Sharing Itunes library and backup on external drive

Would appreciate if anyone can offer help on their experiences of external / NAS drives. I've been looking for the best solution to move my entire Itunes library to an external drive that I can put on the network so can have access from PC's, Mac and Iphone. Just recently moved to new MBP but still have PC's in home.
Have looked at varying solutions and think I've got it narrowed down to going for either QNAP  TS212 NAS or dedicated Iomega Network hard drive but seem to come over a lot of conflicting reports of these items not working well with MAC, particularily some comments on the use of Iomega which is the more cost effective solution.
A little background was planning on 2TB drives and partioning for Itunes library, Time Machine backups and PC backups. Have the S/W on MAC to read/write NTFS.
From my research the dedicated NAS would be appear to be the best answer but a lot more expensive than a network drive.
Can anyone advise of a network drive that they have experienced working well for this type of configuration?
Also is there any issues with syncing Iphone to an external networked library?
Any Advice Appreciated
Thanks

Trevnew wrote:
when looked in preferences the old location was still there, eventually changed in preferences
Trev,
changing iTunes media folder location via preferences > advanced tells iTunes where to put new additions to your library, not where the current content is.
also, with your library now on the NAS, you must make sure the NAS is mounted on your desktop before launching iTunes.
... still showed an issue with the file locations and the exclamation marks.
you may have done something wrong initially (during re-locating your library to the NAS) because the exclamation marks usually appear when media files were moved using the finder and iTunes lost track of their location.
you might be able to use this script:
iTunes Track CPR v1.3 
This script attempts to locate the files of so-called "dead tracks"--iTunes tracks designated with (!)--that you assume are not actually missing but are still located in the iTunes Music folder in their "iTunes File Order" (Music -> Artist -> Album -> file.xxx)."

Similar Messages

  • I have an existing mini mac and 4 tb external drive. My iTunes library exists on the external drive under /itunes... I have purchased a new mini mac and I want to leave the library where it is but move to new mini mac.. what do i need to do ?

    I have an existing mini mac and 4 tb external drive.
    My iTunes library exists on the external drive under /itunes...
    I have purchased a new mini mac and I want to leave the library where it is on the external drive but move to new mini mac and have it show as it did on the old mini mac..
    what do i need to do ?
    I have found multitude of articles about moving itunes to external drive or other similar things but I don't want to move itunes from the external drive, just change mini mac machines and have everything in itunes the same..
    Thanks

    I had already tried that one and got this...
    below is screen shot of what is on the new mac mini
    and what is on the external drive now connected to the new mac mini..
    There are no media files on the mac mini just the library files and on external just media files..
    Do I need to copy anything over from the old mac mini ? xml files ? .. the itunes folder on old mini is about 840mb in size which looks to have artwork ect ? .. I am fairly computer literate, but this one has me stumped.. ?
    thanks for help

  • TS3683 Not enough space on my Mac HD to back up my iPad.   My iTunes library is on an external drive.  Can I use this same drive to Back yup my iPad?

    I don't have enough space on my Mac HD to back up my iPad.   Actually, my iTunes library is on an external drive.  Can I use this same drive to Back up my iPad?

    1. First make sure iPhoto is not running. If it is, quit it. Use the Finder to copy your iPhoto Library file to your external drive. Unless you've changed it, its located inside your Pictures folder and is named "iPhoto Library".
    2. After the copy is complete, start iPhoto while simultaneously holding down the option key. iPhoto will bring up a dialog box. The file in the list is your existing Library on your internal disk. Click the "Other Library" button and navigate to your external drive. Select your freshly copied iPhoto Library file and click "Open". iPhoto will from now on open and work with this library on the external drive.
    3. After you've confirmed iPhoto is working properly with the newly copied library you may wish to delete the original library in your Pictures folder to recover the disk space.
    Don't forget to keep a backup copy of your library on a separate disk. It's not a matter of "if" your external drive will fail but "when". You need to make regular backups or you'll be sorry someday.

  • Primary computer C-Drive failing, want to move Itunes software and backups to alternate drive how do i this so it runs off of alternate drive?

    Primary Win-7 computer C-Drive failing, want to move Itunes software and backups to alternate drive how do i this so it runs off of alternate drive?

    Hi there Sandduster2,
    You may find the information in the article below helpful.
    iTunes for Windows: Moving your iTunes Media folder
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1364
    -Griff W. 

  • ITunes library help - moved to external drive and now my apps are gone?

    I moved my iTunes library to an external drive, but now my apps are gone? I do have iTunes match and iCloud, so my songs are all on the cloud, but none of my apps are showing...
    I copied everything over, consolidated, but I must have messed something up as I think I have too many library files on the external drive now. I can see all my files on the external drive, but they are not showing up when I open itunes. It looks like it linked to a new copy of a library as only my most recent apps are showing, nad none of my existing ones are on itunes. What should I do to fix this? How do I know which files to delete?
    Thanks.

    I followed the instructions from Apple support to move itunes to an external drive, did what it said (obviously I messed something up). I then started itunes and missed the part where it says to tell itunes where the library was, and consequently itunes created a new library with none of my apps or anything in it.
    All of my music is on icloud and I als ohave itunes match, so all of my music is on the cloud.
    I have read some of the other postings to delete the newly made (and missing apps) itunes library file and ithen point it to the correct library file, but I am now paranoid I would delete the wrong one.
    Thanks in advance for your help.

  • How do I transfer library and playlists from external drive to PC?

    My old PC with iTunes died for good. Luckily library and playlists were save on and external hard drive. How do I transfer my library and playlists from that drive to another PC (Windows XP) and are the arrangement of tracks within the playlists included?

    Correction to my last post (in bold): I'll try to explain what I did originally, not knowing everything that would be required to transfer, so you can better understand my situation. Just before my first computer died I saved my Music folder containing iTunes, Library, and Playlists folders to an external drive, so I no longer have programs, sub-folders or other information rooted in my first computer. I then downloaded iTunes to my second computer (Dell Vostro 1520, WindowsXP). I then dragged my Music folder from the external drive to iTunes 11.1.5.5 music tab and near as I can tell the library was transferred because in the Songs tab, the tracks are there in duplicate, one with the exclamation at the left and one that functions playback. (However, my total song number is doubled and that can be addressed later if it doesn't impede anything). In individual playlists each track within has a “not connected” mark. I have an extensive playlist catalogue so I would rather not have to reconnect them one by one. Can you think of a solution where I don't have to do that? Would you like more info? Aragorn

  • How do I combine iTunes movies and music on external drive and play both from same library?

    Trying to make an old MacBook with current iTunes a server for Apple TV. Have burned DVDs to external drive and have added my music to drive. iTunes made a library on the external drive. When I open iTunes to choose a library, I can either get all of the movies or get all of the music, but I cannot choose something that is both. I have even dragged the movies into the same file as the music, hopping that would help, but alas, I can still just have one or the other.
    Any help would be so appreciated.
    Thank you.

    Choose one library and drag the files from the other to the library in the open iTunes application window.
    (113949)

  • Moving iTunes Library and Music to External Hard Drive...Possible?

    I want to transfer my iTunes Library to an external hard drive. Is this possible and what are the pitfalls, if any?
    Thanks
    A.L.I

    Yes it's quite possible, that's how I have mine set up, and Moving iTunes Music will tell you how to go about it.
    Pitfalls? Can't really think of any.
    Regards
    TD

  • My itunes library is on an external drive and i just got a new computer and i cant seem to get the new computer to recognize the connection ?

    new computer isn't recognizing external drive containing itunes content?

    This article should help. You didn't mention what format the files are in and what format the external hard drive is, however this article povides the basics. You're probably most interested in the last section titled 'Adding content on your computer to iTunes'.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1473

  • My ITunes Library is on an external drive. I later installed the newest version of ITunes 12.1.0.5 and now I cannot play the music on my external dive. What to do?

    I put I TUNES library on my external hard drive.
    Then I installed the newest version of ITune - 12.1.0.5.
    Now I can;t play the music on the external drive.
    What to do?
    Thanks

    Thanks, Limnos,
    Worked perfectly.

  • Windows 7, iTunes 10 and Seagate FreeAgant External Drive issues

    I'm having some serious problems with making the three mentioned above to go along with one another. The thing with my iTunes library is that it had started to take up some much of my PC's internal hard drive space that I decided to move it all to my Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex 3TB external drive. The problem itself is that while syncing my iPhone with the contents on that drive, iTunes is, more often than not, non-responsive. It simply freezes up for longer periods of time. And when it unfreezes, it moves forward with the the syncing process for just a bit. Moreover, it's not only iTunes that freezes like this. The same thing happens with the external drive and even, which seems oddest to me, Safari. It all makes the syncing process extremely slow in regards of transferring files to or from my 32GB 3GS iPhone. For example, I have started syncing my iPhone some time after 10A.M. Right now it's nearly 4 P.M., and iTunes has optimized (and only optimized) 1,205 out of 8,303 photos. This is just a nightmare... :/ Worth mentioning here is that I keep all my photos and the iPod Photo Cache folder on the external drive as well.
    I had heard that Windows 7 has some communication issues with various peripheral devices, and I am not sure whether this is the case or not. I'm also not sure whether this is a Windows 7-related problem only, or does iTunes contribute to it as well.
    If anyone was able to help me resolve this problem, I would be really grateful

    I must say it's a bit of a relief to know someone is in the very same situation and that one another can relate. Writing my previous post, I forgot about polydorus' question regarding any constant backup process running in the background, and so I can answer this question here: No, there are no backup processes running in the background. This question, however, made me wonder what else could be slowing the external drive/iTunes down. There is a Dashboard software related to this specific external drive which starts along with every system startup. I quit this software before starting the syncing process again (I got an electricity cut off during the previous syncing, so I simply had to start it all over again :/), and now iTunes doesn't show in the Task Manager as "Not Responding". At least it doesn't happen until another application turns non-responsive, when it does, iTunes and Safari turn non-responsive as well.
    But even though iTunes shows as "Running" most of the time now, the syncing process is still as slow as h-e-l-l :/ I began this last syncing yesterday at 8:09P.M., and right now it's nearly 12:00P.M. :/ iTunes looks as if it was running, since the rotating arrows icon next to my iPhone name on the left pane don't stop, but iTunes stops from time to time, without going any further with optimizing photos - it looks as if it was waiting until it could access the external drive.
    I don't know what else could be slowing everything down like this :/ Could it be iPhone itself, which slows down the communication between the PC and the external drive, because it's also connected to the USB port, taking up some of its bandwidth?
    igbg: My driver is running on 6.1.7601.17514 drivers' version. Even if there is a newer version of these drivers (which, basing on your post, I guess wouldn't solve the problem :/), I can't update it now, while syncing
    P.S. As for my music, I keep it on my D drive, and have no problems with playing it. It's only the whole rest (books, movies and photos) which is stored on the external drive

  • HT4527 After copying my iTunes library across from an external drive it does not show in iTunes. Why?

    My old computer died.  I had my iTunes library backed up to an external drive.  I have followed the steps outlined and moved the itunes folder from the external to the music folder on my new imac.  I have checked that the addres is correct but when I opened itunes non of my music shows up.  I can find a track file click on it and then it will open up, play and stay in itunes.  But I would spend the rest of my life importing the songs one by one.  Help ?

    Thank you for your prompt response - I did as you said and did a drag and drop into the iTunes window - it imported and got my album art from the net. When I started Itunes with the shift key down I was prompted to choose a library but since I copied over the media folder and not the library folder I was unable to select that so I guess I will have to create a new library and add in all the music, videos, etc. unless I wait for my laptop and export the library or at least that seems to be the case? In short, all my data (iTunes media folder) is on my external drive and can be added to the blank iTunes screen but I can not choose a library folder. Is there anyway around completely making all those playlists again? I am not sure my laptop will survive the shop with data intact and really hate to start over on those.
    In an unrelated question - I collect old TV shows from the 1950's. Can I make playlists within the home video folder somehow?  In other words like one for Quiz shows, one for comedies, one for police and detective shows, etc. while I am remaking all my playlists for my music if I end up having to go that route?
    Once again thank you for helping me out. I am not too Itunes savvy and really appreciate you taking the time to answer.

  • How to create new iTunes library from songs on external drive

    I've seen numerous questions about moving an iTunes library TO an external library, but I want to do the reverse. I have a brand new iTunes program on my (brand new) Mac, and I have a large song collection (140 gigs) on an external drive. How do I put the song names into my Mac iTunes library without actually downloading the songs to the computer? I don't want to clog up the Mac with 14000 songs, I'd rather just have it access the drive to play the tunes.
    Thanks in advance,
    Ron

    Hi Ron,
    A couple ways to go about it. One is to simply go into iTunes preferences and under the Advanced tab DE-select (un check) the "Copy Files to iTunes Music folder when adding to Library" option. Now when you add your external drive tracks they will remain where they are and are just added to the library listing and will be played from the external location.
    Keep in mind that this will happen to ALL songs you add to your library. So if you add one from your download folder and another from a server, etc. they will not be copied in and accessed from that location. If you like, you can always uncheck that, add your 140GB of external tracks, then when it is done, reselect that option so all other things added to your iTunes get copied into the iTunes Folder on your internal drive.
    Are the tracks on the external drive arranged in any sort of special organization you want to keep? Or would you be willing to resort them a bit and let iTunes manage the organization? If you are will to let iTunes do the managing, you can set it up so everything goes onto the external and all your existing tracks will get organized by iTunes.
    Patrick

  • Moving itunes folder and music to external drive

    I moved my itunes folder and all my mp3's onto an external hard drive. As a result, all of the songs that appear in itunes has a ! and says they cannot find where the songs are. It seems that I have to re-import everything all over again including re-ripping all my CD's to itunes again. Is there a better way to go about retrieving my library? Is there a way to import what is on my ipod into itunes or is it only a 1 way thing? Please help.

    Go to edit-->preferences Click the advanced tab
    Change the location of the iTunes music library to the current location. I don't recall if it will then update the links. If they still show up with the ! after the change, post back for instructions on how to tell iTunes they are there all at once.
    btabz

  • Can I keep my iTunes library solely on an external drive?

    I have the macbook air with 128gig HD. I currently have a Windows laptop with a bigger HD housing my itunes network with all of my music and digital copies of movies. I've been using this computer as my primary laptop since I bought it (love it too much) and was considering taking the library over to this computer. Unfortunately with all the movies, it takes up a huge amount of HD space. I have a 500gig external drive. Can I have my itunes library on that, and plug it in when I want to sync or use itunes? Or does it all need to be on the actual computer's HD.
    (Fingers crossed a cloud-based storage system somewhere in NC makes this all irrelevant later this year)

    Hey
    No problem keeping your itunes library on an external drive, just follow the instructions here to move it
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1364
    In future make sure your external drive is connected and detected by your computer before opening iTunes.

Maybe you are looking for

  • How to start a Servlet on the Startup of my application

              Hai al,           I have an requirtment abt an application on which i need to start a servlet           when my application starts. i am blank abt how to do this. can any body help me           to do ths. Please mention the steps involved i

  • Creating Named Query: from OracleCallableStatement

    We have a great many PL/SQL Procs in an existing legacy system that return PL/SQL Boolean, that we wish to call from toplink. Ideally we would like to create Toplink Nameded queries that wrap the SQL call statements. Does anyone know if its possible

  • IPad keynote help for mirroring to participants in a meeting.

    I am trying to figure out how to conduct a business meeting keynote presentation from my ipad and mirror it on the other participant's ipads via bluetooth or wifi.  I found an app - Conference Pad - but it only works with PDF files so no animation, s

  • Photoshop CC Trial crashes very shortly after launch with Optimus-style GPUs

    Tried reinstalling, and signing out and back into the Creative Cloud (the previous fixes for similar issues). I see PS's GUI and then it crashes before I can select anything. This happens to both the standard and 64-bit launchers so long as I have ph

  • I-tunes store error - an  unknown error occurred (-50)

    Everytime i go on itunes and try to log into the itunes store, I type my username and password into the relevant boxes and click ok and then get this error: "could not complete your itunes store request. an unknown error occurred (-50)". Itunes is co