Alan Mulkern

Q: Migrating iTunes Library to external drive

I have been trying to migrate my iTunes library to my 'WD My Book Live' on my network.

 

I followed the instructions here http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1449?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

 

But 2 things are happening.

 

1.     I cannot delete my original library. I pull it to trash but then when I start itunes its back again albeit very small

2.     When I check my preferences to see where the directory is its on my NAS but in iTunes im prompted to download all my items from the cloud -

3.     The iTunes library on my NAS is 26 Gb  - so wheres my stuff if I'm being prompted to download it all?

 

Take into consideration that my library is 26Gb  and i've been waiting for about 12 hours for this to compete I assumed all my items would have copied accross.

 

Where are they why am I being asked to download them again (26Gb is a **** of a lot)

 

Any help or guidance would be greast  - but I'm scratching my head as this should really be a seamless process either:

 

Copy everything - job done

or create a new structure and then download everything from the cloud

 

Please help.... normally Apple stuff is so simple!!!!

MacBook Air

Posted on Nov 8, 2013 10:42 PM

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Q: Migrating iTunes Library to external drive

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  • by Alan Mulkern,

    Alan Mulkern Alan Mulkern Nov 8, 2013 11:56 PM in response to Alan Mulkern
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 8, 2013 11:56 PM in response to Alan Mulkern

    2 additional points

     

    I have checked the directory structure and all my songs are there - why am I being asked to download?

    I have tried downloading a single song from iCloud - and it has the effect of doubling up the songs in the directory at 26 Gb i dont want to have ot have a structure totalling 52Gb in order to listen to songs....

     

    Can anyone offer any advice?

     

    Thanks

  • by Timbuktu,

    Timbuktu Timbuktu Nov 9, 2013 12:49 AM in response to Alan Mulkern
    Level 3 (699 points)
    Nov 9, 2013 12:49 AM in response to Alan Mulkern

    I need some clarification to see what you have done so far: the only item you should delete is your iTunes Media folder within the iTunes folder that holds all your music, movies, podcasts, etc. Do not delete your iTunes Library files.

     

    If you follow the directions you'll end up with a new iTunes Media folder holding all your audio, video, podcasts etc. on your NAS, your iTunes Library files will still reside in your home folder.  Ensure that the location of your media under iTunes Preferences/Advanced is set to your new NAS location. If you don't want to keep your media locally, delete it from your home folder. Once you select the iTunes Library on the NAS, it will always open the last selected location unless you option open and select another one.

     

    When you talk about directory structure, I assume you use the Finder to see if your media files are physically at the new location organized by iTunes.

     

    There are some NAS issues that seem very common, mainly to make sure it is mounted BEFORE starting iTunes.

  • by Alan Mulkern,

    Alan Mulkern Alan Mulkern Nov 9, 2013 12:55 AM in response to Timbuktu
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 9, 2013 12:55 AM in response to Timbuktu

    Thanks for the reply.

     

    Ok - it seems like I've done it wrong then...... 

     

    what is the best way of reinitialising everything.....

     

    I want to:

    1.     delete everyhting

    2.     re-install iTunes completely fresh.

    4.     Set my iTunes directory on my NAS

    5.     Download everything fmor the cloud

     

    Hopefully that should put everything in the right place

     

    Thanks

  • by Alan Mulkern,

    Alan Mulkern Alan Mulkern Nov 9, 2013 7:44 AM in response to Alan Mulkern
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 9, 2013 7:44 AM in response to Alan Mulkern

    In short I think the question is, how can I get my mac back to a position whih looks like its brand new from an itunes perspective?

     

    Thanks

  • by Timbuktu,

    Timbuktu Timbuktu Nov 9, 2013 9:25 AM in response to Alan Mulkern
    Level 3 (699 points)
    Nov 9, 2013 9:25 AM in response to Alan Mulkern

    If you decide you want to keep any previous playlists, play counts, ratings, etc., then you should backup your existing iTunes Library files by simply making a copy of your current iTunes Library files (ending .itl and .xml) and putting them aside.

     

    But it sounds like you want a clean sheet. First, I assume you have successfully transfered all your media to your NAS.. Proceed to delete iTunes Library.itl and iTunes Library.xml and any other iTunes Library files ending with Genius or Extra or Match at the root of your main iTunes folder. I assume you have deleted all media from your home folder. Make sure iTunes is not running when doing this. The Artwork folder holds all of your artwork, if you used iTunes to fetch all your art then you should keep the folder unless you want to re-download ALL of your artwork again (iTunes does not embed artwork).

    Once the library files are deleted, hold down "Option" key while you open iTunes, then select "Create new Library" and browse to your current iTunes folder under homefolder/Music. Say no to add any media now. Under Preferences, Advanced, select the NAS iTunes media folder as your new iTunes media folder location. check the boxes to "keep media folder organized" and "copy files to Media folder" if you want to ensure that all media is gathered in that location. Click OK and iTunes will add all your media to your library. Once that's done you can enable iTunes Match which will then match all your media to iTunes in the Cloud and only upload media that does not exist in the iTunes Store.

     

    Again, in this scenario, only your media is located on the NAS, your iTunes Library files are still in your default location in your home folder (see Library file info below)

     

    This can take a while depending on the size of your media folder.

     

    Here are Apple's instructions for moving and backing up iTunes. This is the link to iTunes Support listing all topics.

    Backup to external (entire iTunes folder)

    Move iTunes Media Folder

    Migrate to a new computer

    iTunes Library Files explained

     

    Hope this answers your question.