Problem with sharing an itunes library between machines

Hi all,
Hoping someone can help. I've moved my iTunes library onto my Time Capsule and have my mac and windows PC both using it. The problem is whichever machine I open it on, I get a message saying "Updating iTunes Library" for a few minutes. It's fine after that, until I open iTunes on the other machine, when the same thing happens. So have I forgotten to do something, or am I doing something I shouldn't, in order to use the same library across machines?
Thanks all

Anyone have any ideas?

Similar Messages

Sharing an iTunes library between multiple accounts on one machine

I have tried to set up a shared library so that all users on my computer can access the same music. I have tried moving my iTunes folder to the HD under Users, Shared and setting the filepath in the Preferences, Advanced, General to point to that location. It works fine with the main admin account but other users have an empty library despite their paths being altered also.
Any advice would be much appreciated.

It's a misunderstanding that setting the 'iTunes Music folder location' tells iTunes to look at that location.
The iTunes Music folder location is the location where your next imported CD is stored. The song locations however are stored inside the 'iTunes Library' file which is in ./Users/YourUsername/Music/iTunes.
Moving the music folder to another location without 'telling' iTunes normally will lead to loss of links. You will see exclamation marks before the song name, telling that iTunes can't find the files.
Recent versions of iTunes can track a moved folder, when it's moved on the same disk.
The other users will not see this music. You have to copy the 'iTunes Library' file and put it in the iTunes folder of the other user(s).
--edit
Instead of copying the 'iTunes Library' file, you can add the entire music folder to each users library.
This will enable every user to apply their own rating (which is not stored in the song file, but in the 'iTunes Library' file).
--end of edit
They will then have full access to the library, which means, every user can add and delete music from the shared library.
The methods of sharing music are described here:
iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer
Hope this helps.
M
Message was edited by: macmenno

Sharing an iTunes library between 2 accounts

I am setting up iTunes on a new iMac with OS 10.5.6 There is no obvious way to share one library between two accounts. I have tried the official apple method listed here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203
but it does not seem to work. I have also tried copying the complete iTunes folder to /users/shared, but that did not work. Any suggestions?
You would think this could all be done with the press of a button.

It's a misunderstanding that setting the 'iTunes Music folder location' tells iTunes to look at that location.
The iTunes Music folder location is the location where your next imported CD is stored. The song locations however are stored inside the 'iTunes Library' file which is in ./Users/YourUsername/Music/iTunes.
Moving the music folder to another location without 'telling' iTunes normally will lead to loss of links. You will see exclamation marks before the song name, telling that iTunes can't find the files.
Recent versions of iTunes can track a moved folder, when it's moved on the same disk.
The other users will not see this music. You have to copy the 'iTunes Library' file and put it in the iTunes folder of the other user(s).
--edit
Instead of copying the 'iTunes Library' file, you can add the entire music folder to each users library.
This will enable every user to apply their own rating (which is not stored in the song file, but in the 'iTunes Library' file).
--end of edit
They will then have full access to the library, which means, every user can add and delete music from the shared library.
The methods of sharing music are described here:
iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer
Hope this helps.
M
Message was edited by: macmenno

Sharing an iTunes library between computers

is it possible to share a library btwn itunes apps on separate computers in the same house/wireless network?
not looking to trump the 5 computer limit, but trying to get two computers to show the same library between them. when i buy a song in one place, to show it as available to play on the other, too...also making it possible to update ipods from both...
any thoughts would be great...

Hi,
We have something similar with 2 computers at home, and use 'iTunes Library Updater' (freeware on http://itlu.ownz.ch/wordpress/) which should serve your purpose.
Dell Windows XP Pro

Updating itunes library occurs with sharing an iTunes Library

Hi,
I have two macs, one of the macs has the iTunes library on a hard drive connected to it, lets called it "Mac1". I have another mac called "Mac2" which I mount the hard drive from "Mac1".
So I go about and make sure iTunes is not running on "Mac1", then go ahead and start iTunes on "Mac2". After I'm done and shutdown iTunes, if I restart iTunes on "Mac1" I get the message "updating itunes library" which takes a while since I have a large iTunes library.
Any ideas? I'm very careful to shutdown on iTunes on one computer before starting it up on another.
Thanks for any input, this is driving me crazy

iamjedi wrote:
I think I may take your suggestion and just have separate libraries.
you can use _*Home Sharing*_ to keep them in sync.
also, there are 3rd party tools such as
PowerTunes
TuneRanger
Syncopation
however, a "one-iTunes-library-with-multiple-computers" approach is doable. click here for information.
JGG

Sharing 1 iTunes library between several iPhones/iPads without sharing iCloud configuration

My boyfriend and I both own an iPhone and an iPad. We both use the same computer and iTunes library to synchronize our devices. For that we use a single Apple ID. However, we also want to use iCloud without the data on my devices being accessible on my boyfriend's devices and vice versa.
How should we proceed so that we can continue using 1 iTunes account? Should we configure separate iCloud accounts? I suppose that in that case only the Fotostream of the devices linked to the iTunes account will be synchronized on the computer?
Please advise.
Many thanks!

Welcome to the Apple Community.
Ideally you should each have your own iCloud account, that way you can each manage your own mail, contacts, calendars, documents etc and avoid unintentional deletions and unwanted editing. If there is information you wish to share between you, this can be done with a secondary account.
Having separate iCloud accounts, doesn't mean you have to have separate iTunes accounts, so whilst you keep your personal data separate, you can continue to share music, apps, books, TV shows, movies etc.
You could always set up two user accounts on the computer if you want to download both of your photo streams.

Problems with restoring my iTunes library after performing an HP backup and system recovery

Hello,
Last Sunday night/Monday morning, I had to perform a system recovery (from the discs supplied by HP) on my HP Compaq Presario SR5310F 32-bit desktop computer running Windows Vista Home Premium, (on the recommendation of samone at HP) and just backing up my 90+ GB iTunes library took 12 hours (the actual system recovery took only about 2-1/2 hours, the following morning). After the recovery process was complete, I 'restored' the backed-up files by either double-clicking or just opening the first backup file (the one whose file name ends in '.1') and following the prompts, which placed the files into something called the 'System Restore Files' folder. I thought I could just restore my iTunes library by dragging and dropping the music, video and iTunes folder files from this System Restore Files folder back into their original places on my computer, but while the song titles did show up in my iTunes library, whenever I tried to actually play one, an exclamation point would appear beside the song's title and I'd get the error message 'iTunes cannot find the file'; when I clicked on 'Find missing file'--or whatever it's called--the C < Users < [username] < Music folder would open, and it would be completely blank, with only the words 'This folder is empty' appearing in it. (And BTW, before you try to recommend the 'Finding missing content in iTunes' or 'How to find missing music in iTunes' articles to me, I should point out that I did try all of the steps in those articles, but my iTunes library was still completely empty at that point, despite trying those steps; that was why I finally tried 'dragging and dropping all of those files back into the Desktop, Downloads, Documents--yes, some really large download files, not from iTunes, showed up in the Documents folder--and also a couple of downloaded music files--again, not from iTunes--showd up 'loose' [by 'loose', I mean not in one of the folders (e.g., Documents, Downloads etc.) in my [username] subfolder] in my [username] subfolder, after which, I was able to get most of my song and video titles listed in iTunes again, but they just won't PLAY! Also, it appears I'm missing about 5 GB from my iTunes library now, as it's saying that I only have about 85.15 GB worth of files in it, where before I had 90+ GB worth of files in it.)
BTW, I can play the files I moved to Desktop, Downloads, etc. if I right-click on the individual files in these locations and then click on 'Play' or 'Open With', but they just won't play in iTunes.
And one more thing: I stupidly deleted my 2 iTunes podcast file titles after I discovered that these, too, would not play; is there any way I can recover these--and my iTunes library--without performing yet ANOTHER system recovery and starting over 'from scratch'? (But if that's what I'll have to do, I'll do it--or else I'll just give up and start all over again with the new computer I plan to buy over the Labor Day weekend [it'll be a 64-bit Windows 7 computer, I know that much at least], as most of my music was ripped from CDs or else downloaded from places like Bandcamp or Amazon MP3, and these downloads were saved to a series of USB flash drives; I was informed that if worst came to worst, I could redownload my iTunes purchases, but my 2 podcasts will be lost forever, as iTunes doesn't 'keep' those--or words to that effect...)
P.S. The computer I'm using has only a 250 GB hard drive, of which 223 GB were available, I couldn't perform the 'Consolidate' function so I could properly back up my iTunes library, as, what with the accumulated Windows downloads (I got this computer in February 2008) and other programs, I had only a few (< 10) GB free--not enough to consolidate the iTunes library, and second, the computer malfunctioned just prior to my performing the system recovery, so that I could no longer log on in 'normal' mode, only in the various safe modes. A lady at Microsoft told me I could back up my iTunes library by logging on in safe mode with networking (since I could do that, albeit with the error message 'Your account has been loaded with a temporary profile') and pasting my iTunes library to my external hard drive, but when I tried this, I got a message listing my iTunes library as '(empty)' when I clicked on iTunes in 'All Programs', and needless to say, my iTunes library wouldn't even open in any of the safe modes (I don't know whether it was 'just' my computer, or whether the lady didn't know what she was talking about--she does work for Microsoft, after all).

OK, before you moved the iTunes folder did the library contain entries for your original files?
This is the normal layout of the iTunes folders. From what you said at the outset it would seem that, as far as that copy of your library is concerned, it thinks the media folder is C:\System Recovery Files\C\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media
Not quite sure where you have moved the original set of library files to (that is the five files listed above and the Album Artwork folder) but you should move these to C:\System Recovery Files\C\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes, (leaving everything else in place) then click the icon to launch iTunes and immediately press and hold down the left shift key until asked to choose or create a library. Click choose and browse to the library file at C:\System Recovery Files\C\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes\iTunes Library.itl - fingers crossed this will open your old database, which will be able to find your old files. If that goes well we can look to moving them somewhere more sensible.
tt2

Sharing same iTunes library between two OSX partitions

I have two partitions with an instance of 10.6.6 on each. Is there a way that my iTunes library on one partition can also be used by the other? So if I boot up OSX from the second drive, then I want to be able to access the library on the other partition.

From one OS, launch iTunes with the Option key held down and point it to the other library. Both installs may need to be running the same iTunes version.
(57118)

Problems with copying my itunes library to a new laptop

I have just brought a new laptop (Windows 7) and I am trying to copy my iTunes from my old laptop (Windows Vista) to my new one but it doesn't seem to be working... I know how to copy the music across but I want to copy all the playlists across too as I use them frequently and don't particularly want to re-do all of them.
I have tried copying my iTunes folder onto my external hard drive and then connecting my external hard drive to my new computer and copying the folder into the iTunes folder on it. But it won't copy across and it gives no explanation why. I copy it and a dialogue box comes up saying 'preparing to copy' and then it just goes and nothing else happens...
Am I doing something wrong? Is there an easier way to do this? I've seen some posts that mention networking the computers but I've tried this and because they operate on different systems it isn't working...
Please Help!!

Hi there StevieJ,
You may find the information in the article below helpful.
How to find and remove duplicate items in your iTunes library
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2905
-Griff W.

Question/Problem Sharing iTunes Library between multiple users

Hello all,
I have a question (potential problem) regarding sharing an iTunes Library between multiple users.
In the past, I had placed the iTunes folder in /Users/Shared, and created an alias to it in the "Music" folder of each user, and it worked fine. However, with a recent upgrade to Mac OS 10.5, only the Home user account can access the library.
I read the Apple Support Document http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1203 uner Mac OS X which specifically states *not* to move the iTunes folder, just the iTunes Media folder (which I don't have, would that be iTunes Music?).
Any recommendations? Should I delete the different alias, move the iTunes folder back to the home user, and then follow the instructions in the support document?
We're also looking to sync music purchsed on our iPod touches, as well as apps (which weren't supported in our privous Mac OS X version.
Any advice is appreiciated.

David Guay wrote:
... iTunes Media folder (which I don't have, would that be iTunes Music?).
yes.
specifically states *not* to move the iTunes folder
*do* keep the entire iTunes folder in /users/shared, however, instead of creating aliases, launch iTunes while holding the option (⌥) key, click choose library when prompted, and select the iTunes folder in /users/shared.
obviously, only one iTunes at a time can access the library !

Hello there - how can I share my iTunes library between two users on the same computer? I put the library in a shared folder between both and have selected this library on both as well, but when I update iTunes with music etc it only appears on one?

Hello there - how can I share my iTunes library between two users on the same computer? I put the library in a shared folder between both and have selected this library on both as well, but when I update iTunes with music etc it only appears on one?

Thank you Joe - I tried this but it's only showing a teensy amount of music - the stuff on the second users account as opposed to the giagntic library on the 'main' account. I actually went to a Genius Bar and they said that apple doesn't really want you to share music between accounts - parents don't want to hear their kids music etc. Which seemed strange, but it might be the case sadly Thanks anyway!

Sharing iTunes library between two Macs on Time Capsule

Hi there
I've just about persuaded my fiancee to get a MacBook, which would give us a mac-only household. If I got a Time Capsule, could we share an iTunes library? We each have an iPod and it would seem like a pain to have to recreate two entire libraries on the Time Capsule, much of which would be the same music.
I'm also assuming we could both use the TC as wireless Time Machine backup for our Macs - is this correct?
Finally, does anyone have a view on the likely range of TC relative to a standard Linksys 802.11g wireless router? The Linksys doesn't quite reach to the other end of my apartment and I'm wondering if the TC is likely to be better.
Very many thanks in advance.

Hello
You will run into pain. I just tried every found solution on Internet. Whatever you will do, it ends up in a hack. Fact is: iTunes administer your library only local. You CAN share your iTunes library on one Mac by menu settings in a network, BUT the Mac sharing its iTunes library MUST run all the time you want to listen to music from shared iTunes library even if the shared library (music files) is on the Time Capsule. It even wont work turn on "Wake up on LAN activity". The shared library will only be available as long as the Mac sharing its iTunes library is up and iTunes opened. That way it makes no big sense to have the music files in library physically on your Time Capsule. Another problem might come up when you stop listening shared iTunes library: As soon as the sharing Mac goes into StandBy mode (time depending) you can't access its library again. Standby must be stopped.
The other "solution" is also to have the whole library on a shared drive (Time Capsule) and to import it on both Macs. You will run quickly into Sync problems, beside its a pain to administer the song library that way: You have to import further songs twice, on both Macs to hear them on every one.
And of course, there are third pary hacks around nobody really wants to use.
After implementing Time Machine into Lepoard Apple wanted to make money out of it and offered Time Capsule mainly for storing data and backups (what both works great, also WLAN works fine).
I hope Apple will find a way in iTunes not to handle the music libraries so restrictive, so it can be accessed f.e. on Time Capsule while the Mac sharing its library must not run all the time.
Hope I could help.
Message was edited by: Tayger

Problems sharing an iTunes library on Airport

I have a wireless Airport network between three Macs in my home. On my eMac i tried to share the iMac's music library through Preferences>Sharing. However, when the computer tries to share the music library, it comes up with this message:
"Could not share with "computer name" as it does not have connected speakers"
I dont know exactly how to fix this.
eMac Mac OS X (10.4)

This isn't something I've done myself, Trapper. So I don't think I could help you fix anything if you ran into complications. But ...
There's a discussion on how to do that (for an earlier version of iTunes) in the comments section of the following blog entry (the blog entry itself talks about a different scenario):
[Syncing iTunes library between Mac and PC|http://blog.toonetown.com/2006/07/syncing-itunes-library-between-mac-and.htm l]
One potential additional complication mentioned there ... if you have purchased content in your library, you may end up using up two authorisations on that Mac (one for the Mac OS and one for the Windows OS).

Sharing an iTunes library on a single dual-boot machine

Hello,
I was wondering if someone would be able to help me. I run both Snow Leopard and Windows 7 on the same machine. I also have my iTunes account that I would be able to access through both of these OS' on the same USB hard disk?
At the moment, my iTunes library is managed through Snow Leopard (ie downloads podcasts and manages my iPhone apps), however is there anyway at all to get iTunes to do the same through Windows and use in essence the same library?
At the moment, as I've said before iTunes is managed through Snow Leopard and in the Windows iTunes all I've done is set the USB hard disk as the location for the library and added all of the files from it; although am I right in thinking that it won't download new podcasts or iPhone apps (as it does in OS X)?
Is it possible to configure iTunes to update podcasts regardless of the operating system so that in essence there is only a single library, which can be updated instead of what I see as being two (which in essence are the same)?

This isn't something I've done myself, Trapper. So I don't think I could help you fix anything if you ran into complications. But ...
There's a discussion on how to do that (for an earlier version of iTunes) in the comments section of the following blog entry (the blog entry itself talks about a different scenario):
[Syncing iTunes library between Mac and PC|http://blog.toonetown.com/2006/07/syncing-itunes-library-between-mac-and.htm l]
One potential additional complication mentioned there ... if you have purchased content in your library, you may end up using up two authorisations on that Mac (one for the Mac OS and one for the Windows OS).

My host name changes every few days, since Xmas adding a macbook its changed 6 times. Do I need to stop this? Does it cause problems with sharing between the iMac and macbook?

my host name changes every few days, since Xmas adding a macbook its changed 6 times. Do I need to stop this? Does it cause problems with sharing between the iMac and macbook?

There are several possible causes for this problem.
1. Two (or more) computers on the local network have the same Bonjour name, such as "X's-MacBook-Pro.local".
2. You have two simultaneous connections to the same local network: probably Ethernet and Wi-Fi. If applicable, disconnect the Ethernet cable or turn off Wi-Fi.
3. A Mac wakes from sleep due to network traffic. This is due to a bug in OS X that may only affect some models.
4. A device that gets its network address from the router wakes from sleep, and the address it was using before has been assigned to another device.
5. A third-party wireless router has incompatible settings or firmware. In that case, refer to the manufacturer or ISP for support. Restarting the router may help, temporarily.
6. See also this support article.
Rename the computer in the Sharing preference pane.

Problem with sharing an itunes library between machines

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for