in multiple copies because you never know when a hard drive may go bad.

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