Backup itunes library

I'm unable to backup itunes library. The backup window does not appear to be active.Last backup, was on previous itunes version, present version is 9.02

Hello Loxi
I'm still learning about Itunes after 4 years but I have learned alot....I will back-up my music from library by inserting disc and clicking on "burn cd" i have never tried backing from the "file" or never have used a DVD-RW. Another pointer is to go "edit".."preferences"..."advanced"..."burning", click on "data" this will reduce the number of discs needed, I am backing up about 9Gig to 2 CD-RWs....this might help you.
Thank you for your reply HEC. I guess I'll use CD-RW disks if or until I can figure out how to get iTunes to find the DVD drive for backups (I use the DVD drive all the time to import songs from CDs, so I don't know why it doesn't see the drive for backing up songs).
It's funny that you never used the 'file' route because that is the instruction in the help file for how to create backups. Whatever works.
I actually chose the data option not long ago (it just looked like the best option when I happened to be in that section), so I'm glad to hear that this option (apparently) yields backup files that are smaller than they are in iTunes. No wonder all the data from my purchased file fit on one CD-R disc - that did surprise me, though I assumed that some sort of compression must have taken place.
The CD-R and CD-RW discs I saw at the store listed their capacity in MBs, and when I told the clerk my purpose, he advised me to purchase DVDs for greater capacity, so I did. The only DVD discs they carried held 4.7 GB each, so that's what I bought.
I tried disabling my CD drive via the device manager, reasoning that iTunes might then find the DVD drive, but it didn't. This resulted in iTunes being unable to find any drive at all and getting hung up.
I just have to figure out how to get iTunes to find that DVD drive for backups.

Similar Messages

  • Backup iTunes library to external HD

    How can I select or point to an external hard drive to backup my iTunes library rather than use hundreds of CD's?

    StarDeb55,
    I'm not trying to permanently replace the normal iTunes library on my PC harddrive, but only to back it up to an external hard drive where it could be restored back to the PC library if necessary. The only options currently available under the "Backup" command are to CD's or DVD's. If you have thousands of songs that would eat up a lot of media. I have done an "Export" to the EXT HD, but don't know if it's possible to resotre that file.
    Thanks

  • Backup iTunes Library to External HD for System Reformat

    I'm going to reformat my computer this month, and have been using Windows Live OneCare's backup utility to backup my iTunes library to my external hd. Once I reformat & begin the process of transferring everything back onto my desktop, will all of my songs transfer/play? (I'm mainly referring to the songs I've purchased from the iTunes music store) I thought I heard/read that the songs purchased from iTunes will not play afterwards. Also, do/should I deauthorize my desktop computer in iTunes before I reformat? Thanks for the help!

    You need to de authorise your computer before reiinstalling Windows to avoid using up an authorisation.
    If you have a default arrangement with your music in iTunes\iTunes Music, you need to ensure that your iTunes folder and all its subfolders are backed up.
    you can simply copy the iTunes folder to the external drive, but it is also fine to use backup software.
    To restore, install iTunes on the new system. Drag the iTunes folder to the desktop and replace it with the backed up iTunes folder. Start iTunes and authorise your PC.

  • Backup iTunes Library on External HardDrive ?

    iTunes should be made on an option to be able to backup the entire library and an external hard not only on DVD or CD?

    *Fast backup for iTunes library (Windows Only)*
    Grab SyncToy 2.1, a free tool from MS. This can be used to copy your entire iTunes library (& other important data folders) onto another hard drive or network share. You can then use SyncToy periodically to synchronise or echo your library to the backup. A preview will show which files need to be updated giving you a chance to spot unexpected changes and during the run only the new or updated files will be copied saving lots of time. And if your media is all organised below the main iTunes folder then you should also be able to open the backup library on any system running the same version of iTunes.
    tt2

  • Forgot to backup itunes library.itl and xml files

    I backup pretty much everything. Unfortunately I forgot about the itunes library datase files, the itubes library.itl and xml files. The hard drive has been repartioned and formated, so it's gone. I do have all the music in the exact same directory structure though. Both versions are Windows 7 x64. I aslo have my iPOD.
    What I want to figure out how to do is import the database into a new install of itunes. So the music and stuff doesn't matter. It's all there in the same set of folders, with the exact same path as before. Is there any way to create the itl and xml files containing the metadata from the iPOD?
    I wouldn't even be all that bummed if I had to let my music import from the hard drive again. I just really really want to import my playlists. That would really suck if I had to type them all in manually from the iPOD. If anyone could point me int he right direction, I would really appreciate it.

    Ok googlers from the future, here is the sultion I used.
    This solution puts everything back to normal with minimal work, but it costs you however much disk space is on your ipod. I downloaded the copytrans suite off the piratebay. Then I used the ipod copy to back up my ipod. This will copy things to folders based on tags. So you have to have a second copy of your music. Once it is backed up remote the itunes library files from the top folder of the itunes library. Start itunes, and then go to import playlist. Then you select the xml file from your ipod backup. This will import the entire library into itunes. When you sync your ipod it will say iit is going to delete everything and reload it, but it doesn't. If there was stuff that was no in the library it would delete it, but there won't be because the library came from your ipod to being with. So it just copies anything to it that wasn't there, if there is anything.
    From that point, when you want to add stuff to your library/ipod, you have to put a copy of the music in the library you made. So all the music you want on your computer and your ipod will take up double space on your hard drive because you have to put a copy in the library folder. Once it is there, you just go to add folder and select your library folder. THis will make it rescan and put the new songs in the database.
    The good part of this is you don't have to do selective ipod loading. You make the selection when you copy to the library folder. So at that point you just sync your ipod making an exact copy.
    That was the best solution for me anyway, with a big library and lots of playlists. I also never use itunes. The sole purpose of having itunes is to load my ipod. My ipod I use daily though. I don't drive anywhere without it connected to my stereo. Being able to select anything in a massive music library from my head unit while driving around is seriously awesome.

  • Backup iTunes Library External HDD?

    I am upgrading to Leopard this week and want to do a complete clean upgrade to Leopard. My iTunes library is over 100GB, and I don't want to have to back it up to DVDs. How can I backup my iTunes library to an external HDD and still retain my precious playlists, ratings, etc...? I wan to also backup my entire library, not just purchased music etc..

    The following link will give you the instructions to move iTunes to an EHD. These instructions need to be followed EXACTLY. From what you have posted, it sounds like one of the issues is you moved the whole iTunes folder, instead of just the iT music folder. The 2 metadata files within the main iTunes folder must stay on the main drive of your system as that is their "home", they can't be moved.
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301748
    As a suggestion for future posts, it's always much better to start your own topic rather than disrupt someone else's topic with a similar but unrelated issue. It can also get very confusing to try to troubleshoot with several different people on the same thread who have different issues. Thanks!

  • Time Machine Backup iTunes Library on External Drive?

    Hi, my external firewire drive that holds all of my iTunes music and videos recently crashed (it had close to 100GB). It is completely unrecoverable (tried Data Rescue II - nothing).
    Would Time Machine by default backup my iTunes library if it existed on an external firewire drive (assuming, of course, that the drive is plugged in when Time Machine is working)?
    If not, can this be made to happen for the future?
    Thanks.

    Yokenny,
    To add to the former comments...
    Time Machine will not "by default" backup extternal HDs attached to our Mac. You would have to go in an remove them from the TM Prefs exclusion list first, as the 'default' behavior is for TM to ADD external drives to the list.
    If you do determine that your crashed hard drive was attached and backed up (you can check your TM backups via the "time travel" interface.) you may still be able to recover the backed up data. But you would need another drive named the same as the crashed drive to do it.
    Let us know if this was helpful.
    Cheers!

  • Can't Backup iTunes library

    I was recently given the opportunity to redownload all my music after my harddrive basically got wiped clean and I thought I should backup my iTunes library. The only problem is, when iTunes prompts me to insert a disc I do and low and behold I recie ve an error message. The message is not an iTunes one but a windows one. Is there anyone that can help me out with this?

    "iTunes has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
    If you were in the middle of something, the information you were working on might be lost.
    Please tell Microsoft about this problem
    We have created an error report that you can send to us. We will treat this report as confidential and anonymouse"

  • Backup iTunes Library on Seagate Backup Drive

    I'm trying to backup my iTunes music on my Seagate backup drive. When I create a new folder and drag all of my music files into it, dragging that folder to the Seagate drive icon doesn't result in its being copied there.
    I have gone to Library and tried to drag the iTunes icon there into the Seagate drive. That is quickly copied there, but it's all text--no music.
    What am I doing wrong? How do I make a backup of my iTunes Library with all of its music in my backup drive?

    I don't find a /Music/ folder when I open the HD.
    Then you ae not looking in the right place.
    Go to Macintosh HD\Users\{your username}\.
    You should see the following folders...
    \Desktop
    \Documents
    \Dowloads
    \Library
    \Movies
    \Music
    \Pictures
    \Public
    \Sites
    But when I open Applications I find an iTunes icon.
    That is only the iTunes application. It is not the music files and the library.
    Dragging that icon to the external drive caused the contents of my iTunes to copy there. I also found such an icon for iPhoto, which answered my next question.
    No it did not. You simply copied the applications to the external. The iTunes library/music files & iPhoto library/photos are not on the external.
    If you are looking to backup, you should check out -> SuperDuper! or -> Carbon Copy Cloner
    and you can post over in the -> Forum : Using Mac OS X Tiger for advice.

  • Backup iTunes Library to DVD

    On Windows Vista trying to backup a 7.5 gb library to DVD, iTunes writes the first disk, asks for the 2nd, says it is writing song such-and-such and just freezes. Can anyone help?

    You'd be better off posting this question in the appropriate forum.
    http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=791

  • Re: Best Way to Backup iTunes Library

    Hello friends :
    My iTunes music library is getting rather large and I feel it's time to "properly" back it up to an external hard drive.
    I understand that you can back up your iTunes music folder to an external hard drive by the simple old "click and drag" approach using Windows Explorer.
    What I'd like to know is ... after intially copying the entire iTunes music folder onto the external drive, how can I achieve regular back-ups where only the files, playlists, etc. that have changed since the last back up are then added to the external drive . . . rather than having to copy the entire rather large folder all over again (and again)?
    Hopefully, you know what I mean!  Thanks for your help.

    see your other post.

  • Backup iTunes library problem using LaCie DVD Burner error message - help!

    Hi!
    I just purchased a LaCie D2 DVD +-RW DVD Burner for my Mac Mini running OS 10.4.8 and iTunes 7.0.2. I've installed the latest LaCie drivers and iTunes recognizes the burner so no problem there. When I try to back up my purchased playlist iTunes checks the media everythings fine but when it tries to start the burn process I get this error message: "The attempt to burn a disc failed. An unknown error occurred (-8785)." It then ejects the DVD-R. The Burner works fine with Toast, so the issue is with iTunes. I've tried using both Apple DVD-R's and Sony brand just in case that was it. Any ideas? Please?
    Thank you,
    Sam

    i recently got an error message while burning a dvd with lacie. i had been using the same cd's etc. found the solution on roxio boards (which don't allow just anybody to join obviously).
    the problem is iSight. it can cause problems with the lacie while hooked up to the other firewire connection. unplugged the camera and viola!!! lacie works again.
    hope this helps you too!!!
    dizzer

  • My computer crashed that had all my songs on it - why cant I add the songs from my ipod to my itunes library?

    I would like to add all the music that is on my ipod to my itunes library - for some reason the backup itunes library I have does not have all the music on it and I do not know how to get the songs from my ipod to the itunes library - I do not want to sync the ipod with the current itunes as this would wipe out all the music I have on my ipod.  please help me to get this music back on my computer or in the itunes library.

    One option is to use iTunesFS and extract songs from your iPod.

  • How do I start iTunes with whichever iTunes library I want?

    How do I start iTunes with whichever iTunes library I want?
    I've created a 2nd iTunes library using the "press shift-key while opening iTunes from the start menu" method given in iTunes help. Now, when I try to start iTunes from the Quick Launch menu or from the system start menu, I get the new library--without choosing it.
    Otherwise, the new library works as I'd hoped. By turning off "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library," I'm able to use "Add Folder to Library" (where the folders are in the 1st iTunes library) without using more disk space for the 2nd library. So far, it works just fine for CDs and movies. I'm anticipating an iPad which can hold much less than my iPod Classic.
    I have the latest iTunes (10.2.1.1)

    A solution found!
    I found where Apple addresses the question. Actually, I had tried this before I found Apple's answer and before I asked the question here and I didn't get it to work. I finally have it working, but the Apple answer is missing a step--or so it seems.
    Locating Apple's answer:
    From the iTunes window,
    Help > More resources > iTunes Support Website > iTunes Library and Backup > iTunes Library >
    How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one.
    Apple quote:
    1.If iTunes is running, quit iTunes.
    2.If you are using Windows, hold down the Shift key and from the Start menu and choose All Programs > iTunes > iTunes.
    3.If you are using the Mac, open iTunes and immediately hold down the Option key.
    4.You should see one of the following screens:
    End quote.
    As it says, you get a prompt to: Quit or Choose Library or Create Library.
    I created my new library by choosing "Create Library" and expected to be able to use "Choose Library" later. So, when I clicked "Choose Library," I got a new window that's titled "Open iTunes Library" (it looks a lot like a Windows Explorer window). I selected (on the sidebar) the old library, clicked "Open" and nothing happened. The problem is likely my inexperience with this type of issue, but, still, the solution seems hokey.
    After too much screwing around and a 24oz beer, this is what's working:
    1. If iTunes is running, quit iTunes.
    2. Hold down the Shift key and from the Start menu, choose All Programs > iTunes > iTunes. (You don't have to have the shift key down until just before you click the last "iTunes.") Don't release the shift key 'til the prompt comes up.
    3. The prompt is: Quit or Choose Library or Create Library. Click "Choose Library."
    4. When the "Open iTunes Library" window comes up, click the desired iTunes library on the sidebar. (Mine are named "iTunes" and "iTunesIPad.")
    5. Then, you'll see a list of items in the right pane. Find the file named "iTunes Library.itl" and click it.
    6. Now, with both the iTunes library name selected on the sidebar and the "iTunes Library.itl" file selected in the right pane, click the "Open" button.
    7. iTunes will come up using the desired library.
    8. Using iTunes from the Quick Launch menu or the desktop will bring up the same iTunes library again, even if you shut down your computer.
    9. When you want to change the iTunes library in use, start at step 1.
    Nice about this, is that I would only have to get into the "iTunesIPad" library if I need to add something to it from my regular "iTunes" library or I want to sync to the iPad. Most of the time, I'll use my regular 185GB "iTunes" library (even here, I deselect many movies so that I can sync the library to my iPod).
    Caution:
    I must add the warning that I'm doing this because the iPad (that I don't have yet), won't hold even half of what I have in my iTunes library. At this point, the "iTunesIPad" library will take up very minimal disk space since it's using pointers to the regular library rather than copies from the regular library AND it's easy to switch between libraries only when needed. I can't say that this will all work until I try more setup work and I actually use it with an iPad. If someone knows that this is going to cause problems or if they have a better idea, I'd sure welcome comment. BTW, before trying this, I restructured my iTunes library (File > Library > Organize Library > Reorganize files in the folder "iTunes Media.") to bring it up to date and then backed it up on an external drive. The website "iLounge" has an article about the old and new library structure.

  • Is there a way to rebuild the ITunes Library XML file from my IPod?

    After several promptings, I finally decided to install ITunes 7.4.3.1. Like a fool, I did not backup my entire library prior to doing this upgrade. Nothing is going to go wrong now mate, is it? Everything seemed to proceed just fine with the upgrade. I noticed that ITunes updated the XML Library in the process. Where the problems occured was after the upgrade, I was in the middle of listening to the latest "NPR Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" Podcast (I have some 3,000 downloaded podcasts in over 85GB worth of space) when ITunes crashed. When I brought ITunes back up, it had seemed to have reverted to an earlier backup ITunes Library XML file that I had made months ago.
    I still have all of the .mp3, .m4a, .mp4 and .m4v files stored in my ITunes Music folder. Somehow when I brought ITunes back up, it had lost all of the music I had dowloaded from the ITunes store even though the files were still out on disk. It thought there were only 395 podcasts despite the 3,000 plus files out there.
    Clearly, something went horribly wrong and I don't want to spend weeks downloading these files again when the only thing that really needs to be done is the ITunes Library XML data file needs to be rebuilt. It dawns on me that my IPod has an XML data file that save any updates I have not yet synced with it that it is quite current. Is there some way that I can sync my IPod with ITunes and copy the IPod XML data file into ITunes Library XML data file? I know that there must be some way to access the IPod since I can plug it into my Kenwood car stereo and read through the IPod's contents.
    Is there anyone out there that has an idea that might be able to help me recover my ITunes library?
    Thanks for any assistance,
    --randyt00

    The XML file is not used by iTunes. It is created for the use of other programs. Your library is in the itl file. SInce you still have the file you could simply add them to your library using the add folder option instead of downloading again.
    What are library files
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93732
    Rebuild library.
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93313

Maybe you are looking for