annirooni

Q: Transferring iTunes from external HD

I transferred my iTunes library to an external hard drive (Seagate).  I'd like to transfer some CDs back to laptop so that I can re-do tunes on one of my iPods.  There is no option to "send to" iTunes from the external hard drive.  I've tried several times and failed.  I can listen to the music stored on the external HD but plays through something other than iTunes.  I installed Win 10 (big mistake but too late now) so I assume it's playing through their music app.  I also tried to send to Bluetooth device from external HD but that didn't work either.

 

I intend replacing my Samsung laptop with hopefully a Macbook Pro in the not too distant future but for the moment I'd like someone to tell me if it's possible to transfer iTunes back from external HD to my existing laptop.  It's driving me mad not least because as you'll probably have guessed I'm a bit of a technophobe.

 

Thanks in advance.

iPod touch

Posted on Jul 2, 2016 12:52 AM

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Q: Transferring iTunes from external HD

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  • by turingtest2,Solvedanswer

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Jul 2, 2016 4:30 AM in response to annirooni
    Level 10 (85,103 points)
    iTunes
    Jul 2, 2016 4:30 AM in response to annirooni

    An iTunes library is an index of the media stored on your computer that has been added to the library. iTunes only needs to know where the files are in order to transfer them to your device. If the albums in question are not listed in your library then use the menu File > Add Folder to Library to add them, then either drag them to the device if manually manged, or adjust sync settings as required and sync.

     

    See Make a split library portable for some general background on iTunes library layout. Depending on exactly what you copied from where to where, and what you currently see listed, you may want to shift-start-iTunes and open the database stored on the external drive, or perhaps copy the entire iTunes folder from the external to the internal, or you may want to create a portable library from scratch on the external if it only has your media.

     

    tt2

  • by annirooni,

    annirooni annirooni Jul 2, 2016 4:29 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPod
    Jul 2, 2016 4:29 AM in response to turingtest2

    Thank you very much for your response.  I have been able to transfer iTunes library back onto laptop - weyhey - only took a few attempts.  However now my iPod touch won't sync.  Keeps coming up with a box saying that my computer isn't authorised and then when I put my details in and then try it says it's authorised.  However every time I try syncing it comes up not authorised even though it is arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

  • by annirooni,

    annirooni annirooni Jul 2, 2016 6:00 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPod
    Jul 2, 2016 6:00 AM in response to turingtest2

    I've authorised/de-authorised and then re-authorised - still won't work.  Keeps coming up as authorised but then when I try to sync says I'm not.  When I check my purchases in iTunes store, recent purchases, well I say recent but the last albums I bought don't appear.

    Wondering if it's something to do with Windows10 or a recent Apple update?

    Thanks for your patience.

  • by annirooni,

    annirooni annirooni Jul 2, 2016 6:53 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPod
    Jul 2, 2016 6:53 AM in response to turingtest2

    Did all the steps and there is no SC info folder.

    I notice on my iPod that it has the old email address showing - would this make a difference?  I doubt it as iTunes is recognising me by my new email address.  Arghhhhhh

    I tried unchecking everything and tried syncing total library - the iPod had a moving circle at the top so there is a connection but even though it seemed to go through the motions no other music was added and none of the old stuff was removed.

    Thanks again.

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Jul 2, 2016 6:58 AM in response to annirooni
    Level 10 (85,103 points)
    iTunes
    Jul 2, 2016 6:58 AM in response to annirooni

    If you have more than one Apple ID you will need to authorize the computer for each of them.

     

    Check your sync selections to make sure something needs to change. iTunes may have defaulted to manually manage.

     

    tt2

  • by annirooni,

    annirooni annirooni Jul 2, 2016 8:28 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPod
    Jul 2, 2016 8:28 AM in response to turingtest2

    I have changed the password for the original email address.  At one point I was able to remove some of the albums when unchecking the boxes and syncing.  6 albums that I purchased using the iPod were still on so I swiped each and got rid of them.  I then went back in and ticked the boxes for all the albums I wanted to put on iPod and clicked sync.  It's not putting on what I ticked but just keeps putting back on the albums that I'd removed.  When doing it I'm not now getting boxes saying the computer isn't authorised which is a bonus but it's just not adding new albums selected.

     

    Makes me doubt whether I should be forking out money on a Macbook Pro if it's going to be this difficult to do tasks that once were so simple.  I have a Classic iPod that has all my albums on with over half the 120GB still left to fill - doubt I'll be trying to add to that if this is the carry on I have each time - it used to be so easy.

     

    Still wondering if it's something to do with Win10.

     

    Again thanks for your advice but in order to remain sane I'm giving it a rest until tomorrow - can't believe I've spent almost a day trying to sort it - be lucky if I don't end up with a DVT

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Jul 2, 2016 8:32 AM in response to annirooni
    Level 10 (85,103 points)
    iTunes
    Jul 2, 2016 8:32 AM in response to annirooni

    When syncing isn't working properly the following steps should help, assuming all of the content you want is in your library.

    (If it isn't see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device first.)

     

    1. Backup device.
    2. Restore as a new device.
    3. Restore the backup you made earlier.

     

    tt2

  • by annirooni,

    annirooni annirooni Jul 2, 2016 9:20 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPod
    Jul 2, 2016 9:20 AM in response to turingtest2

    Thanks I'll have a go tomorrow.  Times like this I feel like having a drink but sadly I let my fellow Scots down on that score - can't hold it, ha............

    Will let you know how it goes tomorrow.

    Enjoy your evening.

    Cheers

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Jul 2, 2016 9:28 AM in response to annirooni
    Level 10 (85,103 points)
    iTunes
    Jul 2, 2016 9:28 AM in response to annirooni

    You're welcome. Best of luck.

     

    tt2

  • by annirooni,

    annirooni annirooni Jul 14, 2016 1:18 AM in response to turingtest2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPod
    Jul 14, 2016 1:18 AM in response to turingtest2

    Okay back again.  Decided to try deleting music and adding specified tracks/artists to an old 8gb iPod.  Didn't work.  Managed to get music off by doing restore but for whatever reason it shows that I have chosen enough tracks/albums to fill in the sync page but when I try syncing it only accepts a few tracks.  Then I ticked box with fill with music from library - still not accepting.  It's driving me mad that I can't choose what I want to put on any of my iPods.

     

    This has only happened since I upgraded to Windows10 - biggest mistake 'cos this isn't the only problem I've had with it.

     

    I've read that removing iTunes and everything associated with iTunes then re-installing iTunes will help but am reluctant to do this incase it causes further problems.

     

    Any further advice welcome.

  • by turingtest2,

    turingtest2 turingtest2 Jul 16, 2016 5:21 AM in response to annirooni
    Level 10 (85,103 points)
    iTunes
    Jul 16, 2016 5:21 AM in response to annirooni

    When you look at the device's summary tab does it show free space or a big chunk marked as Other?

     

    tt2