mromcolt

Q: "semi transparent files"

Some time ago, I copied my iTunes files to a external hard disk, as a back-up

Now I want to restore my iTunes on my MacBook, but the iTunes map on the external hard-disk is semi transparent and does not react at all, is not accessible.

The iTunes map, on the hard-disk, however is operational since I use this for my Sonos system.

How can I reach my iTunes system again and recover it on my MacBook?

iMac, iOS 5.0.1

Posted on Sep 4, 2016 11:46 AM

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Q: "semi transparent files"

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  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Sep 4, 2016 1:24 PM in response to mromcolt
    Level 8 (38,166 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 4, 2016 1:24 PM in response to mromcolt

    What does the word "map" mean in this context?  Do you mean iTunes folder?

     

    Are other files and folders on the external drive accessible from the MacBook?

  • by mromcolt,

    mromcolt mromcolt Sep 4, 2016 2:32 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 4, 2016 2:32 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Yes, correct, folder. The other folders and files are accessible, no problems at all. It is the iTunes folder (map) only.

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Sep 4, 2016 2:43 PM in response to mromcolt
    Level 8 (38,166 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 4, 2016 2:43 PM in response to mromcolt

    The "external drive" is directly connected to the MacBook, correct?  It's not a network drive?

     

    Based on your info, the only thing I can think of is the Sonos system affecting access.  What happens if you turn OFF the Sonos system?  You may want to restart the MacBook too.

  • by mromcolt,

    mromcolt mromcolt Sep 4, 2016 10:55 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 4, 2016 10:55 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

    Hi Kenichi,

    The external drive is part of the network (it is an SDD drive for long life and faster response)

    Restarts or turning off the Sonos system does not help.

    In the recent past I could easily access and copy the iTunes folder. But by an unknown reason the folder is no longer accessible and semi-transparent.

    I make one try now to connect the external drive direct to my MacBook and see what happens.

    But then of my questions remains, what causes a folder to become semi-transparent and no longer accessible.

  • by Kenichi Watanabe,

    Kenichi Watanabe Kenichi Watanabe Sep 4, 2016 11:28 PM in response to mromcolt
    Level 8 (38,166 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 4, 2016 11:28 PM in response to mromcolt

    The higher data-access speed of an SSD is probably not that beneficial as a standalone network drive, where the bottleneck is usually the network connection speed, not the pure speed of the drive. 

     

    Since it's connected over the network, there may be a user permissions issue, which is controlled by the method that is used to connect the external drive to your network.  If it's an "NAS" device that has its own built-in network interface (it's not a regular "dumb" external drive connected to something else), you may have installed third-party system extension software on your Mac in the past that allows the Mac to access and control it over the network.  If you know of such software, there may be settings that affect user permissions.

     

    Also, if it's a stand-alone NAS device, try powering it OFF and then back ON.  Also, check to see if the manufacturer has posted any updates to related software.

     

    Connecting it directly is a good idea.  Also, a direct connection over USB should make transferring the iTunes folder to your Mac a lot faster.