Moved my music to a new hard drive...

Having read most of the other posts on the board, I have yet to read a solution to my specific issue.
I had a crash recently and have upgraded to a new hard drive. I have moved my music from the E: drive to the F: drive in Windows Vista. Using the Shift button when iTunes was loading, I was able to switch the playlist library. So all my playlists are there but now I am getting the message "The song "blank" could not be used because the original file could not be found." To go and find each one will take forever because of the size of my collection.
How do I tell iTunes where to find the songs for my old playlists?

Fair enough Buegie, I'm sure I have scanned past the iLounge article before without noticing or following the link. But at least grant for the non-expert it's easy to get sidetracked. Combine that with stress and frustration and the obvious becomes invisible.
It's a great article. Informative and well written, just like you said. I have not completed it yet, but have already learned the most important factor in my issues. It starts with a confession.
The article leads me to believe that the reason I am struggling with moving iTunes around is because I am someone who has a "referenced" music library. Not only that, but a very large library (by most accounts), and one which my wife relies on for her part time job as a fitness instructor. I am avoiding the confession...
I don't trust iTunes.
There, I said it. I don't particularly like the way iTunes stores and keeps track of music in the Artist/Album concept either. Example, a Santana album that I have has various artists working with Santana. iTunes creates an artist folder for each track which has only one song in each, because logically to the computer each song is by a different artist "Santana and so-and-so." And the issue I have with trust is that if I ever want to use another program iTunes will store my music in a way such that I would have to spend a lot of time organizing it so that I could find it in another program.
But my trust issues go deeper.
The "this cannot be undone" message scares me to death. The biggest issue though is about trusting iTunes not to have any power over what I do with my music. If I want to move my music to another computer, it's mine, I should be able to. If I want to burn twenty copies, I should be able to. I realize with purchased music this is not allowed and I agree to that when I buy, but I really don't want my other music to be subject to such constraint parameters.
I am going back to the article now. Just thought I'd share. I feel better.

Similar Messages

I moved iTunes and library to new Hard drive M: , now Sync is lost. Need to collect files and rebuild to proper folder.

I installed a new hard drive and partitioned it into 2, P: Pictures: and M: Music: . I moved all my iTunes Files and Folders to the M: drive. Then when I connected my iPhone4 to iTunes it asked if I wanted to create a new sync, I said no but I seemed it couldn't find my old sync file. So I searched my computer for files and folders of iTunes and placed them all into a iTunes folder on the root of M: drive. I need to rebuild the iTunes folder correctly.
I have all the correct items on my iPhone and haven't lost anything. Its just a problem trying to sync. Biggest problem is my music. When I try to sync music there is trouble. I can't seen to remove all music from iPhone and resync. When I thought I did iTunes would say no more music will fit. (Music is normally 70% of my memory on phone and I try and leave 1GB of 16GB free on it).
I wan't to build the iTunes install on the D:\Program Files (x64)\ since I don't install anything on my SSD drive C: except Windows 7.

How exactly did you move the files or more specifically, what did you move?
The correct way to move the iTunes files is to move the ENTIRE iTunes folder (or copy it) from the original location to the new location.
Once moved, hold Shift while launching iTunes and point it to the new location.
If anything other than the ENTIRE iTunes folder was moved, it needs to be put back in the original location to correct the issues created then moved correctly.

Transfering itunes and music to a new hard drive

A little background on my situation before I get to my question. I recently upgraded my desktop and before trading out hard drives I saved my itunes folder -including all of my music, to a flash drive. I opened up the flash drive once I installed the new hard drive and downloaded the itunes information onto it. Whenever I open up itunes now it shows all of my music, but I get a message that says, "song cannot be played because the original file cannot be found." My question is this: How do I get around this issue, how can I make itunes recognize that these are the original files from a previous hard drive?
Thanks for any help that is provided.

It would make more sense to move your whole home folder.
1. WARNING: This procedure is for advanced users only. Some third-party software may not work as expected, or may not work at all, if the home folder is moved.
2. Back up all data. Do not proceed unless you know how to undo these steps without having to ask for help. This website is not a support portal; it's a discussion forum. Don't assume that someone will help you if you get into trouble.
3. If you do this wrong, you could end up with a bricked machine and no way to recover without losing data.
4. Copy your home folder to the desired location, which must be on a volume of type "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" with file ownership enabled, as shown in the Finder Info dialog. Encryption is optional. The volume must be on a local storage device, not on the network, and it must be mounted automatically at startup — before any user logs in. A disk image will not work.
The name of your home folder is your short user name. Do not rename it. Do not copy the "Users" folder.
5. Select
 ▹ System Preferences ▹ Users & Groups
Click the lock icon and authenticate. Right-click or control-click your name in the account list, and select Advanced options from the popup menu. In the sheet that opens, change the location of the home directory. Log out and log back in.
6. Test. If you have problems, reverse the above steps. If you got this far, you should have no trouble doing that. If everything works as you expect, delete the original home folder.

Moving old account info to new hard drive

I installed new hard drive, actually 4, and reinstalled Leopord on one of them, actually 2 since I set up a raid 0. I want to move some parts of my old account, which was also 10.5.8, over to new setup and migration assistant won't let me pick and choose, at least not the ones I want. MA won't even let me merge my old account with my new one, they both have same name. I already moved mail by moving mail folder from library and the com.apple.mail.plist to the right folder on new setup and it works fine. Now I want to move ical, safari bookmarks, address book, iphoto, iweb and imovie info, as well as system preferences. What files and folders do I move to make this happen?
Thanks.

See the following for suggestions.
Copy the following items from your old Mac to the new Mac:
In your /Home/ folder: Documents, Movies, Music, Pictures, and Sites folders.
In your /Home/Library/ folder:
/Home/Library/Application Support/AddressBook (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Application Support/iCal (copy the whole folder)
Also in /Home/Library/Application Support (copy whatever else you need including folders for any third-party applications)
/Home/Library/Keychains (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Mail (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Preferences/ (copy the whole folder)
/Home /Library/Calendars (copy the whole folder)
/Home /Library/iTunes (copy the whole folder)
/Home /Library/Safari (copy the whole folder)
If you want cookies:
/Home/Library/Cookies/Cookies.plist
/Home/Library/Application Support/WebFoundation/HTTPCookies.plist
For Entourage users:
Entourage is in /Home/Documents/Microsoft User Data
Also in /Home/Library/Preferences/Microsoft
Credit goes to Macjack for this information.
If you need to transfer data for other applications please ask the vendor or ask in the Discussions where specific applications store their data.
5. Once you have transferred what you need restart the new Mac and test to make sure the contents are there for each of the applications.

Moving iTunes music folder on another hard drive

My hard drive is getting full but I want to download more music. Is there any way to move the folder to another hard drive?

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1449
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/moving-your-itunes-library-to -a-new-hard-drive/
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1449
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751

Switching music library to new hard drive

Hi.
I recently bought a new external hard drive and transferred all of my music onto it from my old external hard drive. I'd like to change the music folder location to the new hard drive. My question is this: if I change it to the new hard drive, will the playlists be lost? I exported the library, but I think if I import it after changing the folder location that there will be double the songs in the library, but only half of them will be valid and I'd rather not have to go through all my songs and delete the ones that aren't found. Or will the library not be imported at all because it's a new location?
Long and confusing question, but I've probably just made it too complicated in my head. If anyone can offer me some advice, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks in advance.

If you want to move your library to an external location, do it this way.
Copy the entire iTunes folder over to the new external hard drive (not just the iTunes Music folder you find inside it). Once copied then use these instructions to open the library from its new location...
How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304447
That's it. Nothing else to do. Just start using the library from its new location. Just make sure the external is always powered up and mounted before opening iTunes. If you start iTunes and the external is not on, it will default back to the internal drive location for anything added to the library. You may not notice it for a while and find a bunch of your stuff is spread across the external and the internal drive. You would then have to change the preference back to the external drive location and do a Consolidate library command to correct.
Patrick

Can't find my music in iTunes - new hard drive

I just had my computer repaired and they replaced the hard drive. Before I took it in for repair, I backed up all my data including music. But to do this I just copied all my files onto an external hard drive (I did not use any specific back up program). Now that my computer is repaired, they replaced the hard drive. I redownloaded iTunes but it is now the latest version but I think it might be an even more recent version than I had previously (and I don't know if this matters). So I put all my music into the iTunes folder (copied it back from my external hard drive) but when I open iTunes, it doesn't "find" it. I have tried every suggested "help" method I could find in the online FAQ support, but nothing works.
Separately, for my daughter, I somehow screwed up the backup of her profile and lost ALL of her purchased music. What are the chances that Apple will let me redownload all of her purchases? If they don't, I have a 15 year old girl who will most likely murder her mother when she gets home from camp!
And last question, I know that they only let you copy your music onto "5" computers. I already used up 2 uses due to replacement of my computer. Now with the new hard drive, will this make it number 3? I want to get a new laptop in the next year but don't want to get up to #4 of my allowance. Do they seriously expect us to repurchase all our music?
My computer is running Vista.

So I put all my music into the iTunes folder (copied it back from my external hard drive) but when I open iTunes, it doesn't "find" it.
If you didn't back up or restore the iTunes database files, you also need to drag the music into the open iTunes application window.
What are the chances that Apple will let me redownload all of her purchases?
Click here and ask.
And last question, I know that they only let you copy your music onto "5" computers.
For most purposes, that doesn't apply to recent song purchases.
(52550)

I am not able to access old music after a new hard drive install. Wants an old password and I'd

I am unable to sync music to iPad iPhone etc. from 27" iMac with anew hard drive install. Wants an old really old apple I'd and PW that hasn't been in use. What to do?

Hello DeedeeB6075,
Thank you for posting in the Apple Support Communities. It sounds like you have some music that you purchased with an older Apple ID that you don't have access to because your new hard drive needs to be authorized. If you know what the Apple ID is, you can go to https://iforgot.apple.com/ to reset your password.
If you cannot remember the Apple ID, you can follow the steps in this article to find your Apple IDs, and then go to https://iforgot.apple.com/ to reset your password.
Apple ID: Finding your Apple ID
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5625
I hope this helps get you back on track!
Best,
Sheila M.

Moving iPod and Library to New Hard Drive

60GB Video iPod, purchased 11/05. Started using it at work (with permission) and spent a lot of weekend time downloading all of my cd's, as I did not have a working computer at home (it had crashed).
02/06, a friend gave me their Dell computer. I purchased Anapod software to begin "the move". Mid-transfer, found out that the computer didn't have enough disk space on the C drive! One techy tells me to get a new external drive. Another techy tells me to get an additional internal drive. I did both! I HAVE PLENTY OF MEMORY NOW!!!
I've tried unsuccessfully to move the library at work to the external drive to take it home and attach it to the home system. I get it moved. I change the settings to tell iTunes to look at that drive, BUT it's NOT WORKING!!!!!
I HAVE TO GET THIS OFF OF MY WORK COMPUTER, AS I KEEP GETTING A LOW DISK SPACE ERROR! HELP!? HELP!? HELP!?
I have seriosly had it. I'm ready to just trash everything...but I REALLY don't want to. I've bought several things from iTunes...and I don't want to transfer all my cd's again. I can't take much more of this...two months of pain and suffering is ENOUGH!
Dinie
Dell Windows XP

Well, I don't know about getting that external drive behaving, but I know how you can get the music off your iPod and onto your home machine. Once it's safe on the new computer, you can erase it from the work machine
1)On the work computer, connect the iPod.
2) Go to Edit>Preferences and choose "iPod"
3) Select "manually manage songs and playlists"
4) Bring the iPod home
5) on the home computer, download "Yamipod" or "PodUtil"
6) connect your iPod
7) run Yamipod or PodUtil to remove the songs.
I believe those programs will tell you how to get the music into your new iTunes, but if they don't, let me know and I'll get instructions to you.

Error message when moving iTunes music folder to External Hard Drive

I have followed the instructions in Apple support to move my iTunes music folder to an external hard drive. During the consolidate library step, only half of my music is transferred before I get the error message "Copying music failed. The disk could not be read from or written to."
Has anyone gotten the same message, and what was your experience correcting the issue?
15" Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

In Windows, you go through File >> Library >> Organize Library. here you can choose to consolidate your library. this should do the job.. alternatively you could take a look at this blog..
http://www.tuaw.com/2006/09/19/how-to-keep-your-itunes-library-on-an-external-ha rd-drive/
Even though its step by step on mac you should be able to figure it out from there.
Message was edited by: MuldVarp3N

Hi, I have an issue with my Aperture, I recently had a Samsung HD with 225 gb Aperture library fail. As per the instructions I moved the library to a new hard drive, in this case a 2tb Time Capsule. Now Aperture opens but no pictures

Hi, I had a Samsung 1tb hard drive fail with a 225gb Aperture library on it, as per onscreen instructions I transferred the library to another hard drive in this case a 2tb Time Capsule. Now when I open the Aperture library I see the file structure and the white outline of the photos but no photos. When I try to export photo I get a pop up saying, 'selected master version offline'. The metadata is showing the photo details and size but no pic, and the aperture library is still showing it as 225gb
If anyone has any suggestions or a way of finding the master files I would deeply appreciate it.
Many thanks

When a drive reports failed the data on that drive should be suspected to be corrupt. Initially one should assume any copies made of data after the drive starts reporting failing will also be corrupt.
After a drive reports failure:
When a drive reports to be failing our first concern should be the integrity of the existing backup of the data on that drive. It is easy to manage to corrupt the backup data during efforts to retrieve the failing-drive data.
Step one should be to back up the back up of the failed drive. The known-good backups should be carefully quarantined from the likely-corrupt data.
Step two (which should only happen after step one is complete and verified) is to make post-drive-failure copies of data from the failing HDD and make efforts to verify the accuracy of the data copied from the failed drive.
Before a drive reports failure:
Originals from the camera card should be separately backed up prior to import into Aperture or any other images management application. Always.
HTH
-Allen

Moving Music Files to new hard drive

I followed the instruction in iTunes Help, but it says to choose "Consolidate Library" from the Advanced tab in preferences. I have no such option on the screen. Can anyone help?

Consolidate Library is under Advanced on your Menu bar, up where File and Edit etc are, not in Preferences.

Problems with moving my library to a new hard drive

Decided to add a 3TB drive to my system to serve as a media drive for all of my audio, video, and image files...since my 1TB RAID array was 92% full, and so far, the only problem I've had has been with iTunes. Here's what I did (using Windows 7):
1: Created a Audio folder on the F Drive (the 3TB one),
2: Changed my iTunes Library location to the F:\Audio folder,
3: Used the Consolidate Library function in iTunes to copy everything from my previous library...
This worked...but then the following happened...
iTunes reset itself to use the old default folder on the C drive...
When I reset it back to the F drive, iTunes insisted on copying everything...again. I now have two copies of all my media files.
My apps disappeared in iTunes, even though they were in the Mobile Applications folder.
All of my podcasts disappeared.
My iPhone 4S works just fine when syncing, but my iPad gives me the dreaded "synced to another library...do you want to erase and resync" error message. I don't...since I have a lot of downloaded Zinio magazine content on my iPad that I don't want to reload.
All of my PDF files have disappeared from iBooks...
I don't have the "Purchased" playlist or the ability to re-download purchased content from the iTunes Store.
If anyone has any suggestions, I'd really appreciate it...
Thanks!
Mark

Go to the top of this screen, click "Support" then type "move itunes library to external drive" into the search bar. You will get a list of many articles. You will find some directions there.

My laptop hard drive died and I have replaced it. I want to import the music on my iPod, but I get a message that it is synced with another library (old hard drive). How do I import the music onto the new hard drive? I don't want to lose it.

Can anyone help me with this problem?

Try
http://www.fadingred.com/senuti/
Senuti is an app that allows you to move stuff from an iPod to your mac.

Moving iTunes library from a hard disk with bad sectors to new hard drive

I have tried to move my itunes library using the method proposed by Apple in the support section but it does not work because of a bad hard drive.
I change the itunes folder in preferences. I let itunes organize my music. However, when I select consolidate music everything starts OK but stops when it hits the bad sectors on the old hard drive.
I can copy the rest of the music to the new hard drive manually using finder. However, the music is not recognized in the new location only the old location.
I have tried many things including moving music to another hard drive and naming it the same as the old hard drive and then trying to consolidate it. That does not work. I have tried the method of changing the library.xml file to reflect the new folder. That does not work. I am at a stand still. I have invested much time rating the music and I do not want to lose that.
Any suggestions?
Tom

tonybassplayer wrote:
Thank Chris I have just done that. How do I now get them in to Itunes ?
If you simply copy the iTUnes folder to /Music/ and launch iTUnes, everythign will be there. No need to import anything.
This will work the same with iPhoto.
Simply copy the Photo library to /Pictures/ folder and launch iPhoto.

Moved my music to a new hard drive...

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