ITunes doesn't "see" my music on Ex HDD

I've just installed an new external drive on my network. I've tried to move my old iTunes music to it from a smaller ex HDD which has a back up of my iTunes music from another PC in the house.
I can't get iTunes to see the folder on the older ex HDD but if I manually select a track and play it, it plays in iTunes.
I'm trying to consolidate my music which is located in/on several drives on to one networked drive but I think I've made a mess of it - it maybe sensible to start again if some one could advise me how best to do so I really appreciate it!
I didn't appreciate the need to move the library files over until after I'd move the music so I presume that hasn't helped.
So I'm in a bit of a state an need techy help please!

I don't know if this will help, but I'd suggest you update to iTunes 6.0.5. That will run on 10.2.8 and is much more current and complete. You'd also want QuickTime 6.5.2. Worth considering, anyway.
Another thing to try would be to delete the iTunes library and library.xml files in your user -> Music -. iTunes folder to make sure you start clean and then try the Add To Library command again. You might want to use Disk Utility to verify the external drive, just to make sure that there aren't any drive errors (doubtful since you say that the tracks will play through Finder, but worth checking).
Hope this helps.

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My Library has disappeared. iTunes doesn't see my music on external drive

I use a work computer so I have been using an external drive to store my iTunes Library. It's been working fine for the last couple of months, but for some reason this evening when I launched iTunes, my library was empty and an iTunes pop-up window appeared that said:
The iPod “my iPod” is synced with another iTunes library. An iPod can be
synced with only one iTunes library at a time. What would you like to do?
“Erase and Sync” replaces the contents of this iPod with the contents of
this iTunes library.
“Transfer Purchases” copies iTunes Store purchases this computer is
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The pop up window had three buttons that read: "Cancel", "Erase and Sync", and "Transfer Purchases."
There haven't been any changes to the configuration of my computer that I'm aware of, and when I search for my external drive using "My Computer" I don't have a problem locating my external drive and seeing the music files.
How can I fix this problem without making it worse? I don't want to "Transfer Purchases," because I'm pretty sure this will simply create a second Library and make matters worse. Can anyone help me?

Did you save a copy of the itunes database ITL file? that is what itunes uses to find the paths to your music.
Also, you don't need to move one folder at a time. You can drag the top-level folder into itunes, or use add > Folder.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660

New iTunes doesn't see all music in iTunes folder

I recently upgraded to iTunes 9.1.1.12. Since the upgrade, I notice that it only shows a portion of the files in the iTunes folder.
I can see them when I open the folder in Windows Explorer.
I haven't/don't receive an error message.
How can I correct this?

From Germany with not perfect English:
I had similar problem. Files that were not transferred had either no file-ending (.tif and .jpg-files without these endings are not synct) or a wrong ending (.pdf for example).
And the Apple-Hotline told me, a next iPod-software-update would allow a better sorting photos on the iPod. (Actually you can not use folders in folders, and all Photoes are sorted by date; a little help may be a count-number at the beginning of the file-name: 01.... 02.... 03... This helps, however it is not a good work for so many photos as you have.)

TS1363 i have a new iphone 5 and although I had a little trouble downloading all my apps and music, i did this successfully but now when I connect to my itunes, itunes doesn't see it and also bluetooth doesn't seem to be working.Can Anyone help

I have a new iphone 5 and although I had a little trouble downloading all my apps and music, I did this successfully but now when I connect to my itunes, itunes doesn't see it and also bluetooth doesn't seem to be working.Can Anyone help?

Hey leafxxx,
Thanks for the question, and welcome to Apple Support Communities.
The following resource provides troubleshooting steps if your iPhone is not displayed in iTunes when connected:
Apple - Support - iPhone - iTunes Troubleshooting Assistant
http://www.apple.com/support/iphone/assistant/itunes/
For more detailed instructions, see this article:
iOS: Device not recognized in iTunes for Windows
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1538
Enjoy your new iPhone 5!
Matt M.

Migration Assistant problem? : New iMac's iTunes doesn't see the catalog or playlist of my old Mac's songs on an external drive

So I just migrated from a 10.7.5 iMac 27" from 2009 to 10.9.4 on a 2013 27" iMac with Fusion Drive.
I don't use Time Machine. There are no backups involved here.
Used Ethernet. Only took 20 hours... (BTW, it stayed on "less than 1 minute left" for like 12 hours but luckily I was away and just left it going in hopes it would work... and it did!)
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So now it worked, finally. On my new iMac, running Mavericks, I now have two user accounts... the one that was set up when I started the computer the first time, and the new one that transferred over via Migration Assistant. No problem. I can live with that. The only thing is, I would still think the old XML files and library stuff would migrate over... but iTunes doesn't see it. When I open up iTunes, in *either* account, iTunes behaves as if it's brand new. Repeat: the old and new account on the new iMac, both, do not see an old iTunes library which IS on the old iMac. Only the music is on the external drive from what I understand.
I've done this before so I know it's possible. I remember upgrading a long time ago and got iTunes to see my old library... even though some of the music was no longer there. It just puts "!" marks wherever there is no link. I was hoping that that's what I would find when I launched iTunes, but no luck. Even connecting the old hard drive to the new Mac (via USB) doesn't make iTunes all of a sudden "see" the old library. That data doesn't seem to be there. It didn't transfer over. Did it not transfer over because the songs weren't on the internal volume? Should I have left my external hard drive on?
So.... now that I've spent almost 3 days total trying to get this to work, and everything is running... I don't want to have to start over in order to get iTunes to work. Is there a way I can just drag over some XML files or something from the old computer? I don't want to lose all of the ratings and personal notes and everything.
I should add also that I have like only four songs I've ever actually bought through iTunes. I'm still a bit old fashioned and buy CDs and rip them to Apple Lossless. So I hope it's not an authorization / reauthorization issue because I have like 1400 albums ripped.
Thanks in advance for any help.
--Jeff

iTunes does not use the .xml it uses the .itl
If you are sure your old library file migrated across (does the file size and modification dates suggest it has?) start iTunes while holding down the option/alt key and guide it to the .itl file to get it to use that one.

I bought a new computer, and iTunes doesn't have my music or anything on there. I want to get everything on my iPhone to my new computer/itunes. But no matter what i do, it won't let me. My desktop has everything, and I want all that on my laptop..

I bought a new computer, and downloaded iTunes, therefore the new itunes doesn't have my music or anything on there. I want to get everything on my iPhone to my new computer/itunes. But no matter what I do, it won't let me. My desktop has everything that my phone has on it, I just want it all moved to my laptop. Does that make sense? I could really use some help. I don't live with this desktop anymore so I need to be able to use my laptops itunes. Please help me. Thanks in advance!

These are two possible approaches that will normally work to move an existing library to a new computer.
Method 1
Backup the library with this User Tip.
Deauthorize the old computer if you no longer want to access protected content on it.
Restore the backup to your new computer using the same tool used to back it up.
Keep your backup up-to-date in future.
Method 2
Connect the two computers to the same network. Share your <User's Music> folder from the old computer and copy the entire iTunes library folder into the <User's Music> folder on the new one. Again, deauthorize the old computer if no longer required.
Both methods should give the new computer a working clone of the library that was on the old one. As far as iTunes is concerned this is still the "home" library for your devices so you shouldn't have any issues with iTunes wanting to erase and reload.
I'd recommend method 1 since it establishes an ongoing backup for your library.
Note if you have iOS devices and haven't moved your contacts and calendar items across then you should create one dummy entry of each in your new profile and iTunes should merge the existing data from the device.
If your media folder has been split out from the main iTunes folder you may need to do some preparatory work to make it easier to move. See make a split library portable.
Should you be in the unfortunate position where you are no longer able to access your original library or a backup then then seeRecover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device for advice on how to set up your devices with a new library with the maximum preservation of data.
tt2

It appears since my Windows PC McAfee AV subscription expired my PC's iTunes doesn't see my two Apple TV2's. My computer has internet connection thru router and my ATV has internet connection thru same router. My iPad can see the ATV but it can't see iT

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When i connect by usb 2.0 my iPod, the pc see the iPod as an external drive and It seems to be empty, while iTunes says that there isn't any iPod connected. The latest iPod software is installed. Opening the iPod while it isn't connected to the pc, there isn't any file but in the settings is written that almost 10 gb are full and 20 gb are free: this should be ok because before that these problems appeared that was the memory used. Of course I can't update the iPod or reset it to default because the iPod updater doesn't see any iPod connected to the pc while it is really connected... Well, windows sees my iPod while iTunes doesn't see it so i can't make any operation on the iPod and when it isn't connected to the pc i can't listen to the music... Please sombody help me!

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See if any of the troubleshooting steps in this article help: iPod shows up in Windows but not in iTunes

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Good morning.
I recently purchased a G4 iBook. I used iPod Rip to move my music from the mini to my iBook. The music was put into folders under an iPod Rip folder. I moved these folder to the iTunes Library folder, however, iTunes doesn't see them.
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Thanks.

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This totally does not address the problem. I have had my iPad for only a few days and I'm about to return it. I've been able to sync it once, after installing a new OS, then uninstalling iTunes... and then it just grabbed everything/apps from my iPod, most of which I would not have put on the new machine. Now I want to sync the apps I've purchased on the iPad and some music/movies and the computer doesn't "see" the iPad at all.
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Itunes doesn't see library on external hard drive

I've been using itunes on my laptop (dell inspiron 2200) with an external hard drive to store my music files.
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If your pluging your hard dive in via USB you may have the same issue I have once and while with my external dive I put all my iTune files in. My hard drive has to USB plugs to get enough power to the hard drive. If I use only one and on battery power iTunes does not see it. But you said you can see it via my computer so you may have to check the place iTunes is putting your files again. In iTunes go to the edit tab on the top of the iTunes window pan down to Prefernces then go to the Advanced tab and at the top make sure your iTunes Music File Location is to your external Hard dive file you have for iTunes.

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ITunes doesn't "see" my music on Ex HDD

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