Two Macs, One Library

I've been scouring the internets to try and figure out if it's possible for two macs to point to one iTunes Library and its content on one external HDD. The idea being as long as I have my external HDD plugged in I have my an entire library at hand.
I'm running a G5 Tower running 10.4.10 and a Powerbook G4 running 10.4.11, both have iTunes 8. Is there a way to get both computers to see the same library (not at the same time) and content? I'd also like to be able to sync my iPhone and iPod on either computer. Any ideas/suggestions/solutions are appreciated.

Theoretically this is possible.
When you launch any a copy of iTunes which you'd like to use that library, hold down the option key while double clicking the iTunes icon. This should present a dialogue box that gives you the option to choose a library. You browse to the library file on the external drive and voila.
Each machine has to be "authorised" to work with that computer and I believe the maximum number is five. This is achieved by going into Store->Authorise inside iTunes.

Similar Messages

Two Macs, one library, no file moving?

Hi,
I have two Macs and would like to be able to share the same set of songs between them, with additions and deletions kept in sync. If I put all the songs in a Firewire drive connected to one, and then point both iTunes to the same directory AND uncheck the "Copy files to iTunes..." in Preferences/Advanced will I get the results I hope for? And if I leave "Keep Foler organized..." checked will it still list songs by album and artist, etc, if I have them named correctly? Or does iTunes need its own directory structure to accomplish this? I don't want it to start moving or copying things around without my sayso. Reminds me too much of Windows!
Mike

Theoretically this is possible.
When you launch any a copy of iTunes which you'd like to use that library, hold down the option key while double clicking the iTunes icon. This should present a dialogue box that gives you the option to choose a library. You browse to the library file on the external drive and voila.
Each machine has to be "authorised" to work with that computer and I believe the maximum number is five. This is achieved by going into Store->Authorise inside iTunes.

RAID NAS and Three Authorized Computers Two MAC ONE PC

Hi All,
So I have some time off from work for the holiday. My goal is two have one main library of music that both my kids and I can share.
They have Macbooks and I have a PC. We are all networked here and I have a Dell Raid NAS that I am planning on storing all the music on.
Right now the main library is stored on my Windoze PC and a Briefcase copy is kept on the RAID server. That is for all intents and purposes the main file.
I plan on redirecting Itunes on my PC to look at that library as the main store.
I also plan on having both the kids Mac's look to that store as well.
I do have some questions that I think I have the answer to at least one.
1) if Child A makes a purchase on her machine when it is not physically connected to the RAID server, I believe that Itunes on the macbook will then save it LOCALLY then when I CONSOLIDATE it will move it to the main RAID STORE.
This one I am not sure about......
2) if child A makes a purchase on her machine WHILE connected to the RAID server main store Itunes will store the file on the main RAID STORE. However, when child B's Macbook starts and she starts itunes will her itunes see the file that child A purchased in her list of music.
I guess in the nutshell the question is if multiple CPU's are looking at a MAIN storage library and if one machine makes an addition, to the library. When the other Itunes start will it scan the libray and be updated with the addition?
Thanks for the help
Nick

Let's say, I would like to NOT use the old PPC Mac Mini as the input method for new music.
I would like to leave the iTunes library where it is (on an external HDD) and simply point the new iMac to this library and update it as necessary. I want to know how can it be done by leaving the external HDD connected to the old Mac Mini.
Does it make sense?
Thanks!

Two ipods, one library

How do i load songs from my ipod into the library..The ipod has songs from another computer...i like them and i already have songs on my itunes library....i want to keep both if possible but the ones on the ipod for sure...i just want to add the songs from one ipod to the library so that i can add them to my other ipod

Hello mateo09,
There are a couple of methods for using more than one iPod on a single computer. Have a look at the article linked below. Method one is to have two Mac or Windows user accounts which by definition would give you two completely separate libraries. Method two is to set your preferences so each iPod is updated with only certain playlists within one library. Have a look anyway and see what you think and go for whichever you feel suits your needs best: How To Use Multiple iPods with One Computer
Just a point on posting, you should create a new thread when you are asking a question as you'll a) probably get it answered quicker and b) it avoids causing confusion when someone is trying to get the answer to a situation unrelated to yours.

Multiple Macs one library

I'm not a Aperture user, I'm just trying to figure out which program to use. I tried iPhoto, I've used iView for several years (but don't really like it), I looked at Adobes program, and now I'm playing with Aperture.
There is however one thing I haven't figured out yet. Can I use one Aperture library on two Macs? I can see how I would normally use a MacBook but once in a while I would like to be able to use a MacPro, is there some way this can be done (note: not at the same time)?

First off, whatever you do is just keep the vault on a separate external drive.
A vault is simply a non-directly usable backup of the Aperture library that would need to be used to rebuild a library. (actually there is a way to change a vault into a library, but that is a bit over the top here....)
A simple way for using two computers and one library would be to have the Aperture Library on a FW800 drive. Just plug it into whichever computer you want to use at the time.
A second way (if you insist on having the library on the slow MacBook Pro internal drive) would be to use Target Disk Mode to mount the MacBook Pro hard drive onto the MacPro and use the library from there.
A third way (if you insist on having the library on the slow MacBook Pro internal drive again) would be keep the library on the MacBook Pro, ethernet the two computers together and mount the MacBook Pro's hard drive on the MacPro, then open the Aperture Library with the MacPro. Just be sure to NEVER use the library on both computers at the same time. The problem with the final way is it is the slowest way, but still usable.
My choice would be #1.
Finally you could go with SATA drives and cards for the fastest speeds but this is an expensive option.

How do I create separate playlists for two ipods/one library and them sync them?

I have an older classic ipod, my daughter has an older nano. I got new laptop and have managed to sync my ipod and ipad with success, as well as move my library from old pc to new laptop. Now I am trying to update and sync my daughter's ipod. It says that it is synced but nothing changes. I believe I had set up two different libraries on the old pc, and so certain cds had been copied into her library. I can't find them in the earlier mentioned transfered library. That's not a big deal, as I can just use those cds to add them back in later (more work though). I've read older community posts on my issue, but any article links on how-to are too old, I guess. I like the idea of using just one library and creating playlists for each ipod to sync to, but cannot figure out how to do this. Also, do I need to restore my daughter's ipod to get the ball rolling? She's taken a couple of videos she likes and I'm not sure I want to lose it in the restore. Any advice greatly appreciated.

Hey puckaluck8,
Thanks for the question, and welcome to Apple Support Communities.
The following article provides different methods for managing multiple devices with one computer:
How to use multiple iPhone, iPad, or iPod devices with one computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1495
You mentioned syncing separate playlists, which is definitely a good method. The other option you may want to consider is called "Manually Syncing", which you can read about here:
iOS: How to transfer or sync content to your computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1296
Thanks,
Matt M.

Two Macs-One External Hard Drive

I currently have an imacg5 and am thinking of getting another one so I don't have to move them between my two homes. (the wife doesn't like to use laptops). I also was thinking of getting an external HD and just bringing it.
Question: Will I have problems with duel-core unit and one without or should I partition it for each?
thanks
Stevena64

Welcome to the discussions!
Are you looking to use the drive just to transfer data between the two Macs, or are you looking to use the same drive to boot those two Macs?
If data transfer, then as long as you get a good quality drive with the Oxford 911 chipset and format/partition it on the Intel Mac, you can use the same drive for both without a problem. I have a 500B drive in an enclosure from OWC found HERE and have it partitioned for use with my G5 iMac and my BlackBook.
If you want to boot from the same drive on two machines, that is not possible as the OS is not a universal binary yet. There are separate PPC and Intel builds. If you want to partition it you can, but that kinda defeats the purpose of booting from the drive.

Two ID's, Two iPhones, One Library - Can they share Match?

My wife and I have different ID's on our iPhones, but share the same music library. Can we use the same iTunes match account with both iPhones while still maintaining separate ID's?
I would even be willing to pay for two accounts, if I had to, but that doesn't seem like that's an option, either, with one library.
We are all figuring this out as we go, if anyone is trying to do what I'm doing, please let me know what solutions you have come up with.
Thank you,
Kevin

I can only assume based on what you have said in your post that you and your wife have seperate iCloud accounts but use the same iTunes ID for purchases. If this is the case, then yes you can use iTunes Match for both phones based on the one library. Clarify some of the details and I can hopefully help you further, especially the details of phone accounts. Do you share the same iTunes Apple ID for making purchases (music, apps, etc.) and have separate iCloud accounts?
I hope this helps.

Port Forwarding for Two Macs, one Airport Extreme and one Dynalink RTA1320

I had previously set up PortForwarding for some of my Applications on my iMac with an Ethernet connected Dynalink RTA1320 Modem by assigning myself a Static IP in the iMac`s Network Preferences.
All had been good, green smilies on Azureus when D/Ling bitorrents, Skype, WoW and Limewire all running fine.
I`ve now just recently purchased the latest Airport Extreme and 17" MacBook Pro.
Setting up a Wireless Network for the two Macs to access the internet was a breeze and both computers run fine online simultaneously.
I manually set the Ports on the MBP Applications: Skype, Azureus and Limewire to match the Ports I`d previously PortForwarded the RTA1320 to.
However, on the new MBP, Skype, Azureus and Limewire don`t seem to run too well.
I get yellow smilies on Azureus and a "Port Appears Closed" message on the NAT Test and my Skype Contacts are leaving me messages saying I always appear "off-line".
The iMac Apps still work flawlessly.
I`m guessing the problem is something to do with two Macs on a Wireless Network with one Static IP Address or what am I doing wrong?

...Wow, 36 views and no replies with helpful advice!
Just like my other question about a month`s data disappearing in iCal, nobody has offered any helpful advice!
Come on Apple Community......!!!!!!!!

What are some cool things you can do with TWO Macs (one MBP and one MB)?

What are some interactions that can happen between two Macs?
I have a MacBook Pro, and my sister just bought a MacBook for herself.
I can sense that there must be something cool we can do between them, because it's Apple !
Any input would be appreciated, thanks and happy holidays.

You can use Bonjour to setup a file-exchange network easily and efficiently.
You can use iChat to create a video conference on your home network.
If you are into power processing, I personally have set up a miniature render farm with 3 machines all processing 3d scenes to make my own 3d movies and special effects.
You can share music through iTunes music sharing, and listen to each others music, video, and whatever-else libraries.
And thats all I can think of as of now. Hope that helps!

One external hard, drive two macs. Library wont update????

Hello, Sorry if this has been asked before, I could not find anything to answer this, so here i am.
I Have a G5 PPC tower (10.4.11) and an Intel MacBook Pro (10.5.6) and a Lacie 500GB for my iTunes library. I mostly use my PPC while at home, which is where I upload most of my music in to itunes. However after adding music to my itunes library using my PPC if I connect the external hard drive to the macbook pro itunes only sees what it saw last time it was connected.
Just so we understand what I mean let me give you an example: Lets say my itunes library is 20GB on the external drive. I connect the external drive to itunes on my PPC and add 1GB of music. Now my PPC itunes recognizes it as a 21GB library, BUT if I disconnect the drive from my PPC and connect it to the Intel and open itunes it will not see the new 1GB addition and will only show the original 20GB library.
Does that make sense?
The only way I know how to update the library is to drag the entire itunes "music" folder into the preview pane in itunes. Which then results in itunes having to read the entire library again which takes a long time.
Is there any way to make both computers see the addition of music when I move the drive back and fourth?
Thanks
sean

Can I copy the itunes library database file from my PPC to my external hard drive and avoid having to rescan the entire library?
You can copy the entire iTunes folder from the item in the Finder's sidebar named Music, launch iTunes with the Option key held down, click on Choose Library, and navigate to it.
(42459)

HT1535 Two Macs; one iTunes account--why can't I move music to my iPhone from either machine?

I have 2 macs--a MacBook Pro and an iMac. I have ONE Apple ID (iTunes ID) that is registered on both machines. I used to sync my iPhone from the iMac, but now the iMac is in storage. I want to move some music from my MacBook to my iPhone and it wont let me...something about only being allowed to be synced to one iTunes library. It would erase everything on my phone if I wanted to add anything from my MacBook's iTunes library. Why isnt it the same iTunes library--it has the same iTunes ID/Apple ID? Is there a solution to this that isnt really annoying and redundant (like mirroring my two computers' library)?
This cannot be the first time someone has had this issue and Apple hasnt addressed it?

mrvangogh wrote:
Why isnt it the same iTunes library
Each iTunes library has a unique ID.
Easiest way to do what you want is to use Home Sharing and copy the files from your MacBook to your iMac then sync the phone to the iMac.

Two Macs, one external boot drive (not at same time)

I'm in a weird situation where I travel b/t two cities during the week and am looking to have a computer in each. Have been doing the laptop thing, but it's too heavy to drag everyday and too slow for the video editing (I'm a filmmaker) I need to do now. So, I have a 1TB SSD and am looking to make it a boot drive (via USB 3 or Thunderbolt) for two different Macs. Right now I'm looking at two iMacs, but I might want to make one of them something else, possibly a new or older Mac Pro.
So, would I be able to run both Macs with one external drive? Also, would I have any issues if I go with two different kinds of Macs? Thought maybe there would be an advantage to having the same with connection issues of some sort.
Thanks for any help!

Let me ask: how are you getting your two OS's on the external drive?
For one thing, if I understand you correctly, you want one OS on the external and use it on both Macs? That, according to the licensing agreement, is not allowed (see excerpt below); you're allowed one backup copy officially. And, secondly, you cannot boot a Mac with an OS version earlier than what it came with, so it would depend on the build of your Macs (and the exact build version it came with). My initial thought was that you clone your internal hard drives to the two partitions on the external and run them separately.
For now, just a guess on your Q #1 - not sure, depends on where it originated (see above for not booting with an earlier version) and, I prefer cloning FROM the internal system TO the external (again, because of build versions/firmware).
Q #2: see above re. software licensing agreement.
Q #3: not sure at this point
As for the SLA - if the OS is preinstalled, the license is for that computer only:
Here is a link to the SLA:
http://www.apple.com/legal/sla/
And, FWIW: no, once you mark an answer, it cannot be undone - hopefully, that won't matter and someone else will pop in with a brilliant idea.....

Two Macs, one is on the wireless network, one isnt.

To make a long story short, i have a mac pro, and a mac book pro. The router im using is a airport express. The mac book pro works no problem, and i just installed the wireless card in the mac pro, and it doenst see the router. The computer reconizes the hardware, but no internet connection. These two computers arent networked or anything. I just bought the card, slapped it in, and expected it to work like all apple stuff does. Im shure this is a redundent question, but i could not find the information i was looking for by searching.
Thanks!

OK. Could be you have to buy an external antenna option from places like
QuickerTek and others to expand the otherwise weak wi-fi range in the Pro
tower; since there are options for sale by vendors and direct online.
The wi-fi and bluetooth are said to be options in the Mac Pro; too bad the
Apple option does not include a port (then) if one is lacking to facilitate this
need to connect from the tower wirelessly to an internet access point this
wireless card and defective antenna location inconveniently provide a user.
The old option of running ethernet to the base station may be the best bet,
even if it will make that Pro slower to access data on a network than the
specfication speeds they suggest wireless transfers can run. Funny, some
one in these forums posted an image of the antenna on the back of a tower
when the question of wireless problems and the Mac Pro first came up.
I'd almost suggest it was you; but it seems like that's alot of trouble for
an arguement.
"...Mac Pro Computers:
This section provides AirPort-specific information for Mac Pro
computers introduced beginning August 2006. Refer to the
specific Mac Pro developer note for additional information.
Mac Pro Computers (August 2006)
The Mac Pro computers announced in August 2006, based on
the Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor, have an optional, internal
AirPort Extreme wireless LAN module. The AirPort Extreme
module connects through a one-lane PCI Express bus to the
South Bridge IC. The Mac Pro has built-in antennas. AirPort
Extreme is available as a fully-integrated configure-to-order
option or as an Apple Authorized Service Provider kit, which can
be installed by an Apple retail store or an Apple Authorized
Service Provider.
Note: The Mac Pro contains 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a
radios; however, Apple supports only 802.11b and 802.11g..."
MacPro wireless option
[I don't really need a computer; and just happened upon a circumstance
where I ended up owning and repairing about 100+ of them; so I know
a little about hardware and software. But I keep learning even though I
have other hobbies that require more effort and bring me more joy.
Since I no longer fix junk Macs as a hobby and donate them to charity.]

Two macs one account

Can someone point me in the right direction, ive just bought a new imac and will be keeping my older powerbook G4. both macs are connected to my even older G3 Powermac which is running debian etch and is running samba as a file server.
I had my file server and samba setup as a PDC in the past for the days of using windows but have now gone all mac what id like to do is have both machines link to the server for authentication so that there is only one account stored on the server for each user. Id like to be able to logon to the imac then logon to the powerbook and have all the same files desktop etc and dont want to use the apple internet thing (sorry cant remember name)
my powerbook is running tiger at the moment but will get a license of leopard if this would make things easier, also would the server be better running osx server to achieve this or can it be done with samba and if so does anyone have any pointers
thanks
John

You can sync the iPod to either computer, but the iPod will mirror the library on the computer you've just synced with. The transfer is one-way -- from computer to iPod. The exception is iTunes purchases, which can be transferred from the iPod back to the computer.

Two Macs, One Library

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