bobsbarricades

Q: Use Media Folder from previous computer iTunes 11.4

I have a new install, but my iTunes media folder that was on an external drive is still there.

 

I go to tell my iTunes where the folder is (still on the external) and it asks if I want it to move and rename the files.  I say NO because I just want it to know that's the directory, it doesn't need to move or rename anything.  Right?  WRong? 

 

How can I do this?  Is there a way I can think of it in the future so it won't always feel so complicated?

Mac Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4), 8 Core 2.8Ghz 10GB RAM

Posted on Sep 30, 2014 8:14 PM

Close

Q: Use Media Folder from previous computer iTunes 11.4

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

Previous Page 2
  • by bobsbarricades,

    bobsbarricades bobsbarricades Oct 1, 2014 12:19 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (5 points)
    iPhone
    Oct 1, 2014 12:19 PM in response to Limnos

    Man, I should've been clearer I guess.  I had (have) the entire folder.  It's the directory that iTunes created when I told it to keep everything organized on my external 2 years ago.  I chose my folder in iTunes advanced pref's and that's when I was prompted to have iTunes move and rename all the files, which I didn't want; I just wanted it to look at the directory it had created before on the external and pick up from there.

     

    I actually threw all the original files (the album artwork folder, the .xml, the .it, the .itdb etc.) to the new folder that Chris CA had me create because I knew those were where the metadata was stored hoping it would realize this. It did not.  Audiobooks and everything were still not audiobooks  (even the audible ones). And I had to do the "add to Library" per Chris CA's suggestion.

     

    should I make a new thread about how my iPhone won't actually sync with iTunes?  There's no audiobooks or music selected in iTunes yet there are 3 audiobooks and 5 albums on my iPhone that I can't delete

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Oct 1, 2014 12:26 PM in response to bobsbarricades
    Level 9 (54,277 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 1, 2014 12:26 PM in response to bobsbarricades

    It has always been the case you do the option+start method to select a library in anything other than the default location on the internal drive.  It has never been done with preferences settings.  If you had started this way then things should have worked out.  Having everything neat and tidy inside one iTunes folder regardless of location means the library is portable and can be moved to any drive very simply.  However, if you move files about or rename files or start messing with that internal structure then iTunes is very quick to lose track of files and give you !

     

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

     

    iTunes 9 [and later]: Understanding iTunes Media Organization - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3847 - plus supplemental information about organizing to new structure https://discussions.apple.com/message/26404702#26404702

     

    Image of folder structure and explanation of different iTunes versions (turingtest2 post) - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-7392 and making an iTunes library portable.

     

    The above links show exactly how a standard library needs to be structured and all the files and folders it has and where.  I reiterate, if you start messing with the media file and folder names they stop working.  If you leave it all intact then you can copy it to 20 different drives and as long as you start iTunes

    while holding down the option/alt key and select a library folder on any of those drives each one will work exactly as the other, and your iPhone will recognize them all as being "its" library.

  • by bobsbarricades,

    bobsbarricades bobsbarricades Oct 1, 2014 1:06 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (5 points)
    iPhone
    Oct 1, 2014 1:06 PM in response to Limnos

    OK, then the option+click was what I was missing - I should've done that to start with and everything would've been gravy.  BAH! is there anyway to go back to that or has iTunes now altered everything?  I personally haven't messed around with those folders at any point except when Chris CA told me to.  I let iTunes handle it all precisely BECAUSE it all seems too convoluted for me. 

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Oct 1, 2014 2:10 PM in response to bobsbarricades
    Level 9 (54,277 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 1, 2014 2:10 PM in response to bobsbarricades

    Without going back and reading 1.5 pages of posts I think too much has been altered now to easily reconstruct the original library.  I think you did mention something abut letting iTunes organize the files and that would have been done on the basis of the current library structure.

     

    I think it would have helped if you had more clearly outlined the situation at the very start.  It really did sound as if you had deleted the library files and had only media on the external drive.  I would say 95% of the work I do answering questions on this forum has not to do with finding the answer but in finding the real question. There's another one sort of along those lines right now and after 4 exchanges I still have little idea as to the iTunes configuration or exactly what error messages or problems the person is having when it "isn't working".

  • by bobsbarricades,

    bobsbarricades bobsbarricades Oct 1, 2014 2:17 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (5 points)
    iPhone
    Oct 1, 2014 2:17 PM in response to Limnos

    hahahaha yea I can only imagine.  I thought I was clear but reading it...it's clear to me but I left out too much info. 

     

    I think I'm just going to keep the media folder and make iTunes reconstruct everything from that because it's bonkers now.  Can't even locate my files (some have pathways that ignore the Music folder inside the "Itunes Media Folder" and some don't. 


    Thanks for your help. At least I know about the option+click for the future.

Previous Page 2