ITunes 12.3.3.17 not recognising iPad

[lizzieh]

I'm trying to sync my files but iTunes no longer recognises my iPad. Is anyone able to help? It shows only as a new iPad. Using Win 7.

 

[lizzieh]

I seem to have lost my iTunes library onthe laptop.

 

[J. A.58]

I hope this will help:
If iTunes doesn't recognize your iPhone, iPad, or iPod - Apple Support

 

[lizzieh]

The error I am now getting is This iPad is synced with another iTunes library on Liz,s laptop.

 

[J. A.58]

If possible, backup your iPad. It might be necessary to restore your device then. With the backup you created before restoring, your music, data, ... should be there again afterwards.

 

[lizzieh]

I did all of that. When connecting to iTunes it still said the same. So I closed iTunes, and reopened it while holding the shift key, and used the option to choose a previous library - and there were all my apps, music etc.

I just don't want the problem again next time I want to sync music etc. In future I think I will use iTunes just to back up, and find another way to transfer files.