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I-tunes and a new PC
nessyfencer
24-02-2010
I've barely used itunes and ipods, so not sure how this works. I realise that you cannot take your music library that you have purchased and share it with Bob. What happens when you get a new PC though? Can you transfer your own music collection to that? Can you actually use your collection on two different devices (desktop and laptop, for example)?
PrinceGaz
25-02-2010
Content you purchase from the iTunes store can be authorised for up to five computers. That means five computers can be authorised for use with your iTunes purchases (which can be up to five of your own computers and possibly devices they are transferred to such as an iPod, or five including some other people's computers though that would be a bit naughty). I'm not sure if an iPod you transfer content to counts as an additional machine, but it probably does (can somebody help me with this as I do not know if each iPod that iTunes syncs with counts as an additional authorisation).

If you buy a new computer (or make a major upgrade with an existing one), you should first de-authorise that computer before from within iTunes to remove it from the count of machines your purchases are valid for. After the upgrade, log in and authorise it again and you will be fine.

I didn't do that when I replaced the hard-drive in my main box meaning it is using two authorisations, but that isn't a problem. If you reach the limit of five authorisations and need to install another because you have multiple old installations no longer usable, iTunes will offer a special option to de-authorise all machines (but will only allow you to do this once per year). That way you can remove all old machines or upgraded boxes you forgot to de-authorise from your limit of five in total, then re-authorise those you are using. That option will not be offered again for a year even if you hit the five limit in order to prevent it being abused to allow playback on many more than five computers.
psionic
25-02-2010
I've had several different iPods and iPhones connected to my computer over the years - I'm pretty sure they don't count towards your 5 machine authorisations.

You can also reset the authorisation count from your iTunes store account so that old computers that are no longer in use are not counted.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1420
PrinceGaz
25-02-2010
Originally Posted by psionic:
“I've had several different iPods and iPhones connected to my computer over the years - I'm pretty sure they don't count towards your 5 machine authorisations.

You can also reset the authorisation count from your iTunes store account so that old computers that are no longer in use are not counted.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1420”

Which says

Quote:
“To deauthorize a computer
Open iTunes.
Choose Store > Deauthorize Computer (In earlier versions of iTunes, access this option from the Advanced menu).
Select "Deauthorize Computer for Apple Account" and enter your Apple ID and password.

Make sure you deauthorize your computer before you upgrade your RAM, hard disk or other system components, or reinstall Windows. If you do not deauthorize your computer before you upgrade these components, one computer may use multiple authorizations.
To deauthorize all computers associated with your account

If you find you have reached 5 authorizations, you can reset your authorization count by clicking Deauthorize All in the Account Information screen.
Click iTunes Store in the menu on the left side of iTunes.
If you're not signed in to the store, click the Account button, then enter your account name and password.
Click the Account button again (your ID appears on the button), enter your password, and then click View Account.
In the Account Information window, click Deauthorize All.

Note: You may only use this feature once per year. The Deauthorize All button will not appear if you have fewer than 5 authorized computers, or if you have used this option within the last 12 months. If you need assistance on using this feature, please contact the iTunes Store support via email (http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/ww/).”

You can not de-authorise a computer no longer in use other than through that once per year de-authorise all method.

However I am certain you are right regarding iPods in that they don't count against authorised machines, otherwise my current PC, previous build of this PC, plus my iPod touch would have been three devices instead of the two which it is.
nessyfencer
25-02-2010
Thanks everyone
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