Library Consolidation help

Hi all.
So, I'm a little confused about the 'Consolidation' feature for iTunes. I'm not sure exactly what it does from reading the forum posts.
Here's my situation:
I'm quickly running out of space on my computer, so I have been shifting around my music to different hard drives to free up space both for more iTunes downloads and for my C drive on my comp to not be full.
I understand how the 'iTunes Music Folder Location' function works in the Advanced tab, and I have since changed that to my D drive, which has more space.
I have manually moved my entire iTunes folder (including Album Artwork, Music, Applications, Libraries, etc) onto the D drive and I was planning on deleting the copies on the C drive so I can free up that space.
My question is: what exactly does Consolidate Library do? Do I still need to Consolidate if I've already manually moved the files? Will Consolidating be an easy one-step method to have iTunes look for those files in the D drive instead of the C drive (without manually 'searching' for each file as I try to play them? And, does Consolidating also make iTunes read the ITL file from the new location as well?
I know those are a lot of questions, and I appreciate any feedback I can get.
Thanks in advance.

I have manually moved my entire iTunes folder (including Album Artwork, Music, Applications, Libraries, etc) onto the D drive and I was planning on deleting the copies on the C drive so I can free up that space.
Press and hold SHift and launch iTunes.
Select *Choose library* and select the _iTunes library.itl_ file in the iTunes folder on the external.
That is all you need to do.
Yes, you can delete the iTunes folder in \My Documents\My Music\.
what exactly does Consolidate Library do?
It copies everything in iTunes to the iTunes music folder location shown in iTunes prefs -> Advanced.
Do I still need to Consolidate if I've already manually moved the files?
Not if you move the entire iTunes folder.
You consolidate before you move the iTunes folder.
If you wantot move th eiTUne smusic folder, point iTunes prefs to a new location/drive, then use Consolidate. If you move the iTunes music folder (or if you move/rename ant music files) yourself, iTunes will lose everything.
Will Consolidating be an easy one-step method to have iTunes look for those files in the D drive instead of the C drive (without manually 'searching' for each file as I try to play them?
No.
And, does Consolidating also make iTunes read the ITL file from the new location as well?
No.

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ITunes Library Consolidation Help

Hello there, I am new to the forum. I've been researching a little bit with little luck so I thought I'd try here.
I am about to finish building a new quad core computer and would like to move my 72 gb library over to my new computer. The only thing is I also want to keep all the song information (especially the date added and such)..but I don't know if it's possible...I just wish I could somehow replicate my library because my library is organized by the dates in which each song was added...
I've read about Library Consolidation...but I'm not sure if what I have in mind of doing is correct...
So basically..this is what I have in mind...
I'm going to buy a small (150 gb) internal hard drive and put it in my old computer. I will press the button that says "keep everything organized" and will change the itunes folder to be assigned within the new internal hard drive. I will then consolidate everything into the new drive.
Right there I have a question. Is it still okay to consolidate even though the music is all in different places? Barely any of the music is in my iTunes folder (most is in different partitioned drives), and so I am afraid if I try consolidating the files iTunes will freeze or not know what to do.
Back to what I would do...so then I would take the new hard drive which hopefully has all the music and install it in the new computer. I would then install iTunes on the new computer, and simply insert all the songs from the hard drive? In doing that, wouldn't all the files' information be gone? (Most importantly date added, because the date would now be different?) The only reason I really need date added is because I initially add all of the songs backwards so that they play in order when the songs are sorted by date added. Otherwise, all the songs would be out of order...
So yeah...I basically was wondering if the process I have in mind is correct, and also if theres any way to keep the file information.
Lastly, what does export library mean?
I'm very sorry for the long post, but I have been trying to find out how I would go about doing this with no luck from anywhere...I hope you guys can help me out. I appreciate any help.
Thanks.

+Is it still okay to consolidate even though the music is all in different places?+
Yes, that's exactly what the Consolidate Library command is for.
+In doing that, wouldn't all the files' information be gone?+
The ratings, Date Added, etc are store in the itunes library.itl file. That is another important file to copy over.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
The XML file can recreate a library but the Date Added will go missing. The ITL is the important one.
+Lastly, what does export library mean?+
It exports a list of your library into an XML file, so other application that read XML could use it.

Ipod will not show up, in iTunes library please help.

Ipod will not show up, in iTunes library please help.
I just updated to the newest version of ITunes well, not just but a few days ago. Anyway I have windows 8, and in ITunes my Ipod 5th gen will not show up. I have tried somethings such as unpluging repluging, going to services and restarting, basiclly everything on yoyutube, none still work. It's ***** to cause I just wanted to put music on my Ipod, if anyone has an idea of what to do please give some suggestions.
Thank you, for trying to help.

Hello Stephen19wfwake,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
For more information on this, take a look at:
iPod: Appears in Windows but not in iTunes
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1363
1. Try the iPod troubleshooting assistant:
If you haven't already done so, try the steps in the iPod Troubleshooting Assistant (choose your iPod model from the list).
If the issue remains after following your iPod's troubleshooting assistant, follow the steps below.
2. Restart the iPod Service
3. Restart the Apple Mobile Device Service
4. Empty your Temp directory and restart
5. Verify that the Apple Mobile Device USB Driver is installed
6. Change your iPod's drive letter
7. Remove and reinstall iTunes
8. Disable conflicting System Services and Startup Items
9. Update, Reconfigure, Disable, or Remove Security Software
10. Deleting damaged or incorrect registry keys
Best of luck,
Mario

My itunes won't launch even after reinstalling. Looked in itunes folder and somehow lost itunes library? HELP!

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The first thing I'd suggest is to get a good antispyware checker and give it a go at your system. Some recent spyware has been reported by other users to shut down iTunes or prevent it from launching. From user reports, Ewido seems to be the best at catching it. You can download a free version of Ewido here.
If that doesn't cure the problem, try deleting the iTunes preference files:
C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes.pref
and
C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Data\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes.pref
You might have to turn on "show hidden files" to find them. (Right click "my computer", select open, select Tools menu -> Folder Options. Select View tab, "show hidden files" radio button is in the center scrolling panel.) Delete them or if you want to be able to put them back if it doesn't help, drag them to some other location. This will force iTunes to run the setup assistant the next time you launch iTunes. Note that you'll have to go back and set any preferences you've changed from the default.
If that still doesn't work, try this:
Bugie: Perform a Thorough & Complete Uninstall and Reinstall of iTunes/QuickTime.
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My computer broke, so I had to change the hardisk(?). Now iTunes dosen't work anymore. It says that the program is either lockes, on a locked unit or I don't have the right to open the library? Help please? :)

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Sometimes a restart can fix this issue, but sometimes you have to fix the iTunes Library.itl file.
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then open itunes again
This should generate a new library file.
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I recently upgraded to Leopard and added ilife to upgrade my iphoto from a reeaaally old version. I imported photos from the old version and Iphoto was working fine a couple weeks ago. Today, however, when I tried to open it, I got the Choose Your Library message. There is no library listed, nor can I find one. I have not done anything to iphoto or the library file since it was last opened and working fine. Will Photo Library Manager help if there is no library file? Is the albumdata.xml file in the iphoto database or is it somewhere else in my computer? Surely the files are there somewhere! What else can I do? I have a back-up but it has run since I last opened iphoto and I can't find a library file in there either. What is the library file called? Maybe I'm not looking for the write thing...
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Did you use Spotlight to try to find your library. If the library was inadvertantly moved to certain areas of the HD Spotlight will not find it. Download and run Find File to search for "Library6.iPhoto". If you get a hit it's a good chance it's the library. Good Luck.
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier versions) database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger or later), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. There are versions that are compatible with iPhoto 5, 6, 7 and 8 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. Just put the application in the Dock and click on it whenever you want to backup the dB file. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.
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I also tried adding the Vista PC IP to my Mac hosts file, which oddly showed the Mac on the Vista side, but nothing on the Mac side.
I also goofed around in the smb.conf file with some settings, but alas, nada.
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Guys, I found another user and what he said to do worked!!! I have copied the information below:
This was 1 of the things that happend to me too, the other one was that at the bottom of the itunes page were it says all the memory info, it marked that I had over 3gb of other memory wich I didn't.
Anyways what I did was to unmark the calendar, contacts etc. ( so that they wont sync with the computer ), pressed apply, then I marked all of them again, apply again and for last I pressed Sync wich is at the bottom right coner by the apply botton.
I'm not sure that had anything to do with it but it worked, my music appeard both of my itunes playlists and the ones I bought in itunes. Also the other memory dissapeard and it's all good.
I'm not sure this will help you but thats my 5 cents, if the problem continues its better to call customer service and ask for a technician.
Hope your problem gets solved. Have a nice day.

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<Email Edited by Host>

Whatever you bought from iTunes is yours forever and can be downloaded as many times as you want. This assumes what you purchased is still available in the Store.
Here is the procedure for your reference.
On a computer, launch iTunes. Click on iTunes Store on the left
On the right you will see this
"Sign in" using the Apple ID used to purchase your songs, then click on "Purchased" (with the orange blob)
On the summary page that appears select the tab "Not on This Computer" on the right.
On the list that appears, select what you want and then click the "Download" button.
Whatever you have that did not originate from iTunes will have to be obtained from whatever means you used to obtain it in the past.

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How do I consolidate my music? Half of my music is in the music library and half in an unnamed playlist. I tried consolidating it all but it says that there is a file missing. Please help me.

Darcimpitt, The iTunes Consolidate process only works on files that are already in the library. Make sure that all songs have a library entry and are playable, and then run Consolidate.

Toonz-- consolidation HELP please

I've always been worried about moving all my music to a separate drive, but I did it , , and here's my status:
My Library in iTunes = 22.39 GB
New drive, (H), where I moved the library = 9.47GB
When I went to my laptop's hard drive to delete the music from there, this is what I see:
I have 2 "MY MUSIC" folders, both on my (D) drive, , one in path D:MyMusic/iTunes/ (5.13GB), , and another , D:Jamie's Documents/MyMusic/ (12.5GB) . .
So, , I'm confused if the consolidation truly worked, , as seen above the size of the library doesn't match with the size on the new external drive --
I'm guessing the tunes in that second location went nowhere, , and how do I get them all where they need to be? Also, when I get everything consolidated correctly, what exactly do I delete? For example, in my iTunes location, there are four things present, 1)iTunes Music Library (with an icon of the world), 2)iTunes Library (with a eighth note as an icon), 3)Previous iTunes Libraries (regular folder), and 4) iTunes Music (regular folder) --
Please help me figure out this mess! I don't want to lose any music, but I really need to move to external drive...
THanks

So, you changed the default music location in your iTunes preferences, you selected "Keep iTunes Music folder organized" and "Copy files to iTunes Music Library when adding to Library" in your preferences and you selected the Consolidate Library command and you have duplicates in the two folders or music that just didn't move?

Consolidation help please

I've always been worried about moving all my music to a separate drive, but I did it , , and here's my status:
My Library in iTunes = 22.39 GB
New drive, (H), where I moved the library = 9.47GB
When I went to my laptop's hard drive to delete the music from there, this is what I see:
I have 2 "MY MUSIC" folders, both on my (D) drive, , one in path D:MyMusic/iTunes/ (5.13GB), , and another , D:Jamie's Documents/MyMusic/ (12.5GB) . .
So, , I'm confused if the consolidation truly worked, , as seen above the size of the library doesn't match with the size on the new external drive --
I'm guessing the tunes in that second location went nowhere, , and how do I get them all where they need to be? Also, when I get everything consolidated correctly, what exactly do I delete? For example, in my iTunes location, there are four things present, 1)iTunes Music Library (with an icon of the world), 2)iTunes Library (with a eighth note as an icon), 3)Previous iTunes Libraries (regular folder), and 4) iTunes Music (regular folder) --
Please help me figure out this mess! I don't want to lose any music, but I really need to move to external drive...
THanks.
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So, you changed the default music location in your iTunes preferences, you selected "Keep iTunes Music folder organized" and "Copy files to iTunes Music Library when adding to Library" in your preferences and you selected the Consolidate Library command and you have duplicates in the two folders or music that just didn't move?

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