Storing iTunes Library on an external hard drive

I have been considering moving my iTunes Library (and iPhoto Library) to an external hard drive. I think that would make it easier for me if I decided to start downloading TV shows and movies. Right now they are too big for my powerbook's 80gb hd to store many. I think I have that part down, but I do not know what to do when I do want to temporarily put a playlist of songs or a couple videos on my laptop and play them in iTunes (or the same for iPhoto). Does anyone have any advice for me? Also, can anyone recommend a good FW800 external HD for the purpose I've described.

Well that will certainly teach you not to delete your original before you CHECK your new location copy, right?
So, here is the deal. Set the location back to the way it was before you made the move. Close iTunes. Now copy all your stuff back from the external back to the internal the way it was before. Now before you do anything else, open iTunes and CHECK (!!!!!!) that they now play ok back in their original place. Do they?
If they do, now close iTunes and copy the entire "iTunes" folder (not just the iTunes Music folder found inside it) to the external hard drive. Now use these instructions to open the library from this new location...
How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304447
Actually now that I think about it, you might be able to get away with just moving the database file to the external then using the above instructions. In other words, say you copied the "iTunes Music" over originally. On the external create an "iTunes" folder. Drag and drop the "iTunes Music" into that folder. From your internal drive, in the iTunes folder, drag and drop any other files that are not yet on the external drive like the two database files ("iTunes Library" (database file), iTunes Music Library.xml, Album Artwork folder, etc.). Once all over on the external so you have basically recreated your internal folder on the external, NOW try the instructions above to open the library from that location.
Patrick

Similar Messages

  • Help storing itunes library on an external hard drive

    Hi,
    I have put all my music on an external hard drive (Lacie) and deleted it from my Mac Book Pro. I have gone into preferences - Advanced in the itunes menu and changed the location of my itunes music folder to my external hard drive. Then when I go to click on a song in itunes it comes up with a message saying "the song ... Could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?".
    The file is definitely on my eternal drive because I have checked many times, and its in the folder that I have specified when I go into the itunes - preferences - advanced pane.
    Do you know why this would be happening? I have deleted all the music from my computer and it is only on my hard drive now.
    Any help would be greatly appreciated, I have spent hours trying to figure this out!

    Well that will certainly teach you not to delete your original before you CHECK your new location copy, right?
    So, here is the deal. Set the location back to the way it was before you made the move. Close iTunes. Now copy all your stuff back from the external back to the internal the way it was before. Now before you do anything else, open iTunes and CHECK (!!!!!!) that they now play ok back in their original place. Do they?
    If they do, now close iTunes and copy the entire "iTunes" folder (not just the iTunes Music folder found inside it) to the external hard drive. Now use these instructions to open the library from this new location...
    How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304447
    Actually now that I think about it, you might be able to get away with just moving the database file to the external then using the above instructions. In other words, say you copied the "iTunes Music" over originally. On the external create an "iTunes" folder. Drag and drop the "iTunes Music" into that folder. From your internal drive, in the iTunes folder, drag and drop any other files that are not yet on the external drive like the two database files ("iTunes Library" (database file), iTunes Music Library.xml, Album Artwork folder, etc.). Once all over on the external so you have basically recreated your internal folder on the external, NOW try the instructions above to open the library from that location.
    Patrick

  • How do I move my iTunes library from my external hard drive back to my computer?

    Just wondering how do I move my entire iTunes library from my external hard drive back to my computer? It was moved to an external hard drive a few years ago, and now I'm wondering how to move it back to my iMac to increase performance.
    Where does it belong in the computer?
    Any suggestions?

    The library itself is the /Home/Music/iTunes/ folder in its entirety. Did you also change where preference files were stored? Normally, they would be in the /Home/Library/Preferences/ folder.

  • Using my iTunes library from an external hard drive to a brand new Macbook.

    This seems to be such a simple thing to be able to do but I'm fearing it's not. Basically I've had an iMac for 3 years and during that time have built up around 165gb in my iTunes folder. So I learnt off the net how to move my library onto an external hard drive so that I can free up the space on my iMac and play my iTunes library from the external drive. So far so good. My iPhone 4 is obviously connected to my iMac and thats how I get my media on and off the phone. Here's where my problems begin.
    I've just bought a Macbook Pro. Its obviously empty and has no media on it. I have paired my iPhone 4 with the new Macbook but obviously the iTunes library on my new Macbook is empty. I downloaded a couple of podcasts onto my new machine and tried to put them onto my phone but got a message saying that the podcasts I currently have on my phone (that are on there from my iMac iTunes library) were going to be deleted and the new ones would be put on. Still with me? So, if I could get my original 165gb library thats now on my external hard drive to be seen on my new Macbook that would possibly solve my problems. But I cant see a simple way of doing this. I've pointed the iTunes Media Location folder in the preferences on my new Macbook to the same folder on my external hard drive as is on my iMac but iTunes on my Macbook is not showing up my library. Do I really have to open every album into iTunes on my Macbook seperately? It seems such a stupid, laborious way of doing it. As if you cant have two Apple computers and run one iTunes library off an external hard drive so that its the same on both machines.
    Help!
    Message was edited by: Eels290776

    Eels290776 wrote:
    if my external hard drive is not connected to either of my machines, and I download something onto my iMac and then something different onto my Macbook, where are my machines going to be storing the new downloaded media
    when the drive is not connected, +iTunes media folder location+ will default back to <MacintoshHD>/users/<yourname>/music/iTunes/iTunes music (or media)
    and when I next connect the external hard drive how will I easily get the newly downloaded media onto the external HD
    you'd have to point +iTunes media folder location+ back to the external via preferences > advanced > iTunes media folder location, then file > library, organize library > consolidate files
    and essentially, to have it easily readable on both machines?
    in that case it might be best to copy the entire iTunes folder to the external. then, on each machine, launch iTunes while pressing option on your keyboard. when prompted, click on +choose library+ and navigate to the iTunes folder on the external.
    note only one iTunes can access the iTunes library @ a time !
    also, make sure the external is mounted on either machine before launching iTunes.
    JGG

  • I've copied my itunes library onto an external hard drive.  Is there any way I can do this and delete songs from my PC without also deleting from the external drive? Already lost two songs!!!

    I've copied my itunes library onto an external hard drive.  Is there any way I can do this and delete songs from my PC without also deleting from the external drive? Already lost two songs!!!  I just want a back up - using a work PC and don't want others accessing my songs.  Hope someone can help.  Thanks!

    I see. To get a better idea of what is being stored where please download and run the script iTunesInfo which should output something like this:
    I'm interested in the block of 4 results starting ITL location. If your profile name shows up somewhere replace it with <Name>.  It is also worth checking under Edit > Preferences > Advanced to see where iTunes thinks your media is supposed to go. My script estimates the setting based on the location of the first media file it can actually find.
    tt2

  • Backing up iTunes Library to New External Hard Drive

    I need to move the location of my itunes library as my external hard drive has become full.
    I have been backing up my "computer" (i.e. internal hard drive) and the itunes library stored on the external hard drive with TM.
    Once I move the library, I will be backing up the new music library. As I understand it, TM will treat this as a completely new backup. Once this is done, I would no longer need or want the older backup on TM -- what's the best way of deleting the older backup since it takes up an enormous amount of space -- i.e. it's 250 gigs -- and then the additional 250 gigs for the NEW music library backup.
    Thanks

    Helen Berman wrote:
    I need to move the location of my itunes library as my external hard drive has become full.
    I have been backing up my "computer" (i.e. internal hard drive) and the itunes library stored on the external hard drive with TM.
    Once I move the library, I will be backing up the new music library. As I understand it, TM will treat this as a completely new backup. Once this is done, I would no longer need or want the older backup on TM -- what's the best way of deleting the older backup since it takes up an enormous amount of space -- i.e. it's 250 gigs -- and then the additional 250 gigs for the NEW music library backup.
    Hello again, Helen!
    First, see this: moving your iTunes Music folder
    Are you moving the iTunes library from one external to a new, larger one? If so, give the new drive a different name than the old one, even if only slightly different (this is for you, not TM!)
    Once the data is moved, eject and disconnect the old drive, and leave it alone for now.
    Go into Time Machine and delete all backups of the old drive. You'll need the procedure in #E3 of the Time Machine - Troubleshooting *User Tip,* also at the top of this forum, to see them. Select the folder representing the old drive, click the "gear" icon in the Finder window's toolbar, select the +*Delete all backups of <folder name> option.+* You'll get a confirmation prompt, then one for your Admin password. Make a large pot of coffee, as that will take a while! If you exit from the TM display, you'll probably see a progress bar for the deletion.
    Be sure the new drive isn't listed in the +Do not back up+ box in TM Preferences > Options. If it is, remove it. Then run a backup, and TM should back-up the new external in full, along with any changes to your internal. Make another pot of coffee!
    Once that's done, be certain everything was backed-up properly: check sizes, and messages, and browse the backups.
    If I were you, I'd keep that old one around, "just in case," until I really, really needed it for something else.

  • Itunes library both on external hard drive and mac.

    Hello.
    I wish you could help me. I transfered my itunes library to an external hard drive. However, there are times that I would forget to put it back on. Now, there are some files that itunes can't locate.
    How do I back up the new files i have on my itunes to the external hard drive.
    Thank you very much.
    Patty

    update to the question above -- I went into Time Machine and restored my iTunes library, so it is showing what music I have again in there. FYI in advanced settings, I kept the setting that the music is stored in the Seagate HD.
    BUT when I click on any music, it still cannot locate the file (all the music media files are still stored on the Seagate ext. HD)
    So -- how can I get the iTunes library to re-connect with what is in the Seagate HD?
    Thank you!

  • How do I Play videos from external hard drive on Apple TV2?  Can I just move the iTunes Library to the External Hard Drive?

    I have several HD videos stored on an external hard drive and would like to bring them into iTunes and play them via iTunes on my Apple TV2, but I am not sure how to go about it.  I don't want to store the movies on my iMac hard drive because it would eat up to much space...so do I just move the iTunes Library to the external hard drive?  And, if so...will the Apple TV2 find the iTunes Library on the external hard drive?  Thanks for any help anyone can suggest.

    iTunes content on an external drive isn't a problem.
    The simplest method is to just move your library to an external drive.
    If you wanted to keep just movies on an external drive, that's a little more difficult. You'd need to put the movies where you want them to reside on the external drive and add drag and drop them onto iTunes while holding down the option key. Obviously any movies already in iTunes would need moving from their current location and removing from iTunes first.

  • HT1751 I am trying to backup my iTunes library onto an external hard drive but it won't complete due to 'insufficient privileges for some of the items'. Am I doing something wrong and is there a solution to this problem?

    Hi All,
    I am currently trying to backup my iTunes library onto an external hard drive so that I can copy it onto my new Macbook Pro. I have been following the steps posted on the Apple website however each time I get a dialogue box stating:
    'The operation cannot be completed because you do not have sufficient privileges for some of the items'.
    Is this because I have items that were bought under another persons iTunes account? If so, is there a solution to this problem? Or am I doing something completely wrong?
    Thanks in advance,
    Sbrooks19

    Go through the below forum with similar issue and follow the process mentioned by "Macjack" in the beginning.
    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4499820

  • How can i back up my itunes library onto an external hard drive?

    I can seem to figure out how to back up my Itunes library onto my external hard drive. Any advise?

    A quick search provides the answer, see the following:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1751 for backing up to an external drive.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1382 for backing up to optical media.

  • I transferred my iTunes library from one external hard drive to another and added more music on the same day. How do I get rid of my duplicate files without going through them one by one which would take forever?

    Please help. I have transferred my iTunes library from one external hard drive to another plus added additional music now I have duplicates of the same music in many albums. How do I delete the duplicates without going through them one by one which would take forever? I understand how to get the "show exact duplicate" feature up on iTunes but, because they were added to the library on the exact day I can't seperate them I'm that manner. So each duplicate is right next to eachother in the exact duplicate screen.

    My DeDuper script is designed to help clean up. See this thread for background.
    tt2

  • Can i store unused iTunes Library on an external Hard-drive?

    Hi There,
    I have 3 account on my Macbook each have an itunes library on them, the on is use all the time, but the other 2 never change and are never listed to becausethe only used of the laptop!
    is there any way I can move the library on to my hard-drive so i can free up space on my laptop, but still have accesses to them if i need to update the 2 of them to put new music on there iphone and ipods?
    Thanks and help would be greatly appreciated??
    Tom Green

    See this Apple note about moving an itunes library to an external hard drive.

  • How can I export my iTunes Library to an external hard drive?

    How can I export my iTunes Library to an external hard drive? and once i do that how can i play the library through the external drive? I basically want to be able to delete all my music on itunes once it is on my external hard drive so i can have more internal hard drive space.

    Follow this guide very carefully: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1364?viewlocale=en_US
    It's very easy to do....

  • Help! I need to open my iTunes library from my external hard drive

    Hey everybody
    I recently moved my iTunes library to an external hard drive. It worked great for a while; whenever I opened iTunes I made sure my hard drive was plugged in. Since then, I've used iTunes without plugging the hard drive in to sync my iPhone contacts, so there is also a local iTunes library without any files. My question: how do I tell iTunes to open the library on my external hard drive again? The hard drive is plugged in but iTunes won't open the library on the hard drive. I think there is some key I have to hold down while opening iTunes (?) it's not ctrl or option. Help! Thanks
    Ryan

    Yep. You're right. My problem was that I wasn't holding the option key down long enough... wow, epic fail... but thanks! I now have my music back!

  • How do I move my itunes library from my external hard-drive back to my MacBook Pro?

    A couple of years ago I moved our itunes library to an external hard-drive to free up some space. I got a new MacBook Pro and would like to move the itunes library to it.  I don't remeber how I moved it from my old laptop to the external hard-drive and have no idea how to move it to my MacBook.

    See Restoring your iTunes Backup here...
    Backup iTunes to an External Drive
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751

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