Copying iTunes to external hard drive

Hi All,
I am trying to copy my iTunes folder to an external hard drive to transfer to a new laptop.
I have followed the instruction online, consolidate in iTunes, close iTunes, drag and drop to external hard drive etc. However, it get to about 3/4 of the way through then comes up with an error stating that a particular song is corrupt. So I go into iTunes and delete the entire Album which that song is on. I also search within Explorer within the iTunes folder and the search results keep coming up with the XML file only. Its like the corrupt song only exists within this file.......strange?? It's driving me insane!
Can anyone help?
Thanks!
Susan

Your hard drive is probably getting flakey. See this User Tip for a backup strategy. Unlike Windows Explorer when SyncToy finds a file that it just can't copy it records it as an error and then proceeds to carry on with the next operation. For things that matter it is worth trying another couple of runs when the machine/drive has had a chance to cool down, but first make sure you try to copy off everything that matters to you while you still can...
tt2

Similar Messages

How do I copy iTunes from external hard drive to iMac?

How do I copy iTunes from external
Hard drive to iMac?

if your main library is on your external, then when not connected, you wont have access to it.
so first decide, where do you want to keep the files.
E.g. In my case, I keep my files on "C:\iTunes Music".
I have a backup on external "Z:\iTunes Backup". If I format my laptop, this is how I restore everything.
Edit -> Preferences -> Advanced.
The iTunes music folder in selects as "C:\iTunes Music"
I have checked Keep iTunes Music Folder Organized, and also Copy Files to iTunes Music folder when adding to ibrary". Click OK to save and close preferences.
My iTunes list is now empty. I go to file, and select "Add Folder to Library". From that window, I select "Z:\iTunes Backup". iTunes then copies everything from the backup to "C:\iTunes Music". For me, backup is backup, I dont need it to play music.
Now decide this. If you do not want to keep music on C:, but want to only connect the external to update music on your ipod, do this:
In preferences, set iTunes Music folder as "Z:\iTunes Backup", and uncheck Copy files to iTunes Music folder, since they are already there. Then in files, select Add folder to library again to build and update the list.

I cannot get my iTunes library from my old computer to my new one. The old computer is so messed up that I cannot even get google to open. I tried to copy to an external hard drive and the music was there until I went to upload to the new computer.

I cannot get my iTunes library/music from my old computer to my new one. The old computer is so messed up that I cannot even open a browser.I tried to copy to an external hard drive and the music was there until I went to upload to the new computer. I disconnected my old computer so I will have to reconnect it I am sure. thank you for any help. Last time I transferred I used a product I purchased. That was a long time ago.

First of all make sure that you've definitely backed up the movies to your external hard disc.
In iMovie click on any event you don't want, go to the file menu and select 'move event to trash'. Then do the same for any unwanted projects - 'move project to trash'. Quit out of iMovie and empty the trash.
Hope that helps!

Copied Library to External Hard drive and iTunes cannot find

I copied my iTunes library to an external hard drive last night and went into preferences and changed location and then deleted the original folder...now iTunes is empty... If I go onto hard drive and select a song it tranfers it into iTunes (and back onto computers hard drive)...obviously did something wrong...anybody have any suggestions on how to fix?

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.
Additional info...
Back up your iTunes library by copying to an external hard drive
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=307074
Cheers,
Patrick

Restoring itunes from external hard drive

-I used WD backup program to store itunes on external hard drive
-hard drive on mac pro crashed, replaced hard drive
-trying to restore itunes songsa from external drive and when I copied songs from external hard drive to new internal hard drive which has itunes program, only song titles appear and track number for songs I ripped from CDs. All info is present for songs I purchased from itunes (why is there a difference in the way these two are restored???)
-Can I restore itunes from external drive so that artist and album are associated with each song title I ripped from CDs?
Much appreciate all assistance. Thanks.

I know MP3 and AAC save tag data, and I believe AIFF does as well (if you want to keep them in full-quality but space-greedy format). I don't think WAV supports tagging which is why they were lost. Read:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9558241&#9558241
This time make sure you have a complete backup of your itunes folder (which, in fact you may still have). That way you can recover your complete library and everything intact (as long as you keep your backups up to date).
Here is a related topic
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9267109&#9267109

HT1660 How do I run itunes from external Hard drive?

How do I run itunes from external hard drive. I only have ssd on PC and media is too large to fit

You do not.
iTunes, like all programs is installed on the C drive.
You can store the media on another drive.
Assuming you are moving an existing library from another computer:
Move or Copy the ENTIRE iTunes folder from the old computer to the new computer and put it where you want it.
Install iTunes using the default options.
Hold <SHIFT> while launching iTunes. It will prompt to create a new library or locate an existing library.
Select the option to locate an existing library.
Point iTunes to the iTunesLibrary.itl file in the iTunes folder that was moved from the old computer.

How do i copy from an external hard drive to iMac?

When copying from an external hard drive, when the box 'select your disc' comes up - I am unable to continue.

I suspect the external HD is formatted in NTFS, by default a Mac can write to one but it cannot be written to from one. How you overcome this is to download and install the NTFS-3G Download.
Roger

I have one folder on my desktop, i want to copy it on external hard drive so how can i do this?

I have one folder on my desktop, i want to copy it on external hard drive so how can i do this?

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
Connect the external drive and open a Finder window pressing the Finder icon in Dock. Then, drag the folder to Finder, so it will be copied to this external disk.
If you can't copy this folder, probably you have to format the external disk or use an app that allows you to write in that external drive. Mac OS X can't write in NTFS external disks

Do macs keep a record of what files are copied to an external hard drive?

Is it possible to set up a MacBook to keep a record of what files are copied to an external hard drive?

Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. Note: If FileVault is enabled in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t start in safe mode.
Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
You may now be able to log in and move the files off the Desktop. Then restart as usual.

Help copying files from iTunes to external hard drive

I have a bunch of music files (about 15,000 of them) that I want to back up to an external hard drive. They are only files of a certain bit rate, so I can't just locate them in a particular folder and copy them; I need to sort them in iTunes and copy them from there. I tried to highlight all of them and just copy them, but I got the spinning wheel for a couple minutes and then the operation stopped. I then figured out that I could transfer about 1,000 at a time -- I got the tracks by bands starting with A, then B, then C, to transfer. But now I am stuck. When I try to transfer files now, when I highlight them in iTunes, the window showing the destination folder on the external hard drive disappears, and I can't transfer them. Before, it seemed like both windows were active, but now they are not. Anyone know the solution to this?

The Windows drive is probably formatted NTFS which is not natively writable
by the Mac. It should be formatted as FAT32 to be usable on both.
Dave

Problem with itunes and external hard drive

I've have recently downloaded the newest version of itunes, I also have an external hard drive with 40gbs of music on.
When I open itunes preferences and set library to an external one, none of my music copies to itunes.
I have tried to individually copy music folders to itunes, but my whole mac freeze's
Any advice please?

You might find this article useful: iLounge - Managing your iTunes Library on an External Hard Drive

Itunes on external hard drive wont open in Win7

I have my itunes stored on an external hard drive using Windows XP. I have just changed my computer to a Win7 version, and now I cant access my library. I can see it there but cannot find the correct path to it. I have been able to access it on my old XP PC so it still works OK, but frustrated not being able to get it to work on a later OS/computer.

Do you have the itunes database file from XP also on the exHD?
iTunes Library.itl
Copy it from XP onto the exHD.
Then connect the exHD to Win 7, do a shift-start of itunes.
Which means, press *AND HOLD* the shift key while starting itunes, keep pressing until you get the prompt. Then browse to the exHD and choose the ITL file you copied over.

How can I transfer Itunes from external hard drive to a new computer?

Hello,
I had a Dell laptop with Windows XP on it recently crash, but I have everything saved to a Seamagine external 1 terabyte hard drive. I have about 250 gigabytes of media on it, mostly CD's and audiobooks. The setup I had on the XP computer was my Itunes folder saved on the C drive, but I kept all the actual music and audiobooks on the external hard drive, which was labeled the F drive.
After the crash, a relative sold me their three year old Compaq laptop, with Windows 7 instead of XP as the OS. My relative already had Itunes downloaded on it, but when I opened the Itunes on the new (new to me) laptop, Itunes only recognized their (my relative's) account. So, I uninstalled their Itunes and then I re-downloaded Itunes for 64-bit Windows 7. I then opened the Windows Explorer folder so to drag and drop my backed up Itunes folder and library information from the old C drive to the new Itunes folder in the new C drive. But, it wouldn't do anything. It still wanted the password info from my relative's account. It wouldn't recognize my account, even though I had uninstalled and then reinstalled a newer version of Itunes. Dragging and dropping my backed-up Itunes folder from my external hard drive to the new C drive didn't work because it said it didn't have certain permissions or something like that. I think I might have downloaded a newer version of Itunes, different from what I had saved a couple of days ago, which might be one of the problems here, not to mention that I switched OS's from XP to Windows 7.
When I plugged the external hard drive USB into the new laptop no Seamagine manager came up for user-friendly accessibility. I didn't know what to do, so I installed Seagate Dashboard onto the new computer. It didn't do anything for me either. No problem, I thought, I'll just use Windows Explorer to move the Itunes library, and then once I transfer (i.e., drag and drop) the old Itunes folder to the one, all will be as it was. I could then direct my Itunes account to use my external hard drive as the media source folder. I was wrong. It won't let me do that either. It says I don't have permission to do it.
How c an I get my old Itunes library info onto the C drive of this new computer, but keep the 250GB of media files on the external hard drive, just like the setup I had on the old laptop before it crashed? If you can help me, then you will be my hero. I'm scared to death that I've lost my library info and afraid to mess with it too much more for fear of erasing it or, worse, losing the 250 GB of media that is on the external hard drive, which has taken me a tremendous amount of time and money to compile. It is, in effect, irreplaceable. I'm very worried and frustrated. I've been working on this for days, to no avail. You're my last hope. Thank you.

Hmm, I think we should start over...
Here are the typical layouts for the iTunes folders:
In the image above the red outline denotes the "media folder", that is the folder listed under Edit > Preferences > Advanced. In the standard layout where the "media folder" is inside the "library folder" the iTunes library has the advantage of being self-contained and portable. Since you've lost the "library folder" from your old computer you're going to have to start over so you might as well get organized properly.
If the folder curently holding your media files is called G:\iTunes then rename it as G:\Media.
The support doc How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one explains how to create a new iTunes library where you want it. In short click the icon to start iTunes and immediately press and hold down the shift key. Keep holding until asked to choose or create a library, click Create and browse to G:\, make sure the folder is going to be called iTunes and click save.
Move the folder that actually holds the media inside the folder G:\iTunes\iTunes Media. We're going to let iTunes reorganize everything (unless you have a collection of .wav files in which case stop and tell me because they require a different approach).
Use File > Add folder to library and select the folder G:\iTunes\iTunes Media. iTunes will search through the whole series of subfolders adding all media files into the library and reorganizing them into the correct artist & album folders.
Again, for data security, you really ought to obtain a second external drive at some point and backup your library to it. Only having one copy, as you have found, leaves you vulnerable to failure. External drives are no less prone to it.
A) Windows uses \ as a folder separator in path descriptions, Mac uses /.
B) Do you have a backup of the iTunes folder that was on drive C:\ or are you simply referring to the location of your media as a "backup" when it really the only copy? If you have a backup copy of your "original" iTunes library you could move/copy that to G:\iTunes shift-start-iTunes to open it, and then I can offer tools or techniques for fixing the links that will be broken becuase the drive letter has changed.
C) Use Store > Sign out and then Store > Sign in to sign into your iTunes account. You will also need to use Store > Authorize the computer to allow playback and transfer of any protected content. If your new library contains protected content from any other accounts then you will have to authorize the computer for those too.
tt2

Is it really possible to operate iTunes from external hard drive?

The internal hard drive on my Mac Book Pro is full and most of it is music for iTunes. I have been told that it is possible to operate iTunes from a library on an external drive but it hasn't worked for me. I have moved the iTunes folder on to my external hard drive. Then I did two things...First, I opened iTunes while pressing the "alt" key. Then I clicked on "choose library" and directed it to the iTunes folder on the external hard drive. Second, I opened Preferences>Advanced>iTunes Media Folder Location and then clicked on "Change" and directed that to the iTunes folder on my external hard drive. It should work right? Well, it worked the day that I did it but the next day I had "!" beside every song in my library of nearly 10,000 songs. It says that it can't find the location of the song file and asks if I would like to find it. When I show it where the file is it works but it will take me forever to do that with each individual song. Can this really be done successfully?

One question. What is NAS?
Here is a link http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751 . I did it exactly this way the first time I tried, including consolidating and the organize library part but it made a mess of my iTunes folder. Luckily I had it backed up on another partition of my hard drive using Time Machine. So, I deleted the iTunes folder and started over.
I dragged the iTunes folder over last night to the partition on my hard drive that I want to operate iTunes from. It took about an hour or so to copy the files over but the iTunes folder looks organized the way it should be again. Then I Alt>Clicked on iTunes in the dock and picked create library. Then I directed it to the new iTunes folder. Next I chose preferences>Advanced>Change media folder location and directed that to the new Itunes folder. Then it asked me if I would like iTunes to organize the folder(or something to that effect). I can't remember exactly but I chose "No" or "Cancel" this time, I didn't the first time. It has been working ever since but I am waiting for something to go wrong. Because, it worked last time for a day and then stopped.

Itunes on external hard drive - some mp3s stalling and crashing - HELP!

Hi,
I hope somebody can help me.
I've had my itunes library on a western digital external hard drive for nearly a year now. i have upwards of 17, 000 songs. Recently after a few seconds playback of certain songs the hard drives starts to click, the songs stalls, jumps ahead then stalls.
I can't play these tracks in another player such as RealPlayer, or even playing the file through Get Info direct from the hard drive.
It's happening more frequently and I'm worried I'm going to end up losing a lot of songs. I also tried dragging the mp3 onto the desktop but it comes up with:
+The Finder cannot complete the operation because some data in " " could not be read or written. (Error Code -36.)+
Is there anyway to salvage the files? Stop it happening to other ones?
I'd really appreciate a response if anybody has had a similar experience or knows what to do.
Thanks,
Tom.

Hi,
In case you haven't solved your problem yet, here are some tips.
First, the file that iTunes was indicating was "Damaged" was probably the main file it uses, iTunes Library in your "Music" folder. If this file is corrupted for any reason, iTunes will rename it with the word "Damaged" in the filename, and create a new, empty iTunes Library file. Since all the metadata, containing the definitions of the playlists, etc are stored in this file, you lose all your playlists when the "Damage" occurs. The underlying music files are untouched, as you indeed see.
I've not run into any scripts that actually repair a "Damaged" library file per se. But, if you have a copy of your files on a backup tape, CD, or another machine, you can simply copy that backup file back onto your "Music/iTunes" folder, thereby overwriting the new, empty library file, and you should have all your playlists back. I've done this a number of times without problem when I've had damaged library files.
Going forward you might want to take a look at iTunes Library Manager in Doug's Applescripts for iTunes for managing your library file.
Secondly, check iTunes/Preferences/Advanced and check to make sure the path to your iTunes library is correctly shown in the window. If not, correct it with the "Change" button. You will note that the iTunes library, xml file and a few other files will remain in your "Music/iTunes" folder, while all of your music will be located on your external drive. Don't move the remaining iTunes files in your "Music/iTunes" folder.
As you add new music to your library, you'll see the audio file be copied to your external drive, while the iTunes library file will grow slightly.
Good luck!
Ed

Copying iTunes to external hard drive

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