Why won't itunes find my library on my external hard drive? All that shows up are the purchased songs in the cloud?

Why won't itunes find my library on my external hard drive? All it shows are my purchased songs in the cloud.

See also this migrate iTunes library post or Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
tt2

Similar Messages

  • How to set up iTunes with an external hard drive so that there is not a double location for the iTunes Media folder

    Hi,
    A very helpful postee got to the end of his knowledge level, so I am posting this for you tech guys to sort out. Bit long because I've tried to set it out step by step. Briefly I'm new to iTunes and my laptop has a very small hard drive and is virtually full and due to be replaced. So I want to use an external hard drive.
    Now I know that iTunes installs itself to two locations: 1. Programs Files 2. Music. And its the Music location that bothers me.
    I asked about using an external hard disk to store the actual AAC files. I was advised that in order to change the loaction of the iTunes media folder I was should employ preferences/advanced/ and this is what i saw (as you would expect):
    Then I hooked up my hard drive, hit 'change', and this is what I saw:
    I was a bit worried by the lack of pathway details, but assumed it must have done something on the external drive, so I looked on  it and this is what i saw (highlighted):
    But compare this with what was in the directory I attempted to reproduce, viz in the iTunes folder in /laptop/Music/iTunes:
    A ton of stuff. The only stuff that corresponded with what iTunes had created on my external hard drive was in Music/iTunes/iTunes Media folder:
    Now this suggests that there are TWO locations for my preferences. The advanced tab only allowed me to ADD an extra location, not REPLACE the original.
    So:
    1. Which of the two locations will iTunes choose when I add music? Surely it will go with the original pathway laid down in the directory when iTunes was installed, and ignore my external Hard Drive? I mean, how can there be two automatic locations?!!!
    2.. I don't mind itunes library being on my laptop as this is just a list, but it obvoiusly has to have a pathway to the site where the actual AAC files are stored.
         so surely it won't work unless the whole lot is on the external hard drive: library, extras, genius, the lot?
    4. How then do I get it all on the external since merely changing "preferences" doesn't do the job?
    5. Is this perhaps the reason why so many people report that iTunes does not recognize their external hard disk:
    http://www.ehow.com/info_12199596_external-hard-drive-not-recognized-itun es.html
    I just don't want this to happen to me. Any answers?
    Philip Joy
    UNITED KINGDOM

    As I've replied to your other threads...
    Easy method 1:
    Move or Copy entire working library from current location to the root of your external drive. Press & hold down shift (option on a Mac) as you click the icon to start iTunes. Click Choose when prompted, then browse to ..\iTunes\iTunes Library.itl on the external. If you copied the library across then test your new library works properly after renaming the original folder, before deleting the original folder to recover space.
    Easy method 2:
    If you haven't really started to build your library. Press & hold down shift as you click the icon to start iTunes. Click Create. Browse to the root of the external drive. Create the library as ITunes. Drag your media into ..\iTunes\iTunes Media\Automatically Add to iTunes.
    Complex method:
    Required if you've already tried other things and now have media & library scattered around. See the post make a split library portable.
    in addition...
    In all cases the idea is to get a library folder called iTunes containing a media folder called iTunes Media with all media inside this media folder. Once you have the library in this shape it is easy to reconnect to the library with the shift-start-iTunes method if the drive letter changes, move the library to another computer, and backup the library by cloning the folder to another drive.
    tt2

  • Why can't iTunes play music from read-only external hard drive?

    I have a write-protected external hard-drive which I keep all of my iTunes media on. iTunes recognizes all of the files, including the metadata on the id3 tags, and can find the files in Windows Explorer. However, it cannot play the files while the drive remains write-protected. Is there a work around for this as I would prefer to keep the hard-drive protected? Why does iTunes require write-access to play songs? Other media players have no problem playing from my read-only external hard-drive. Thanks for any help

    Welcome to the Apple Community.
    When you say you can't play through both devices at the same time, what happens when you try, are you able to select multiple speakers, do they deselect themselves, do you not get the option or does it just not work when you select multiple speakers.

  • Why won't my mac book pro recognize my external hard drive?

    I'm having a battery issue with my computer, and need to bring it to the nearby Apple Store to have the battery looked at and possibly changed. I wanted to back up  my computer in preparation for my visit, but for whatever reason, my Mac Book Pro is not recognizing my trusty LaCie external hard drive, a device I have used with this computer for two years now and performed countless backups with. I am not sure why this is happening. I have already tried restarting the computer multiple times, and unplugging and replugging the hard drive, both to no avail. Are there any ways I can get my computer to recognize my hard drive in order to perform the backup? Thanks.

    Hi all -
    I cannot view my flash drive OR my office server, which I should be able to connect to via VPN. VPN was installed on my Macbook Pro at my office on Friday. It worked fine. Now I bring it home, and I connect using VPN, and it shows that I am connected, yet the server hard drive icon does not appear on my desktop (as it usually did) and I can't see how to access the server at work.
    I also cannot view flash drives when I plug them in - they just don't show up.
    I had Norton installed; I read online I should disable that. I did this, and no luck. I also have already done all the things suggested on this post and have all the boxes checked, and yet, still cannot use a flash drive or access my work server.
    I am stuck? Do I have to bring my Macbook pro in for service? I have NOT upgraded to Mavericks.
    Thanks for any help.
    I am not that well versed in finding my way around a Mac - so keep any explanations simple, please.
    L

  • Need to move (consolidate) my iTunes files (media/library) from my external hard drive (i use time capsule as an ext hd)  back to my main iMac where my iTunes is located.

    I used my time capsule (1st gen) as an external hard drive to store my iTunes files and my iTunes app is on my main iMac.  Now, I've decided to move those iTunes files from my external hard drive (TC) back to my iMac where my iTunes app is located.  What is the best way to do this?

    Is the Time Capsule the right piece of kit for the job?
    Not really, no.
    TC is a dumb as board hard disk in an airport extreme router. It has no media servers.. no backup.. it is slow and designed for TM target for laptops. The major one here is lack of backup. Any files you put on the TC can and will be lost at some point.. and to backup you need to have a computer connected to it with an external hard disk.. and a 3rd party backup because TM is too dumb to back up network drives.
    TC is designed to spin up slow and spin down quickly at the end of backup. You will have issues when you stream media from it.
    ATV needs to connect to itunes server.. not the library. You will still need a computer running. Same for lots of things.. since apple designed their system to be dependent on itunes.
    The best idea is a media computer.. a mac mini is ideal. Don't need the latest greatest.. but an actual mac running itunes. Unfortunately it doesn't have large internal drives.. so it is still a bit kludgy in needing a fast external drive.. but at least you have automatic backups.

  • Can't get my itunes 10.1 library on my external hard drive

    I want to put my iTunes 10.1 library on a WD Elements 2tb external harddrive but i am not having any success. It shows that it is on the external harddrive but when I plug the harddrive into another computer the content does not show up. Please help.

    It shows that it is on the external harddrive but when I plug the harddrive into another computer the content does not show up.
    You need to move the iTunes folder, not just iTunes Media, to the drive, launch iTunes with the Shift key held down, navigate to it, and then organize it. On the other computers, launch iTunes with the Shift key held down.
    (57527)

  • I need to move my ITunes files and library to an external hard drive as my C drive is getting loaded. Nothing under the move files topic adresses that except to say it is not reccomended.

    Move files and library to external hard drive

    Hello North Laurel Don,
    The following article provides step-by-step directions for moving your iTunes Library to another location.
    iTunes for Windows: Moving your iTunes Media folder
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1364
    Cheers,
    Allen

  • I have just bought a MacBook Pro and want to transfer my iTunes library from my old laptop to mac.  I've prepped and copied the library to an external hard drive then loaded it onto my mac however none of the music or apps are appearing.

    I've moved my library to my Mac but none of my apps and only some purchased music/books appear in itunes.  I'm sure I'm missing something but I'm new to Mac's so not sure what! Any help appreciated

    Tunes: How to move [or copy] your music to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
    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.  Start iTunes with the option (shift on Windows) key held down and guide it to the new location of the library.
    Downloading (using iOS or computer) past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2519 - enabled with iTunes 10.3 and newer; not available in all countries; apps, books (not audiobooks), music, t.v. shows, and movies (some - not all studios have permitted this). Movies currently available in the USA only. Downloading previously purchased movies and TV shows requires iTunes 10.6 or later.  Discontinued items not available. For items not included in the iCloud list (e.g., ringtones), or locations or computer systems where iCloud is not (yet?) available, you only get one download per fee paid.  Apple notes it is your responsibility to back up your purchases.
    Select the store on the left side of iTunes.
    Click on Purchased on the right side under Quick Links.
    You can re-download your available previous purchases.

  • Why won't Time Machine back up onto this external hard drive?

    I re-formatted a SimpleTech 320gb hard drive so it would erase the music and videos on it and format it for use with Time Machine. I thought it all went smoothly but then the initial back up which is about 91gb stops after it backs up about 22gb and says an error occured. No matter how many times I restart everything and try to back up more, it doesn't work. I've even tried using disk utility to erase it and that didn't work either. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

    First, deselect the drive as your TM backup drive, then turn off TM. Now try this:
    Extended Hard Drive Preparation
    1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder. If you need to reformat your startup volume, then you must boot from your OS X Installer Disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger or Leopard.)
    2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
    3. Set the number of partitions from the drop down menu (use 1 partition unless you wish to make more.) Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID (only required for Intel Macs) then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
    4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
    5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
    6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
    Be sure to re-select the drive for the TM backup drive.

  • 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

  • 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

  • Does an ipad have any storage?  Basically looking to eliminate DVD's and just use the storage on my movies (in iTunes) could I just get an external hard drive or what is the basic purpose selling point on this apple tv?

    i would ideally like to not use all my macbooks memory either and we have an xbox so all the streaming for like netflix we can do on this.  I guess thats why I'm wondering if it is a better idea and if it is possible for us to just utilize an external hard drive.  And if we do that will i have more space on my computer?

    davidfrombillings wrote:
    I thought I could just drag and drop my iTunes library to an external hard drive.
    it'll work ... if done properly ☞
    copy the entire iTunes folder (not just the iTunes music or media folder) from <MacintoshHD>/users/<yourname>/music on your Mac to the external, then launch iTunes while holding the option (⌥) key, click on choose library when prompted, and select the iTunes folder on the external.
    if I already have my iTunes going to the incorrect files how is it going to find the correct files again.
    you could try if this script helps:
    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)."
    Eric Ross wrote:
    When you moved the file back did you go back into iTunes in your preferences and select the advance tab and then selected the location again or where your files are
    the iTunes media folder location in preferences > advanced tells iTunes where to put new additions to your library, not where your content currently is.

  • How to transfer a copy or duplicate of my iPhoto library to an external hard drive.

    I would like to save a copy of my iPhoto library on an external hard drive (InfoSafe) that has been reformatted to Mac OS Extended file system (journaled).  I want the photos to be moved in the same Events they are in and with all of their metadata. 
    Then I want to delete some of those pictures or events from iPhoto on my computer.   I am using OS X 10.8.5 and my iPhoto '11 9.4.3.  Once I do this and make sure it works and everything is where it is supposed to be, can I just stick the hard drive in a safe place for years?
    Thank you.
    Wendy

    Make sure the drive is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
    1. Quit iPhoto
    2. Copy the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
    Now you have two full versions of the Library.
    3. On the Internal library, trash the Events you don't want there
    Now you have a full copy of the Library on the External and a smaller subset on the Internal
    Some Notes:
    As a general rule: when deleting photos do them in batches of about 100 at a time. iPhoto can baulk at trashing large numbers at one go.
    You can choose which Library to open: Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library'
    You can keep the Library on the external updated with new imports using iPhoto Library Manager
    Once I do this and make sure it works and everything is where it is supposed to be, can I just stick the hard drive in a safe place for years?
    No. Hard Drives are volatile and can be damaged. Over time the connection protocols change - USB 1 to USB 2 to USB 3. Firewire is almost dead and so on - and HDs fail. Multiple, redundant back ups are required. And when a back up is a copy of two drives at least, you won't have an actual back up for any of the material you then remove from the laptop.
    For long term archiving I use Flickr. Then backing up the photos becomes their problem but it works in other ways as well - images available from any computer, as future-proof as just about anything is, and you can set the privacy protocols to keep the material private.

  • How do I transfer iPhoto library to an external hard drive?

    How do I transfer my iphoto library to an external hard drive. Dragging it does not seem to work.

    Erasing the drive won't affect the content of the iPhoto library. If you don't want to reformat that drive, buy another.
    Even if you do install software which enables the Mac to write to NTFS drives, the volume containing an iPhoto library needs to be formatted as Mac OS Extended.
    (107500)

  • Backing up iPhoto library located on external hard drive

    I recently moved my iPhoto 09 library to a 500gb WD portable hard drive in order to free up space on my MacBook Pro hard drive.  What I would like to know is can I back up this external library to another external hard drive so that I have two copies of all my photos.  Would it work if I had an external hard drive connected to my airport extreme?
    Thanks

    Most Simple Back Up
    Drag the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to another Disk. This will make a copy on that disk.
    Slightly more complex:
    Use an app that will do incremental back ups. This is a very good way to work. The first time you run the back up the app will make a complete copy of the Library. Thereafter it will update the back up with the changes you have made. That makes subsequent back ups much faster. Many of these apps also have scheduling capabilities: So set it up and it will do the back up automatically. Examples of such apps: Chronosync or DejaVu . But are many others. Search on MacUpdate

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