System Recovery Question

[21GoSpursGo9]

I know nothing about computers but I just did a system recovery and I LOST all of my itunes music. In fact the original itunes software was the version I had once I finished the recovery. Again I know nothing about computers so please help me if you can. How did I manage to lose all my itunes music? Luckily my ipod wasnt connected to the cpu but I want to know what I did wrong. I have an hp recovery computer.

[TDMVPDPOY]

it depends on the recover settings you chose, it can recover to the day yesterday, and everything after that you save will not be available....

[ducks]

I know nothing about computers but I just did a system recovery and I LOST all of my itunes music. In fact the original itunes software was the version I had once I finished the recovery. Again I know nothing about computers so please help me if you can. How did I manage to lose all my itunes music? Luckily my ipod wasnt connected to the cpu but I want to know what I did wrong. I have an hp recovery computer.

why not ask before you did it

if you sync your ipod to your computer you will lose all your music
you need a program can ipod transfer
it will let you transfer your music off your ipod to your computer
DO NOT PLUG IN THE IPOD
GO TO ITUNES UNCHECK SYNC and do it manually
after you put music off ipod to computer then you can check that is you want

[DarkReign]

Dont need a program.

1. Plug iPod into computer but do not allow iTunes to sync it!!
2. View hidden folders (Tools -> Folder Options -> View -> "Show hidden files and folders")
3. Scroll to the iPod in Explorer (Drive letter)
4. There should now be a folder thats semi-transparent (ie hidden) called "iPod Control" (iirc)
5. Copy (not cut) that folder from your iPod onto your computer (your preference where, I go desktop)
6. Wait for it to be done (depends on file size, could take a loooong time)
7. Disconnect iPod (this is precautionary if you fucked up somewhere else, you still have the original)

8. Open iTunes
9. Goto Edit -> Preferences -> (one of the tabs, i think its called Music, whatever...look for the next option under your tabs) -> "Have iTunes keep your music organized" Check that box
10. Goto File -> Import Music Folder (or some such) and locate the copied iPod Control folder where you put it
11. Wait...could be a loooong time
12. Make sure that your default music folder (usually My Docs -> My Music -> iTunes Music) is full of your albums and music!! (if not, you have to Consolidate your music library...this will tell iTunes to copy any and all known sources of music to one default path which is usually My Music -> iTunes Music).

13. Check and make sure you have ALL your music AGAIN. Once youre done, CHECK AGAIN. Its important. If all is well, plug your iPod back in with iTunes open and sync.

There are 3 drawbacks of minor importance.
1. You lose your Play Counts (Ive listened to Madonna "Like a Prayer" 74x!! This is BS!)
2. You lose Album Art (pain in the ass, really)
3. You lose your Ratings (another pain in the ass)

But, you have your music. Voila.

[21GoSpursGo9]

Dont need a program.

1. Plug iPod into computer but do not allow iTunes to sync it!!


Is there a way I can turn the sync off??If I plug in my ipod, it will sync it.

[DarkReign]

Open iTunes first

Wait for it to completely load.

I believe if you hold Shift while you plug the iPod in, it wont sync. Let me check...

I was wrong. Its "Shift+Ctrl" at the same time. I also read that if you hold shift+ctrl when starting iTunes, it will turn off all updating/syncing, but I cant confirm it.

Basically, try both at the same time.

Word to the wise.

Before doing anything and testing these methods out, have Task Manager open (ctrl+alt+delete) with iTunes highlighted in your Applications tab. If it appears that it is syncing the iPod, shutdown iTunes immediately.

But really, it seems you can just hold shift+ctrl while (ie at the same time) plugging in the iPod. Continue to hold those two buttons for up to 30secs.

Link: http://ph.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070904194407AAwD87q

[stretch]

i use iDump to get music off my ipod. works like a charm :toast

[DarkReign]

Is there a way I can turn the sync off??If I plug in my ipod, it will sync it.

I re-read this and realized youre doing something wrong.

Turn off "Start iTunes automatically when iPod is plugged in" or whatever its called (i believe its under Edit -> Preferences).

Point is this...

When you can see the iPod Control folder, that is your music. Its oddly named folders and files dont mean shit.

It is your music.

If you copy "iPod Control" onto your hard drive, you cant fuck this operation up after this. Even if the worst case scenario happened (iTunes synced your iPod with no music library), youre still fine if you didnt delete the copied "iPod Control" folder.