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*HELP* When importing folders to ITunes, songs get left behind...

M

Myka

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 3, 2006
13
0
Hey guys, need some help here. When I 'import a folder to library'into Itunes, there are songs that do not get imported and get left behind. (no message comes up or anything)
And so then I tried to go to 'import file to library' and tried to import each file individualy. When I do that, on some of the files it says 'The above file name is invalid'.

So when I change the name to something different, then it will work... but this is obserd as I would have to change like 1500 names of files on each song... what is going on???
 
mad jew said:
Is it a PC? Are they WMAs?
Click to expand...

Good point, If you are on Mac WMA's (Windows Media Audio Files) can not be converted, they will be left behind. What I have done in the past, is download iTunes for the PC and use its conversion abilities on these files if you have access to a PC just drag and drop the files into iTunes and they will converted. Then just transfer them over.

If they are not WMA but other formats such as ogg files etc, use vlc to convert them (if you can be bothered!). Sometimes I had the same problem with iTunes for mac when I was dragging the files across (even though they were aac). The best thing to do in this situation would be to select the files in finder and then right click play in iTunes they should be copied over this can be done as well in windows, finder = explorer.
 
I do not use the mac for itunes, I use my Laptop with XP
The songs play in itunes, no problem. Its just when importing the files.

One of the file names that is not working is '14 - Medley, Romantic Girl'
Now if I change the name of it it will work... and so is the only way this will work is to change the name of every file? That would be crazy time consuming...
 
Great idea, invest over $3000 to get my files to transfer lol, im sure there is another way.
Well it seems the problem is that the names of the files have invalid items such as / \ * etc.
But instead of changing file by file, is there a program that would get rid of any invalid items?
 
ahh you just gave it there lol, thanks... Is that program based for macs only?
 
This has not helped, I dont think this is the problem. Here is more about what I have found....



Now I have tried to 'import FILE to library' where you would do it file by file, and on some files an error comes up and says 'the above file name is invalid' and so I would change the name and the error would go away, but it still wont go into iTunes lol.

Also lets say the folder has 30 songs and only 1 of the 30 has this error on it... well iTunes will only import the files that come BEFORE the error file. So basicly all the files that are ok that come AFTER the error file will not be imported, unless importing them one at a time.

Another strange thing about these files I have found is that when I to these files on my computer (rather than through iTunes)... there is no 'rename' option when you right click these files... and the options are different when you right click them.
This has only happened now that I changed the name of them through iTunes strangly, and where as they would play before, they now dont play now. They are labeled as 'MPEG LAYER 3 AUDIO' when I leave my mouse on top of the file... the other files that DO work have alot more info when I leave my mouse ontop of the file.

This is really frustrating and I dont understand it. Around HALF of what I have downloaded does not go into iTunes, and thus I cannot get it on my iPod. I hope I have included enough info to get to the root of the problem, please help:confused:
 
Could they have data protection on them? Where did you get them? If they're from CDs, try reimporting and see if the troubled files still give you grief. :)
 
Myka said:
They are from Soulseek download client
Click to expand...
Then they're almost certainly illegal. You can buy them in the iTMS or on a CD if the iTMS doesn't have them.
 
Well then is there another way other than Itunes to get those songs on an Ipod?
Or, is there a program that will convert the files so that they CAN be imported to itunes?
 
ALso whats strange is that I am finding that files that USED to be able to be added into ITUNES are now not able too, strange~!
 
Sorry but if they're legitimate songs (purchased) then you should talk to the distributor but if they're not legitimate then we can't really help. MacRumors has quite a stringent anti-piracy policy. :eek:
 
I pay to use the program and download songs, thats not piracy
 
If you're purchasing these songs from an online store then talk to them about adding songs to iTunes. Give them a quick email, there could be some sort of anti-piracy function built into each file.
 
I thought 'Import...' was for converting files, not regular adding. For that you use 'add to library', no?
 
stoid said:
I hope you don't mean this Soulseek, as it's a free download.
Click to expand...

Yes that is the program, but you can either be someone who 'donates', or someone who uses it for free.... im the ladder...
 
Paying Soulseek for the development of their app does not necessarily constitute legal music downloads unfortunately. Can I recommend iTMS as a legitimate and comprehensive replacement for getting tunes onto the iPod. :)
 
Yes ok I understand, but you cannot find House music from Ibiza and underground music in the itunes store or at the CD store, which is why I use the program.

ANyway please help... I have more information on this problem...

Ok so one of these folders that contains the files that dont work, actually claims that the folder is 'EMPTY' even though when I go in it all the files and songs are showing. Any reason why this is happening? These tracks were once able to be played!
Is itunes by any chance deleting my original files or something but still showing them?
 
Seems you are doing this on a Windows machine. Windows doesn't like filenames with certain letters, like "\?* and a few others. Heaven knows how you got these files on your Windows machine. If Windows cannot rename the files, then iTunes running on Windows will not be able to import them.

Try making a folder for all these files, and dragging them into that folder so at least you are left with a folder of files that Windows can import.

One note: There are quite a few unscrupulous companies who sell software to download music (most likely you could have got the software legitimately for free) and trick people into believing that this means they can legally download music. Check the smallprint. You can download music if the owner of that music allows it. If I put an MP3 of me singing in the shower onto my website, you can download it and suffer :) Most music you are not allowed to download. Having paid someone money for the download software doesn't give you any rights to download music.
 
gnasher729 said:
Most music you are not allowed to download. Having paid someone money for the download software doesn't give you any rights to download music.
Click to expand...
Yeah, even if it's music that is hard to come by. Ethically it's even more important that you make sure to pay for music that you want and that's hard to come by because those musicians are more likely to struggle with making a living of their music.
 
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