Copying songs onto external hard drive

So I am trying to put all my songs on to an external hard drive because I have too many songs and it slows down my computer.  My goal is to have all 25,000+ songs on a external drive as well as keep a couple albums on my internal drive just for when I want to play something from my computer (but these couple albums will also be on the external drive, to make it easier to sync the ipod when plugged in).  I am struggling in doing this.  Several people from the boards have tried to help me out.  First someone suggested this website (http://dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/ss.php?sp=relocateselected) but in order to do this I need iTunes 10, which for some reason I can not update to (I have tried to but it keeps saying my iTunes is up to date and no downloads are needed).  Then I found this tutorial
(http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/moving-your-itunes-library-to -a-new-hard-drive/) and have tried to follow it to transfer the songs over, including consolidating the files, etc. but I can't get that to work.  Next someone suggested following these steps:
Quit iTunes.
Copy the entire /Music/iTunes/ folder to the external.
Hold Option and launch iTunes.
Select Choose library... and select the iTunes folder on the external.
Which worked in copying songs over and getting my iTunes to choose only the external drive folder but now I can't open iTunes without my external drive connected.  As I mentioned my goal is to be able to plug in my iPod and external hard drive in at the same time, and sync the ipod that way, while having just a couple albums in iTunes to be able to play without having the external hard drive plugged in all the time. I hope this all makes sense. Is this possible and if so, can someone please help me, I have been trying to accomplish this for weeks.
Thanks!

You may find these Links of Interest...
Moving iTunes Media Folder
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1449
http://macmost.com/moving-your-itunes-media-to-an-external-drive.html

Similar Messages

  • 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

  • How do I copy files onto a hard drive (device) from Mac 2 7 pc. I'm able to transfer files from device but cannot transfer files to device. Anyone had same problem or can help solve this problem? Help pls

    how do I copy files onto a hard drive (device) from Mac 2 7 pc. I'm able to transfer files from device but cannot transfer files to device. Anyone had same problem or can help solve this problem? Help pls

    Welcome to Apple Support Communities
    When you try to copy data to the external drive, what happens? If you don't see any error, the external drive is formatted in NTFS, and OS X can't write in it.
    To be able to write on this external drive, you have to use an app like Paragon NTFS. Another solution would be to format the external drive in FAT32 or exFAT with Disk Utility > http://pondini.org/OSX/DU1.html Make sure you copied all the files of the external disk to the internal disk before doing it

  • 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!

  • 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

  • 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 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.

  • How do I copy GB songs to external hard drive?

    Why can´t I drag GB documents to either desktop or to external hard drive? I remember succeding in deleting songs before, so I must have been able to drag and drop documents at some point, but now I don´t seem to find the right method. Please help!

    Organize the library from within iTunes, right-click any song, locate it in the Windows Explorer, navigate up to the iTunes folder, and drag it to the external drive.
    (99533)

  • Backing up songs to External Hard Drive

    When i first bought my external hard drive, I slid my entire itunes folder into the external hard drive to save all my songs.
    My question is, what is the best way to save ONLY the new songs onto your external hard drive?
    I don't think it would be necessary to slide the entire music folder AGAIN into my external hard drive, just for two new songs that I added.
    Thanks.
    HP   Windows XP  

    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 normally 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 renamed as iTunes Library.itl to restore the library to a recent state.
    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.
    Would you mind telling me which anti-virus package you use? It may be that it is disturbing iTunes when it tries to write out the fresh database, as it does after almost any activity with your library. I'm noticing more of this type of problem than usual and trying to see if there is any pattern. It may help to prevent a repeat of the problem if you look at the advanced options for your AV package and see if you can find a way to exclude the main iTunes library folder (and subfolders if possible) from any real-time scanning process.
    tt2

  • HELP, RAN OUT OF SPACE! TRANSFER SONGS TO EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE (xhd)

    I spent forever filling my iPod video with digitized songs from my CD collection and have many songs left that didn't fit. I bought a Lacie XHD as a library so that I can move all the songs back and forth from my iPod to the External Hard Drive on an as needed basis.
    I still have the ORIGINAL songs saved on 3 different PCs all with an authorized copy of iTunes. I now have ran out of space on 3 computers and 1 iPod Video and promised my wife that I would get rid of all the CDs months ago.
    The problem is that I have tried different fixes, programs that were recommended but the tags, iTunes reading of the xhd, etc. get screwed up along the way.
    What is the best way to simplify this swap?
    Any help is most appreciated!
    Thanks.....
    Dell   Windows XP  

    I am afraid you question is not very clear.
    I understand you correctly you have iTunes installed on three different computers each with their own libraries of music.
    Is there any duplication of files between the computers or are they all different? I am going to assume there is no duplication.
    You want to transfer all the music files to an external drive.
    Do you mind losing play counts, ratings and playlists? I am not sure that it is possible to retain all the information from all the separate library databases, but you could retain one. Let’s call that computer A.
    So here is one way of doing it.
    You need to have all your music in the iTunes Music folder on computer A, and if it isn’t you need to consolidate.
    With iTunes closed, copy the iTunes folder from My Music on computer A onto the external drive. Now start iTunes with the shift key held down. When asked to choose a library navigate to the iTunes folder on the external drive and choose iTunes Library.itl.
    You should now have a duplicate iTunes running on the external drive.
    Now go to Edit>Preferences>Advanced>General
    Make sure that “Keep iTunes Music folder organised” and “Copy to iTunes Music folder when adding to library” are checked.
    Now close iTunes and eject the external drive and plug it into the second PC. Start iTunes with the shift key held down and choose iTunes library.itl on the external drive. Now use add folder to library to add the iTunes Music folder on the internal drive to iTunes. If you have music files in other folder add those too.
    Now repeat the process on the third PC.
    You should now be able to use the amalgamated library on any of the three PCs by plugging the external drive.
    Does that sound as though it is what you want to do?

  • Backed library onto external hard drive, but after transfer, playlists, playcounts ect haven't saved?

    On my old laptop I backed up my music on to an external hard drive ready to transfer over to my new laptop.
    After copying the folder from my external to the new laptops' own drive, I duly followed instructions to restore the library.
    I thought all was well and good but I noticed that it only copied the songs.. no song history or playlists. I added a new album to the library (an annoying experience after the new update in Feb) and noticed that when I went to sync my ipod (classic), all it did was charge my ipod.
    So basically all my itunes is, is just a brand new library with my songs pasted in. Theres no history of song playcounts or playlists.
    Needless to say im very irritated, as I have had no problems in the past and seem to have lost over EIGHT YEARS of history :/ 
    The old laptop has been reformatted and wiped so I can't even go back and start again. Is there any way of moving my info from the ipod itself to the laptop?!! Any help would be appreciated, thank you.

    Ah sorted it. Basically I had renamed my iTunes folder in the hard drive, so when I transfered to My music there were two folders. I have since renamed and deleted the original iTunes folder and it works now. Thank you

  • Laptop no longer recognizing songs in external hard drive.  Only ones in internal hd.  Says file cannot be found and exclamation pt. to left of song.

    My laptop no longer recognizes my songs in the external hard drive.  It still plays the ones stored on my internal hd fine.  It's just started doing this.
    The song's names still appear in the music library, but when I try to play the song, anexclamation pt. comes up to the left of the title, and it says the file cannot be located.
    OS is Windows 7 Home Premium
    Thanks.

    PhilinGood wrote:
    Thank you Tal, sounds like a nice resolution of the username difference problem, i will try this as soon as i get home, but are you sure this will not duplicate all the exhisting songs in my library? Most of my songs were renamed/rated and have a "number of times played" number, which does matter in most of my smart-playlists...
    Thank you in advance.
    When I tried my suggestion, I had around 3 three separate folders on my computer which had music in them. The music in these folders was dragged and dropped into iTunes when I was adding it onto my iPhone.
    I had foolishly moved some of the music from the other folders and into the music/iTunes folder iTunes then showed the exclamation mark beside these tracks and showed the not found or words to that affect window/popup. I then placed the folders (that contain the music) back to their location which there were at when I originally dragged and dropped them into iTunes, after this the exclamation mark and the not found window naturally did not appear anymore.
    I then done the following:
    iTunes 9:
    Choose File > Library > Organize Library.
    A message will pop up.
    Place a check next to "Consolidate files" and click OK.
    After I had done this, all the folders that contained the music that were in the 3 separate folders, were then placed in one folder, which in my case was,
    C:\Users\MY USERNAME\Music\iTunes\My iPhone\iTunes Media\Music
    Sometimes (depending on the device) it can be (your username)/music/iTunes/iTunes music

  • Can't copy files to external hard drive

    I have had both my MacBook and external hard drive for over three years now, and have never had a problem. In the last week, my external hard drive stopped letting me copy files onto it. When you try to drag and drop it just comes up with the blocked symbol. I have tested this with other hard drives as well and keep getting the same error. I've read other forums where it seems the answer is just to reformat the hard drive to the correct format, but I've never had a problem before so it seems strange that the format would just suddenly change.
    All suggestions welcome!

    me to no problem until nowdays
    and the file is movies 1080 so is one file 7-8-9-10 gb
    the weird is i see the movie from memory stick
    but i cant copy
    i restared but i cant format the memory stick becouse i use it in windows
    helppppppppppppp

  • 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

Maybe you are looking for