JohnTheMacGeek
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Wrong iTunes Library Path

I am having trouble with my iTunes library. I store my library on an external FW800 drive because my mid-2007 iMac's 250GB is nowhere near enough space. I also have a USB drive that Carbon Copy Cloner clones to every night. In the iTunes settings, it shows the correct path for my library, however, if I peek at any media file's "Get Info" window within iTunes, it shows the path to my USB clone. I only noticed this because I was watching a movie earlier and noticed the USB drive blinking away more than normal. So how do I get iTunes to actually use the correct drive?

iMac (20-inch Mid 2007), Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Jul 5, 2012 6:25 PM

by Limnos,Solvedanswer
Limnos Limnos
Level 9 (54,642 points)
Mac OS X
A:

When you change the preference settings to a new media location it does hte following. 1) It stores any new media in the new location. 2) It asks if you want to move media from the old media location to the new location.  I don't know how you replied when you asked it to do this but you may find it is now using some media on the USB drive 9as you say it is doing in the path description) and some on the FW drive (as it is now configured to do).  You need to consolidate the collection so it is all on the FW drive.

 

iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1449

 

How to Consolidate Your iTunes Library and Keep It Organized - http://www.switched.com/2010/11/02/itunes-consolidate-library-keep-organized/

 

In future, do not move a library with preferences.

 

iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527

 

Quick answer if you let iTunes manage your music and use default preferences settings:  Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive.  Start iTunes with the option (shift on Windows) key held down and guide it to the new location of the library.

Posted on Jul 6, 2012 8:26 AM

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JohnTheMacGeek

Q: Wrong iTunes Library Path

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Jul 5, 2012 8:50 PM in response to JohnTheMacGeek
    Level 9 (54,642 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 5, 2012 8:50 PM in response to JohnTheMacGeek

    Where do you keep the actual library file?  You say "it" shows the correct path the the library, but where are you seeing this? You are not confusing this with the path to the media folder in preferences?  I am just concerned that if you do keep your library on your external drive (and by library I mean the library.itl file) redirecting iTunes to use it may result in you using an outdated file.

     

    You hold down the option key while starting iTunes to tell it which library file it should use.

  • by JohnTheMacGeek,

    JohnTheMacGeek JohnTheMacGeek Jul 6, 2012 6:35 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 6, 2012 6:35 AM in response to Limnos

    When I said my library, I was referring to the actualy media files. They are ont he FW800 drive. The "library.itl" file is located on the internal drive, in "/users/[MY ACCOUNT]/Music/iTunes".

  • by Limnos,Solvedanswer

    Limnos Limnos Jul 6, 2012 8:26 AM in response to JohnTheMacGeek
    Level 9 (54,642 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 6, 2012 8:26 AM in response to JohnTheMacGeek

    When you change the preference settings to a new media location it does hte following. 1) It stores any new media in the new location. 2) It asks if you want to move media from the old media location to the new location.  I don't know how you replied when you asked it to do this but you may find it is now using some media on the USB drive 9as you say it is doing in the path description) and some on the FW drive (as it is now configured to do).  You need to consolidate the collection so it is all on the FW drive.

     

    iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1449

     

    How to Consolidate Your iTunes Library and Keep It Organized - http://www.switched.com/2010/11/02/itunes-consolidate-library-keep-organized/

     

    In future, do not move a library with preferences.

     

    iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527

     

    Quick answer if you let iTunes manage your music and use default preferences settings:  Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive.  Start iTunes with the option (shift on Windows) key held down and guide it to the new location of the library.

  • by JohnTheMacGeek,

    JohnTheMacGeek JohnTheMacGeek Jul 6, 2012 9:50 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 6, 2012 9:50 AM in response to Limnos

    Executing the consolidation procedure now. With 674GB of media files, it seems to take a while. I'll report back when the results.

  • by JohnTheMacGeek,

    JohnTheMacGeek JohnTheMacGeek Jul 6, 2012 6:39 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 6, 2012 6:39 PM in response to Limnos

    This solved my problem! Thanks so much!