itunes doesn't recognize my music files

werdyo · May 10, 2009, 10:33 AM

my music files are in a folder on an external hard drive. currently, itunes has lost track of the files and won't play the songs. it shows an exclamation point next to all the songs.

i have tried to re-select the proper folder in itunes advanced preferences, but to no avail.

has this happened to anyone else? can anyone help me?

any help is much appreciated.

rhett7660 · May 10, 2009, 10:42 AM

Make sure you have your external drive plugged and recognized before you fire up iTunes.

Is your iTunes library settings on the external or is it still based on in the default location?

Try this first:

Close down iTunes. Make sure your external is connected and recognized. I would then fire iTunes back up and see if the "!" goes away. Click on a song and see if it plays.

If your iTunes library is on the external, close down iTunes. Then option click open iTunes. Pick your library location. See if this works.

werdyo · May 10, 2009, 10:59 AM

"If your iTunes library is on the external, close down iTunes. Then option click open iTunes. Pick your library location. See if this works."

I've already tried everything you mentioned except the last thing. But I'm not sure what you mean. I tried option clicking on itunes in the application window and I'm not getting any cool library options. I don't really understand what you're talking about. Pardon my ignorance of the underbelly of my laptop. I want to try it. Can you explain further?

Much appreciated!

rhett7660 · May 10, 2009, 03:37 PM

By option clicking do the following:

Hold down the "option" key on your keyboard and then click on the iTunes icon (where ever that is, ie in the applications folder)

Make sure you hold down the "option" key. A dialog box will open up asking you if you want to create a new library or connect to a library you already have. See screen shot.

Pick the choose library option and navigate to where you have your library at.

May 10, 2009, 10:33 AM	#1
werdyo macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2009	itunes doesn't recognize my music files my music files are in a folder on an external hard drive. currently, itunes has lost track of the files and won't play the songs. it shows an exclamation point next to all the songs. i have tried to re-select the proper folder in itunes advanced preferences, but to no avail. has this happened to anyone else? can anyone help me? any help is much appreciated.
	0

May 10, 2009, 10:42 AM	#2
rhett7660 macrumors 604 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sunny, Southern California	Make sure you have your external drive plugged and recognized before you fire up iTunes. Is your iTunes library settings on the external or is it still based on in the default location? Try this first: Close down iTunes. Make sure your external is connected and recognized. I would then fire iTunes back up and see if the "!" goes away. Click on a song and see if it plays. If your iTunes library is on the external, close down iTunes. Then option click open iTunes. Pick your library location. See if this works. __________________ "It's quite an experience to hold the hand of someone as they move from living to dead." "Times are looking grim these days, holding on to everything, it's hard to draw the line"
	0

May 10, 2009, 03:37 PM	#4
rhett7660 macrumors 604 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sunny, Southern California	By option clicking do the following: Hold down the "option" key on your keyboard and then click on the iTunes icon (where ever that is, ie in the applications folder) Make sure you hold down the "option" key. A dialog box will open up asking you if you want to create a new library or connect to a library you already have. See screen shot. Pick the choose library option and navigate to where you have your library at. Attached Thumbnails __________________ "It's quite an experience to hold the hand of someone as they move from living to dead." "Times are looking grim these days, holding on to everything, it's hard to draw the line"
	0

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May 10, 2009, 10:59 AM	#3
werdyo Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2009	"If your iTunes library is on the external, close down iTunes. Then option click open iTunes. Pick your library location. See if this works." I've already tried everything you mentioned except the last thing. But I'm not sure what you mean. I tried option clicking on itunes in the application window and I'm not getting any cool library options. I don't really understand what you're talking about. Pardon my ignorance of the underbelly of my laptop. I want to try it. Can you explain further? Much appreciated!
	0


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