Re: Best Way to Backup iTunes Library

Hello friends :
My iTunes music library is getting rather large and I feel it's time to "properly" back it up to an external hard drive.
I understand that you can back up your iTunes music folder to an external hard drive by the simple old "click and drag" approach using Windows Explorer.
What I'd like to know is ... after intially copying the entire iTunes music folder onto the external drive, how can I achieve regular back-ups where only the files, playlists, etc. that have changed since the last back up are then added to the external drive . . . rather than having to copy the entire rather large folder all over again (and again)?
Hopefully, you know what I mean! Thanks for your help.

see your other post.

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Best way to backup 30gb library to disk

Hey guys,
What is the best way to backup a 30gb library to disc? I'd like to burn my library to dvd's and store away from my house. Wasn't sure if you just create an album and burn to disc or what?
Thanks in advance!

As Patrick says I'm backing up the iPhoto Library in my Pictures Folder. This contains everything: Photos, albums, keywords, events etc.
The most simple way to do it is to simply drag the Library icon to the external HD. Let it copy over. However this can be tedious when you back up regularly, so I use a back up utility that does incremental back ups: That is the first time, it copies the entire library, thereafter it simply keeps the back up up-to-date with the Library. I use DejaVu for that. Chronosync is another app that will do it. There are many others. Search on MacUpdate.
FWIW my full back up schedule runs like this:
My Library lives on my iMac.
It’s Backed up to two external hard disks every day. These disks are permanently attached to the iMac. These back ups run automatically. One is done by Time Machine, one is a bootable back up done by SuperDuper
It’s also backed up to a portable hard disk when ever new photos are added. This hard disk lives in my car. For security, this disk is password protected. For this job I use DejaVu because it makes a simple back up that is clear and can be tested easily without doing an full restore.
I have a second off-site back up at a relative’s house across town. That’s updated every 3 or 4 months.
My Photos are backed up online. Personally I use SmugMug but there are many options including flickr. However, check the terms of your account carefully. While most sites have free uploading, you will often find that these uploads are limited in terms of the file size, or the bandwidth you can use per month. For access that allows you to upload full size pics with no restrictions you will need to pay.
Every couple of months I test the back ups to make sure they are working correctly. It’s very easy to mis-configure a back up application, and the only way to protect against that is to do a restore.
Regards
TD

Wich is best way to backup iPhoto library?

Hi everyone...
i want to know wich is the best way to backup all iPhoto library...
should I just copy everything that is in "iPhoto Library" folder to my extern hard drive? will i have any kind of problem if i want to restore my data?
thanks

sauble
A friend suggested I backup all the photos I already have in iPhoto before I start playing around any more
Good advice
Do I use a disc instead and burn them?
If you don't have a HD, this is the next option.
If I do that, are the photos still accessible if I want to use them again?
Yes. Depending on how you burn them: If you select all of them and go File -> Export and the burn them from the Finder, your pics will be backed up, but you will have to reimport them to iPhoto on restore.
If you use the Share->Burn feature within iPhoto it will preserve te he iPhoto library structure.
Regards
TD

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Hi all,
I need to move my iTunes library which currently lives on a Buffalo network drive to a new Synology NAS drive.
What is the best way to move the library?
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Ed

iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music [library] to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527 - a somewhat bewildering and not always easily understandable set of options.
Quick answer if you use iTunes' default preferences settings: Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive. Open iTunes and immediately hold down the Option (alt) key (shift on Windows), then guide it to the new location of the library.itl file in the moved iTunes folder.

What is the best way to backup iTunes on external HD

Hello there
I wish to backup my iTunes on an external HD. I'm aware that I should move the iTunes folder in its entirety over to the external HD so everything remains the same.
However, when I have new iTunes added in my library in my MacBook, what is the best way to add and backup those new iTunes in the external drive? Can I just do a drag and drop for those new iTunes files into the iTunes folder in the external HD?
Thanks in advance for your help!

Yes, if you don't want to clone the whole drive, you can pick and choose the files. If there is stuff already on the external drive, just be sure to deselect the button that tells CCC to remove any files not on the source drive. In other words, you want CCC to simply add more files to the external or update the ones that have changed. You do not want it to remove any.
CCC is a free download by the way. SuperDuper is a free download but the free version does not allow incremental backups, only a full complete backup which means losing what is already on the backup drive.
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Best way to move iTunes library & media from MacBook to mini server?

First, I searched the forums (parameter: "itunes") and didn't see this addressed.
Second, I searched the web (using multiple parameters), and didn't find an answer on point. I saw discussions about moving the iTunes library (well, media files) to another location (but same computer) and discussion about manually copying everything (with warnings about ensuring that the volume name and path are exactly the same, or else it's totally messed up).
That said, I currently use SL on a MacBook and I'm getting a mini with SLS. Among other things, I'd like the core of my iTunes media to be on the mini (for direct playback to my TV and for serving/sharing to my Apple TV). I'll still use iTunes on the MacBook for selected media (like books).
My media includes both iTunes purchases and non-DRM'd media.
Question: does SLS come with Migration Assistant and will this move my iTunes library from my MacBook (with SL) to the mini (with SLS)? I'm not interested in a migration assistant to move servers (web, email servers) or apps, or documents for that matter, as this is not a server move (some discussions online focused on this).
If it doesn't, what's the best way to move my iTunes library and media from my "clien" machine to the server so that playlists, ratings, purchases, etc. are all intact?

MrHoffman wrote:
iTunes has its own private little world, and this question isn't really specific to Mac OS X Server, and the generic media-transfer discussion will likely receive better coverage over in the [iTunes forum|http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=149].
Mac OS X Server doesn't do anything special with iTunes, and likely doesn't do anything specific with it at all; you're going to a "different" Mac, and server makes this more akin to a transfer to a new Mac, rather than the "replacement Mac" sequence seen with Mac OS X client.
I'd be surprised if this music transfer wasn't something that could be sorted out (within the limits of the copyrights) from some FAQ over in the iTunes forum, or from some of the following support articles:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1449
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1329
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1848
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1203
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA38534
See if the folks over in the iTunes forum have something for this. (And again, server likely isn't relevant here; you're "just" going to transfer your music to a different Mac box here, and one that happens to run Mac OS X Server.
Thanks for the links - unfortunately, none of those are on point. The reason this is unique to server, I think, is that in the case of a regular mac to mac transfer, you would use Migration Assistant, and the move is easily done. But in seems like server doesn't come with Migration Assistant.
I suppose when I get it, I'll first try copying Migration Assistant to it, and try to run it. That will probably fail (but you never know), so my next attempt will be to have my MacBook move the media to the server (as if the server is simply network storage), and then copy over the library files. (I'm hoping that will enable the file paths to remain intact.)
The mini server is special in that it is the most appropriate home server, and home servers should be expected to do double duty - and outright server, and desktop. So, it would be handy for Apple to include Migration Assistant with the mini server.

Best way to share iTunes library with two user accounts?

I have a single iTunes library on my Macbook Pro. I would like to share between to user accounts, each with Apple ID's. What's the best way to do so? Right now, I've given the second user rights to read/write to the first users "Music" folder. But when one user adds song files, the other must "Add Folder" in order to see the new purchases. It's kind of putsy. Is there a better way? Thanks!

Hello again,
Have the iTunes Library located in the Shared Folder for instance and then launch iTunes in both users while holding option (or alt) on your keyboard. Choose the iTunes library file wherever it may be located. You can keep it in the same spot if you want (i.e. your Music folder). Many people have their's on a local network hard drive and do this.
The benefit is that when one user updates the iTunes library file, the next user will open an updated version that has all songs that the other user added.
Since you have one computer shared, this should be fine. I am unsure what happens when multiple computers/users access the library file at the same time.

What is the best way to move iTunes library to a different hard drive?

I have a MacBook Pro and recently removed my optical drive and replaced it with an internal hard drive so that I can have more storage. My iTunes library is on the original hard drive. I am getting close to running out of space on the original hard drive and would like to move my library to the new internal hard drive. What is the best way to do this? Thanks.
-gigascott

A re-iteration of what I posted earlier... If you let iTunes manage your music for you then copy the whole iTunes folder and everything it contains to the other drive. Hold down the option key at the same time as starting iTunes. It will present you with a window, one of the options being to open a different iTunes library. Navigate to the iTunes folder on the other drive and let it open the library.itl file in the folder there. In all likelihood it should open it with no problem and you will not see any difference between when you had it on your first internal drive. If you get info on a track and look at summary you will see it is now referencing media on the other drive.
Message was edited by: Limnos to reflect using second internal drive.

Best way to move iTunes Library to a new PC?

Hi, all:
I'm trying to help my sister-in-law... she wants to move her entire iTunes Library from her 10-year-old PC to a new Windows laptop.
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Thanks,
Bill in CT

If the entire library is on the external drive then simply copy the iTunes folder into <User's Music> on the new computer, then install iTunes. If you've already installed iTunes you will want to remove the empty iTunes folder in <User's Music> first.
If it turns out you only have the media folder on the external drive then take a look at this post...
tt2

Best way to backup iphoto library to another computer

Hi,
I am looking for most efficent method to backup iphoto library from one iMac27(running Lion) to another iMac21(running Snow Leopard).
My iPhoto library is approx. 20GB. So I am also concerned with performance too.
Also, I only want to backup if iphoto library on iMac27 changes. There is no point to keep backing up all the time if the library has not changed.
I would also like to be able to schedule backup at certain time of the day. (Primarily overnight when I am not using the computer)
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Thanks and I look forward to your reply.
...Bruce

Let me inform you of some things if I may.
A lot of people "run out of room" or want to make a backup and naturally look to their other machine as a source of space they are not utilizing, this isn't the best approach.
So let me inform you of your options.
1: You can backup your entire boot drive contents in a rotating in time fashion with Apple's built in TimeMachine, which only restores, it's not bootable. You use a external storage drive for this. Just hook it up and go.
2: You can make a hold option key bootable clone backup of your entire boot partition contents (not Lion Recovery Partition) in a permanent fashion that only changes if you change it or schedule it to change making a clone drive. Carbon Copy Cloner and you use a external drive for this. (best method as it's bootable in case your computer fails to boot normally)
3: You can manually or automatically use software that "syncs" the contents of two folders to a storage drive (even in either direction). SyncTwoFolders
What your asking to do is publish a shared folder on your network that resides on the Snow Leopard machine, you access it from the Lion machine over the Local Area Network and save your Lion iPhoto Library there using SyncTwoFolders like software.
You can do this, however it's not advised, first off network transfers are slow and cumbersome to setup and maintain. Second your taking up precious drive space on the other computers drive.
If this is what you want to do, then repeat your question again in a new topic, as my other machine is down and haven't done that in quite some time to remember the details exactly.
The larger picture I see is it appears to me you have no backup plan at all, and I think a separate storage drive for each computer, which if you hook it up to OS X, will ask to make a TimeMachine drive, will then do so, copying and backing up your entire drive so you have a constant backup of everything.
Also you should maintain a extra separate storage drive for each machine to keep a extra copy of your files in a permanent fashion, or to free up room on oyur boot drive, like what your trying to do with the other Mac.
With each computer with it's own backup, they are not so dependent with each other if your needs change for instance and the machines have to be separated.
The golden rule of backups is to maintain two seperate, easy accessible, hardware backup copies of your data at all times.
TimeMachine is ok and works mostly, but not if it gets messed up if your machine gets messed up, or if your TM drive mechanically or software fails without your knowledge. So maintaining a another copy of your data on a storage drive in a pernament fashion is also advised.
You can learn about TimeMachine here
http://pondini.org/OSX/Home.html
And I've written a rather complicated advanced post here as a rough draft, but packed with information
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16276201#16276201
A bit much, but I hope that helps.

What is best way to delete itunes library? I need to "reload"

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AND... it i am starting my library over by re-importing music - before i do that - should i be deleting any other itunes or music library files/folders in the finder? I see there are some files that seem to update themselves after closing out of itunes.
I am cleaning up a mess i got into and just want to start out really as clean as possible when i bring all the music back into itunes.
THANKS!
Lisa

ok... so i i just made sure all my music is all together in 1 folder and i am going to trash my old music folder that is in the itunes folder... and follow your directions - let itunes start w/new library and bring my music in. Well, last little hurdle/question. I noticed that the place where my itunes library is - on an external drive doesnt have much space left on it. The place where i gathered all my music together in order to start fresh - is a different external drive and has LOTS of free space on it.
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i promise this is the last question - i would love to fix this problem tonight and just be DONE!
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If using Windows, look for something called SharePod to get the music off of your phone and onto your computer.

Whats the best way to transfer iTunes library from pc to macbook pro?

i have already used the migration assistant and my itunes library is missing alot of music

Several options.
Just use a portable device. Copy to drive and then copy to drive. Then disconnect and connect to the Mac. Just drag songs to library.
If on same network you can do the copy command from the Mac directly by going to your pc drive from the Mac.
You choice

Best way to move itunes library to new macbook pro

Would like to move my library to my new macbook pro, and have both computers have the library. What do you suggest to do this task?

I have previously backed-up to disk in iTunes, authorized the new computer to play my music, and restored to it - takes all play count, ratings etc across which I wanted too. This was between PCs but sure it will work on Mac too.
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I am trying to rebuild my iPhoto library and noticed my backup contains aliases (pointers?) and not the actual file. What's the best way to rebuild my library?

I am trying to rebuild my iPhoto library and noticed my backup contains aliases (pointers?) and not the actual file. What's the best way to rebuild my library?
Facts:
In moving to a new iMac, I copied the iPhoto library to an external HDD assuming that I would point the new iMac to the backed up iPhoto Library
All worked fine when I pointed the new library but noticed that some folders contained aliases and not the original file. So when I attempt to open that photo it can't find it because the alias is pointing to another drive.
I do have all original photos from a couple of external HDDs. In the folders titled, "Originals" (from older versions of iPhoto) and "Masters" (from current iPhoto)
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Thanks in advance for any help!

do you have a strongly recommended default "managed" library (the iPhoto preference to "copy imported items to the iPhoto library is in its checked state) or a referenced library - you have unchecked that option?
It sounds like you have a referenced library and are now experiancing one of the very siginificant drawbacks of a referenced library and one of the many reasons they are strongly not recommended
Also note that iPhoto '11 may use alises in the originals folder as part of the upgrade
It is important that we understand exactly what you have and what is not sorking - what error messages you are getting
You must NEVER make any changes of any sort to the structure of content of the iPhoto library - there are no user servicable parts in it -- and you can not rebuild yoru librtary - only iPhoto ir iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ - can rebuild a library unless you are a SQL programmer and understand the structure that iPhoto uses
LN

Re: Best Way to Backup iTunes Library

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