Itunes library cannot locate files on new computer

I've attempted to transfer my itunes library from one computer to another; however, when I click on the music, I get an error message: "the file for the song cannot be used because the original file cannot be found". I attempted to import the library using Homesharing initally, then attempted to transfer it via an external harddrive. When the computer is connected to the external harddrive, the music will play.

I know how infuriating it can get and how you start to doubt your own sanity. The best thing is to go back to basics.
1) Locate your actual music files.
If you look on your new computer, by default your music should be stored in my music\itunes\itunes media\ if you cannot see folders in there which contain your music it is fair to assume the media isnt on your computer. I tend to suspect that the music is on your external hard drive which is why it plays when you have that plugged in.
If you find the music on your hard drive I would go into preferences in itunes and tick the option in advanced that I mentioned previously, then, in itunes go to file and "add folder to library". If you cannot see the menu bar which contains "file - edit - view - controls - store - help" you may need to press ctrl B to show it, alternatively if you click on the little box in the top left corner of the itunes screen and drop the menu and select "show menu bar"
So now when you press the add folder to library simply browse to where your actual music files are, find the folder which has all you r music etc in it and then click "select folder" in the bottom right of the window.
If you have done all that correctly and have ticked the "Copy media to itunes folder when adding library" option in "edit / preferences / advanced" your music should be copied from your external hard drive into the itunes folder and all should then work properly.
Fingers crossed lets hope thiat works for you.
Just a thought - if that creates duplicate entries in itunes then I would select all your music in itunes and delete it, then go through the above again so you only have the one set of music.
Steve

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ITunes library cannot locate files saved on external hard drive

Hi, most of my music files are stored on my external hard drive. iTunes has decided it can't locate them and i'm wondering if there is any way of doing that without have to re-create my library from scratch or individually locate each file (approx 92GB of music)?!? I tried the tutorial on re-creating an iTunes library hoping that in doing so it would locate the files but no luck... i spent a LONG time organising that library and i'm really hoping i won't have to start over... thanks!

I have the same problem. I tried following the procedures for "Using Multiple Libraries" without success, even though the instructions explicitly state that you can name your iTunes library (the folder containing all of your iTunes content and the iTunes Library.itl file) whatever you like and store it anywhere.

Will my whole itunes library be transferred to my new computer with home sharing,in other words will I be able to use bothe computers at the same time ? And will I have two copies of my all my playlists?

Will my whole itunes library be transferred to my new computer with home sharing,in other words will I be able to use bothe computers at the same time ? And will I have two copies of my all my playlists?

Hi there J1750oe,
You may find the information in the article below helpful.
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4527
Transferring playlists
If you want not only your content but also your playlists to exist on your new computer, you will want to transfer a copy of all your playlists from your old computer. To do this, choose File > Library > Export Library on your old computer. Save the XML file that is created to your desktop.
Send the playlists file to yourself as an e-mail attachment, use an external drive, or use file sharing to move the playlists file to your new computer. Once the file is on your new computer, open iTunes and choose File > Library > Import Playlist. The import process will remove any items from the playlists that you didn't share via Home Sharing.
-Griff W.

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

My computer was totally destroyed & I do not have backup or external hard drive with my iTunes library. Will I be able to access my iTunes library when I purchase a new computer? It was the only computer authorized to play library.

My computer was totally destroyed & I do not have backup or external hard drive with my saved iTunes library from it. That was the only computer authorized to play library. I do not have an iPod or iPhone with any of that library (which has over $2K in music purchases & over 5K in songs I ripped). Will I be able to access my iTunes library when I purchase a new computer?

You should be able to access your past iTunes purchases. You'll need to re-rip your CDs See: HT2519 - Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store.
See also this backup tip so you don't get caught out again.
tt2

HT1751 How do I delete a new itunes library I created on a new computer?

I'm not the most literate computer person in the world so please bare with me.
This is the scenerio that took place.
I purchased a new computer. I have my complete Itunes library on my iphone from my old computer and wanted to just transfer library from iphone to new computer by syncing phone to new computer.
I did this but there seemed to be some things missing on my new computers itunes library. I created a new library on my new computer which gave me 2 libraries. I basically did this to see if I could kinda just back up my original library in case I screwed up something. After I created new library, which is called NEW COMPUTER, I tried to get back to the old library to compare. Well now every time I open itunes on my new computer I cant figure out how to bring up the original library that I initially put on new computer.
I tried to uninstall itunes on new computer then reinstall and start over but for some reason when I open Itunes the new library I created is loaded.
All I basically want to do is transfer all my library items from old computer to new computer as easily as possible.

Here are the typical layouts for the iTunes folders:
The database that knows what tracks are in your library is the *.itl file.
The folder containing the database gives the iTunes window its name when you run it, so if your active library says NEW LIBRARY at the top then you are currently connected to ...\NEW LIBRARY\iTunes Library.itl.
Unlike most applications you can't just double click on an *.itl file to open it, iTunes will always open the last successfully opened database unless you hold down shift as you start to get the choose/create options.
Chances are your NEW LIBRARY has been created inside the normal iTunes folder. Once you've held down shift as you are starting iTunes, and have clicked choose, you probably need to find an up arrow button to move up one folder level to reveal the normal library.
tt2

Cannot log into itunes store cannot play purch. music. new computer

If anyone can help it would be appreciated. I haven't found a solution on this disscussion board.
I get the "iTunes cannot connect to the iTunes store the host is down. Make sure your network connection is active and try again". It is active. My comuter is a few weeks old. It worked before I upgraded to iTunes 7.1.1. Now I cannot even authorize my new computer to play the music I bought that is on my external hard drive. Any ideas? I already tried the troubleshooting apple suggests. I also tried to install a very old version of itunes but it wouldn't run.
Thanks.

if the ts steps from the itunes support was no help write back and tell them what you have done so far to solve the problem. give them as much infos as possible. they will help

My itunes library cannot locate most of my songs.

Ok this seems very strange to me. My itunes library has lots of next to each of the songs, (not all of them but most) so when I go to play them (through the computer) itunes is unable to find the file and asks me to try and locate the file. I cannot find them anywhere. However what makes this stranger is that all songs upload to my ipod fine as do any new downloads. I can find the files of the songs without the next to it fine, and have looked in these folders for the others but to no avail. Please help, Many Thanks!!

How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1451
Adding Content to iTunes
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1473
Using an external drive for backup
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751
http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/
and always have backups, I use .VHDs in Windows 7 to store files I can't afford to lose so you can recreate or import/add back later.

How to Recover Playlists when Transferring iTunes Library from External Drive to New Computer

iTunes library copied to external drive and then loaded to new computer. All songs are there but all of the playlists that I had set up do not appear. I cannot figure out how to retrieve/recover them. The back-up was not done by me so I'm not sure of the steps that were followed. Is there something special that needs to be done when backing up to external drive in terms of saving playlists? Help!

Hello TNCGRCT,
It sounds like the library was successfully transferred to the new computer, but the songs were imported into a new iTunes library. If you still have access to the external drive, or better yet the previous computer, we will want to transfer the iTunesLibrary.itl file and open it with iTunes:
iTunes: How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1589
More helpful information...
Where are my iTunes files located?
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1391
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
Thanks,
Matt M.

Import iTunes Library from External Drive to New Computer with Vista

I can't seem to "import" my entire iTunes library from my external hard drive to my new computer. However, I can import songs one-by-one. There must be a way to transfer the whole file at once but it is beyond me. Anyone have a solution?

Hi I am new and have found a way to import Files & Folders over my home network and or other drives.
Start in File, click "Add File to Library", or "Add Folder to Library". In the “look in” dropdown window, locate the File or folder and double click on it. It should begin to transfer. I have never transferred an enter library though.
On a personal note,
I have come to realize that I can only transfer iTunes music. I can not transfer or even find the music that I have installed from a CD into my iTunes library. iTunes dose recognize even the folder that such music is in. If any of you have an answer to this problem let me know.
Thanks

Having trouble consolidating iTunes library (to then copy to new computer)

The music on my iPod was compiled over time from various files on the computer. I am trying to consolidate all the music into a single iTunes library so I can move the entire library to my new computer. When I tried to do that, it said "copying files" and then I got an error message: "Copying music failed. The file name was invalid or too long." What can I do to consolidate my music? thanks

iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
Quick answer if you let iTunes manage your music: Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive. Start iTunes with the option (shift on Windows) key held down and guide it to the new location of the library.
To see your iTunes folder click on the Music folder icon in your Finder sidebar.

Moving iTunes Library from iPod mini to new computer (old hard drive dead)

Hi all, I own a 2nd gen (I believe) iPod mini with all of my music from my iTunes library on it. Last weekend, my computer began freezing/crashing while loading my desktop, and a diagnostic confirmed that the read/write head on my hard drive was bad. I don't currently have the spare cash to send it away to a recovery lab, so I am starting from scratch with a new computer I will be ordering today.
My question is this--is it going to be possible to transfer the music from my iPod to my new computer? Many of the songs on my iPod are from other sources, during the years that I was not using iTunes, and from what I have read I will only be able to transfer my purchased music. I know there is a way to make my iPod into a hard drive in order to transfer the music to my new computer, but as I said, I cannot even boot up my old machine, and thus cannot access my iTunes library on my HD.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions and advice you may have.

I've had to do this in the past (4 years ago). Try this page for a list of programs that can help you:
http://www.metaphoriclabs.com/articles/5-ways-to-copy-music-off-your-ipod-window s-mac-os-x/
Cheers,
Awfers

How to get itunes library from external drive to new computer

i recently purchased a new computer w/the windows vista platform. there were posts regarding how to transfer the library w/playlists on this board, which i followed to the point of hitting shift while opening itunes, and choosing a library. however, when selecting such from my external drive, which has the itl and xml on it as well as the itunes music folder, it gives me an error noting it is locked or that i dont have write permission to use it. my external drive on my old computer was the G drive, now it is the F drive on new one. can anyone please advise what to do other than copy all music over and have to completely recreate all playlists?

polydorus, this was the response/post that i found and it was posted by sweepea on 9/4/2007. and all my music is now from the external drive to the itunes music folder on my laptop and it let me keep all my playlists. thank you again for your help!
I had that problem too. I tried to remove iTunes from my computer and then download it again, but that did not make any difference. Then I tried polydorus' answer ("starting iTunes with the shift key held down, when asked to choose a library, navigate to your iTunes folder and choose iTunes Library.itl"), but that did not work either and that same message about the library being locked appeared again.
Then I had a brainwave. I deleted that iTunes library.itl file. (To find it, go to My documents, then My Music, then iTunes, and there is the itunes library file). I now tried to open iTunes by clicking on the iTunes icon on my desktop, nothing happened, as if I had not clicked on it at all. I restored the file from the recycling bin to where it was before. But that also returned me to where I had been before, i.e. I got that locked-library message again. So I deleted that file again. Then I tried right-clicking on the iTunes icon. On the little menu that appeared, I clicked 'Open' and hey presto, suddenly the iTunes set-up assistant appeared and everything went smooth from then on. When I checked, there was a file called iTunes library.itl again and this one worked OK.
By the way, I did not lose any of my music downloads or podcasts when I deleted that file, so it's definitely worth a try.
custom built Windows 2000

Itunes can't locate files on my computer after recovery

My computer had to be restarted as if from the day I bought it. My files were backed up on a flash drive and I can't seem to locate them in the recovery folder. I tried opening my purchased music, and got an error message saying that the file couldn't be located on my computer. How do I solve this problem?

The "missing file" error happens if the file is no longer where iTunes expects to find it. Possible causes are that you or some third party tool has moved, renamed or deleted the file, or that the drive it lives on has had a change of drive letter. It is also possible that iTuneshas changed from expecting the files to be in the pre-iTunes 9 layout to post-iTunes 9 layout, or vice-versa, and so is looking in slightly the wrong place.
Select a track with an exclamation mark, use Ctrl-I to get info, then cancel when asked to try to locate the track. Look on the summary tab for the location that iTunes thinks the file should be. Now take a look around your hard drive(s). Hopefully you can locate the track in question. If a section of your library has simply been moved, or a drive letter has changed, it should be possible to reverse the actions.
If another application like Windows Media Player has moved/renamed the files then the chances are that subtle differences in naming strategies will make it hard to restore the media to the precise path that iTunes is expecting. In such cases, as long as the missing files can be found somewhere, you should be able to use my FindTracks script to reconnect them to iTunes. See this post for an explanation of how it works.
If you have to resort to trying to pull back the library from your iPod see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
tt2

Best method to assign old itunes library on old hdd to new computer with new itunes software on ssd.

Hi everyone,
I put an old windows xp desktop to rest that had all my itunes software and files on it. I pulled the 3.5 internall hdd with the xp os and all the itunes program software and itunes music files from this old computer. I just added into my new computer via sata cables and its showing and i have access to it. I have an ssd as my main drive on my main new computer. This is where windows 7 pro is sitting. Ive never had itunes on this computer. Im wondering if it is as easy as the below;
1. install itunes on the ssd c: drive
2. hold down shift while opening itunes for the first time
3. point to the library.itl file on the old 3.5 internall hdd
Will itunes then always see and link to this itl file on my old hdd and work fine? My concerns are;
1. does it matter that this old hdd has a windows os on it along with the itunes program and all its associated files/ folder
2. i dont want itunes to start copying all those music files from the old hdd to my ssd. this would crash my ssd, as its not very large.
3. if the above works fine will my ipod when first mounted sync up fine?
4. are i do the hold down shift thing, what settings should i change in itunes? i know ill have to auth the computer. but how about organization settings?
And final question. I plan on using this old hdd just to store itunes music. I plan on deleting all the other folders, program files etc. Everything but the itunes folder. Is this safe? Should i leave certain windows os files on the hdd as to not disturb necessary processes?
Thanks!

Still no luck on this. Would it be easier to migrate the iTunes across using migration assistant? Is it possible to migrate it across while making it save the migrated library to the second eHDD (I would erase the copy of the library on that drive before doing so)
The PB is a G4 867 with firewire 400 (but only UBS1) and running 10.3.9 (not sure what version iTunes) - I can daisy chain it to the mini's FW800 with couple of external drives I have.
I have held off using migration assistant as all the files and stuff I want is on the eHDD and I don't want any unnecessary legacy items from the PB getting onto the mini.

Itunes library cannot locate files on new computer

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