Big mess changing locations of ITunes library

I have got myself into a big mess trying to move my Itunes library. I ran out of space on my computer, so bought an external hard disk. I then deleted all my files and uploaded my ipod (via ipod liberator) onto the external disk drive. It didn't work as Itunes doesn't recognise where anything is, so I found the help item for changing the Itunes location and followed the instructions (ie via the preferences/advanced window. But now, all the music files have an exclamation mark on them!! and it won't play anything. What to do? Re-upload from Ipod liberator? Throw away my Ipod and jump out the window?!! Any help appreciated!

Yes, I can see the files in Windows explorer - in the new place where I have put them - ie on my external disk drive, however, ITunes only recognises them as being on my CDrive. I do not want them to be on my CDrive as I no longer have any space and my computer is too slow. I have been told I should open each file and play it in Itunes for it to recognise the path.. but this will take hours... is there any quicker way?

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How can I locate my iTunes library files. When I click on my itunes icon the message appears, "The file iTunes Library.itl." cannot be found because it was created by a newer version of iTunes."

How can I locate my iTunes library files? When I click on my iTunes icon rather than my iTunes files I receive, " The file iTunes Library.itl." cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes." I have already tried to update my iTunes program.

Had same problem and solved it without having to reinstore any music or movies:
1. Delete old Library file
2. Go to the 'Previous iTunes Libraries' folder and copy one of the earlier files - note, they have a date extension, e.g. 'iTunes Library 2011-11-01'.
3. Paste this file in your iTuners folder and rename file by removing the date extension - 'iTunes Library'
You should have all your music and paylists in tact, unless it was a really old previous file.

What's the correct way to get changes in my iTunes library to sync to my iPod

It's been a few years since I've used itunes, so please bear with me.
I'm trying to get my ipod setup but something seems weird. In the past, if I made changes to my itunes library, then plugged in my ipod, those changes would immediately sync. It's not doing that now. When I plug the ipod in, I click on the ipod symbol near the top-right to get to the connected ipod. If I click on "on this ipod" I can clearly see that the old files/metadata are still present. When I click the "sync" button down at the bottom (next to the storage bar) nothing happens. If I click on "Music" near the top (between Summary and Movies) there's a check-box next to "Sync Music" but when I click that it says "Are you sure you want to remove existing music, movies, and tv shows from this ipod and sync with this itunes library?". I don't want to have to wipe the thing clean and then re-write EVERYTHING again every time I want to make a change, that's crazy.
So what am I missing here? Is there some setting that would make it work the way it did in the past, automatically syncing changes as soon as I plug in the ipod? If not, what's the best way to get the changes to sync over without having to wipe the ipod clean every time? Does the "Sync Music" option I mentioned not actually remove everything, but just sync any changes that were made? That's the only thing I can come up with.

Chris CA wrote:
ArmorOfGod7 wrote:
It's been a few years since I've used itunes, so please bear with me.
I'm trying to get my ipod setup but something seems weird. In the past, if I made changes to my itunes library, then plugged in my ipod, those changes would immediately sync. It's not doing that now.
Because you are not syncing your music (you have Sync music unchecked).
If not, what's the best way to get the changes to sync over without having to wipe the ipod clean every time? Does the "Sync Music" option I mentioned not actually remove everything,
It shouldn't wipe everything but it will make the iPod match what you have selected in iTunes. So if it's on your iPod now and also in iTunes, it won't remove it then re-add it.
Is everything on your iPod actually in iTunes? If so, click away.
How do I get it to stay checked then? I've checked it and gone through the sync process, but every time I go back to that window, it's un-checked again, and I have to sync manually.
Ok, that's what I was hoping, it just syncs any changes. I've done it this way a couple times but couldn't tell for sure if it was just removing then re-adding evertying or if it was just syncing changes.

Best location for iTunes Library

Just trying to figure out where the best location is to put the iTunes Library to improve streaming to the AppleTV.
I have an AirPort-n that acts as a remote hub for my Tivo, PS3, and now AppleTV (all three are hard-wired to the AirPort-n). Since there’s the ability to connect a USB drive to the AirPort-n, would it make sense to co-locate the iTunes library on a drive connected to the AirPort-n with the wired AppleTV (that is, if it gets the data directly from the Library), or, does the streaming video actually have to flow through (processed by) the host computer (Mac) that ‘owns’ the iTunes Library?
Making sense???
THX!

does the streaming video actually have to flow through (processed by) the host computer (Mac) that ‘owns’ the iTunes Library?
Correct. There must be a copy of iTunes with the library you wish to sync/stream on the host computer, and iTunes must be running for the Apple TV to connect to it (the Apple TV does not pull directly from the library). So from that standpoint, it really doesn't matter where you keep the library, as long as iTunes on the host computer can find it.
I'm sure others will express opinions, but I'm uncomfortable with the reliablity and performance of drives connected to a wireless base station (remember that if your Apple TV is connecting wirelessly, you'd essentially be doubling the wireless bandwidth you use any time the Apple TV syncs or streams), so unless you have a good reason (use with other computers, for instance) to have the drive connected to the Airport base station, you might just want to connect it to your host computer.
Hope this helps.

Error when trying to move location of iTunes Library to external HD (tried obvious solutions)

Okay, I got a new Western Digital 500GB external hard drive and wish to move the location of my iTunes library to it to free up space on my hard drive (ONLY 4 GB FREE -- PLEASE HELP)
MY COMPUTER:
15" MacBook Pro 250GB running 10.6.8
When I first got it, I followed the steps in the online tutorials to change the location.
iTunes > Prefs > Advanced >
Create new folder named "iTunes Library" and select it as default
Would you like to keep iTunes folder organized? I have read and read on what to do hear, and people only state that it asks that because I have that option checked in preferences, but they DON'T say whether to select 'Yes' or 'No'. I have tried both to no avail.
File > Library > Organize Library > Consolidate Files
The VERY FIRST time I tried this, it was working. I did not realize that the external hard drive was not plugged in all the way, so when I shifted the computer, it came unplugged and stop the transfer. It was when I rebooted, plugged it in, and tried a SECOND time that it started giving me the error:
"Copying files failed because you don't have permission to change your iTunes media folder or a folder within it."
Here are the solutions I read and the forums and already tried:
1) Run and repair disk permissions, restart, try again... DIDN'T WORK
2) Find iTunes folder, right click, change permissions to Read and Write (was already set to that) DIDN'T WORK. And it doesn't give me an option to 'include all folders within'
3) Set back iTunes with time machine... DIDN'T WORK
Please help.. I don't know what else to try. It seems like it should be such a simple fix, and I can't put anything else on my hard drive until I fix it (no, I have nothing else to delete--all pictures I need to go through as I am an amateur photographer). No excess apps other than what came on the comp except Photoshop and Microsoft Office.

I can copy the iTunes folders over to both drives manually but then iTunes does not see the files.) Hold Option, launch iTunes, select *Choose library* then select the iTunes library folder you coped to the external.

Changing location of Iphoto library

I am looking to change my Iphoto library to an external hard drive, as my 250GB internal drive is just not large enough, especially as I am now using itunes to watch movies and TV shows. Is this a simple operation? The help menu has instruction on changing location but I am worried this just refers to a different folder within the internal hard drive.
Anyone got any suggestions

It's very simple.
Make sure the drive is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
1. Quit iPhoto
2. Copy the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
3. Hold down the option (or alt) key while launching iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new location. From that point on this will be the default location of your library.
4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your internal HD to free up space.
Regards
TD

Locating missing iTune library on Apple TV

I recently bought a new Apple TV and synced it with my iTune, no problem. My nephew came and in my absence fiddled with Apple TV and his computer. Now I can not acess my synced iTune library. I see the Apple TV and it shows available space of 144GB which means my 14GB iTune library is still stored some where in it. How do I access it without having to re-sync?

You'll have to resync I'm afraid.
He's probably synced it to his computer and in the process deleted all your material - it can only sync to one iTunes library, others have to stream. Changing or deleting the sync library erases all content to give a clean slate.
The reported 144GB sounds about right for the usable capacity of the 160GB machines - there are various system software partitions on AppleTV that take some space up you can't use, and the computer software vs hard drive manufacturer definitions of 1GB differ (manufacturers mean 1GB= 1,000,000,000 bytes but OS software tends to use 2^30 bytes.)
See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigabyte

How do i change my default itunes library

I want to change the default itunes liibrary so that I can access my other library without going thru a lot of key strokes using the shift key. Actually, that no longer appears to be working. How do I accomplish taht?

The only limit is that of the device. No restrictions on how much of it you can use for music. Is part of your music library unchecked?
tt2

Loging into home server to set location of itunes library

hi,
i have two apples a macbook and a macbook pro (both with os x 10.5) i recently moved my itunes library from my macbook pro to a home server and it will stream from the server to the macbook pro with no problem.
the itunes library on the server is in a directory owned by a user (me) on the server so i have to login as that user to access it. i put it there because i thought it was safer.
now i am trying to set the location of the itunes library on the server for the macbook to use. but i cannot cannot see the user file tree to click on to log in and set the location of the itunes library on the macbook the way that i did when i set the location of the itunes library on the macbook pro.
i can only see the "shared" directory on the server in the file window using the macbook.
when i clicked on the server using the macbook pro file window it displayed the user file system as well as the shared directories. so i just clicked on the user file system it prompted me for login, i did, i set the itunes library to that location and all was well. and itunes works on the macbook pro streaming from the server.
how can display the file system on server in the file window on the macbook to click on and log into and set the location of the itunes library on the macbook the way i did on the macbook pro?
they are both running os x 10.5 the server is debian linux.
please advise.
thank you.
Message was edited by: zander10
Message was edited by: zander10

I don't have advice for you but would love to learn how to do this. I also have two Macs and am in the process of setting up a Debian (or Ubuntu since I'm new at it) home server. I'll be paying attention to this thread.

Best Location for iTunes Library Files

Greetings:
Ive moved all of my iTunes media to NAS. Is it best to have the iTunes library files on the NAS or should I leave on PC. What are the considerations? thanks in advance. John

It depends a bit on the size of the library. Each action with iTunes causes the database to be updated and there can be some detectable overhead if the library files are stored remotely. On the other hand it is then much easier to backup and restore or migrate the library to a new system if everything is located in a portable layout on that NAS. See Make a split library portable for some background. In practice it may be best to move the library files to local storage for performance but be prepared to move them to the correct path to make the library portable when the need arises.
tt2

Lost my changes in my itunes library

I made some changes (groupings) in my itunes library on my hard drive and then turned on the icloud and when I returned my changes were gone, how do I incorporate those changes to the icloud?

I think I have the same problem. I have iTouch 2g that locked up. I did a restore/update and it completed successfully. When it synced, it only synced the apps, none of the tunes. I deleted the sync history, same thing. It appears to complete the sync, but not a single song is loaded.
Help please!

Location of iTunes Library

I have consolidated my music contents into 1 directory, but the iTunes music library file is still in the old location. Does anyone know how i can get iTunes to move that one too?

Thanks for the link, unfortunately it doesn't really answer my question. However I did find another document which said "If you delet the iTunes Library, iTunes will create a new, empty copy when you open the application, but any playlists, song ratings, comments, or other information you created will be lost." This may be my answer - i haven't used any of those listed features yet - as long as my songs can still be found by iTunes then the rest i don't care about. Will iTunes still be able to find my songs once the new Library is created?
thanks,
dave

Changes made to iTunes Library.xml keep reverting back

I'm helping a friend with his computer. He uses an external harddrive for all his iTunes music. Lets call this drive "iTunes HD".
He wants to move his collection to a newer bigger drive. So he mirrors the content to a new harddrive. Let's call this drive "New HD".
We remove the old drive called "iTunes HD" and launch iTunes whiles holding down the option key and select the iTunes folder on "New HD".
It finds the library and lists the songs, but can not find any of the songs. It's looking for each file in "/Volumes/iTunes HD" and not the new drive.
We exit iTunes.
I vi the "iTunes Library.xml" and globally replace "iTunes HD" with "New HD" and save the file.
We relaunch iTunes and again it can not find any of the files and when I get information on them it's still looking in "/Volumes/iTunes HD".
We exit iTunes and reopen the "iTunes Library.xml" file and all the changes have been undone and reverted back.
So I reapply all my edits and this time move the ""iTunes Library.itl" to /tmp to get it out of that directory. And relaunch iTunes.
Now it comes up with no Library of music at all. So I go to "File > Library > Import Playlist" and select the xml file I just finished fixing. I says Importing Playlist and then nothing happens. Cursor comes back and there's still nothing in the Library.
I have to move the "iTunes Library.itl" from /tmp back into the directory and relaunch iTunes for it to see the Playlist again. It still can't play them because it's still referencing the old "iTunes HD" which we removed.
How do I fix this?

In iTunes go to Edit > Preferences > Store and turn off
Show iTunes in the Cloud purchases
Share details about your library with Apple
On any iOS device go to Settings > Music and turn off
Show All Music
Close and reopen iTunes and/or reset the device and you should see your version of the metadata for each track rather than the original store data.
tt2

ITunes says that my computer is not authorized to make changes to my ITunes library

I tried to download an album that I had previously purchased from ITunes. It is listed in my ITunes library. But ITunes states that my computer, this computer, is not authorized to download my albums. How am I able to get the authority I need for my computer to be able to take this action.

Hi Shneg1,
Thanks for visiting Apple Support Communities.
You can use these steps to authorize your computer for iTunes purchases:
Open iTunes on the computer you want to authorize.
Choose Store > Authorize This Computer from the menu bar.
You might need to show the menu bar to see this option in Windows. In earlier versions of iTunes, you can access this option from the Advanced menu.
Enter your Apple ID and click Authorize.
If your Apple ID uses an expired MobileMe account, you can still use it to authorize your computer.
You can find these steps and more information on authorizing your computer here:
Authorize your computer using iTunes
If you've followed these steps and your computer still isn't authorized, these links may help:
iTunes keeps asking me to authorize when I try to play my content.
I need to deauthorize a computer or deauthorize all computers.
All the best,
Jeremy

Will changing location for Itunes Apps and Music files to different drive (from dive C: to drive E:)now effect how they work. And will Itunes be able to find them, when I do a sync?

Will changing the location of folders effect how my Itunes will run? As I am runnig out of room fast on my C drive. And have almost a 1 terrabyte of room on the drive I want it to all to go to. I was thinking of just cutting and pasting.

WpgGizmo wrote:
Will changing the location of folders effect how my Itunes will run
No, but do not simply move files around else you will have a lot of grief...
Do NOT move files then change iTunes prefs to a new location as this will not work.
Quit iTunes.
Copy your entire /Music/iTunes/ folder (and everything inside it) on your C: drive to the E: drive.
Hold Shift and launch iTunes.
Select Choose library and select the iTunes folder you copied to the E: drive.
That is all you need to do. You do not need to change any other settings.

Big mess changing locations of ITunes library

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