Backing up iTunes library with version 10.4

[wdrbbq]

I want to back up my iTunes library onto dvds but with version 10.4 the option to back up library to disc is gone, supposedly to make way for the Cloud, which will do it for twenty four bucks a year or something like that. Let's assume for just a second that I would prefer to continue to back up my library for merely the cost of a few blanks rather than pay twenty four bucks a year to back up what I've already bought. Does anyone know (Step by step please. I get lost easily) how I may continue to back up my library although the option to do it automatically is gone? Thanks in advance.

[Taxmancometh]

I don't know if this will work, but try songbird and see if you can backup you music. Songbird - Welcome

Or you can uninstall the current verssion of itunes and download a latter release giving you the option back. Old Version of iTunes Download - OldApps.com

[wdrbbq]

I tried dumping version 10.4 and re-installing version 10.3.1 but when I tried it, it failed with an error message that the files were written by a more current version and can't be read.
I don't know anything about Songbird. I guess I'll have to look into that next. Thanks. I'll get back to you when I investigate that further.

[Taxmancometh]

After uninstalling itunes run ccleaner and go to the programs folder and delete the folder to itunes. Minus you music of course. CCleaner - Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

[wdrbbq]

I've got Ccleaner already. Now, where do I find the programs folder? Also, please explain "delete the folder to iTunes". Thanks

[Taxmancometh]

The programs folder is under C:\ drive. Go to my computer and double click C drive. Look for the programs folder and then the itunes folder. Just don't inadvertently delete your music.

[wdrbbq]

Good point. Thanks Taxmancometh. I'll be careful.

[wdrbbq]

I managed to figure out how to backup my iTunes library by going to Computer, then to Music, expanding that to show My Music, expanding that to show iTunes, expanding that to show iTunes Media, expanding that to show Music, finally expanding that to show Artists listed alphabetically. Then you can drag and drop them artist by artist into any external drive listed under Computer.
I backed my library up to dvds which is tricky because one disc won't hold the entire library as an external hard drive would and there is no provision like there was with iTunes 10.3 such that, if more than one disc is required, it will prompt you when to insert another blank. With this way, however, you can't have more Gigs in the burn list than the capacity of the blank disc. I have about 9.7 gigs in my library so, at about 4.38 gigs per disc, I knew I would need three. So, I roughly divided the alphabet into thirds and burned three discs successfully.

[i0pener]

I want to back up my iTunes library onto dvds but with version 10.4 the option to back up library to disc is gone, supposedly to make way for the Cloud, which will do it for twenty four bucks a year or something like that. Let's assume for just a second that I would prefer to continue to back up my library for merely the cost of a few blanks rather than pay twenty four bucks a year to back up what I've already bought. Does anyone know (Step by step please. I get lost easily) how I may continue to back up my library although the option to do it automatically is gone? Thanks in advance.

Backing up your media in iTunes

Introduction

There are several ways to back up your iTunes library, playlists, and iTunes Store purchases (including Applications purchased from the App Store) for safekeeping.


How To

For iTunes 10.4 or later, the following options are available:

Back up the iTunes Library to an external hard drive by following iTunes: Back up your iTunes library by copying to an external hard drive.
In Mac OS X 10.5 or later, Time Machine can back up important files on your hard drive. Learn more about Time Machine in Mac 101: Time Machine.



For iTunes 10.3 and earlier, backing up your iTunes library to CD of DVD is also available. Refer to this article you have iTunes 5 or 6.

Backing up to Disc

The "Back Up to Disc" feature saves your media to a blank disc (CD or DVD). Once backed up, iTunes can use your backup disc (or discs) to automatically restore your iTunes library.

To burn a CD (CD-R or CD-RW), your computer must have a compatible CD burner. To burn a DVD (DVD-R or DVD-RW), your computer must have a compatible DVD burner. Check in iTunes Preferences to see if a drive is compatible. See below for steps.

Note: To reduce the number of discs needed for a backup, iTunes can perform incremental backups (only items added or changed since the last backup).



To create your backup disc

Choose File > Library > Back up to Disc.
Select the option you want from the resulting dialog and click Next.

The two options you can select from are:
Back up entire iTunes library and playlists
Back up only iTunes Store purchases

Whichever of these two options you choose, note that you can also choose "Only back up items added or changed since last backup" to perform an incremental backup. Finally, you'll be able to choose the drive settings (such as which optical drive to use and the speed of the burn process).
Insert a blank disc (CD or DVD) into your computer's optical drive. iTunes will scan the disc and begin burning.

Note: If the disc you insert does not have enough space to hold all of the content you will be backing up, a dialog will appear asking whether you wish to backup to multiple discs.

Items in file will not fit on one disc dialog
You can click Continue to start the burn process. iTunes burns the number of items that fit on one disc and then asks you to insert subsequent discs to continue burning the remaining files.

Notes:
If you have a file in your iTunes Library that is too large to fit on a blank CD, iTunes will prompt you to insert a blank DVD instead.
Don't eject a disc while a backup is in progress.
Spoken programs purchased from the Audible.com website are not backed up.
Discs you create using the iTunes backup feature can be used only to restore; they can't be played in a CD or DVD playe


Restoring from a backup disc

Open iTunes.
Insert your backup disc.
iTunes will ask whether you want to restore from this disc. Click Restore.


Additional Information

Learn how to:

Move your music to a new computer
Transfer purchased music to another authorized computer using an iPod.
back up personal information stored on your iPhone or iPod touch.



The Back Up To Disc feature will back up the following files from your iTunes Library:

Applications
Audiobooks
Games
Movies
Music
Music Videos
Podcasts
Ringtones
TV Shows

Disclaimers

Important: Mention of third-party websites and products is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance or use of information or products found at third-party websites. Apple provides this only as a convenience to our users. Apple has not tested the information found on these sites and makes no representations regarding its accuracy or reliability. There are risks inherent in the use of any information or products found on the Internet, and Apple assumes no responsibility in this regard. Please understand that a third-party site is independent from Apple and that Apple has no control over the content on that website. Please contact the vendor for additional information.

Article source: How to back up your media in iTunes
greetings from a Dutch user of iTunes 10.4 with his Windows7, and his nephew with a MacBook Pro (Leopard) iTunes 10.4 too, same problem.

Henk

[i0pener]

I managed to figure out how to backup my iTunes library by going to Computer, then to Music, expanding that to show My Music, expanding that to show iTunes, expanding that to show iTunes Media, expanding that to show Music, finally expanding that to show Artists listed alphabetically. Then you can drag and drop them artist by artist into any external drive listed under Computer.
I backed my library up to dvds which is tricky because one disc won't hold the entire library as an external hard drive would and there is no provision like there was with iTunes 10.3 such that, if more than one disc is required, it will prompt you when to insert another blank. With this way, however, you can't have more Gigs in the burn list than the capacity of the blank disc. I have about 9.7 gigs in my library so, at about 4.38 gigs per disc, I knew I would need three. So, I roughly divided the alphabet into thirds and burned three discs successfully.

I read on Apple Support, that backing up to an external harddrive is very easy. It also backs up your purchased Apps and iBook and Movies and podcasts etc.

You go to Music on your computer, you go to the iTunes Folder. Copying this folder to your external harddisk. And the next time you have new playlists, or muxic, or Apps etc and you want to back up, you simple drag the iTunes Folder from your PC's harddrive to the iTunes Folder on your external harddrive, Apple says.
Henk

[wdrbbq]

Yeah, eventually I should spring for an external hard drive. Thanks. That's really the way to go I guess.

[Devil Daawg]

I am not comfortable with the external hard drive solution for the following reason. Very recently my Windows 7 laptop crashed and I had everything backed up to my external hard drive. Upon having to wipe my computer then reinstall my iTunes, approximately 1,000 of my songs (1/3) were gone.

I have no faith in electronic backups at this point. Granted I had an earlier iTunes library backed up onto 3 DVDs but they were no use for me today as the songs I lost were newer.

Let's hope Apple can allow DVD backups again in the future.

[Taxmancometh]

I think itunes is such a pile! What I do is just buy my MP3's off Amazon. I find new music from Pandora Radio - Listen to Free Internet Radio, Find New Music

Proprietary music listening is not my cup of tea. I actually like to own the song and not have all that DRM attached to it.

[wdrbbq]

I've dealt with Amazon, mostly for dvds, but I've purchased cds from them also as well as from 2nd Spin. It's usually something iTunes doesn't have, like AC/DC or Bob Seger. They don't do business with iTunes. The problem is the shipping. That quite frequently approaches the price of the cd itself. The answer is to buy in bulk but, as I told my son when we had this same conversation, "I'm 63 years old and I've amassed most of the music that means the most to me steadily over the years. How many more cds do you think I'm going to buy?"
Record and cd stores are out too because the music industry is driven by the spending power of sixth grade girls and if it doesn't appeal to them, they don't have it and have never heard of it, usually because the oldest person working there is about twenty years old. I have cds and vinyl discs older than that. Don't get me started.
So, because of shipping costs and convenience, we fall prey to iTunes. Prices are pretty good and there's no shipping. Lesser of a few evils.

[Taxmancometh]

You can buy MP3's from Amazon.