How to use one music library from one external hard drive on two different computers

I have 57 gigs of music in my itunes library on my laptop (Windows Vista).  I backed up the library onto an external hard drive.  I would like to play the music on a second computer (Windows XP) without putting the music on the second computer, just keeping it on the external hard drive. 
I have the latest version of iTunes and Quicktime installed.  In iTunes on both computers, under Advanced Preferences I changed the iTunes media folder location to the folder on the external hard drive and checked the boxes for "Keep iTunes media folder organized" and "copy files to iTunes media folder when adding to library".  Also under the File tab, "Organize Library", I clicked on "Consolidate Files" and "Reorganize Files in the folder itunes music".
On the second computer I tried holding SHIFT while launching iTunes until the prompt appears asking to create a new library or point to an existing library.  While attempting to point to the new location, I am only able to open the music folder, not set it as the location.  In advanced preferences when I click "change" for the itunes media folder location, I can locate the folder but the only button I can click on is "open" or "cancel".  "Open" will open the folder showing all my music.  I tried typing in the location.  It shows the correct location.
I was able to see the songs in the library in itunes on the second computer but it won't play the music.  There are no exclamation points next to the songs.  I am also able to see the playlists but there aren't any songs in the playlists.
There are no problems with itunes on the first computer.  Everything works as it should.
Ideally I would like to use the same folder on the external hard drive for both computers if possible.  But for now I want to at least get the music playing with the playlists on the second computer from the external hard drive.
Please help.

See this post on making a split library portable.
tt2

Similar Messages

  • How do i import my library from an external hard drive. Exported it as had to wipe pc and reinstal windows but when i try to import nothing happens

    How do i import my library from an external hard drive. Had to export it as had to reinstal windows due to a conflict between windows and i-tunes. Wen i try to import nothing happens despite selecting the file. Can you import from an i-phone to i-tunes?

    What do you mean bye exported the library? 
    There is nothing to export or import.
    The correct process to backup the iTunes library would be to copy the ENTIRE iTunes folder from the computer to the external drive.

  • HT1727 how do I transfer my iTunes from an external hard drive to a different computer?

    How do I transfer my iTunes from an external hard drive to a pc?

    If you don't have all of your music files within the iTunes Music folder structure, simply moving all of your music to a new location will not result in your iTunes library automatically updating the file paths to all of your songs appropriately. If you have a few other locations in which you store your music, you can take the ExportImport script turingtest2 wrote, make the modifications below, export the results, paste them into Microsoft Word or Excel, do a Find and Replace with the correct file location, and then import the new locations. To use the script, follow turingtest2's instructions on this thread as posted on Dec 19, 2012 6:28 AM.
    Note that the modifications, while they worked for me, show my lack of experience with VB as the progress bar will no longer work. Definitely be sure to back up your iTunes library file before executing the script with the below modifications, but doing this for 3500 items didn't even take 2 minutes for the script to run.
    Line 89 was:        Prog=True
    Line 89 is now:     Prog=False
    * I had to do this because otherwise the progress bar was erroring out. So, i just turned it off.
    Lines 164-165 were:    
    'File.WriteLine "<#>" & .Location           ' Not so useful if working with missing tracks
    'File.WriteLine "<Album>" & .Album
    Lines 164-165 are now three lines (the middle one is the only uncommented line): 
    'File.WriteLine "<#>" & .Location           ' Not so useful if working with missing tracks
    File.WriteLine "<Location>" & .Location          
    'File.WriteLine "<Album>" & .Album
    Finally, insert this whole block around line 270 so that it looks similar to the others:
            Case "<location>"
              If T.Location<>Value Then                ' Don't update if value won't change
                T.Location=Value
                U=U+1
                Trace T,"Updated Location"
              Else
                V=V+1
              End If
              'If Trace Then MsgBox "Updated Location"
    Note that I had to comment the very last line as well or else the program errored out. You won't be able to trace the results either.
    Just thought I'd share this in case anyone else needed something like this.

  • Any suggestions for running an iTunes library from an external hard drive on two computers?

    I have two Mac computers: an iMac and a MacBook Air.  My iMac has 1TB of storage space (plenty enough for my 200+gigs of music) but my MacBook Air only has 250gigs of storage space.  I know I can access all of the music from my iMac on my MBA with HomeSharing.  But that doesn't work when I take my MBA out of the house for work.  I was going to switch over my iTunes library to an external HD but I don't know if I can access the library on the hard drive from my MBA, when the main library is on my iMac.
    Any suggestions as to how to get two different computers to access an iTunes library from an external hard drive?
    Thanks.

    I am confused as to what you had or have where and when.  The bottom line is, your library (for the standard user) is everything in the iTunes folder.  As far as iTunes' organization and display is concerned, your library is a file called "iTunes Library.itl" which points to all the other host of files and folders normally in the iTunes folder which all work together.
    What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
    More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management
    What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html
    Where are my iTunes files located? - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391
    iTunes 9 [and later]: Understanding iTunes Media Organization - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3847 - plus supplemental information about organizing to new structure https://discussions.apple.com/message/26404702#26404702
    Image of folder structure and explanation of different iTunes versions (turingtest2 post) - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-7392 and making an iTunes library portable.
    If you kept everything together in one place then you need to put the whole iTunes folder on the drive where you want it, start iTunes while holding down the option key and guide it to that .itl file.  If things were split up and you had media on the external and the rest of the library on the internal you need to get them back to exactly where they were before.  If you can't find that iTunes folder holding the critical .itl file anywhere then you have a bunch of media tracks and no organization and will need to rebuild the organization from ground level.

  • How can I have iTunes read my music library from an external hard drive?

    I am trying to use an external hard drive with more memory to store my iTunes music and movie library.  How can I get iTunes to read this external hard drive?

    Move the library to the external drive in its entirety.
    Then in Perferences > Advanced for iTunes in the box labelediTunes Media foler location point iTunes to the location of the library on the external drive.
    Allan

  • Using my iTunes library from an external hard drive to a brand new Macbook.

    This seems to be such a simple thing to be able to do but I'm fearing it's not. Basically I've had an iMac for 3 years and during that time have built up around 165gb in my iTunes folder. So I learnt off the net how to move my library onto an external hard drive so that I can free up the space on my iMac and play my iTunes library from the external drive. So far so good. My iPhone 4 is obviously connected to my iMac and thats how I get my media on and off the phone. Here's where my problems begin.
    I've just bought a Macbook Pro. Its obviously empty and has no media on it. I have paired my iPhone 4 with the new Macbook but obviously the iTunes library on my new Macbook is empty. I downloaded a couple of podcasts onto my new machine and tried to put them onto my phone but got a message saying that the podcasts I currently have on my phone (that are on there from my iMac iTunes library) were going to be deleted and the new ones would be put on. Still with me? So, if I could get my original 165gb library thats now on my external hard drive to be seen on my new Macbook that would possibly solve my problems. But I cant see a simple way of doing this. I've pointed the iTunes Media Location folder in the preferences on my new Macbook to the same folder on my external hard drive as is on my iMac but iTunes on my Macbook is not showing up my library. Do I really have to open every album into iTunes on my Macbook seperately? It seems such a stupid, laborious way of doing it. As if you cant have two Apple computers and run one iTunes library off an external hard drive so that its the same on both machines.
    Help!
    Message was edited by: Eels290776

    Eels290776 wrote:
    if my external hard drive is not connected to either of my machines, and I download something onto my iMac and then something different onto my Macbook, where are my machines going to be storing the new downloaded media
    when the drive is not connected, +iTunes media folder location+ will default back to <MacintoshHD>/users/<yourname>/music/iTunes/iTunes music (or media)
    and when I next connect the external hard drive how will I easily get the newly downloaded media onto the external HD
    you'd have to point +iTunes media folder location+ back to the external via preferences > advanced > iTunes media folder location, then file > library, organize library > consolidate files
    and essentially, to have it easily readable on both machines?
    in that case it might be best to copy the entire iTunes folder to the external. then, on each machine, launch iTunes while pressing option on your keyboard. when prompted, click on +choose library+ and navigate to the iTunes folder on the external.
    note only one iTunes can access the iTunes library @ a time !
    also, make sure the external is mounted on either machine before launching iTunes.
    JGG

  • HT1364 I used these instructions to move my i-tunes library to the external hard drive that two different home pc's access. My playlists do not show on both Is it possible to have one i-pod synch amid two different computers that use the same library?

    I have a sole i-pod and two pc's, used the instructions for "iTunes for Windows: Moving your iTunes Media folder" in the hope that I could synch my one i-pod between two different computers that are sharing the same library. Is it possible to have two seperate computers that only share an external hard drive (one wireless, one not) ? When I am looking at a shared library should it appear the same on both machines (ie: playlists/ purchased list etc)?

    If it is moved correctly, playlists will display on both computers and it should be possible.
    Close iTunes.
    Hold <SHIFT> and launch iTunes.
    When prompted to create a new or open an existing iTunes library point iTunes to the iTunesLibrary.itl file on the external drive.
    The entire library should now show up with all playlists and playcounts.
    Do this on both computers.
    Keep in mind that only one computer can access iTunes at a time, otherwise errors will occur when each computer attempts to write to or update the iTunesLibrary.itl file.
    Syncing may work seemlessly with both computers, but honestly syncing is designed to work with one and only one computer.

  • How do I get iTunes Match to upload my music library from my external hard drive?  It only got some of the music and not a lot of it at that.

    I'm trying iTunes Match and not having a great time of it so far.  It only got a fraction of my music from my music library.  I contacted support and they told me that it would recognize my external hard drive and take all of the music.  My collection is all from CDs with the exception of a few from iTunes.  I just want more of my collection to be available.
    Can anyone help with that

    The issue is not related to the external drive. iTunes Match has difficulties matching tracks ripped fom CDs because they may differ slightly from the versions on sale in iTunes. You can try the match again. Otherwise do a search of this forum. There are already many discussions on this subject here that may help you.

  • HT1296 How do I transfer my music library from my external hard drive to my new PC?

    I saved all my music to an external hard drive so that it could be moved to my new PC.  All my song titles are showing up on the new PC, but whenever I try to play something, it says the file cannot be found.  If I plug the HD in, it will play the music.  As soon as I unplug the HD, I can no longer play anything.  My music library includes both items purchased from iTunes and music I added from CDs I own.  Please advise.  Thanks!

    you moved your music to an E-HD and connect it to a new computer
    ahdn when you play something it will only play when the e-hd is connected ?
    if so yeah sure thats the whole point
    if you want it on the new computer first copy the music to the new computers hd
    and then add it to itunes
    some of us wish to move our media to NAS's to save storage on our computers
    so if itunes would force the media added to the local hd of the computer we would become very upset
    though itunes does have settings to auto move added media to the local hd

  • I recently had to back up itunes play lists to external hard drive, how do I restore the library from the external hard drive to the new computer

    I recently had to back up itunes play lists to external hard drive whilst computer was fixed. reinstalled itunes but dont know how to reinstall my music from external hard drive. help?

    The same way the library was copied/moved to the external drive.
    Copy it from location A to location B.
    Then point iTunes to the correct library.

  • How do I sync my iPad to my external hard disk via two different computers?

    I have my content on external HDD and I would like to sync the content to a single iPAD via a MBP as well as via a laptop.  But whenever I change the MBP to laptop or vice verse, the change is not transparent. MBP is not using the configuration created by laptop;  it will have to create its own configuration file (vice verse is also true).  There is lot of scanning of media and manual adding.  Is it possible to use iTunes the way I am hoping to use?  Or should I use only one MBP/laptop with one iPAD?

    Using iPad or iPod with multiple computers  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1202
    Apps cannot legally be shared between Apple IDs - that is considered piracy.
    However, you can legally install apps on multiple devices that use the same iTunes ID and are owned/controlled by the same person.

  • How do I transfer/copy my itunes library from 1 external hard drive to another one?

    How can i transfer/copy my itunes library from 1 external hard drive  to another one?

    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1449

  • How do I move iTunes library to an external hard drive to use less space?

    How do I move iTunes library to an external hard drive to use less space?

    Our iTunes guru Terence Devlin advises the following:
    1. Quit iTunes
    2. Drag the iTunes folder from your internal hd - located in ~/Music folder - to your external hd. DO NOT delete the original one from your internal hd... yet!
    3. When the transfer is complete, press and hold the Option(alt) key and fire up iTunes.
    4. A "Choose iTunes Library" window will come up. Click on the "Choose Library" button.
    5. Navigate to where the iTunes folder is located in the external hd.
    6. Within the iTunes folder, select the iTunes Library file and click Choose...
    That's it. iTunes will now display all your playlists, songs, movies, podcasts etc. At this point, should you wish, you can delete the iTunes folder from the internal hd to free up space.
    More info:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751
    Or if you prefer a more complicated explanation:
    http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/moving-your-itunes-library-to -a-new-hard-drive

  • How do I move my iTunes library from my external hard drive back to my computer?

    Just wondering how do I move my entire iTunes library from my external hard drive back to my computer? It was moved to an external hard drive a few years ago, and now I'm wondering how to move it back to my iMac to increase performance.
    Where does it belong in the computer?
    Any suggestions?

    The library itself is the /Home/Music/iTunes/ folder in its entirety. Did you also change where preference files were stored? Normally, they would be in the /Home/Library/Preferences/ folder.

  • How can I consolidate my music library with an external hard drive?

    I have moved my entire music library onto an external hard drive. However, when I want to copy a new CD at work, I often copy the music onto my laptop then have to manually transfer it to the external hard drive at home.
    I thought that "consolidate" library would do this automatically for me. The problem is when I disconnect the external, the next time I open iTunes it tells me "The folder containing the iTunes Library cannot be found and is required. Please choose or create a new iTunes Library." So I choose the iTunes library that resides on my laptop in the Music folder. When I go back to using my external music folder and try to consolidate my library nothing happens. I would like to use the "consolidate library" command to copy the music from my laptop to my external hard drive. Please help!

    Drag it to the internal drive.
    If it contains the iTunes database files, launch iTunes with the Shift key held down, click on Choose Library, and navigate to it.
    If it doesn't, drag it from there into the open iTunes application window.
    (108123)

Maybe you are looking for