Importing Itunes from my external hard drive

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Importing Itunes from my external hard drive

I had a Macbook with my itunes music on it. Unfortunately, it was owned by my employers, so I had to return it when I changed jobs. I put all of my music files onto an external hard drive. I got my new Dell computer 😟 and am trying to import my music from my external hard drive to my new dell. The message reads that "The song cannot be used because the original file can't be found. Would you like to find it?" Interestingly, the music plays when my external hard drive is plugged in. Can anyone help me? My music is all legit....no illegal downloads....its all from my own cd library or itunes. I am so frustrated

dell latitude D610, Windows XP

Posted on Aug 19, 2008 6:11 AM

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Answer 1

polydorus

Level 6

11,967 points

Aug 19, 2008 6:24 AM in response to jkdcycski59

It appears that you did not have "Copy to iTunes Music folder when adding to library" checked in Edit>>Preferences>>Advanced>>General when you added the tracks to your library.

(It might as well to look and see how you have this set).

So the library just contains a pointer to the external drive - so the tracks can only be found if the drive is pugged in.

If I have guessed right, consolidating your library will copy the files across into your iTunes Music folder. But be aware that it will do the same thing to any other music in your library but not in the iTunes Music folder.

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Answer 2

jkdcycski59 Author

Level 1

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Aug 19, 2008 10:24 AM in response to polydorus

Thanks for your help! It worked!!

I had to erase my files that did not work first, but its now working!

Thanks again,

jkdcycski59

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Answer 3

Aug 22, 2008 8:21 AM in response to polydorus

Hi, i have the same problem and you seemed to have helped the person below me. Could you kindly be more specific on what needs to be done in order to import? I already set the "Copy to iTunes Music Folder when adding to library" checked off. But then after that do you just drag and drop the whole music file from the ex hd folder into itunes? or do you go on Itunes: file/add folder to library? or itunes: file/import? Thanks for your help!

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Answer 4

Aug 22, 2008 9:38 AM in response to skylancer2k4

I have a similar problem...I had to format my HD, and lost my itune Library....Still have the music files on an External.
In the process of "Enabling Disc Use" I erased my Ipod. Can I import the music files from the external, safely, and re-store the library listings?
Thanks in advance....I don't want to erase those files too!!

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