copying iTunes to external hard drive

Question

copying iTunes to external hard drive

Thanks to Zevoneer for posting the Apple link to do this in another thread

From the Apple support link could someone clarify what this means:

+"Note: After you click OK, iTunes copies any music files that weren't in the iTunes Music folder, and places the copies in the folder. The original files are left in their original locations. To save space on your hard disk, you might want to delete the original files."+

Does this mean if I delete the original files I will no longer have my current iTunes library (music, movies etc) on my MacBook Pro? I have no wish to do this as I am seeking to simply make a back-up copy of my growing iTunes library.

Thanks in advance for any help with this.

Gerard

MBP 2.5GHz, Mac OS X (10.6.2), 4GB

Posted on Jan 16, 2010 8:17 AM

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Answer 1

Jolly Giant

Level 7

25,464 points

Jan 16, 2010 8:29 AM in response to gerard morgan

hi gerard,

do you refer to this KB ?

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Answer 2

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Jan 16, 2010 8:40 AM in response to gerard morgan

If you add files to iTunes then will be copied into the iTunes music folder.
Then you can delete the original files you selected to add to iTunes. The original files are not in iTunes. A copy was made.

Does this mean if I delete the original files I will no longer have my current iTunes library (music, movies etc) on my MacBook Pro?

??? No where did it suggest to delete anything in the iTunes music folder or the iTunes library.
Say you have some files stored somewhere, such as in a folder on the desktop.
Then you open iTunes and add these files. iTunes will copy these files to the iTunes music folder.
You can delete the files in the folder on the desktop. You will still have the songs in iTunes and in the iTunes music folder.

If you wish to make a copy of your iTunes library, then you can use File -> Backup iTunes or better yet, copy the entire \Music\iTunes\ folder to another drive.

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Answer 3

Jan 18, 2010 3:25 AM in response to gerard morgan

Hi Jolly Giant, Chris

Thanks for the responses

Jolly Giant - the link was indeed the apple support document HT1751

The step I was not sure about was in relation to the part that said +"To save space on your hard disk, you might want to delete the original files"+

I went through the steps as outlined in the article, did not delete anything and everything seems to have worked fine. iTtunes library on my MacBook Pro continues to function as before and my iPod Touch continues to sync without issue.

Thanks to you both for giving your time with this

Gerard

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Answer 4

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Jan 18, 2010 8:34 AM in response to gerard morgan

I went through the steps as outlined in the article, did not delete anything and everything seems to have worked fine.

Yes, it will work fine.
However, since you did not delete the originals, which are no longer being used, they will simply take up space on your HD.

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Answer 5

Jan 19, 2010 3:56 AM in response to gerard morgan

I'll be keeping the library on my MacBook Pro as this is the one I use due to portability. The external copy was just to have another back-up copy given the length of time I spent importing 11000+ songs and 300+ movies - a task which I hope I never have to repeat!

All the best

Gerard

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Answer 6

Mar 24, 2010 2:25 AM in response to gerard morgan

i tried the same thing, i have a very large music library and need to back it up. SOO i went the the apple "non" help section, found the official apple instruction to which the reply i got was " copy attempt failed you are not authorised" i'm the only one on this comp,its my portable recording DAW, ***.
Why does it seem that all this technical software has half-a$$ed support.
Its like if you ask a simple question you get the most a$$backward way of dealing with it.

EXAMPLE: If you were to ask " how do you mow the lawn"
APPLE HELP reply: "0 matches" whats a lawn anyway?
APPLE Forum tech support : We have the most technically advanced advanced machines on the market,its fast and simple, so heres the answer to your quesiton " you grab a pair of scissors and get to work"

Gee thanks guys......

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