Itunes library and NAS - multiple computers and merging music

I've just bought a Western Digital myBookWorld edition 2TB network drive, and I've gone through (the incredibly painful) process of moving my music from my desktop to the network drive. But now my desktop looks to the network drive for it's music and it seems to be working ok.
My girlfriend has a laptop, which is always connected to the network (don't travel with it at all) which has a different library of music. At the moment on that laptop she uses the iTunes server element of the NAS drive and so plays my music by using the shared bit of itunes.
What I'd quite like though is both computers to use the network permanently - so when I buy songs on my gf's laptop, I'd like that music to be available on my desktop, so the most sensible way to do it would seem to be having both computers using the network drive as it's primary source of music, rather than using the sharing bit on the laptop.
I can't just copy the music off the laptop to the network drive because there will inevitably be singers with the same names etc, and I presume it will overwrite what's on the drive if I try to do a windows copy and paste. So is there a way that I can merge the music libraries, by adding the songs that are on the laptop to the songs already on the NAS, and then have both computers use the NAS as their location for storage?
A further complication is that my gf has her own playlists etc (and her ipod syncs with her laptop whereas my iphone connects with my desktop) that I'd like to maintain if possible.
Grateful for any thoughts.

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Administrating iTunes Library by from multiple computers pc/osx

Hello.
I need to find a way to administrate same Library from multiple computers. What I need is a opportunity not only to listen my media (that's why original iTunes sharing suit me), but to Add, organize, create playlists e.t.c.
I want my Playlists be available and editable ( ! ) for all my computers.
I want to add music from any of my computers and to have all the rest app to date.
All the data will be stored on a Server computer. So what the OS is needed for the solution?
In addition I have both PC and OSX computers at home and It'll be bettor if the solution will suit this.
Thanks.

iTunes doesn't support this much syncing. Yes you can have all machines saving media files to same location (server) but each machine/account will have different iTunes libraries. Changes made on on will not be reflected on others. This is intentional so that different people would not interfere with libraries of other users.
This is especially needed for podcasts. Each account downloads/deletes podcast episodes independent of other accounts. This allows one to delete an episode without making making another account lose the file.
Message was edited by: camoracer

Itunes library on NAS upgrading computers don't want to lose music added to library via CDs help

Hello all,
I'm upgrading from an old Win XP machine to a Windows 8 machine. Complete iTunes library has already been transferred to a network drive (NAS) and is accessible to both machines via Home Sharing. I want to remove the XP machine from the mix but I'm afraid I will no longer be able to access any music that was added to my library from CDs and not the iTunes Store. What can I do to ensure I can acces the entire library and begin to sync my iPods, iPhones, etc. via the Windows 8 machine (after removing the old XP machine) - exactly like I did before. Somebody help a brother out here... thanks!

Have a look at this help article about "How to move your music to a new computer": http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527

Help with iTunes Library and External Music Management

Okay, this nightmare has been getting worse and worse over the past few weeks so let's break it down so people can understand what I'm trying to do.
1) I have music on both my internal laptop drive and external drives.
2) I want to have two libraries, one for the internal drive featuring all the music on my internal drive (and possibly some stuff on the external since that's how it currently is), and the other which is ALL my music from all my drives.
3) I want all new podcasts/itunes store content to save to my external drive.
4) I want the iTunes music folder to reflect which library I'm running (that is to say, if I am in my internal library, the iTunes music folder would be on the internal drive so if anything is copied to "itunes music library" it would copy to my internal, if on the external drive the itunes folder would be on the external drive and anything copied would end up there)
5) I want iTunes to keep each library organized.
6) for my External library I would LOVE to keep all my playlists, and iTunes store purchases in the library (something that didn't happen when I created a new library)
IS THIS POSSIBLE!?!
Basically here's what i did in the past. created a new library on the external and added all my music on the external to it. this caused it to organize everything fairly nicely. I then copied imported the XML data from my old internal library so I would get my playlists and iTunes store stuff to show up, along with anything on the internal drive. this cause MAJOR duplication issues (i have 3 copies of songs now in my external drive which Im going to have to sort through). I tried multiple libraries but everytime I switch back and forth my iTunes music folder keeps changing. (ie. the folder location will carry over to any library - not stick to just the one) This is a HUGE pain in the ###.
Basically, if I'm on the road I want to be able to open iTunes, it automatically launch my internal library which has everything in my internal drive, know that the music folder is "my username/music", and then when I come back home and able to plug into my external drive be able to launch that external library and it know that my music folder should now be "externaldrive/music".
i cannot seem to get iTunes to save this folder preference PER library. is this even possible!?! I just want this stupid thing to work!
Message was edited by: ehmjay

As long as you don't have an existing library that is synced with a device or holds oodles of carefully crafted playlists, ratings etc. then...
Hold down shift as you start iTunes. You should get an option to choose or create a library. Click create, browse to root of the external drive and click save so that your library is say X:\iTunes where X: is the letter of your external drive. All new content downloaded to the library will stay on the external drive.
See this user tip for a backup strategy.
tt2

Both myself and my wife have 2 separate iTunes accounts, I subscribe to iTunes Match. Music purchased on my wife's account appear on our computers iTunes library but my iPad cannot access the music she has purchased. Is there any way to overcome this

Both myself and my wife have 2 separate iTunes accounts, I subscribe to iTunes Match. Music purchased on my wife's account appear on our computer iTunes library but my iPad cannot access the music she has purchased. Is there any way to overcome this

The only way to do what you want is to log into your wife's iTunes Store account on your iPad. Doing this will lock you out of your account for 90 days.

I have tried and failed to copy my iTunes library and playlists from my Windows 8 desktop to my Windows 7 laptop using an external hard drive. Can it be done? Help would be appreciated.

I have tried and failed to copy my iTunes library and playlists from my Windows 8 desktop to my Windows 7 laptop using an external hard drive. Can it be done? Help would be appreciated. I have followed instructions found online but the library of music doesn't pull in. Thanks!
Nate

Migrate an iTunes library from one computer to another
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 entireiTunes 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, with ratings, play counts, playlists etc. preserved. 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 normally recommend method 1 since it establishes an ongoing backup for your library and unlike copying with Windows Explorer the process can be resumed if it is interrupted and it will continue to the next item if there are any read/access errors.
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

How do i back-up my whole itunes library and settings

i have a rather extensive library and i wanted to know an efficient way of backing up my itunes library and the settings/playlists so that if i transfer over to another computer i won't have to waste hours trying to re-organize it! thank you!!

Well....You can Use iTunes for Backing up your Music, but I do not favor this mehtod.
It works fine for music files BUT: I prefer more control and completeness over my backup process. It is also very important to note that a large limitation of using iTunes to manage the backup is that the iTunes method does not create or maintain backups of the two meta-data files (iTunes Library.itl & iTunes Music Library.xml) where your Playlists, Ratings, Play Counts, etc. are stored. See: What are the iTunes Library files?
If you are heavily invested in your Library data (Playlists, Play Counts, Ratings, Last Played, Date Added, etc.), it is crucial that you also make and archive multiple backups of your ‘iTunes Library.itl’ file.
If your music is located under one common Folder (e.g.-‘iTunes’), then it is easiest to physically copy that folder and all its sub-folders in one simple process. It can be done quickly, and incrementally – several times a day, when necessary. In the case of any data loss, just re-copy your entire (or partial) music library back to wherever it was, placing it in the main Folder that the previous iTunes expected. Along with the ‘iTunes Library.itl’ metadata file, this completes a full ‘restore’ of your music to the time of your last backup.
Use of a backup software program will greatly help. It will allow you to easily perform incremental backups of only the files that have changed. WinXP has such a facility built-in. I use a free program called FileSync ( http://www.fileware.com ). There are many out there. Some use Zipped files or proprietary formats, others use standard file formats. I like FileSync as it uses normal file formats that can be viewed/managed via any Windows program or utility.
iTunes Files to Backup
1) All music files in their current folder structure (usually located in and under the ‘iTunes Music’ folder)
2) The Library database file: ‘iTunes Library.itl’ located in the ‘iTunes’ folder
3) The Library XML file: ‘iTunes Music Library.xml’ located in the ‘iTunes’ folder
4) Any XML playlist files you created for Playlist retention
5) The two iTunes.pref files (optional)
-- C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes.pref
-- C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer Inc\iTunes.pref
Here's a list of possible ways to copy your music files from your main iTunes computer to another storage medium for backup purposes.
1) Use an External Hard Drive to store the complete iTunes meta-data files and underlying Music Folder structure and songs from your main computer. They are quite cheap now, for their storage volume. This is my preferred main medium.
2) If you have Two Computers:
2a) Connect them through a router
2b) Connect them using a Direct (w/Mac) or Crossover (PC/PC) Ethernet cable (See: http://www.ifelix.co.uk/tech/3001.html)
2c) Connect them via a USB-to-USB Network Bridge. See: here as an example.
Copy the files and folders from one computer to the other. Use the second PC as your backup repository.
3) Burn several DVDs (at 4.7+ GBs each) with the music data files and store them safely. Re-writable ones are good for backup purposes (if your DVD drive can manage these).
4) Burn 6x more on CDs (at 700MB each) than in #3 above and store them safely in more space Re-writable ones are good for backup purposes (if your CD drive can manage these).
5) Use a larger USB Flash drive (1GB – 4+GBs) to store the files only if you have a small amount ripped music or have multiple and/or jumbo USB drives at your disposal that will fit your music library.
6) Use the Second Internal Hard Drive (if available) of your PC -- not optimum, as you really want to physically separate the storage of backups from the originals, but good as a tertiary storage device.
By keeping only one copy of your music (other than on the iPod), you are not truly 'backed-up' and are running a high risk of losing your music. Music files on just the iPod and the computer is not considered having any backup. If you cannot store your complete music files on the computer’s internal HD, then create and maintain at least two external sets (any multiple combinations of ExHDs, DVDs, CDs).
You need at least two full sets of your music, not including what is on the iPod:
-- One full set on the PC within iTunes (on internal HD or ExHD)
-- One full set on an separate external backup medium (CD/DVD/ExHD/other)
-- One (full or partial) set on the iPod
It is a good policy to backup all your important data. It is a very smart policy to back it up on more than one medium.
External hard drives now run less than $100 for 200-250GBs of storage. Very cheap backup insurance, indeed. See This Link

Why does it tell me my ipad is synched with another itunes library and wants to erase the thing when I want to synch it? I haven't synched it with any other mac but my own.

why does it tell me my ipad is synched with another itunes library and wants to erase the thing when I want to synch it? I haven't synched it with any other mac but my own.

Hi Lisa,
I know from experience that this must be a frustrating situation for you especially if you don't want to loose the music/video content that is currently on your ipod. Unfortunately though you may have to consider re-syncing it as it thinks its currently synced with another computer.
If you bought any music that is on the ipod through itunes you can opt to right click the ipod in itunes and 'transfer purchases' if you authorise your library in the 'Store' menu in itunes. Some reasons for this happening may include some of the following:
Deleting and reinstalling your itunes on the computer.
Removing the account you had on the computer you used itunes in and making a new one. (User account, eg: Lisa).
Changing computers in the past.
A friend or family member syncing it on their computer to give you there music.
A sign of a failing iPod.
Alternatively you can opt to not sync it and keep the music that is on your ipod there but this means you will never be able to update your ipod.
Hope this helps!

I recently purchased a MacBook Pro, I did not transfer files from my old pc with migration assistant when I set up the MacBook. A few days later I did the transfer, now my Itunes library and everything else from my old pc is under a different user account

I've already setup the original user account and do not want to do it again, how do I merge the two user accounts into one so all of my stuff is under one user account?

They are the same Itunes account (mine), but since I transferred the 'user account' with my Itunes library and other files from old pc to my new MacBook, I now have two 'user accounts' on my MacBook. The original I setup when I got the MacBook and the one I transferred from my pc. I've already went thru most of my photos in Iphoto and named all the faces along with general setup of how I want all my settings on my MacBook under the first user account, I don't want to start over and do it all again with the transferred user account, I just want to move my Itunes library I transferred over to my original user account on my MacBook. Does this make any sense? lol

ITunes, library and iPhone after PC restore

Hi there.
I had to format and restore my PC from scratch. I backed up everything, including my iTunes library and my iPhones backup (backup of a backup).
Now I have installed the latest version of iTunes afresh on my restored PC and authorised my iTunes account.
I have connected my iPhone and after installing the drivers I could back up the data from my iPhone.
Also, I imported the iTunes library file (xml) and I could see the list of playlists but there were no songs in any of them! So I copied the all the music folders/files to the new iTunes folder (now the name is "iTunes Media", before it was "iTunes Music" even if the version of iTunes was exactly the same!). The main issue is that now I have lost almost all files artwork and there is nothing in the "iPhone Selection" playlist that I used to sync music from iTunes to my iPhone!
First problem now... if I want to sync the iPhone with my Yahoo account iTunes tells me that my iPhone was synced with another account (but in reality is the same Yahoo account) and wants to know if I want to merge the info on my iPhone with the info on "this" account (not sure if it means the "new" Yahoo account or the "old" one) or replace the data on my iPhone withe the info from "this" account (they should also get better in explaining things in English!).
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Thanks!

Select the ones you want again via the apps tab when your phone is plugged in.

HT201272 I have tried several ways to transfer my itunes library and Playlists to a new computer. I get the music library but not the playlists. Can you advise? 2nd I purchased 21 new tunes yesterday on the new computer worked great but when I made a disc

I have tried several ways to transfer my itunes library and Playlists to a new computer. I get the music library but not the playlists. Can you advise?
2nd > I purchased 21 new tunes yesterday on the new computer> worked great> but when I made a disc to transfer the playlist. I get the music but no album info just 1,2,3,etc. So I have signup both computers to share thinking that would work. But no to that also.
Please advise.
Thanks,
Bob

Copy the entire /Music/iTunes/ folder from old computer to new computer.
See this -> http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527

I accidentally erased a music album that I purchased on iTunes. How can I get the iTunes store to recognize that it is no longer in my iTunes library and download it again?

I accidentally erased a music album that I purchased on iTunes. How can I get the iTunes store to recognize that it is no longer in my iTunes library and download it again?

Delete the broken links in iTunes then look at your purchased list to redownload.
If this happened because you were deleting files from the iTunes folder in Finder, don't. You have to let iTunes do all the deleting and moving or you will end up with broken links.

Is there a way to make a smart "playlist" of specific books in my iTunes library, and copy ONLY THOSE books to an iOS device? I own an iPad and an iPhone but I want different books on different devices.

Is there a way to make a smart "playlist" of specific books in my iTunes library, and copy ONLY THOSE books to an iOS device? I own an iPad and an iPhone but I want different books on each different device. When I've tried this, the iOS devices don't seem to respond.

There is no playlist for iBooks, butther eis nothing to preent you from choosing to download specific titles from itunes, or syncing just specific titles to an individual device.

How do I share iTunes Library and Playlists

I had a desktop mac with 2 login accounts, we enjoy having our own spaces, mail, desktops, prefs, etc.. but we do not wish to duplicate nor keep either one out of our digital assests, ie music, photos, etc..
I used to have an alias to the other users itunes library and all was fine. He is the predominant music purchaser in the house and I have full access to even his latest purchases.
Upon buying a new machine, 1.66GHz duo core mini we seem to have lost this ability. If I make an alias now, when I launch itunes it says cannot find the folder itunes, it seems to now know its a folder it must find and not an alias to one. I have read ideas about sharing and fast user switching, not really the solution I am looking for or used to have. I think many couples find themselves in a similar situation. Seems silly that we now have to be logged in one side to play/stream music in the house and make sure we are logged into the other side whenever we connect the digital camera.
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Chrallan
1.66GHz Intel Core Duo Mini Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Does this help?:
iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer

How do I find all the purchased items on my iPhone? When I try to update the iPhone iOS while connected to my MacBook it says there are purchased items on the phone that have not been transferred to my iTunes library and that I should transfer them.

How do I find all the purchased items on my iPhone? When I try to update the iPhone iOS while connected to my MacBook it says there are purchased items on the phone that have not been transferred to my iTunes library and that I should transfer them before updating.

Thanks. This seems to have worked easily.

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Hello dawgfaj,
Thank you for all the information you provided with the Remote app issue you are experiencing on your iPhone. I found an article with steps you can take when the Remote app is not connecting to iTunes:
Remote app for iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch can't connect to iTunes or Apple TV
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1741
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Sheila M.

Itunes library and NAS - multiple computers and merging music

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