Copying library.iml file.

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Level 1

4 points

Copying library.iml file.

I copied all of my itunes files to an external hard drive from my old hp desktop. I also copied the library.iml file. When i try to access that file from my new macbook. I get that it is a locked file, so when i look at the properties, it is marked as a read only. However when i check the properties of the file on the external hard disk, it is not marked as a read only. So my question is why is the mac reading it as a read only, and therefore i cannot access my library from my external hard drive.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Sep 29, 2009 6:40 AM

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Answer 1

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Sep 29, 2009 7:43 AM in response to aggieljh

When i try to access that file from my new macbook. I get that it is a locked file, so when i look at the properties, it is marked as a read only. However when i check the properties of the file on the external hard disk, it is not marked as a read only.

I don't understand.
When you look at it it's Locked/Read Only but when you look at it, it's not *Locked/Read Only*...
???
*Read Only* & Locked are the same thing.
If this is an NTFS formatted drive, Mac OS cannot write to it so all files will nbe "locked".

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Answer 2

aggieljh Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 29, 2009 8:13 AM in response to Chris CA

if i look at the file from the old computer, it is not marked as a read only. when i look at the file on the external (even on the mac) it is not marked as read only, it only shows it to be locked when i try to access it through itunes on the mac.

i could go through each song, and manually click on it, and it will add to the harddrive on the mac, however i would prefer to leave all of the music on the external hard drive.

it can access all of the music, but i am just having trouble with the library.iml file.

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Answer 3

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Sep 29, 2009 9:43 AM in response to aggieljh

I just looked at the specs from my portable hard drive...it is pc compatible only

Since it works, it works.
Does it state, "*pc compatible only and not Mac compatible*" or does it simply not list Mac?
As previously stated, likely it is just formatted NTFS.
If you format it FAT32, you can use it fine. If you do not use it with a Windows PC at all, simply format it HFS+.

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Answer 4

aggieljh Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 29, 2009 11:46 AM in response to Chris CA

ok...i will try to reformat the harddrive when i get home today.

once i have consolidated my library, all i need to do is to copy the library.iml file, to the external hard drive as well....and then just start itunes holding down the command button, and then select the library.iml file?

just wanted to make sure i was doing it right....i am new the the mac world.

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Answer 5

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Sep 29, 2009 2:57 PM in response to aggieljh

ok...i will try to reformat the harddrive when i get home today.

Note if you format the drive, it will remove EVERYTHING in that drive.
Make sure you backup anything on it you want before you format.

all i need to do is to copy the library.iml file, to the external hard drive as well

No. You need to copy the entire \Music\iTunes\ folder.
Also, the iTunes library.itl file is the important file
There is no .iml file. There is a .xml and a .itl.

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Answer 6

aggieljh Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 29, 2009 8:22 AM in response to aggieljh

I just looked at the specs from my portable hard drive...it is pc compatible only....so if i get a different seagate that is pc/mac compatible, then my problem should go away...correct?

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