Very large collection, slow iTunes

I have a massive iTunes library, about 500 GB and 95,000 songs. I have been collecting music for almost 40 years and have ripped my entire CD collection and about 1,000 of my LP's so far. But iTunes is very slow with a large collection like this. Browsing by any of the cover art options is painfully slow. Does anyone have tips on how to speed things up? It wiould be appreciated. All of my music is in AAC format.

iMac G5 20 1.8 ghz Mac OS X (10.4)

Posted on Jan 9, 2007 6:04 AM

47 replies

Mar 9, 2007 2:46 PM in response to Chris CA

The library.xml file is not used by iTunes.
It is only written by iTunes for use by other apps.
Yeah, I actually learned that in this (or that other thread last week! I figured I would do it anyway since it was so fragged. Question though...when does iT write and update that XML file? Is it when you quit iT?

I'll probably use Tech Tools (which I got with my extended applecare warranty) to defrag my whole drive.
I'm realizing that while reading up on all those other links that Rod passed along, but thanks for the confirmation. Man you can really fall down the rabbit hole trying to get to the bottom of these tech questions!

I actually purchased iDefrag and I am doing an "on-line" defragmentation of my iTunes Library file right now. I have to say, it's taking a long time. It's been over 15 minutes already and over half of the time has been spent "allowing disc to cool". I need to look into that.

As for Tech Tools, I never figured out how to use it properly anyway. When I would boot-up from the CD ROM it wouldn't start for over 10 minutes. I'm reading up on that as well.

Anyway, I'll report on how defragging the Library file affects things...if at all.

Rod Hagen

Level 7

32,000 points

Mar 9, 2007 3:07 PM in response to David Cooper5

I actually purchased iDefrag and I am doing an "on-line" defragmentation of my iTunes Library file right now. I have to say, it's taking a long time. It's been over 15 minutes already and over half of the time has been spent "allowing disc to cool". I need to look into that.

Turn off the "temperature protection" in iDefrag preferences, David. It is way too "protective" for its own good in my experience. It will then proceed normally.

If you ever try to a full defrag of your entire drive remember that it will take a LONG time, especially if the drive is badly fragmented. Setting it up to run over night is a good idea.

Cheers

Rod

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Very large collection, slow iTunes