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Do I need to 'de-autorize' computer after backing up iTunes?

M

MacAndy74

macrumors 65816
Original poster
I'm preparing to install Snow Leopard tonight and I know I can just copy my whole iTunes folder to an external hard disk and that's my backup done - but should I de-authorize my computer after copying off my iTunes folder.. Or before?! Help. 😱
 
Your MAC address hasn't changed so it won't count against you. Still it's always a good idea to deauthorize first.
 
Eidorian said:
Your MAC address hasn't changed so it won't count against you. Still it's always a good idea to deauthorize first.
Click to expand...

Ok. Thanks!

So - deauthorize before clean installing Snow Leopard but deauthorize after backup.... Yes, I'm aware I'm a bit thick at the moment. lol
 
MacAndy74 said:
Ok. Thanks!

So - deauthorize before clean installing Snow Leopard but deauthorize after backup.... Yes, I'm aware I'm a bit thick at the moment. lol
Click to expand...
The authorizations are based off of your hardware MAC address. Even if you don't deauthorize when you reauthorize on the other side it won't count against you.
 
MacAndy74 said:
I'm preparing to install Snow Leopard tonight and I know I can just copy my whole iTunes folder to an external hard disk and that's my backup done - but should I de-authorize my computer after copying off my iTunes folder.. Or before?! Help. 😱
Click to expand...
Are you moving to a new computer?
Eidorian said:
Your MAC address hasn't changed so it won't count against you. Still it's always a good idea to deauthorize first.
Click to expand...
Why?
 
cuestakid said:
Why?
Click to expand...
Every computer with a network adapter of any kind has a unique hardware MAC address identifier. (Even Bluetooth and it will probably fail over to Ethernet or 802.1x if the other type of adapter isn't there.) When you authorize it must make some sort of hash using the MAC address and check them against what they have on their end. Since it hasn't changed they don't increment the number of machines you have authorized.

Please someone stop me if I'm crazy. 🙄
 
Ok thanks for everyone's help!

I'm not going to a new Laptop - same one. So I won't de-authorize. Thanks again. 😀
 
Im goona do a clean install of snow leopard and i already have my itunes library baked up. I guess ill deauthorize my account. SO once i install snow leopard how do i put my music back into itunes?

edit: I also have an iphone do i just back up the apps folder? or can i resync my aps from my phone to my computer?
 
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