Partial iTunes library backups

Ok, by now I already know by heart how to properly do a whole iTunes library back up, and I’ve found plenty of good support info’ here regarding it, and the safest ways to do it.
Now my big dilemma that is still cracking my head and I haven’t been able to find the answer to it anywere, is what is the best way to do “partial” backups of the library?
I mean, I have this library of over 6,000 songs, and I need to do a back up on HD of say some 700 of them. If I try to select them all, and just drag them directly either from iTunes or using Finder, they system gets locked and just doesn’t do it. Seems environments like iTunes or Finder just can’s handle that big loads of info’ to transfer in one single step.
The only way it goes through is if I select them in batches of up to say 10 songs each time; but at that pace, I’d have to go through the same steps over and over some 70 times in order to finish my back up on a HD.
Is there a more practical and efficient way to do something like this?

dizny71 wrote:
1. If I move the iTunes folder does this also move the apps and movies with it
if you let iTunes keep your library organized (preferences > advanced) and all your content is inside the iTunes music (or media) folder, yes.
2. What is the best practice for backing up my library once it's moved to the external? Does Time Machine back it up since the pointer is directing it to the new external or should I use another backup program like Carbon Cloner to backup my iTunes data?
if the external is connected directly to your Mac, there is enough space on the TM destination drive, and the external is not excluded from backups, TM will back the drive up.
http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/2.html
also ckeck out _*The Complete Guide to Backing Up your iTunes Library*_
JGG

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HT1751 After "Restoring iTunes Library Backup" it wont link to the files in the iTunes folder. I've followed the correct procedure, and iTunes lists all my music correctly (but with no artwork), but can't locate any of the files. Using Windows 7. Help ple

After "Restoring iTunes Library backup" it wont link to the files in the iTunes folder. I've followed the procedure as described, and the iTunes folder is in the correct location. iTunes lists all my music correctly (albeit with no artwork), but can't locate any of the files.
I've been restoring my iTunes folder from a backup hard drive to a new computer on which I've downloaded the latest iTunes (10.7). If this is a newer version than the one I backed up with could this be the problem? (I had the latest (to my knowledge) iTunes when I backed up the folder about 3 weeks ago, was this version 10.7?)
Or is the version of iTunes (within recent updates) not an issue when restoring a library?
Using Windows 7.
Any help please?

From the top of the page where the scripts live...
The general method of use is to download the script to a folder of your choice, e.g. your Desktop, Downloads folder or create a folder at ...\iTunes\Scripts. Select a playlist or highlight some tracks in iTunes and then double-click on the script to execute it. If no specific tracks are selected the script will try to work with all tracks in the current playlist. Some scripts offer a choice of track by track confirmation of changes or fully automatic processing of the selection. Many of the scripts can optionally display a progress bar while running.
You are strongly advised to backup your entire library, or at the very least the iTunes Library.itl file, before use. Test the behaviour of your chosen script on a small group of files first to make sure it does what you want before applying it to large numbers of files.
Most builds of Windows will execute *.vbs scripts when you double-click them. If that doesn't happen then you might need to visit the Add/Remove Programs or Programs & Features control panel to enable the Windows Scripting Host. I can track down details if you have issues.
Backing up and restoring data is an area that is often glossed over. Most people don't try to learn much about it until they've lost something important. (Me too )
If your iTunes library was in the usual layout then normally copying the whole iTunes folder from the User's Music folder in the old computer to the User's Music folder in the new one will usually work fine. Ideally this is done before iTunes is installed so that there is no empty library to replace, and all settings are picked up from the old library. This post contains more details.
tt2

Use of an external drive for itunes library - backup options?

Hi,
I have a dell laptop with 60GB of memory and I just purchased an 80GB ipod classic. I cannot upgrade the storage in this laptop. Originally I was thinking I would just buy a new laptop. But given that all laptops now come with Windows Vista and reading about all the issues that users have had with Vista and Itunes I do not think that would be a good idea. Do you agree that I should just stick with my Windows XP Machine?
So I was thinking I would change my music library so it resides on an external drive. My only concern with this - is how do I keep a backup of this external drive? From reading all the forum posts if this external drive failed it can be done moving the information from an ipod back to another drive using third party software but it sounds risky.
Any thoughts on how others are handling this would be appreciated.
Thank you!
Karen

Karen, most 3rd party software is pretty easy to use. The one thing I need to point out that relying on the iPod can be pretty risky, too. What if iPod is lost or stolen? What if you have an iPod problem that requires a restore? I would suggest that as a secondary backup for the EHD, you either burn data discs or possibly consider a 2nd EHD, since you can buy them pretty cheap these days. Right now, I backup to 2 different EHD's, then burn data discs as needed of my iTunes library, just in case I would be unlucky enough to lose everything.

Itunes library backup not working

I currently have a backup of my itunes library file as well as the itunes music. I lost the orginal xml file and when I open itunes, I get a blank database library. When I try to add to library, nothing happens.
Should I try something else to get the back up to take or do i need to import all the music into the library after I import the datafile?
Thanks
jf

Jeff hello,
Trash the iTunes Library file in your iTunes folder and put back the backup copy... check the name is correct 'iTunes Library'
Put all your backed up music in the iTunes Music folder.
Start iTunes and it should all work... as a check set the preferences > advanced > general tab NOT to copy any files when adding to Library and DO keep iTunes Music folder orgaized... OK any changes.
From the file menu select 'add to library' and choose the iTunes Music folder.
let's know how you get on Jeff ... TP
iMac 800MHz PowerPC G4 17 Flat Screen. G4 iBook. Mac OS X (10.4.3)

ITunes Library Backup - HELP

As I lost a lot of iTunes content during a computer upgrade a couple of years ago, I haven't been relying on the backup methods listed through Apple Support.
My preferred method, especially since my 500GB storage on my laptop has been fast consumed by all my naughty iTunes film and telly purchases, has been to create folders on an external hard drive device and individually drag and drop films and telly into these backup folders. (I then backup these backups on a further external device.) Once I have confirmed the items have been successfully backed up, I then delete them from my iTunes library on my laptop to make space.
In the past 3 weeks I have been unable to do this. I can drag the items from my iTunes library, but they are failing to drop into the folders created on my backup drive, or simply into a folder on my laptop.
Have I managed to alter a setting on my laptop or has there been changes to the iTunes that now prevent you from backing up in this way? ASSISTANCE PLEASE!

lke73_historian wrote:
My preferred method, especially since my 500GB storage on my laptop has been fast consumed by all my naughty iTunes film and telly purchases, has been to create folders on an external hard drive device and individually drag and drop films and telly into these backup folders. (I then backup these backups on a further external device.) Once I have confirmed the items have been successfully backed up, I then delete them from my iTunes library on my laptop to make space.
Why not use Time Machine?
Once I have confirmed the items have been successfully backed up, I then delete them from my iTunes library on my laptop to make space.
So you don't wan tthese in iTunes?

ITunes library backup on Time Machine disk

Never used Time Machine before, and I am getting a new ext hard drive this week for this purpose.
Can I also manually put files on the Time Machine backup as well? Basically, does a Time Machine drive mount normally in that I can create folders and copy files to it, as well as use it for Time Machine's automatic backing up?
Reason I ask, is I'd like to backup my iTunes library to a folder on the drive as well as have it do Time Machine backups. Also, if this is redundant, and Time Machine will have all this stuff safely backed up (with easy access), let me know. Thanks.

skiltrip wrote:
Never used Time Machine before, and I am getting a new ext hard drive this week for this purpose.
Can I also manually put files on the Time Machine backup as well?
You can, but there are some cautions. See #3 in Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum).
Basically, does a Time Machine drive mount normally in that I can create folders and copy files to it, as well as use it for Time Machine's automatic backing up?
As you'll see in #3, yes.
Reason I ask, is I'd like to backup my iTunes library to a folder on the drive as well as have it do Time Machine backups. Also, if this is redundant, and Time Machine will have all this stuff safely backed up (with easy access), let me know. Thanks.
Unless you tell it not to, Time Machine will back up almost everything on your system. It does exclude a few things automatically, such as system work files, most caches, your logs, and trash.
You might want to review the Time Machine Tutorial
and perhaps browse the rest of the FAQ.

How to Retore Music and iTunes Library backup after Hard Disk Crash?

My Windows Vista is not booting and HP recommends I should go back to factory setting, which means I will have to create new Windows user profile etc. I have a complete backup of Music folder, iTunes folder, iTunes library files etc.
1. What should I do to ensure that my iTunes works with all rating, playcount, played dates etc. intact?
2. Would my purchased content - e.g. iPod Touch apps work fine, if copied to the same directory?

+I have a complete backup of Music folder, iTunes folder, iTunes library files etc.+
That's good! You've backed up the metadata, since its stored in the itunes folder. It's in a file named
iTunes Library.itl
Get your PC repaired, install itunes, restore the backup files, and everything should work.
Here is a good article from iLounge that discusses itunes content vs itunes library. You are pretty much moving your library to a new PC, at this point.
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/moving-your-itunes-library-to -a-new-hard-drive/

I scraped my old computer disc and lost all my data including my itunes library backup. I recreated a new itune library on my new computer but it only contains my purchased music,apps,books and movies. I Can I reverse a sync Ipod to Itunes?

How can I rebuild my itunes library on my new computer that will include all my downloaded CD's. My new library only contains my purchased music,apps.books and movies, (My library on my old computer is scraped)
The library on my ipod is intact. I don't dare to sync with the library on my new computer because I will loose my cd music. Can I do a reverse sync IPOD to Itunes?

Browse the app store. You will need a special purpose app to help you.

Itune library backup question

OK, I am a novice and still learning. I have an external harddrive and I have backed up my iTunes library to it. Question. Do I need to keep my library on my C drive also??

Have your songs backed up to another drive to have additional copies for safe keeping while you are still running your iTunes library from the files on your computer? If so then you need to keep the originals there. If you actually want to run iTunes from your external drive then you might find these articles useful:
iLounge - Managing your iTunes Library on an External Hard Drive
iTunes for Windows - Moving your iTunes Music Folder

ITunes library backup issue

I recently wanted to backup my library to disk (update my backups) but apparently I no longer have that option, any ideas? Only thing I've done to my iTunes other than purchases is a recent software update.

Following recent changes in the terms and conditions of the store you can, in general, download music, apps and books to your authorized devices as often as you wish, with the proviso that the content has not been withdrawn from the store. Ideally you should still maintain a backup as suggested above as restoring this will be much easier/faster than downloading past purchases.
tt2

ITunes Library backup problem in Windows 7

I was using windows xp and copied the iTunes folder in My Music.
I installed Windows 7 and restored the folder in same place (My Music).
The library is back but only the names are back! When i try to listen some song it cannot find and seems i have to find one by one...
The musics are in another partition of hdd so the path of them didnt change.
But seems something different in Win7.
Is anyone have some idea how i can correct it?

Nowadays people don't back up to CD/DVD. They get an *external hard drive* and copy over their entire iTunes folder, and whatever else they are backing up.
The advantages are (1) this method does not depend on iTunes's horribly unreliable burning capability (2) you can look at the external and see that the stuff you backed up is really there. (If you want to see an unhappy person, it is when they try to restore from CD/DVD and discover that it did not burn correctly in the first place.) (3) it lets you back up your other valuable files besides your music.

Itunes Library Backup

Do you have to keep your music in the library. I would like to delete it so I can save space on my computer. How do I do this? I deleted it and then went to put more music on my ipod and I lost what I already downloaded. Why is this?

Welcome to Apple Discussions.
http://www.kelleytown.com/ikelleytown.htm#DeleteSongs

By backing up the iTunes Library via saving the iTunes folder on an external drive, is it also backing up all iPad and iPhone backups as well as App Data and Documents from your devices?

If I backup my iTunes Library by saving the iTunes folder on an external hard drive using the instructions contained in the link below, will it also back up all my iPad and iPhone backups as well as App Data and Documents from my devices? In other words, will it also create backups for the backups? Thank you.
Back up your iTunes library by copying it to an external drive
Furthermore, when it is time to restore the iTunes folder I copied to my external drive to a new iTunes program on my new computer, how will it merge the information once I plug in my iPad or iPhone to that new laptop to sync? If I did the iTunes library backup a couple months ago and I've added documents/music/pictures on my devices since then, what will happen when I try to sync it with the new laptop now working off of the iTunes library backup from a couple months ago since the information is no longer the same? Which information will dominate and thus be kept? Will it delete the new information/data/pictures/documents/music off of the devices since it is not on the iTunes program when it syncs?
Sorry for so many questions, but they are all related to backing up and restoring iTunes. I am not very tech savvy if you cannot tell

It would be a good idea to look into a bigger hard drive. They are not that expensive any more and can save a lot of headach. This is even more important if you are buying music from the iTunes music store. If you lost those files they are gone.
The point of having it on your PC and iPod is to have a backup. If the iPod fails, or you need to go back to the DVDs and find they are scratched, or just can not be read you have lost days of work converting and organizing all of those songs.
Or the iPod could hard drive could fail and then you will have to try to bring all of those files back from DVDs. You end up with a mess since some songs will probably be on multiple DVDs, have different names ect. Trying to reorganize it all can be a pain.

How to merge existing itunes library with another time machine volume?

hi all,
i am 2 macs, an iMac and a MacBook - both running Snow Leopard 10.6.3 and both running itunes 9.
is possible to merge the itunes library on the MacBook onto the iMac via my MacBook's Time Machine volume? i do not have my MacBook with me at this moment cos' i have sent it for diagnostic and repair. i have the latest itunes library backups on my MacBook's Time Machine.
hope to hear some valuable pointers. Thank you!

mook73 wrote:
is possible to merge the itunes library on the MacBook onto the iMac via my MacBook's Time Machine volume?
i have never attempted such an operation, so no step-by-step guide !
you will be able to restore the other Mac's library to the iMac. go here and follow the instructions: http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/17.html. restore whatever you need to a temporary location, i.e. the desktop.
if you only want the media files, just restore the iTunes music folder. when restored, use +add to library+ from the file menu or just drag the folder you restored to the +automatically add to iTunes+ folder inside the iTunes folder.
if you also want playlists, playcounts, and ratings, you should restore the entire iTunes folder.
take a look @ PowerTunes. this app should enable you to merge the two libraries.
good luck !
JGG

HT1751 my motherboard failed and I need to transfer my itunes to another computer. I do not have a back up of my itunes library but I have my old hard drive connected to the new PC via USB. How do I get my entire Library transfered, not just the cloud s

Motherboard failed with no itunes library backup on harddrive. I put the HD in a USB adaptor and have connected to a newer PC. Is it possible to move my library onto the new PC.

You need to follow the moving media per: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1364

Partial iTunes library backups

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