Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

> Learn more

> Add to your calendar 

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: Knewt
Knewt Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

"Copying Music Failed - File name invalid or too long." HELP!

I desperately need to consolidate my music before my computer says goodbye for all eternity. It seems I can't consolidate my music because apparently, the file name is too long or invalid. I even got this program that was supposed to help me seek out the ones with too long file names. So I deleted those songs and it still won't work. And after I got the new iTunes the other day, I set it to add all new songs automatically into the iTunes Music Folder. However, it seems my iTunes is a little screwed up, because whenever I add a song with a long file name, it automatically shortens it down. For example if I add a song with the named "20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Ooo, Baby Baby", which is obviously a very long name, it will shorten it down to about the first 4 or 5 words. I naturally shorten it down to just "Ooo, Baby Baby" myself, but I'm thinkin this whole error may have something to do with the fact that the library won't consolidate.

I'm in desperate need of help here - come to my rescue, please!

HP Pavillion w5000, Windows XP

Posted on Sep 13, 2008 9:33 AM

Reply
9 replies
User profile for user: Katrina S.
Katrina S.
User level: Level 7
24,131 points

Sep 13, 2008 6:53 PM in response to Knewt

Well, aren't you lucky I signed in tonight? Sometimes you just have to be patient and wait until a person who might know an answer shows up.


I have had problems with Consolidate too, and getting that stupid error message when the file name was not too long.


The consolidate function starts copying things over by Date Added, with the older ones getting copied first. First in, first out.



What I finally had to do was look in Windows Explorer for the target (new) drive and see the last file that was successfully copied. Let's call it Carole King.
Then I went into iTunes and sorted by Date Added to see the file just AFTER the Carole King file. In my case, it was La Bohème and iTunes had filed it in the Compilations folder. I selected all the tracks and unchecked the Compilations box. This made iTunes move it out of the Compilations folder



The Consolidate worked after I moved that file.
Reply
User profile for user: Katrina S.
Katrina S.
User level: Level 7
24,131 points

Sep 14, 2008 11:38 AM in response to Knewt

Well, I don't know how to figure it out if you're using an existng folder.You might have to move it to a new folder just to find the problem file.



You set the target drive as explained here
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1364
The "Change Music Folder Location" - second step #5.


Also they have changed it in iTunes v8 - the consolidate function is now
Choose File > Library > Consolidate Library.
Reply
User profile for user: Knewt
Knewt Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Sep 15, 2008 6:11 AM in response to Katrina S.

YAY! I figured it out thanks yo your help =)
What I had to do in the end, was that I consolidated the library to an external drive, deleted the current library on my computer, and then moved the new music folder back onto where it used to be. And unlike before, I now have all my music placed in ONE folder, just like I wanted. I can't thank you enough, really.
And the best part is, it went so smoothly, all the data on the music is intact(play count,equalizer presets etc.)! So again, thanks!
Reply

"Copying Music Failed - File name invalid or too long." HELP!

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.
Learn more Sign up