What to do with unconsolidated files

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Level 1

8 points

What to do with unconsolidated files

I have been trying to move my iTunes library to an external hard drive as it has become very large for my existing HD. I tried to consolidate my files but some files can not be consolidated for some reason. I got the error message, "Copying Failed. The file name was invalid or too long". I ran a program that listed the files that could not be consolidated. I now have a list of 4745 unconsolidated songs. How can I get these songs to consolidate?

Thanks,

rdrokit

HP laptop-OTHER, Windows 7

Posted on Dec 19, 2015 10:04 AM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

278,297 points

Dec 19, 2015 4:01 PM in response to rdrokit

You could try my script ConsolidateByMoving. What is the path to your new media folder? Ideally it would be something short like X:\iTunes\iTunes Media where X: is the drive letter for the external drive. See also Make a split library portable.

tt2

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Answer 2

rdrokit Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 19, 2015 10:20 AM in response to turingtest2

The path is, C:\Users\Byron\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media I will try running your program.

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

278,297 points

Dec 19, 2015 10:27 AM in response to rdrokit

If that is the path under Edit > Preferences > Advanced then you're not consolidating to the external drive but to drive C. You would need to change the media folder path, then consolidate. However read through Make a split library portable first. In most cases if you haven't already changed the layout of the library you can drag the entire iTunes folder to the external drive and access the library there, which saves on a whole heap of work that is otherwise needed to put things back into a sensible shape.

tt2

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Answer 4

rdrokit Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 19, 2015 10:45 AM in response to turingtest2

Yes I was trying to consolidate to the C drive first which is what they said to do here, Back up your iTunes library by copying it to an external drive - Apple Support

I ran your program and got 2 messages. First one said

iTunes has changed the path of the last file that was copied from C:\Users\Byron\Music\Thai Country Music (Luk Thug) [collection 1] DM to

C:\Users\Byron\Music\iTunes Media\Music\_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _\ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

(I put dashes as the characters looked like Greek letters.) The it said,

Please disable the "Keep iTunes Media folder organized" option or choose another target folder.

The second message said,

Script Aborted!

1,799 tracks of 4,745 were processed of which 1,799 were updated.

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Answer 5

turingtest2

Level 10

278,297 points

Dec 19, 2015 11:02 AM in response to rdrokit

Hmm, I suspect there are some odd non-standard characters scatted through your tags. You may also have an issue with multiple tags where iTunes processes data from a different tag. I presume the problem file was an .mp3

You could try running the script again in batches. I'd say it is probably best to turn off Keep organized, but with it on you at least know which tracks are proving difficult and may need further work. Does that particular track show up with sensible tag information in iTunes?

tt2

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Answer 6

rdrokit Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 19, 2015 4:05 PM in response to turingtest2

Thanks for all the help. I deleted some files with characters iTunes did not recognize. Then ran your ConsolodatebyMoving program again and it cleaned everything up so I could then consolidate all the files.

Have a Great Holiday Season,

rdrokit

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Answer 7

turingtest2

Level 10

278,297 points

Dec 19, 2015 5:34 PM in response to rdrokit

You're welcome. Season's best to you too. 🙂

tt2

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