Laptop, iPod, iTunes, external hard drive

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Laptop, iPod, iTunes, external hard drive

Hello:

I have a new laptop (sony) and a new iPod nano. I previously stored all of my music on my last laptop on iTunes via my external hard drive (by selecting in advanced settings where to upload & store iTunes music). I want to put music on my new iPod via my new laptop, but when I click and drag albums from the hard drive it deletes them from the hard drive location. It does this if I copy and paste, too. Even if the files do transfer, they mostly transfer without song, album, or artist details. The only way I've been able to make this work is by going into "add file to library" and manually adding each song to iTunes. I have a LOT of music! Is there a way to get everything on my external hard drive into my new iTunes-with all details (artist, song name, album, etc.) and then get it on my iPod with details?

Thanks!

iPod nano

Posted on Jan 16, 2014 9:13 PM

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Answer 1

Limnos

Level 10

411,223 points

Jan 16, 2014 9:20 PM in response to htclamb

iTunes libraries consist of media files and a host of library files. Usually all in the iTunes folder, though you can configure it otherwise. It sounds like you had just media on the external (not always the best idea) and the rest of the library on the internal drive. All your playlists, ratings, date added, etc. are still in the library files (especially the .itl file) in the old computer.

What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660

More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management

What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html

Where are my iTunes files located? - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

272,761 points

Jan 17, 2014 7:02 AM in response to htclamb

See also this migrate iTunes library post, in particular the "make a split library portable" link. Get the library database onto the external drive, with everything in the correct shape, then you can connect the drive to any computer running the same build of iTunes, PC or Mac, and all of the metadata remains intact.

tt2

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Answer 3

htclamb Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 18, 2014 2:09 PM in response to htclamb

Thank you-I backed everything up and split the library as directed, but when I click shift + open iTunes and choose a library, it doesn't open. Every folder I try to open shows nothing in it in iTunes, although I see everything on my harddrive Any ideas?

Thanks for your help-I'm lost in iTunes!

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