dwb wrote:
Just changing the library's location in the preferences isn't enough. That just tells iTunes where to put the new songs, it doesn't tell iTunes where are the old songs are. Yes what I told you to do will restore the link to the songs on the external drive. I told you to unchec the option of copyying songs when adding to the library. That will prevent duplicates.
A) I too, have many files and wouldn't want to duplicate so many files, but I did NOT see where dwb wrote to uncheck the option of copying songs when adding to the library, that will prevent duplicates. I read the instruction very carefully over and over as to not make the same mistake:
dwb wrote:
1) start iTunes and select Preferences under the iTunes menu
2) click on the Change button and navigate to the folder on your external drive that has your music. (This tells iTunes where to find your music from now on)
3) Click off the checkmarks on Keep iTunes Organized and Copy files to iTunes (after the next step you'll want to return to the Preferences and click the checkmarks back on
4) Click on the OK button.
5) Go up to the File menu, select Add to Library, navigate to the external hard drive again and click ok. iTunes is now finding all the music on your drive and adding it to the library.
6) When it is finished return to the Preferences and click on the two checkmarks mentioned in step 3.
B) if i'm reading this correctly... I see where the confusion might be? I do understand what dwb really means, however, Technically the instructions actually state to leave a check mark on Keep iTunes Organized and Copy files to iTunes before completing step 5).
If I read this carefully, after step 1 & 2)
Then read step 3)Click off the checkmarks... (and after next step...return to Preferences...)
The next step is 4) Click the Ok button...
So, after step 4) Go back to instructions in parenthesis from step 3)...
(you'll want to return to Preferences and click the checkmarks back on...)? UH?
Meaning do this before step 5)?
Then do step 5),
Then step 6) Returning to Preferences and click the two... in step 3).
Technically checking them back off at this point does seem confusing to me?
Am I reading incorrectly?
C) It seems as though it would explain the cause for his duplications, if he left a check mark in the box for Copy files to iTunes, while iTunes finds all the music on his external hard drive and adds it to the library, the new songs are the same as his old songs, creating the multiples? Or am I misunderstanding? Can you undo the action through Time Machine or iTunes? Or can you delete the iTunes folder in one step and follow the directions again, except this time disregard the instructions in parenthesis in step 3) until step 6) and only leave a check in the 2 boxes in iTunes Preferences after step 5) instead of step 4) is complete, like step 6) intended so to start copying files to iTunes from that point on?
I'm only asking because I need clarification, like I mentioned in A) above. I mean no offense, just incase I do?
I'm about to upgrade from Snow Leopard to Mac OS X Lion (10.7.4)
Thanks,
Jenn