orchidgrrrl

Q: keeping iTunes library on a time capsule

I want to be able to keep my music library on my time capsule instead of my iMac, both for purposes of not using up all my hard drive space and also to allow other computers to access it thru the network. However, itunes Does Not Want to do this. I've changed the location of the library thru Prefs>Advanced>itunes media folder location several times but it keeps reverting to the default of users/myname/music.

 

Basically it seems to hold the change as long as I keep the computer on, but once it restarts/is shut off, it reverts back.

 

Is there some way to make changes to the default 'stick'? There are other programs too that don't seem to want to keep my changes--for example I have safari and chrome set to reopen w/ previous tabs, but unless I close them out using the Option key they reopen w/ 1 tab at the default home page.

 

Thanks!

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Jan 26, 2014 8:16 AM

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Q: keeping iTunes library on a time capsule

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  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Jan 26, 2014 9:59 AM in response to orchidgrrrl
    Level 9 (54,621 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 26, 2014 9:59 AM in response to orchidgrrrl

    Don't do it that way.

     

    Read these.  If you're going to start doing this you need to know how iTunes works.  This can get messy fast.

     

    What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660

     

    More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management

     

    What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html

     

     

    You have two options.

     

    1) Share the whole library.  Disadvantages: a) Somebody makes changes you don't like then there's no way to undo it easily.  b) The library file can only be open on one computer at a time.

     

    2) Share just media.  Each user has their own library file but share media files.  Multiple people can run iTunes at the same time.  Gets slightly tricky making sure each computer is up to date on new media added.

     

    To do 1) you should have:

     

    iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music [library] to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527 - a somewhat bewildering and not always easily understandable set of options.

     

    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.  Open iTunes and immediately hold down the Option (alt) key (shift on Windows), then guide it to the iTunes Library.itl file in the moved iTunes folder.
     
    For the record there's this reference for iTunes 11 but it really doesn't strike me as having the specifics you need. iTunes 11 for Mac: Move your library to another computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/PH12168 

     

    To do 2 we can provide other instructions.

     

    Finally, don't do this with Time Capsule.  When your TC drive dies you lose not only your original library but the backup at the same time.  Unless you have two TCs, one for a file server and the other as backup.