'file in use' problem

Question

Hello,
I am trying to add all of my music to my iTunes library, but each time I do it, only about 5% of all of the music gets added (and it is the same 5% each time). After looking around a bit I thought that maybe the files that weren't being added were locked, so I unlocked them all and still iTunes won't add them to my library. After that, I tried manually opening each of the problematic files with iTunes by ctrl_clicking on them and selecting "open with iTunes". When I do this, I get an error stating "<file> is currently in use by another program ..."
However, these files aren't being used by any other programs. I have tried restarting my computer, and even afterwards I get the same error. I've tried in a terminal running the cmd "lsof <file>" for several of the files and nothing is returned.
Has anyone run into a similar problem? What should I try next?
Thanks,

Answer 1

Music is something I don't deal with, but if you download, for example, an mp3 file, will it start automatically in QuickTime?
Several possibilities come to mind. If you're running 10.4.11, it's likely nothing done by you.
Easy Fixes
If you haven't shutdown your computer since placing music files on your hard disk, do so. QuickTime, iTunes, or another application that uses your files may still run part of the applications when the applications are turned off. You can see these in 'Activity Monitor' and shut them down manually, if you wish.
If you have a laptop and your battery 'died' (at about 15% capacity), either a table in a temporary file needs erasing, or possibly a bit-sized attribute to those files 'in use' needs changing.
If MacOSX uses tables to keep track of open files, install a good cleaning utility like 'Onyx' and erase all temporary files.
If MacOSX uses attributes to keep track of open files, use 'list view' to open all the files in QuickTime, then shutdown your computer properly while they are open.
One of the above should work.
Slightly Deeper Fixes
If not, use 'Activity Monitor' as described above: look for stray parts of audio processes still running (iTunes, I believe, had a 'quickstart' process at one time that was always running: placed by Apple in a StartUp folder.) Apple introduced with 10.4 a 'new' method for starting & stopping 'daemons', processes that always run (like that just described). A badly programmed one may not have stopped. You can stop it manually.
If Apple uses attributes to label a file open, move your music files to a new volume (CDs, DVD+RW, iPod, &c), turn automatic running of files off, shutdown your computer, start it up, check 'Activity Monitor' for any unwanted audio files, then move your music back.
Best of luck.
Bruce