scottr1966

Q: Copying iTunes Library to external hard drive

So, I just copied my iTunes library to an external hard drive and now when I try to play a song in iTunes I get a message saying the file cannot be found. I see the files on my C drive where they were originally stored. What's going on?

Posted on Jan 31, 2016 4:32 PM

Close

Q: Copying iTunes Library to external hard drive

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

Page 1 Next
  • by turingtest2,Helpful

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Feb 26, 2016 8:14 PM in response to scottr1966
    Level 10 (86,976 points)
    Apple TV
    Feb 26, 2016 8:14 PM in response to scottr1966

    What exactly did you move where? See Make a split library portable. Perhaps you can put the components back together in the correct shape on the external drive and then shift-start iTunes to open the library there.

     

    tt2

  • by scottr1966,

    scottr1966 scottr1966 Feb 1, 2016 11:33 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 1, 2016 11:33 AM in response to turingtest2

    I was simply trying to back up my iTunes library to an external hard drive. Itunesstores the library on my C drive in my music folder. All I did was drag the contents of that folder to the external drive.

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Feb 1, 2016 12:12 PM in response to scottr1966
    Level 10 (86,976 points)
    Apple TV
    Feb 1, 2016 12:12 PM in response to scottr1966

    Copying and pasting the iTunes folder elsewhere shouldn't have caused a problem. Perhaps you also managed to move something in error?

     

     

    The "missing file" error happens if the file is no longer where iTunes expects to find it. Possible causes are that you or some third party tool has moved, renamed or deleted the file, one of its parent folders, or the drive it lives on has had a change of drive letter. It is also possible that iTunes has changed from expecting the files to be in the pre-iTunes 9 layout to post-iTunes 9 layout, or vice-versa, and so is looking in slightly the wrong place.

     

    Select a track with an exclamation mark, use Ctrl-I to Get Info, then click No when asked to try to locate the track. (Due to a bug in iTunes 12 you currently have to say No twice!) Look on the summary tab for the location that iTunes thinks the file should be. Now take a look around your hard drive(s). Hopefully you can locate the track in question. If a section of your library has simply been moved, a folder renamed, or a drive letter has changed, it should be possible to reverse the actions. If the difference between the two paths is an additional Music folder in one path then this is a layout issue. I can explain further if that is the case. If everything is where it is supposed to be try Repair security permissions for iTunes for Windows.

     

    In some cases iTunes may be able to repair itself if you go through the same steps with Get Info but this time click Locate and browse to the lost track. It may then offer to attempt to automatically fix other broken links. Although it says something like "use the same location" I think it expects to find the tracks in the same artist & album layout they were in previously, with one systematic change to the path.

     

    If another application like Windows Media Player has moved/renamed the files then the chances are that subtle differences in naming strategies will make it hard to restore the media to the precise path that iTunes is expecting. In such cases, as long as the missing files can be found somewhere, you should be able to use my FindTracks script to reconnect them to iTunes. See this post for an explanation of how it works.

     

    If you want me to try to provide specific advice please post back the following details:

    1. The location of the media folder under Edit > Preferences > Advanced
    2. The location of a sample missing track shown under Get Info > File > Location that begins file://localhost/
    3. The true path to the file whose details you gave in 2.

     

    tt2

  • by javaliga,

    javaliga javaliga Feb 1, 2016 12:13 PM in response to scottr1966
    Level 4 (3,579 points)
    iCloud
    Feb 1, 2016 12:13 PM in response to scottr1966

    You may find this link helpful:

     

    <<How to move your iTunes library to a new computer - Apple Support>>

     

    Although it is a bit "after-the-fact" it does provide information (in Part 4) on how to relocate your library which is probably what you need to do.

  • by scottr1966,

    scottr1966 scottr1966 Feb 1, 2016 12:20 PM in response to javaliga
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 1, 2016 12:20 PM in response to javaliga

    Thanks so much everyone! I will work on this asap and will get back to you with the results. I really appreciate it!

  • by scottr1966,

    scottr1966 scottr1966 Feb 2, 2016 4:55 AM in response to scottr1966
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 2, 2016 4:55 AM in response to scottr1966

    I Tried the security permissions route and that did not work. Windows Media is also affected. I'll get back with more info asap. I have a busy schedule but I'll be back in touch after I try a couple more fixes.

     

    Much thanks

  • by scottr1966,

    scottr1966 scottr1966 Feb 25, 2016 9:20 AM in response to scottr1966
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 25, 2016 9:20 AM in response to scottr1966

    Sorry for getting back here so late. I got sick and then I put this off. I just tried the Option 4 "Add Back New Content" and when I try to copy to the "Automatically Add to iTunes" folder from the folder I created on my external hard drive (J drive), it says I don't have enough space, that I need additional 55.9GB.

     

    Just to recap what I set out to do was to back up my iTunes library to my external J drive. I only selected a few music files but it was a large amount. And these music files were not purchased from iTunes but rather they are music I have downloaded and added to iTunes library...I don't know if this info makes a difference. Anyway, now I am unable to play ANY music in my library, including songs that were NOT part of the transfer.

     

    I tried the "Changer Permissions" function but that did not work. I tried to Restore iTunes library but that also failed.

     

    I am not sure what to do now. At this point I really want to just reverse what I did and go from there.

     

    Any assistance is greatly appreciated.  I am not too tech savvy.

     

    Thanks,

    Scott

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Feb 25, 2016 9:38 AM in response to scottr1966
    Level 10 (86,976 points)
    Apple TV
    Feb 25, 2016 9:38 AM in response to scottr1966

    Please post back the following details:

    1. The location of the media folder under Edit > Preferences > Advanced
    2. The location of a sample missing track shown under Get Info > File > Location that begins file://localhost/
    3. The true path to the file whose details you gave in 2.

     

    tt2

  • by scottr1966,

    scottr1966 scottr1966 Feb 25, 2016 9:46 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 25, 2016 9:46 AM in response to turingtest2

    Will do ASAP

     

    Thanks!

  • by Markie.Fontanoza,

    Markie.Fontanoza Markie.Fontanoza Feb 25, 2016 9:52 AM in response to scottr1966
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 25, 2016 9:52 AM in response to scottr1966

    I'm thinking that you have accidentally moved your files to your external hard drive Instead of that you intended, just copying them.

     

    You maybe able to reverse this by doing "Control C"  on the selected files or folder that's on your external hard drive, then paste it on the directory or folder where your files originally were placed. This way, you can actually "copy" the files and not "move" it.

  • by scottr1966,

    scottr1966 scottr1966 Feb 25, 2016 3:22 PM in response to Markie.Fontanoza
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 25, 2016 3:22 PM in response to Markie.Fontanoza

    I really appreciate the help! I tried to copy and paste and I get the same message that I don't have enough space.

     

    1. Location of media folder: C:\Users\Scott\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media

    2. file://localhost/C:/Users/Scott/Music/iTunes/iTunes Media/Music/Grateful Dead/1971-12-04 Felt Forum MSG (SBD)/09 Me & Bobby McGee.m4a

    3. I'm sorry I'm not sure I'm following you here. Can you please walk me thru this part? Or maybe I do understand. I found the missing track here...

     

     

    C:\Users\Scott\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\iTunes Music\Grateful Dead\1971-12-04 Felt Forum MSG (SBD)

     

    Now what?

  • by turingtest2,Solvedanswer

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Feb 25, 2016 4:13 PM in response to scottr1966
    Level 10 (86,976 points)
    Apple TV
    Feb 25, 2016 4:13 PM in response to scottr1966

    Take a look at the images of the old and new folder structures as shown in Make a split library portable.

     

    Your library appears to be in the old layout, but iTunes is now looking for it in the new one. Can your double check your result for 3? That says that you've put the old style iTunes Music folder inside iTunes Media whereas if your library had been in the old shape then if should be directly inside iTunes.

     

    At this stage I'd be tempted to move forwards rather than backwards. Assuming the path you've given is correct, rename the folder iTunes Music as Music then start iTunes. It should be able to play your music,There might be some other adjustments needed for other media kinds, e.g. if you have a Movies folder inside Music it will want moving up into iTunes Media.

     

    tt2

  • by scottr1966,

    scottr1966 scottr1966 Feb 25, 2016 8:20 PM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 25, 2016 8:20 PM in response to turingtest2

    Thanks tt2 I appreciate all your help. I will revisit the issue tomorrow.

  • by scottr1966,

    scottr1966 scottr1966 Feb 26, 2016 9:08 AM in response to scottr1966
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 26, 2016 9:08 AM in response to scottr1966

    I changed the name like you said and it worked!!! I don't have movies in the library, only music. Thank you so much for helping me to resolve this! The file path now looks like this...

     

    C:\Users\Scott\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media\Music\Grateful Dead\1971-12-04 Felt Forum MSG (SBD)\09 Me & Bobby McGee.m4a

     

    Okay now maybe a dumb question...This means that my iTunes library is located on my C drive just like it should be, correct? It also means that this same library is copied to my external J drive, right? When I now import music to iTunes, it will be stored on the C drive as normal, right?

     

    As for the J drive which is now to full capacity, do you recommend another way to back up my iTunes library. I do have a 2nd external which I could use to store the remaining data and any future data but what are your thoughts on this? I'm not really too crazy about loading these drives up with the iTunes library. I would prefer to use them to store the raw music data files such as SHN's and FLAC's and perhaps back up my iTunes library a different way...maybe to the cloud?

     

    Thank you again for taking the time to help me!

     

    Scott

Page 1 Next