iTunes on External Hard Drive Question

[SDMF]

I want to transfer my iTunes files from a PC to an external hard drive, and then I want to run iTunes on a Mac PowerBook from the external hard drive.

Getting the files on the external hard drive doesn't seem too hard. I'm just not sure about what I need to do for the second part. Also, will any external HD work for this?

 

[GGJstudios]

I'm just not sure about what I need to do for the second part.

You can create a new iTunes library and use the folder on the external drive as the iTunes media folder location:
iTunes > Preferences > Advanced > iTunes Media folder location

Also, will any external HD work for this?

Yes, as long as it's formatted properly:

FAT32 (File Allocation Table)

• Read/Write FAT32 from both native Windows and native Mac OS X.
• Maximum file size: 4GB.
• Maximum volume size: 2TB

NTFS (Windows NT File System)

• Read/Write NTFS from native Windows.
• Read only NTFS from native Mac OS X
• To Read/Write/Format NTFS from Mac OS X: Install NTFS-3G for Mac OS X (free)
• Some have reported problems using Tuxera (approx 33USD).
• Native NTFS support can be enabled in Snow Leopard, but is not advisable, due to instability.
• Maximum file size: 16 TB
• Maximum volume size: 256TB

 

[SDMF]

How do you create a new iTunes Library? Is that different from creating a playlist?

 

[Deomitrus]

See this: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1589

tl;dr Hold down the Option key while opening iTunes.

 

[GGJstudios]

How do you create a new iTunes Library? Is that different from creating a playlist?

You might want to spend a little time with the iTunes Help feature. It will show you the basics of using iTunes:

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[balamw]

More info than you want to know about moving/sharing iTunes libraries. http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/moving-your-itunes-library-to-a-new-hard-drive/

If you sync any iOS devices with these libraries you may need to change the unique ID for the library so your devices know which library they belong to, and you can also transfer over your iPhone backups etc...

B