Backing Up Music Files

I recently transfered my 80gb music collection from one external drive to another. I would now like to use the original drive as a backup to the new drive. Is there a way to sync the two, without having to start from scratch on the original disk? In other words, the original disk still has the 80gb of music, can I start syncing the two using the files that are already on the original disk, or will any syncing software want to erase the original disk and re-copy my music?

Good idea to be proactive with a backup strategy.
See: Buegie, "Backing up iTunes" #1, 10:46pm Oct 13, 2005 CDT

Similar Messages

  • How do I back up MUSIC FILES ONLY?

    Hi, is there any way that I can automatically back up ONLY my iTunes music files to CD? (I don't want to copy large movie files to my CDs).
    If there is no automated way to do this, what is the simplest way for me to do this manually? (FYI, I have consolidated the music files in my itunes library). Thanks.
    dell inspiron 600m   Windows XP  
    dell inspiron 600m   Windows XP  

    Forum member Buegie has compiled a very extensive procedure for backing up your music which you'll find at this link: Backing up iTunes

  • File history is not backing up music files not on C: drive

    When I open the music library in file explorer, My music files which are on a removable drive (not the back up drive) are listed.  However, These files are not being backed up. 

    Hi,
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    Roger Lu
    TechNet Community Support

  • Reinstall iTunes and use backed-up music files?

    Hi -
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    But, I do backup regularly on a separate hard drive. So, can I uninstall iTunes, reinstall iTunes, and then use the back up files to get everything working again? I'm not sure how to go about getting the backed-up files to work with iTunes...what's the best thing to do?
    Thanks!
    iTunes 8
    Vista Home Premium SP1
    HP Pavilion notebook
    ------------------------

    No, your files will be safe.
    Since you're only removing the programs themselves from your computer, all of your files will stay saved in a folder called "iTunes" on your computer, which contains all of your library's files.
    I hope that answers the question.
    -Kylene

  • Backing up music files and Home Sharing

    What is the best way to backup iTunes music files?
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    Also, how do I know which devices I have "open" for Home Sharing?  I know there is a limit as to how many devices you can use, but we only use the iMac and the Macbook and it says we have 4 devices available.  I'm confused as to how to monitor this program.  Thanks.

    I know that before you were able to backup to discs (CDs/DVDs) but iTunes 10.5 took away that feature so I would recommend backing up to either an external hard drive or a thumb/flash drive or multiple thumb/flash drives.

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    I'm interested in backing up all of the music that's currently stored in my iPod. First off, I suppose it would entail knowing how to locate the music files within the iPod, and then figuring out how to upload.
    One step I'd also prefer to avoid is to have to copy my music onto my laptop (to iTunes) and then reroute to the external hard drive. Would it be possible to just route/copy the music directly from iPod to external hard drive? I don't think I have enough memory to house all of my 30gb worth of music all at once on my computer, so if I do end up having to go through the laptop, I'd have to download in batches.
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    Senuti won't work on Windows, it's for Mac only.
    Try Yamipod. This is a similar free program which works on both Mac and Windows that transfers music and playlists etc from iPod back to the computer. However, it does not transfer playcounts/ratings etc.

  • I recently downloaded a  bunch of songs an ringtones from Itunes on my phone. I synced up the phone to my computer to back up the files and to charge it and afterward all the new music and ringtones are gone?! Checked iTunes and they're not there either!

    I recently downloaded a bunch of songs and ringtones to my iPhone 4 and when I synced my phone to my computer to back up the files and to charge the phones the ringtones and songs were gone. They disappeared from my phone and from my iTunes as well. I checked my my iTunes for downloadable items and there was nothing there. I went onto iTunes and tried to download the same things that I had previously and when I did it said I had already downloaded them? iTunes only gave me the option to purchase the music and ringtones again.  Does this happen often or is there something wrong with the software on my iPhone?

    Hi,
    Did you have the music in your iTunes library on your computer when you signed up for match? How did you transfer the music from you iPhone to your computer? Do you have a back up.
    Jim

  • HT1711 My computer caught virus,  My songs are listed in my library, but the music files are gone!  I have them on my  separate hard drive but don't know where to put them back on my computer so itunes recognizes them.  Help !

    My computer caught a virus.  My entire drive was wiped clean, however, I had recently done a backup to a portable hard drive.  When I got my computer back from the tech, and logged into my itunes, my library shows all my songs, but NONE of them have a music file associated with it - therefore I cannot play it.  I have located the music files on my external hard drive, confirmed they play, but don't know how to go about getting them from my hard drive to my computer.  Can someone please help me?????

    In iTunes, go to File > Add to Library and select the files/folders you would like to add.
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  • I tried to back-up my music files to an external hard drive when I purchased a new pc. Now  there are no actual files just the folder when I go to move them to the new PC. itunes doesn't bring them up either, just a read-me file listing the songs. What ca

    I think I lost all of my music when I tried to back-up to an external hard drive. I purchased a new PC and when I tried to transfer from the external hard drive to the new PC, the folders where there, but the music files were "empty". I have an itunes library file that lists all the music that I cannot find, but it is a read-me file and will not repopulate the music into itunes. I seriously lost like 70 gigs af music. Does anyone know if there is a way to salvage these files?

    I think I lost all of my music when I tried to back-up to an external hard drive. I purchased a new PC and when I tried to transfer from the external hard drive to the new PC, the folders where there, but the music files were "empty". I have an itunes library file that lists all the music that I cannot find, but it is a read-me file and will not repopulate the music into itunes. I seriously lost like 70 gigs af music. Does anyone know if there is a way to salvage these files?

  • HT1766 If I have accidently deleted my music files from iTunes on my PC laptop, can I get them back from my iPad which was synced just before I deleted all the files?

    I accidently deletes all my music files from iTunes on my PC laptop. Can I get them back using my iPad mini Retina that was synced just before I deleted the files? I am a bit old fashioned, so all of my music has been imported from my CD,s, not purchased from iTunes store. I could re-import, but almost 5,000 songs. Especially when they are sitting there on the iPad.

    Yes, if they were purchased from iTunes.  If they were CD's you copied to your iTunes library, then synced to your iPad, you may be forced to redownload the CDs again.
    Connect your iPad to your computer via USB and with iTunes open wait for your iPad to recognized on the left side of the iTunes screen.  Right click your iPad once and a dialog box will apear.  Choose Transfer Purchases and the music apps, etc., you purchased will transfer to your iTunes library on your computer.

  • HT4914 Once I deleted my music files can I get them back via I cloud? I have Itunes match on.

    Once I deleted my music files can I get them back via I cloud? I have Itunes match on.

    I actually deleted my backup :-) That's the problem. But thanks.
    I've managed to get some back but via a slightly different method.
    Because the files weren't there, when I deleted them from my library they actually disappeared from the list.... So I created a new library (backed up my original one) and then synched that with Match so that all the files appeared. I'm just going through the ones I'm missing clicking 'download' and then when they're all back on my hard drive I'll revert to the previous Library which will hopefully pick up all of the recovered files.
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  • Possible corrupt music file on back up disc - can't restore iTunes library!

    Sold old laptop last week in prep for getting new PC, backed up iTunes library onto DVD disc (whole library went on 4.7GB disc with no problems) - got new PC yesterday, downloaded iTunes 9, inserted back up disc, tried to restore but keeps getting stuck on one song and going no further. Can anyone help with any other suggestions because I'm going nuts! Can't update my iPhone as there's nothing in iTunes to update it with!

    Yes, the relative location is the same, the user account has the same short and long lame as before.
    I did try to use the preferences to point to the backed up itunes folder. Once when it was on the eHD and once when I put it in the music folder. Unfortunatley no luck.
    I will try your idea about using "Consolidate Library"
    One other interesting thing I tried a few days ago was to follow the procedure outlined in the apple support section about restoring the library. It has you move the libray xml file to the desk top, trashing one of the other files (I forgot which) and then choosing the xml file placed on the desk top upon starting itunes. I thought it was kind of odd to select the very xml file I was having trouble with so I chose the backed up xml file. It put all of the playlist folders back in duplicate, but the library was still empty (probably becuase the xml file is just a reference file and I hadn't loaded any actual music files) If the consolidate doesn't work, mabye I'll try that again, but also put the folder with the actual files on the computer as well
    I'll let you know how "Consolidate" works, thanks for your suggestions!

  • A lot of my music has disappeared from both my ipod and my itunes. It is also gone from my computer's music files. How do I get it back?

    I bought many songs and had them both on my ipod and on itunes. A lot of them have disappeared from both the ipiod and itunes, and they are not listed in my computer's music file. Is there a way to get them back? We're talking about hubdreds of songs...

    From your backup 

  • My computer crashed losing all my music files.all my music is stored on my i phone and i pod how do i get my music back on my computer from my devices?

    My computer crashed losing all my music files there stored on my i phone and ipod how do i get them back on my computer?

    Recovering your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device: Apple Support Communities

  • I had backed up my music files, and then my hard disk died and was replaced.  I replaced the files on the new drive, but get the Itunes message that I don't have proper authorization to open my own files.

    "Need proper authorization" to have ITunes acknowledge my own music files which have been reintroduced on a new hard drive from a back up hard drive.

    Hello there, PE James.
    The following Knowledge Bsae article offers up some great recommendations for troubleshooting permissions issues with iTunes:
    iTunes: Missing folder or incorrect permissions may prevent authorization
    Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.
    Cheers,
    Pedro.

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