I have moved my library across using an external hard drive and following these instructions http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT4527
It still doesn't work and I get an error message saying "The iTunes Library.itl file cannot be found or created. The default location for this file is in the "i Tunes" folder in the "music" folder
But the iTunes library IS in that folder - see screenprint
Help!
HP Laptop-OTHER, Windows 8
You appear to have some iTunes software components installed in your library folder which isn't quite right. If there is a valid iTunes Library.itl file in that location then try the method in Repair security permissions for iTunes for Windows to make sure that iTunes is able to access all of the files properly. I also note that you appear to have artist folders inside the main iTunes folder whereas these would normally be down inside iTunes\iTunes Media\Music. It may pay to go back to the original computer and prepare the library for moving. See Make a split library portable for details.
tt2
thanks I'm trying to do this but can't see anything that looks like the layouts you show.
On my original computer I have two folders on my D Drive
One at D/Itunes which looks like this
and One called D/Music/Itunes (much smaller) which looks like this
According to Itunes itself the library I am using is D/Itunes
I've tried copying both individually onto an external hard drive and installing on new PC - neither worked
I've also tried the Consolidate and Organise library processes but neither seem to work. The only file I have called I Tunes Library is an XML file.
Any other ideas? Thanks so much for trying to help!
On the computer where your library is working download and run the script iTunesITLPath to reveal the path to the active library. Please post it back here and also confirm that the media folder given under Edit > Preferences > Advanced is D:\Itunes.
tt2
here's the script result:
' ===============
' iTunesITLPath
' ===============
' Version 1.0.0.1 - August 11th 2012
' Copyright © Steve MacGuire 2012
' Please visit http://samsoft.org.uk/iTunes/scripts.asp for more info.
' Determine path to active iTunes library
Option Explicit
Dim FSO,iTunes,nl,T
Set iTunes=CreateObject("iTunes.Application")
Set FSO=CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
nl=vbCrLf
T=iTunesITLPath
If T="" Then
T="WARNING!" & nl & nl & "The iTunes Library.itl file could not be found!"
Else
T="The active iTunes library is:" & nl & nl & T
End If
MsgBox T,vbInformation,"iTunes ITL Path"
' Determine path to active iTunes library
' Modified 2012-08-11
Function iTunesITLPath
Dim F,Folder,ITL,S,XML
XML=iTunes.LibraryXMLPath
S=InstrRev(XML,"\")
Set Folder=FSO.GetFolder(Left(XML,S-1))
For Each F In Folder.Files
If LCase(Right(F.Name,4))=".itl" Then
If IsEmpty(ITL) Then
Set ITL=F
Else
If F.DateLastModified>ITL.DateLastModified Then Set ITL=F
End If
End If
Next
If IsEmpty(ITL) Then
iTunesITLPath=""
Else
iTunesITLPath=ITL.Path
End If
End Function
and yes it is under Edit > Preferences > Advanced is D:\Itunes. see below
I can only see an Itunes library XML file, no ITL
Thanks
You've displayed the text of the script, not its output when run. Right-click on this link to iTunesITLPath.vbs and use "save as", "download" or whatever option your browser gives you to download the file. Then double-click the downloaded file to run it.
tt2
OK - then I get this message
I've copied over that file as well from my C on my old PC onto my new one and HEY it's working! thanks
Seems like it was one of the many many problems of having a Dell with a split hard drive, which is one of the reasons I've changed it
thank you!
Thanks.
So your current library folder is C:\Users\Sam\Music\iTunes your media folder is D:\iTunes, and your media folder appears to be in the old school layout.
To fix up your library first use the menu option File > Library > Organize Library... Tick both of the boxes Rearrange files and Consolidate files. This should ensure that any stray files linked to the library from say your desktop, are copied into the media folder, and the media folder transformed into the modern layout.
The only file you should see in D:\iTunes at this point is called .iTunes Preferences.plist. Please remove any other files present into say D:\Temp and check the iTunes still works properly. I suspect that at some point you either copied some of the iTunes installer files to this path, or tried to install the application on this drive instead of the system drive. The file dates suggest an older version than the one currently in use so that should not be an issue. The following unwanted folders may also be present and should be removed:
Now close iTunes and copy the following items from C:\Users\Sam\Music\iTunes into D:\
Ignore the .xml file at this stage iTunes is going to make a new one with a slightly different name.
When all of the files have been copied across press and hold down shift as you launch iTunes. Keep holding until asked to choose or create a library. Click choose and browse to D:\iTunes Library.itl. iTunes should open normally and your library should function as before but now using a database file on the external drive.
Assuming all has gone well close iTunes and rename the folder D:\Itunes as D:\iTunes Media. For the sake of my OCD please observe the lower case i, and the capitals T and M. Start iTunes. iTunes should automatically adjust the path to the media folder under Edit > Preferences > Advanced to D:\iTunes Media. If it has failed to do so please make that correction manually then close and reopen iTunes. Check that content still plays.
Close iTunes again. Create a new folder in D:\ called iTunes (again the lower case i and the capital T please). Now move the following items from D:\ down into D:\iTunes
Launch iTunes. It will complain that the library is missing. Click choose, then browse to and open D\iTunes\iTunes Library.itl. Check that the media folder has automatically corrected itself to D:\iTunes\iTunes Media and that your media plays.
Congratulations. Your library is now fully portable. You can connect the drive to your new computer, delete the existing iTunes folder inside your user's music folder and copy in the one from this external drive.
I suggest you keep the two copies of the library in sync with the techniques in Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy.
Deauthorize the old computer if you no longer need to access protected media on it.
<Edit>
Ah, seems you've managed to get there without needing all of the steps, however if you have trouble getting content to play you may still need to do so, or you can adapt them to get your library fully portable and backed up for the future.
</Edit>
tt2
Sorry thought I had solved it then realised that nothing was actually playing on the new pc - couldn't locate files so tried to follow your instructions
BUT I have searched my whole OLD PC and do not have a file called iTunes preferences anywhere - I think the issue is to do with the fact that the OLD pc has a split hard drive (library file and some itunes stuff seems to be on my C drive, and my actual music is on my d drive)
My external hard drive is H drive...
Not sure where to start as I've done the organise and consolidate thing but still can't find the preferences file.. sorry!
also not sure about your comment that
The only file you should see in D:\iTunes at this point is called .iTunes Preferences.plist
as all my artist/music files are in there at the moment... don't want to delete them, it's huge!.
I emphasized file to distinguish from the folders which you should leave alone. Don't worry if you don't see .iTunes Preferences.plist right now, this is a hidden file but it should be there in the media folder.
Ah, D:\ is another internal drive, but you are copying over the library using a drive that appears as H:\? The basic strategy is still the same, get the library files in the correct relationship to the media so that the library becomes portable and can survive being moved around.
An alternative approach would be to fix up the broken links on the new machine with my FindTracks script, but I still think you would do well to get your library into the proper shape.
PS, I'm away from my computer for a few hours. If you have any follow up questions please wait for me to get back to you. If you're not sure about the steps I've outlined it is better to check first.
tt2
thanks - I can't see the preferences file or the sentinel file. Do I need them and if so what do I do to find them? had a go and can't...
In Windows Explorer use Organize > Folder and search options > View > Show hidden files and folders to reveal hidden files. Hide them again when you're done.
tt2
Hi
I have done all this and copied over the Sentinal and Itunes Preferences files - everything now seems to be in iTunes on the new pc but lots of files cannot be located.
I started using your locate files script which seems to work but is there a way to run it without clicking yes on every track - I've got more than 6000!
thanks
Sam
I also seemed to have lost a lot of tracks in the transfer.... and can't see them on my old pc any more either. Help!
I still have everything on my Ipod classic. Is there an easy way to pull from there?
Moving iTunes library to new pc on Windows 8
