Can't find iTunes library

I have been using a 2007 MacPro laptop, using OSX 10.6.4 for several years. I have my Itunes library on an external hard drive. I purchased a new MacPro laptop recently with 10.7.3. Both seem to be using Itunes 10.6. When I plug in the external hard drive Itunes doesn't see a library file, and no tunes are shown. I see the lists of files, but can't sync to a library file. I pluged in my Ipod Classic and about 1800 songs are in the new laptop Tunes media folder. But I cant get to the library where some 8000+ tunes, books, podcast's live. When I shift back to the old library no problems are noted. When I shift to the new laptop only the 1800 files it copied from from the Ipod are displayed. I seem to be able to tell it the library is external in advanced preferences, but no library can be found.
How does one get Lion to see the Itunes library on the external drive.
Thanks,
Mark

I must not being doing something correctly. I plugged my external drive into the new laptop. I went to the external drive and copied the files from the Itunes Media folder to the new laptop music (In the finder window). folder. It looked like it copied something for about 40 minutes.
On the new laptop the same partial load from my Ipod classic is still present, none of the other 7000 music files seem to be present. Not sure what got copied where but it doesnt show up on the new laptop.
When I plug my external drive into my old laptop I have access to all 8000+ tunes/podcasts/books.
Also when I then turn on my new laptop I can get access to all my files by homesharing. But I am giving the old laptop to my wife and still want to get to mt external hd library.
So the question remains how do I get all my tunes on my external drive to be seen and played by my new laptop.
Sigh....
Thanks
Mark

Similar Messages

Can not find itunes library on recent upgraded computer.

We recently had our computer upgraded. Downloaded itunes software. When opened itunes library, noticed mostly songs from windows came into library and with multipole repeats. Deleted them, hooked up IPOD nano and all my songs from it deleted. H..E..L..P.. NOw I can not find my library as it was before it go worked on.

If you do not have a backup of your iTunes library from your computer you pretty well are out of luck.

Remote can't find iTunes library

I am running iTunes 10.5.1 on windows xp3 with a netcomm nb9wmaxxn. I have a wired LAN as well as using the wireless.
I have remote 2.2.
I have 2 computers connected to the LAN. Neither can connect to my iPhone using home sharing, but when I try to connect the other way iTunes finds my device and asks for a passcode. This it accepts and tells me I can use it but my iPhone cannot find the library.
Despite this I know my iPhone can connect to iTunes as it updates app purchases OTA.
The other confusing issue is that my third computer is a small net book and connects to network via WAN. This computer can connect to Remote on my iPhone no problem n
I am at a loss now. I have been through as many posts as I can and have tried most suggestions relating to firewalls etc but nothing seems to work.
Any ideas anyone?

I am having the same problem with multiple routers and can't help thinking that something has either been changed universally in the firmware of all contemporary routers (except perhaps apple routers?), or Apple has screwed something up in the Remote App / iOS.
My experience:
1. 2008 vintage DLink DIR-655 router (with old firmware)... works perfectly. Unfortunately this router's internet connection has failed, so I am trying to replace it. I can only use it as a LAN router.
2. I purchase both DLink DIR-825 and a new DIR-655 (with new firmware)... with both of these routers my iPhone can wirelessly access the internet, but not the LAN. Remote doesn't work.
3. I learn that some of my other devices also have problems with LAN access. computers and laptops are ok, but my smart TV, andriod tablet, iphone don't work.
4. Using my airport express as wireless access point fixes the LAN access issue for these devices BUT remote app still doesn't work. I see the same behaviour you have described.
5. I get a new CISCO wireless modem from my ISP... the WAN and LAN seem to work, but remote app still doesn't work. Same "Can't find" behaviour after entering the 4 digit code.
I will try to call Apple tech support in the next week or so when I have time!

Moved My Hard Drive Now Can Not Find iTunes Library

This is my first post, so I am hoping that I can find an answer to my question.
I recently purchased via eBay a Airport Extreme as I wanted to have my hard drive away from my MacBook. Perviously the Hard Drive was connected with a USB and on that Hard Drive was all my Itunes Music, and it worked 100%. Now that I have the Apple Airport Extreme, which is up and working I can not longer assess my iTunes.
I can see it when I look at the finder, and I have changed it to look at it in the peferance menu on the iTunes, but I think I have not done everything. I have read about all the things that you can do, but they are all taking about "moving" or "backing up" the iTunes library, I have it in the right spot I can not piont the iTunes to it.
Can you please give me any advice. Please find below a screen shot of my Hard Drive, maybe I am not putting the right file up, the one that I have been picking is the one highlighted, iTunes.
Thanks in Advance.
Peter

See Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
tt2

Can't find iTunes Library on external drive after iTunes 8 install

My music library (50GB) has always been on an external drive. After installing iTunes 8 I went to preferences to change from default to this drive but nothing showed up. The complete library is still on the disk. Tried reinstalling V 7 but still no luck.
Any ideas how to "reconnect" the library ?
iPOD is also still complete. Is there a reverse recovery that my iPOD content could be retrieved to my external drive as the library ?
Message was edited by: samben52

Changing the Library location within iTunes instructs the program were to store future music when Importing - not where to go look for current music.
You music files may be on the ExHD, but your music metadata (Playlists, Playcounts, Ratings, and other potential important attributes) are kept in the Library Database file. See: What are the iTunes Library files?
If you did not save a copy of this file, you may be in for a long recovery.
This well-written iLounge Article is a must-read for anyone who wants/needs a better understanding of how iTunes manages your music. It may shed some light on what you need to do next. or at the very least, help you describe your specific problem here a bit better.
Also see: Managing your iTunes Library on an External Hard Drive
Best of Luck

I installed the upgrade and now itunes can't find my library and doesn't recognize my devices. Using Windows 7. Any help?

Help!!! I installed the 10.5 update and now itunes can't find my library or recognize my devices. Running on Windows 7.

For moving your iTunes library, I recommend this method...
Assuming you use the iTunes default settings where iTunes copied added items to your iTunes folder and organizes your library (meaning - everything is all self contained in the iTunes folder), then all you have to do is drag & drop your iTunes folder (not just the iTunes Music folder you find inside the iTunes folder) to the external drive and copy the entire thing.
If you want to test that it worked or would like to actually start using it from that location instead, use these instructions when you start iTunes to point it to the new location...
How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304447
If you are just testing, then close iTunes after you verify it works, and restart iTunes again with the same instructions and point it back to your internal drive (original) location.
Back up your iTunes library by copying to an external hard drive
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=307074
Patrick

Hard drive packed up, but had Time Machine backup. I installed new sad and upgraded to Mountain Lion., but I can't find iPhoto library and photos or iTunes songs? Is there an answer to this? Graham

Hard drive packed up, but had Time Machine backup. I installed new ssd and upgraded to Mountain Lion, but I can't find iPhoto library and photos or iTunes songs? Is there an answer to this? A backup run did not install either photos or songs. Graham

Thanks so much but none of that helped. It was driving me crazy because it would back up another external drive. I just changed the name of the drive from iPhoto/iTunes Library to Media Libraries and IT WORKED!! I guess for some reason it didn't like the drive being called iPhoto or iTunes ???? I don't understand but I have tried so many solutions and exchanging things out but the name change did it????!!!
Thank you for your help and replying to this. Guess I made my own issue!

I am trying to sync songs from itunes to my ipad and can't find my library on my ipad.

I am trying to sync songs from itunes to my ipad and can't find my library on my ipad. Can you help?

Where are you looking on the iPad ? Your synced music (and that which you download from iTunes directly on the iPad) should go into the Music app
Syncing music : http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1351

Remote can't find the library

Hi everyone,
Have the same problem since I updated iTunes to version 9 (and sup.) and iPhone OS to versi

Sorry my post has been cut...
So, I have this problem since I updated iTunes to version 9 (and sup.) and iPhone OS to version 3 (and sup.).
I can enter the code on iTunes, then after telling me I can remote control my iTunes from my iPhone, I cannot connect and allways have the same message "can't find the library".
What I've already done :
completely reinstall my computer
deactivate Windows firewall and Base Filtering Engine, then restart it
deactivate my router firewall
deactivate any filter on my router, then reboot it
delete Remote from my iPhone, reboot it, then reinstall Remote, and reboot again
activate library share on iTunes
activate public folders share on Windows
remove sim card to be sure to use wifi, and only wifi
enter the 4 digits code on iTunes (worked)
still the same message on iPhone : can't find the library
I've seen many posts saying that the computer needs to been wifi connected, and not via Ethernet. Is it true ??? It perfectly worked with older versions of these programs, why would Apple have made a change like this ??
Anyone with an idea?
Thx

All of the music on my Ipod Touch is blown out after I synched it with my new MacBook. I didn't get the 'synch' warning-- but now can't find my library of songs. I'm about to panic!

All of the music on my Ipod Touch is blown out after I synched it with my new MacBook. I didn't get the 'synch' warning-- but now can't find my library of songs. I'm about to panic!

The iPod backup that iTunes makes does not inlcuded synced media like apps and music. Thes those iTunes are not restored to the iPod unless they are in the iTunes library.
Try:
- Reset the iOS device. Nothing will be lost
Reset iOS device: Hold down the On/Off button and the Home button at the same time for at
least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
- Unsync all music and resync
- Reset all settings
Go to Settings > General > Reset and tap Reset All Settings.
All your preferences and settings are reset. Information (such as contacts and calendars) and media (such as songs and videos) aren’t affected.
- Restore from backup. See:
iOS: How to back up
- Restore to factory settings/new iOS device.

I bought a new laptop and can access my itunes library but when i try to add purchased playlist songs to my ipod message appears asking if I'm ok with erasing all other songs on the ipod. Help needed.

I bought a new laptop and can access my itunes library but when i try to add purchased playlist songs to my ipod message appears asking if I'm ok with erasing all other songs on the ipod. How do I add purchased playlist to ipod without erasing existing ipod playlists?

cujoftw wrote:
wow ... I get a headache just trying to read what you just said. I went and read how to migrate my library and found that you can only migrate purchased media.
No, you can easily migrate your entire library from one working compter to another.
If you fail to backup or migrate your library and find yourself with nothing but a new empty computer and a device full of content iTunes is designed to only recover the iTunes purchased content, however third party tools can help recover everything if needed.
tt2

How can I get iTUNES library to display renamed files and folders (renamed with Windows Explorer)?

How can I get iTunes library to display the new names and organisation of tracks and albums (ie files and folders) that I have renamed and reorganised (using Windows Explorer) having previously imported them using iTunes?
(Even when I relocate "lost" tracks in iTunes (using the drop down menu facility to view in Windows explorer), although iTunes will then play the track, and knows where to find it, it refuses to display the track with its correct (new) name, or show it the correct (new) album. That means I have lots of things called "Untitled" and "Track 01" etc, all of which have actually been renamed, but iTunes does not seem to have the capability to recognise the changes and update its library listing. Another example - a Tchaikovsky CD with 3 major works in 13 tracks insists on displaying in iTunes as 13 tracks in one album, despite the fact that I have reorganised the tracks into 3 albums - two being Swan Lake and The Nutcracker - and renamed the individual tracks to a more useable format.)

Thanks for your replies ckuan
I agree with Tgod that your first solution does not work. It appears unpredictable whether the old or new file names are listed when you drag the folders into iTunes from Windows Explorer. The folder structure is completely missing. I reckon if you have to muck around spending days/weeks/months finding out how to fix links to a secret meta-file (obviously designed by some deep-cover microsoft worm working in the Apple!), then it's pretty obvious that almost any alternate way of doing this would be better. Bye bye iTunes!!
Incidentally, I tried several other things that (if the software was designed intuitively) should work, but give disastrous results:
1) when deleting the library listing in iTunes, it gives you two options - one is to remove the listings to the Recycler. Be aware that IF you select that option, it removes not only your library listing, but also your ACTUAL MUSIC FILES to the Recycler. Moreover, it does NOT remove the insidious secret meta-file that is what apparently keeps rewriting old names over your carefully renamed file names, and keeps totally ignoring your carefully designed folder (album) structure. OK - not a complete disaster, as I realised and went hunting through the chaos in the Recycler to recover all my files. No thanks to the genius who designed this brilliant feature!
2) after deleting the library listing in iTunes, I attempted to import just the folders that I wanted. iTunes refused to allow me to do that, and proceeded to try to import every frigging music file it could find on my whole hard drive, in apparently random fashion into the library. Whoever thought up that doozy either never ever tried to use or market test it, or has modified their mind rather too many times with artificial substances so their brain is like muesli chop suey.
3) oh why go on, it's too depressing ...

ERROR (-50) can't save iTunes library

Since last some weeks, whem I use iTunes it appears this message on popup continuously: Can't save iTunes library. Unknown error (-50).
What must I do?
Thanks

Hello, lepps.
Here is are a couple articles that you may find helpful when troubleshooting this issue.
iTunes Store: "Error (-50)" when downloading purchased content
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1583
iTunes: Missing folder or incorrect permissions may prevent authorization
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1277
Cheers,
Jason H.

HT1451 I am trying to restore my playlists that disappeared yesterday. I have followed these instructions but when I get to step 7, I can't find File Library Import playlist. What am I missing?

I am trying to restore my playlists that disappeared yesterday. I have followed the instrutions on the support page but when I get to step 7, I can't find File>Library>Import Playlists. What am I missing?

I suspect the menus have changeed slightly since that document was written...
Empty/corrupt library after upgrade/crash
Hopefully it's not been too long since you last upgraded iTunes, in fact if you get an empty/incomplete library immediately after upgrading then with the following steps you shouldn't lose a thing or need to do any further housekeeping. Note that in iTunes 11 an "empty" library may show your past purchases with links to stream or download them.
In the Previous iTunes Libraries folder should be a number of dated iTunes Library files. Take the most recent of these and copy it into the iTunes folder. Rename iTunes Library.itl as iTunes Library (Corrupt).itl and then rename the restored file as iTunes Library.itl. Start iTunes. Should all be good, bar any recent additions to or deletions from your library.
Alternatively, depending on exactly when and why the library went missing, there may be a more recent .tmp file in the main iTunes folder that can be copied & renamed as iTunes Library.itl to restore the library to an earlier state. Look for a recent .tmp file that is similar in size to the .itl files in the Previous iTunes Libraries folder. If it has happened repeatedly you may want the earliest such file generated since the last iTunes upgrade.
If applicable, see iTunes Folder Watch for a tool to catch up with any changes since the backup file was created.
When you get it all working make a backup!
Should you be in the unfortunate position where you are no longer able to access your original library, or a backup of it, then see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
I've noticed more of these missing library posts of late and a common factor to most since I started asking is AVG Anti-Virus. It seems in some cases it might be at least part of the reason why the library file disappears. Try excluding the iTunes folder from any AV scanning process.
tt2

Problem Synching Iphone 4S to MacBook Pro. Also can't synch Itunes Library to iPhone.

I have a problem Syncing my iPhone 4S to my MacBook Pro......when I click sync iPhone nothing happens. When it's plugged in it asks me if I want to upoad photos from my phone to my MacBook Pro, so it does recoginise that my iphone is connected. Other than that there is no recognition ie on Finder that the phone is attached.
Nor can I sync iTunes Library to iPhone. I have however successfully synced the iTunes library to my Ipod, so it seems to be an issue my iPhone?
Any suggestions , help greatly appreciated

You'll have to purchase 3rd party software if you want to extract them directly from the phone. That or e-mail them to yourself, or set up a new shared photo stream and put the photos you want in that.
The phone is not a backup device. Since the photos came from your computer to begin with, you should have a backup of them in your backup of the computer.
You may want to seriously think about investing in an internal hard drive and turning on Time Machine.

Can't find iTunes library

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for