Moving Itunes from External HD to new imac HELP!

HELP!! Kept my iTunes on an external Hard Drive as eMac had little space! Need to move all my iTunes from the External drive to iMac - but it ain't working - any suggestions or solutions easy to follow instructions would be great
Any help appreciated!

1 - if you are upgrading form iPhoto 6 then you can not go ofrward until you complete the upgrade - and with all versions of iPhtoo when you upgrade you can not go back - do always upgrade on the new system keeping the original in case of peoblems
2 - I have no idea how you transferred the iPhoto library - but the best way is to drag the iPhoto library from the old system to the pictures folder of the new system, run the iPhoto library upgrader and launch iPhoto
LN

Similar Messages

  • Moving music from external HD to new iMac

    made the jump from PC to Mac, so far so good would be 100% happy if could get music over too. I just bought a new iMac. when i connect the external drive to the Mac it reads it just fine. (have transfered pictures and documents already.) When i go to transfer the music i get an error message that says i can not write to the Mac HD. This is very frustrating. Can anyone help?

    Can someone be kind enough to list the steps needed to transfer my iTunes 8 library from the external HD to the iMac's iTunes 9 while maintaining playlists, album cover art, etc.?
    My iTunes music is still on an external HD back-up.
    If you only backed up your iTunes music and not the entire \Music\iTunes\ folder, you have no playlists, album cover art, etc.

  • Moving iTunes from external drive to new computer

    I have my itunes stored on an external drive lettered "E". How can I move them to my new computer. The external drive letter "E" is not available on the new computer but the hard drive is plenty large enough to hold my whole collection and I would like to install them on it. I have already copied my itunes music folder and libraries to the new computer.
    Thanks for any input.

    This did not work. I signed into the iTunes store as the same user and I can still not play the music I purchased or the music I am authorized to play that others purchased. Can anyone help out with this question?

  • How do I copy iTunes from external hard drive to iMac?

    How do I copy iTunes from external
    Hard drive to iMac?

    if your main library is on your external, then when not connected, you wont have access to it.
    so first decide, where do you want to keep the files.
    E.g. In my case, I keep my files on "C:\iTunes Music".
    I have a backup on external "Z:\iTunes Backup". If I format my laptop, this is how I restore everything.
    Edit -> Preferences -> Advanced.
    The iTunes music folder in selects as "C:\iTunes Music"
    I have checked Keep iTunes Music Folder Organized, and also Copy Files to iTunes Music folder when adding to ibrary". Click OK to save and close preferences.
    My iTunes list is now empty. I go to file, and select "Add Folder to Library". From that window, I select "Z:\iTunes Backup". iTunes then copies everything from the backup to "C:\iTunes Music". For me, backup is backup, I dont need it to play music.
    Now decide this. If you do not want to keep music on C:, but want to only connect the external to update music on your ipod, do this:
    In preferences, set iTunes Music folder as "Z:\iTunes Backup", and uncheck Copy files to iTunes Music folder, since they are already there. Then in files, select Add folder to library again to build and update the list.

  • Moving iTunes from external hard drive to new iMac

    I will be receiving a new iMac soon. Currently my iTunes is on an external hard drive.
    What are the steps I take to move the iTunes from my external hard drive to my new iMac's hard drive?

    The PC to MAC move complicates a few things, but this article seems to solve them.

  • Transfer iTunes files from external drive onto new iMac

    I had all of my iTunes files on an external hard drive with an old eMac. I want to transfer the files to my brand-new iMac.
    It's easy to copy the iTunes Library folder from the external drive onto the iMac hard drive, and change the preferences so that new songs are stored onto the iMac, but it doesn't change the settings for iTunes. Then, if I "Add to Library" I get two copies of everything: the file that's on the external drive PLUS the file that's on the new iMac. If I delete all of the "old" duplicates, it will mess up my playlists.
    Isn't there an easy way to point iTunes to the new Library on the iMac and have it change the location setting for all of the songs?

    okay, let me rephrase my question:
    when you moved your files from the old Mac to the external, did you
    (a) drag the entire iTunes folder from <MacintoshHD>/users/<yourname>/music to the external
    or
    (b) use the +consolidate files+ command to move the files to the external
    if (a), connect the external to the new Mac and launch iTunes while pressing option on your keyboard. when prompted, click on +choose library+ and select the iTunes folder on the external.
    if (b), copy the iTunes folder from <MacintoshHD>/users/<yourname>/music on the old Mac to <MacintoshHD>/users/<yourname>/music on the new one, overwriting the iTunes folder in place there. connect the external to your new Mac and fire up iTunes normally.
    if you want to move the media files from the external to the internal disk of your new Mac, go iTunes > preferences > advanced and point +iTunes media folder location+ to the iTunes folder in <MacintoshHD>/users/<yourname>/music. also on the advanced tab, make sure there is a tick in the boxes next to +keep iTunes media folder organized+ and +copy files to ... when adding to library+.
    then file > library > organize library > consolidate files. this will copy all your media files to the location you specified earlier in the advanced tab. when done, you can (if you want) erase the external and use it for other purposes. or keep the files there and use the external as your backup.
    JGG

  • Migrating iTunes, iPhoto from external drives to new iMac

    We've finally decided to upgrade from our trusty Power Mac G4 tower (10.4.11) we've had since 2002 to a new 21.5-inch iMac. It arrives tomorrow.
    I'm already anticipating problems migrating to the new system, tho'. The 20Gb startup disk seemed science-fiction large in 2002, but obviously we quickly ran out of space. Currently, our iPhoto library lives on a second internal SATA HD, and iTunes on an external FireWire drive.
    What's going to be the best way to migrate all that stuff to the new iMac's 2Tb (science fiction numbers, again!) drive? Will the migration assistant find the iPhoto and iTunes files on those other disks?

    den.thed wrote:
    Open iTunes on your new iMac and go to File > Add to Library then navigate to the iTunes library on the External HD and hit the Choose button.
    Do the same for iPhoto File > Add to Library while your connected to the G4.
    Just for clarity's sake, you're talking about selecting the iTunes/iPhoto media folders, right? Not selecting each file individually, I hope.
    And from what you're saying, it doesn't sound like Migration Assistant is going to pull anything over from my old iTunes or iPhoto settings, much less media stored on external/expansion drives, is that correct? I'll have to drag those files over via Ethernet, I imagine.

  • Transferring iTunes music from external HD to new iMac

    I've searched and read and still am a little confused, so apologies ahead of time for asking yet another transfer music question.
    I had to do an erase and install of Leopard onto my iMac Intel; I've since performed a software update and now am running iTunes 9. My iTunes music is still on an external HD back-up.
    Can someone be kind enough to list the steps needed to transfer my iTunes 8 library from the external HD to the iMac's iTunes 9 while maintaining playlists, album cover art, etc.? I also have some other music (mp3s) in a separate folder (user/Music/allofmp3) that I need to transfer over as well.
    Much thanks ahead of time!

    Can someone be kind enough to list the steps needed to transfer my iTunes 8 library from the external HD to the iMac's iTunes 9 while maintaining playlists, album cover art, etc.?
    My iTunes music is still on an external HD back-up.
    If you only backed up your iTunes music and not the entire \Music\iTunes\ folder, you have no playlists, album cover art, etc.

  • Moving itunes from old pc to new mac

    i just bought my first mac. i need to move my itunes library to my new imac.
    my first try at manually copying the library (disk use) to my ipod failed (i didn't think to check the size of my "itunes" folder). i pretty much have my 80 g ipod full. The pc directory says that there is 86.4 g in my "itunes" folder. the 86.4 g is after i have deleted all my podcasts.
    what methods are left? moving them using cd's? i tried the belkin cable/software that i used to move the rest of my user data, but it only moved my purchased music. any other ideas?
    thank you in advance.

    in trying to follow iinstructions from the macworld.com article 146958 "move an itunes library from a windows pc to a mac" (from my google search):
    i edited itunes preferences on the advanced tab to "keep itunes media folder organized" and "copy files to itunes media folder when adding to library."
    then i chose file>library>organize library. i checked "consolidate files" and "upgrade to itunes media organization."
    i receieved the error message "copying files failed. the file name was invalid or too long." what file name? what casued this error?
    oh, i have recalled that i have an unused maxtor onetouch ii that i can use to move the data --if i can filnd the cables. so i won't have to deal with the 80g capacity of my ipod. but, is it really true that i can move my library in 2 "trips," let's say 45g at a time? i thought this was an all or nothing shot and that the difficulty with just copying the files had to do with copyright issues.
    thanks to everyone.

  • Moving iTunes from external drive on PC to external drive on Mac

    Hi can anyone help getting totally confused with all the different help topics!
    My iTunes currently runs of an external hard drive (I://) via Windows 7.
    I've changed to an iMac and want to move my iTunes to here using a new PC & Mac compatible external HD (J:// via the PC/Samsung via the Mac).
    I've followed the instructions on here but iTunes doesn't seem to be picking up the library or playlists, and not sure where I've gone wrong.
    Can anyone help at all please?

    Those instructions tell you how to move media (as they say). A library is more than just media.  For people using regular iTunes settings it is everything in the iTunes folder which includes the critical iTunes Library.itl file.  This file generates the structure you see in the iTunes application.  You need - Moving a library: Quick answer if you use iTunes' default preferences settings:  Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its sub-folders and files) intact to the other drive.  Hold down the option (alt) key (shift on Windows) and open iTunes.  At the prompt to create or choose a library choose the copied iTunes folder.
    Note, I am leery about your "PC & Mac" compatible drive, whatever that is.  While it is possible to use a FAT formatted drive with a Mac you have to realize that it has file size limitations and cannot be  repaired with any Mac based tools.
    What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
    More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management
    What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html
    Where are my iTunes files located? - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391
    iTunes 9 [and later]: Understanding iTunes Media Organization - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3847 - plus supplemental information about organizing to new structure https://discussions.apple.com/message/26404702#26404702
    Image of folder structure and explanation of different iTunes versions (turingtest2 post) - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-7392 and making an iTunes library portable.

  • From External HD to new iMac?

    I got a new iMac (old one died). I have my entire home folder (old Mac) backed-up on an external HD. How do I get the files from the external HD to the new mac? What do I need to transfer? How? I'm unable to find instructions to do this?
    Here are some of the things I need to transfer.
    iCal, Mail, Documents, Safari Favorites, Firefox Favorites, iTunes library (+podcasts), Address Book. Am I missing anything else?

    Connect the external drive to the computer and run the Migration Assistant. If your old iMac was an Intel based machine you can safely migrate everything. If it was a G4 or G5 iMac I'd recommend that you migrate only data.

  • Itunes from Windows XP to new IMAC and  IPOD

    I had a 4th generation 20 gig IPOD that broke and I have Itunes and all my music on a Windows XP machine. I recently purchased a new IMAC and I'm going to purchase a new 5th gene Photo IPOD to use with my new IMAC. Does anyone know if I can backup my music from the Itunes on Windows Xp and install/restore all my music files on Itunes on my new IMAC, and then connect the new IPOD to the IMAC. Is this possible somehow? I have over 2300 songs in my music files on Windows Itunes, none of them have been purchased from the Itune store, they are all from my own CD's. I want to transfer everything to the Mac but dont want to have to redo my whole music files on the Itunes Mac. Thanks.

    There is a good general guide to switching from Windows to Mac at the following link that touches on moving music as well: How to Move to a Mac - Get your stuff from your PC to your new Mac
    There are also these guides:
    iTunes for Mac: How to copy purchases between authorized computers
    iTunes for Windows: How to copy purchases between authorized computers
    Networking with a Windows PC
    Don't forget by the way if you have purchased any tracks from the iTunes Music Store to deauthorise your old PC if you are disposing of it so you don't use up your 5 allowances: About iTunes Music Store Authorisation and Deauthorisation

  • Move itunes from external HD to new laptop

    I would like to copy my iTunes and iPhoto from my eMac to my new MBP. I have both on an external HD. Is it better to start with fresh install on the laptop and then to copy my iTunes -or -to transfer them using the migration assistant when I set up the laptop for the first time? I've never moved files from one computer to another so it's a bit daunting for me. Thanks to anyone if you can help.

    If you value the meta data that you have accumulated- like playcounts- simply use the migration assistant. It works great.
    You can also start the emac in target mode if you want, but then you have to know which files to drag over.
    I assume that iTunes, and iPhoto, on the eMac, know about the files that are on the external drive. If this is the case, you won't have any problems.
    Michael
    too many to mention, really   Mac OS X (10.4.8)  

  • Moving music from external drive to new computer, not showing music

    Hello,
    I was running iTunes 7 or 8 on Windows XP on a laptop. I ran out of room on the laptop and followed Apple's doc to move library to external drive and point iTunes to the new location. It's been working that way for over a year.
    Old laptop crashed and I purchased a new laptop running Windows 7. The external drive is fine, and I was able to restore info and pics backed up to that drive on my new laptop. I installed iTunes 9 on the new laptop and tried several things to get it to see the music folder on the external drive, but it doesn't see the music at all. I even copied everything to the iTunes Media folder on the new laptop, but nothing shows up at all. I assume it has to do with what library files are available and where they're located. There are no library files on external drive, only a My New Music Folder. The old laptop can be on for about 10 minutes before it crashes, so I could try to retrieve the old library files if I knew what I needed and where to find them, but I hope I can do it without having to turn on old laptop. Any help is much appreciated. Are my playlists gone? Help!

    If everything on the external drive is in WMA format then that method would work, otherwise you are likely to get duplicates, which is why I suggested you work with the Not Added folder.
    Different audio formats have different ways of compressing and storing the information from the original source. Most software and hardware will only work with a limited range of formats. iTunes cannot play WMA directly, but can convert it to one of the formats it will play. Given this is a clean install of iTunes that format is likely to be AAC if you haven't changed it. MP3 may be a better choice if you might want to put the media on some non-Apple device in future, otherwise ACC is supposedly slight more efficient, i.e. a smaller file for the same quality.
    The main factor affecting file size is bit rate. The more original data that is kept, the larger the file and the more closely the reproduced music will match the original source. WMA is a lossy format typical bit rates are 128kbs and 256kbs. Conveting a 128kbs file to, for example, a 256k AAC file results in a file larger than the original, but no better quality.
    If you put Windows Explorer in details view you should be able to enable a bitrate column and scan through to see what the current values are. You can adjust your import settings as given. You may want to import in more than one batch if there is a mix of bitrates.
    tt2

  • Running iTunes from external hard drive, new computer, where to start?

    I've seen several threads relating to this, but I'm a bit confused. For some time we have been running iTunes from an external hard drive with no issues. We now have a new laptop with windows 8, and I'm not sure where to start to set up iTunes (we replaced the computer with a laptop). Do I need to do a new install of iTunes on the laptop? Do I install it to the hard drive (C) or to the external drive (G)? My biggest source of concern is losing the library. I also want to be sure that we can continue to run iTunes from the external drive, I don't want it taking up space on the laptop hard drive.

    With more & more people looking towards external drives as a storage solution, it's important to warn them, that although using one within iTunes is a great idea, it comes with its issues & can be a step towards a disastrous sequence. In such a scenario, each time iTunes is launched it'll look for the library that resides on the external drive, & if that drive's not connected, iTunes will open with an empty library. You know what's comming next, rite ? An empty iDevice. This happens because 'by default' iTunes is set to Auto-Sync & if you're using an external drive, the potential for a messy problem goes way up.  So in short, remember these points. when using an external drive(library).
    . Always connect your external drive prior to lauching iTunes.
    . Always ensure iTunes sees your external library prior to connecting your iDevice.
    . Disable the 'Auto-Sync' feature from within iTunes prior to connecting your iDevice.
    . Always wait to connect your iDevice until thee aforementioned points are confirmed.
    As stated earlier, using an external drive with iTunes isn't a problem in & by itself. But if the external drive's disconnected & the 'Auto-Sync' feature's left at its default setting(enabled), a family member could loose all their data simply by connecting their iDevice to the PC/Mac. Or be in for a time consuming lesson.
    PS: At the very least one should research the topic themselves. http://ipod.about.com/od/advanceditunesuse/a/Itunes-External-Hard-Drive.htm

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