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iTunes pause button becomes stop button when importing music

If I have some MP3 files on my computer that have not been imported into iTunes and I import them by selecting them and opening them (thereby opening iTunes, copying the files to the Music folder, and adding it to the library), I noticed that the pause button becomes a stop button when it automatically starts playing a track. If I click the stop button, it stops playing the track, and when I click play again, it is not a pause button.


Why does it change to a stop button in the first place? What is the reasoning for this?

iMac (27-inch Mid 2011), Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Mar 14, 2012 12:43 PM

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19 replies

Mar 14, 2012 2:11 PM in response to sanjampet

That was one of my first thoughts, but it remains a stop button long after the import is finished. Not to mention that having the playback buttons be used to control the import process would be confusing for most people. Given Apple's attention to detail (usually), I would expect that they would want the playback controls to be for playback only.

Mar 14, 2012 2:19 PM in response to sanjampet

Your suggestions imply that my iTunes is exhibiting non-standard behavior. When you import music into iTunes does your play/pause button not turn into a stop button?


I'm also confused as to why you think a SMC reset would fix anything in this situation. The SMC controller manages power to the system, so I am unclear as to how that would solve an issue with iTunes' software.

Mar 14, 2012 2:32 PM in response to mrbofus

I am importing right now and my space bar des nothing to iterup the import, system managment control, maybe something was weirded out and I know that could not cause any harm, just in case something was creating a electrical "thread" or something, might as well try a pram reset as well, you caught me on my way out the door,to get groceries. I'll check around more when I get back. This is unusual, maybe something weird is going on with iTunes. If you happen into something let me know, I gotta run right now.

Mar 14, 2012 3:19 PM in response to sanjampet

Hi there,


i'm back, try just dragging them to your desktop, or downloading to your desktop, then dragging them into your music page, instead of importing them.


I had to hunt around my library for a mp3, most of my stuff is ac, aiff, wav, as alot comes from people work purposes, and I occasionally get a mp3 on a stick. I just drag it in as opposed to importing. When I'm importing a CD though my play, and all that stuff is greyed out and has no effect. I've never try to import, just drag and drop from the desktop. your profile say your running a iMac 10.6.8, I'm running a macbookpro 10.6.8, so I would think the builds can't be that different. Maybe when importing the buttons are escape route?


All the best and like I said if you find a better way I'm all ears.



Maybe someone else has a better answer, as I've only been here a month or so, and I'm not a geek, just unemployed and 7 more weeks of classes till it's job hunting time🙂

Mar 15, 2012 10:50 AM in response to sanjampet

@sanjampet:


I think you are misinterpreting the purpose of my question. My issue isn't with the actual importing of music. The music gets imported just fine. My question is simply about why the iTunes play/pause button turns into a stop button when importing the music the way I outlined in my very first post.


I appreciate you outlining various options, but that wasn't my question in the first place. So, once again, when you import MP3 files the way I outlined in my first post, does your play/pause button turn into a stop button?

Mar 15, 2012 11:52 AM in response to mrbofus

I don't seem to have that problem, I just drag and drop, I tried pushing the button, while I was trying to import mp3, all buttons were greyed out, space bar did nothing. Like I said before I always go to the desktop then drag and drop. Maybe it's the build you have, I know my Garage band songs go to a different place then most peoples.


I wish I had an answer for you, I really do. The only import I have in iTunes is under file>import playlist, or add to library.


Maybe you might be able to find something at the Apple site under support.


I can not reproduce this issue.


I'm sorry I can't help, as I can not reproduce this issue.


Just try the drag and drop thing, always worked for me.

Mar 15, 2012 4:18 PM in response to sanjampet

Once again, I don't think you understand my question. My question does NOT have to do with whether or not songs import. My question has to do with what happens with the play/pause button when songs are imported by selecting them in the Finder and then opening them, which opens iTunes automatically and starts the import process.


So my question to you, again, is: when you select MP3 files in the Finder and open them, which should cause iTunes to open and start copying the files, what happens to your play/pause button? Have you actually tried this? You keep saying you can't reproduce this issue, but it doesn't seem like you've actually tried to reproduce this issue. You keep mentioning trying everything except opening the MP3 files from the Finder.

Mar 15, 2012 5:24 PM in response to mrbofus

I don't use the finder to import songs, I am not trying to give you a run around, or maybe I'm just not getting the question right.

Let me ask you some questions, so as to help clarify things.


Are you downloading from a website? Are you importing from a memory stick?

Are you getting them elsewhere? If so, where? Are you importing from a CD? Are you importing from another computer? Are you importing from a phone? I am just trying to help figure this out.


Have tou tried a permissions repair?


Sorry for the delay, kids are driving me nuts!


ANd no offense, they come before all.

Mar 15, 2012 9:24 PM in response to sanjampet

For the third time, I don't think you are understanding my question. My question is about the behavior of the play/pause button when songs are imported by opening them from the Finder. That is it. It doesn't matter where the songs came from, it doesn't matter that there are other ways of importing songs. My one and only question is about this one particular method and the behavior of the play/pause button.


I do not understand why you are asking all these other questions. I do NOT have any issues importing the songs. So please stop trying to solve a problem that I am not asking a question about.


Once again, my one and ONLY question is about the behavior of the play/pause button when songs are imported by opening them in the Finder.

iTunes pause button becomes stop button when importing music

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