Running library off an external drive?

I was wondering how you can run your Itune library off an external hard drive without using my laptop harddrive space?
is it possible and how?

Have a look at this page, it covers both Mac and Windows: How to move your iTunes library to an external drive

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Running your music library off an external drive...

I'm about to format my MacBook Pro and was curious how I can run my iTunes library off of the external drive once I go through the format/re-install process?
My biggest concern is that I use some 3rd party software to DJ (Traktor Pro and Serato Scratch). They both read/access the iTunes Music Library so I want to make sure I set this up correctly the first time.
Are there any articles/posts/tips/tricks/suggestions on how to do that?
I'll be using a G-Tech Mini 7,200 RPM 500 GB.
Cheers,
Keith

Have a look at this page, it covers both Mac and Windows: How to move your iTunes library to an external drive

How do I run iTunes off an external hard drive?

I have an 80GB laptop which is getting pretty full, so I've added a 500GB external hard drive with the intention of transferring my music files (amongst other things) to the external drive, freeing up space on the laptop. This has proved (almost) more trouble than it's worth...
Initially I simply copied iTunes over to the external drive using Windows Explorer. Surfing the apple discussions, however, convinced me that I ought to do the "consolidate library" thing as well (which resulted in me duplicating the files on the external drive). Finally sorted that out, deleted the music files on the hard drive, and discovered that my music library was allegedly "empty". Further surfing on apple discussions made me decide to copy the various iTunes library files from the main iTunes folder back to the hard drive. This has resulted in iTunes being unable to open, due to an "unknown error".
I'm ready to give up! Anyone out there successfully running iTunes off their external drive? How do you do it?

Follow up: My next move was to copy my iTunes folder back onto the hard drive. I had only been doing this for ten minutes (the process took twelve hours the previous time I did it) when iTunes was up and running again, and indeed "seeing" all my music files on the external drive. I cancelled the copy process, deleted all the newly copied iTunes music files from the hard drive, leaving all other files intact, and everything seems fine. The problem is now solved, but I'd nevertheless be grateful if someone could explain to me what was going on!
Thanks
Ian

How to run iTunes library off an external pen drive?

How can we run iTunes library off an external pen drive?
i have tried everything just doesn't seem to work, just want to free some space up on my Air.

Let's say the name of the stick is "PenDrive"...
1. copy the the itunes media folder to the pen drive. The iTunes media folder is the one that contains the sub-folders of Music, mobile Applications etc. let's say your iTunes media folder is called "iTunes Media"
2. open iTunes. On the menu, click "iTunes", "Preferences...". Click the "Advanced" tab. Change the iTunes library location in the field at the top (I think you can browse for it). When you have it set, it should read "/Volumes/PenDrive/iTunes Media".
3. The other iTunes files, like the database, should stay on your Macintosh HD.
4. Once you do this, ALWAYS make sure the pen drive is mounted BEFORE you start iTunes, otherwise it will revert to the media folder on Macintosh HD and you will have to do step 2 again.

How to run itunes off an external hard drive using the new itunes

I have windows 8. I installed the new itunes and I want to know how to run itunes off an external hard drive.
thank you for your help.

Same way as before, hold down shift as you start iTunes, Choose or Create a library.
tt2

How do you import photos from a library on an external drive to the current library running in iPhoto?

How do you import photos from a library on an external drive to the current library running in iPhoto? I have a few different pictures in each library and would like to have all my pictures in both libraries. The library on the external drive is my backup. I would appreciate any help.

Depends on exactly what you want to do.
Just move some of the Photos? FIle -> Export from one and export the shots to the Finder. Then import them to the other.
This User Tip
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4921
has details of the options in the Export dialogue.
Move the photos and all versions and metadata: use iPhoto Library Manager it's the only way to do this while preserving everything. Merge two Libraries into one?
If you have Aperture 3.3 or later and iPhoto 9.3 or later you can merge libraries with Aperture.
Otherwise the only way to merge Libraries is with the paid ($20) version of iPhoto Library Manager

How do run my library from an external drive?

How do run my library from an external drive? I've tried changing destination locations but nothing seems to work. help please

You might find this article useful, there's a section in it on moving to an external drive:
iLounge - Transferring your iTunes Library to Another Drive

I seem to have a corrupted iTunes library. I can't transfer the library to an external drive. The transfer hangs up on a specific tune. Anybody have any ideas. I am running OS 10.6 w/ a 2Ghz Duel core processor.

I seem to have a corrupted iTunes library. I can't transfer the library to an external drive. The transfer hangs up on a specific tune. Anybody have any ideas. I am running OS 10.6 w/ a 2Ghz Duel core processor.

Old Barry wrote:
via a usb connestion
So you are copyinbg the entire /Music/iTunes? folder to another drive by copying in a Finder window?

HT1449 can i use this process for moving my library to an external drive?

My iMac is dying a slow death and I want to run itunes and iphoto off my external drive as the data may get corrupted if it stays on the computer hard drive.
If I designate a folder on my external drive and then cosolidate will that allow me to run itunes from the external drive?
When My iMac fails will I be able to take the data from that folder for the new iMac?
Thanks,

I'd suggest you just drag the entire iTunes folder (the _entire_ folder, _not_ just the iTunes Music folder) to your desired location. Then hold down the Option key while launching iTunes. You'll be given a dialog box where you can select the iTunes library you want to use. Navigate to and select the iTunes folder in it's new location. Note that this procedure assumes that all of your content is contained in the iTunes Media/Music folder. If things are scattered around your drive, moving them becomes much more complex.
As to moving iPhoto, you may want to confirm the correct procedure for your version of iPhoto in the iPhoto forums.
Your iMac cannot be running Mac OS 9.2.x, by the way. It will help people offer advice if you'll correct that.
Regards.

Error when upgrading Aperture library on an external drive

I have a MacBook Pro and am in the process of upgrading to Aperture 3. When Aperture wants to upgrade the existing Aperture library, it fails saying that there is insufficient memory. (My hard drive is very full). I have copied the Aperture library across to a WD external drive and have held down "Option" key when launching Aperture 3 so that I could select the library on the external drive as the preferred library. That went ok. Then when Aperture 3 was some way through upgrading the library on the external drive, it suddenly stopped and gave me this message.
"There was an error creating a library at the path “/Volumes/External Drive/Aperture Library.aplibrary”. The library could not be created because the file system of the destination volume is unsupported."
The library also seems to have disappeared off the external drive.
Any ideas on what I did wrong?

Hi Paul DT;
In addition to the suggestions that Allen gave you I would also suggest that once you increase the free space on your internal disk drive that you reboot with install DVD and repair the disk using Disk Utility.
When you run the free space down that can greatly increase the chances of corrupting the directory on that disk. If you have any corruption in the directory that cause all kinds of strange problems for you until you repair it.
Allan

So, I have just about had it. For nine days now, I have valiantly tried to move my library to an external drive. At first, I attempted to move it to my 2TB Time capsule, iTunes didn't like its new home though and moved home without telling me.

So, I have just about had it. For nine days now, I have valiantly tried to move my library to an external drive. At first, I attempted to move it to my 2TB Time capsule. iTunes didn't like its new home though and moved home without telling me. So then there were two libraries. I meshed them back together reluctantly and iTunes in a silent revolt, absolutely refused to use its own 'Keep Library Organized' criteria and may as well have thrown my music against the wall. Seriously, my 5 year old nephew has his computer files better managed. Then I bought a 3TB Time Capsule and you may ask yourself why??? Well, iTunes doubled in size- although when I ran apps that are designed to find duplicate iTunes files, it deleted the music I actually bought from iTunes. So then I watched as iTunes got it back. How you ask; I run a MacBook Air, iMac and Mac mini in my house - as soon as one powered up it hit the net like a sailor on leave and re-downloaded it all without abandon. I tried to keep the libraries separate, no success there. I tried to keep them unified; iTunes response was to ask me if I wanted to join iTunes Match every time I logged on to my computer and on any computer - my iTunes match song number has been as high as 24,367 and as low as 11,112. And I can't simply refuse iTunes. No one refuses iTunes. Refusal to allow iTunes Match to run through all 24000 songs again was to revoke my rights to the songs that were once part of my library. If I took a long time to decide or was visibly impatient while iTunes did its little 3 hour scan it would arbitrarily decide that music I bought from iTunes was ineligible for iTunes Match. How could that possibly be??? I am missing music, or at least iTunes tells me so by showing me that lovely exclamation point. I have tried backing up my computer to do a full system restore and start all over. Time Capsule claims I have 979 GB of data and takes its sweet time to even back up one gig (about 18 minutes) even though I can transfer files to my Time Capsule at about 1 GB every 40 seconds. I guess though performing back-ups are somewhat like government jobs; it will get done, when it gets done. The back up requirement of 979 GB is surprising though, my Mac claims that I currently occupy just about 25% of my 2TB drive. The discrepancy, who knows, but I think the solution lies somewhere in iTunes. But maybe iPhoto. But that is for another time.

After admittedly only a quick read the one thing you don't say is how you are trying to make this move. Most people with moving library issues do it the wrong way. Plenty of web sites tell you how to do it the wrong way.
If the iTunes application is started before the drive with the library is fully mounted and awake iTunes will revert back to the internal drive.

ITunes keeps creating a new iTunes Library instead of going to my actual iTunes Library on my external drive.

My old computer died.
Luckily, my iTunes library is stored on an external drive.
My new machine is Windows 8 and my old machine was Vista, but I don't think that should cause any problem.
When I run iTunes, it comes up like a fresh install on a new machine... every time. By default, it creates an iTunes folder in my local drive and as such, has no music in and is a 100% blank slate.
When I point it to my external drive, and then import the library, it does it. All my music shows up -- after a long time, but it all shows up.
If I shut down iTunes or reboot, everything goes back to zero again.
The most disturbing thing about this is that I can't back up properly, because -- although in Preferences it's pointed at my external drive -- it's backing up my iPhone 5 to the local drive in Windows.
Any idea what's going on here?
I've gone through this process 5 times already and it's always the same.

There are two main components to the iTunes library. The media folder which you can adjust via Edit > Preferences > Advanced, and the database file iTunes Library.itl which is normally found in <User's Music>\iTunes. You can choose or create a new iTunes library by holding down shift as you launch iTunes.
In some cases third party software can interfere with the way iTunes updates its files meaning that either iTunes forgets the previously chosen location, or that the active database is deleted. AVG anti-virus and Sony VIAO Entertainment Platform typically interfere with the database. McAfee has been implicated in the corruption of iTunesPrefs.plist.
See Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash for more details on how you might recover after the library vanishes.
You may get some improvment by hosting your entire library on the external drive not just the media. E.g. Create a library at X:\iTunes where X: is the drive letter, then move the media into X:\iTunes\iTunes Media before adding it to the library. This will make it easier to backup the library to a second drive and move it between computers when the time comes.
tt2

How do i manage 1 iphoto library on 2 external drives?

I'm trying to find the most efficient way to manage 1 iphoto library across 2 external drives. In case one of my external drives dies, I'll have a backup.
I know how to copy my iphoto library onto another drive, but my question is how to manage the 2 drives when i add photos/videos to them from my iphone.
Currently, I import photos/vids from iphone onto 1 drive. Then unmount the external drive and hook up another drive. I direct iphoto to use the new drive as it's library and then import the photos/vids again onto the second drive. I make sure the event is named the same, so I have the same iphoto setup across both drives. Then i delete the photos/vids from my iphone.
Is there a more efficient way to do this? Or software that can do this in one step?
Thanks in advance for any help!

You want to have a backup of your working library on your MacBook Pro on each of two external HDs, correct?
If yes then use a backup application like Synk or Synk Pro that can incrementally backup the library, i.e. copy only those new of modified files. If you go to MacUpdate.com and do a search for "backup" you'll get a list of potential candidates.
Then all you need to do is connect EHD#1 and run the backup app to update the library then connect EHD#2 and do the same. It only takes several seconds to make the incremental backup. Synk Pro can be configured to automically start the backup when the external drives are connected. I'm not sure but believe some of the other backup apps could do the same.
OT

Storing iPhoto 8 Library on an External Drive

I have some data on storing (moving) iPhoto 2 to an external HD. Does this apply to iPhoto 8? Can there be more than one Library stored? Any practical suggestions on doing this?
Thanks
Mike

Mike,
The process is very similar. Drag the iPhoto Library +package file+ (previous versions have a regular folder) from your Pictures folder to your external hard drive, and it will be copied there. Hold down the Option key as you Launch iPhoto, select "Choose Library" and navigate to the new location. iPhoto should open the library in exactly the same condition as before you moved it. It will continue to open the library from the new location by default unless you tell it otherwise.
You may keep as many iPhoto Libraries as you like. To create a new library, Option-Launch and select "Create Library", taking care to not overwrite an existing library. A downside of running multiple libraries is that iPhoto can only read one library at a time, so photos in one library are not accessible when viewing another. A benefit is that you can maintain a full library on an external drive and a smaller, partial library in your laptop for when you travel. You can easily transfer photos/events/albums from one library to another using [iPhoto Library Manager|http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm>. It is the only way to transfer your titles, keywords, and other organizational efforts between libraries.
Regards.

Moving iTunes library to an external drive converting to different format

I want to move entire iTunes library to an external drive. I've found several Mac 101's to help but those helps makes no sense. I should be able to move music to another drive and give iTunes the path to find it but that does not work.
All files are iTunes Plus including everything from Amazon but I want to convert everything to a mp3 or other format so all files are independent of iTunes. Lots of old music from CDs I imported and lots from iTunes as well as Amazon. I guess i could sit and burn everything to a physical cd but that would take months and hundreds and hundreds of cds. Can someone advise how I can convert these files and then move to an external drive?
I'm running mountain lion and version 10.7 of iTunes. Two external drives and 145 gigs of music. Any guidance will be most appreciated.
Thanks.

HI Limnos,
Thanks for the reply. Something I forgot (age) to mention, this quest to move the library is precipitated by the Mac drive is running out of space. While I still have about 50 gigs of room left, I was thinking I should just plan on opening up the space by moving the iTunes library.
The other reason is, I read an article about how upon ones death one can not bequeath ones digital music or book files to loved ones. IE; If all of the music was on LP's, tapes, cd's then this physical format can be left in ones final will. But according to what I read and trying to read the user policy by Apple, Amazon etc when one downloads music or a book or whatever that use policy says we don't own the material we only can read it or listen to it. When we die it dies with us. Several people in the article as well as myself believe this is crap. At one time I was purchasing content and then burning it. I stopped because I thought how silly to burn it, I have back ups on an external drive. Man was I wrong. If I have to I'll sit here in my last days and burn hundreds of cd's.
So realizing this, I want to take all my music files and save them to another drive as though this drive was hundreds of cd's. That way all those files in some other format can be played independent of iTunes or transfered to one of my kids PC's or a Mac if they get with the program. If the conversion process destroys the integrity of the file then I have no choice but to burn cd's.
In my estimation, I'm doing nothing wrong. I bought downloadable music just as if I'd bought cd's. I should be able to throw it away or give to my kids upon my death. The kids can decide what they want to do with it once I'm gone. I now no longer buy any music or books in a digital download. All content is purchased with a physical copy. That said, more content providers are moving towards downloads only or like Amazon and Apple towards the cloud and streaming. I realize all this gets into the fair use act but I think most people are unaware of this issue.

Running library off an external drive?

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