iTunes 'Backup to Disc' has failed me!

[ntrigue]

When it came time to install Leopard OSX, there was no doubt I would utilize the "Clean Install" method. iTunes (Music - Video - Movie - TV Show) was the only substantial space on my HDD.

After reading around and seeing no reason to own an external drive (hindsight IS 20-20) I was excited to discover an 'Apple-esque' solution; backup to DVD's. 15 DVD's and many hours later I had backed-up my entire collection.

My "Clean Install" of Leopard went off without a hitch. I restored two miscellaneous DVD's (iPhoto - Documents) without a hitch.

4 out of 15 iTunes DVD's reported the error.

"Attempting to copy to the disc " " failed. An unknown error occured (-54)."

Essentially reducing my 5,807 items to 3,820 after all 15 DVD's had 'Restored my Library.' Furthermore, none of my playlists were maintained.

My biggest concern are the items that I paid for on iTunes Store. I know immediately that my iPhone has all 23 Music Videos and only 13 are in iTunes now. Clearly, this prevents me from syncing the iPhone for fear I will lose what little is left.

MacBook Pro 2.33GHz - 2GB RAM - 6x SuperDrive
BRAND NEW TDK DVD-R - Leopard OSX

 

[Eidorian]

Why didn't you use a separate hard drive to back your Library?

That is if you have one.

It's as simple as dragging the iTunes folder.

 

[ntrigue]

Why didn't you use a separate hard drive to back your Library?

a) I am far too mobile to benefit from an external HDD.

b) No professional files on my personal MBP.

c) Everything (Docs - Music) backed-up on DVD.

d) Would not benefit from Time Machine...

 

[RickyB]

.

 

[RickyB]

Try cleaning the disks.

Try opening the discs in the Finder, copying the files across manually to your Mac and then adding them back to iTunes. If this doesn't work, try the disk on another Mac or PC

If the content on an iPod is purchased content, iTunes offers to copy it on to your Mac. I'm not sure if this is the same with an iPhone. Whatever you do, don't sync it!

You should also be able to go into the hidden directory in the iPhone where the music is stored from Terminal on your mac and then copy the files to your Mac.

Let me know if any of this works, but be careful!

 

[Eidorian]

In all honesty, if you can't burn it to one DVD it's time to use a hard drive.

 

[ntrigue]

In all honesty, if you can't burn it to one DVD it's time to use a hard drive.

External LaCie to arrive Tuesday. The DVD method didn't require much labor but the waiting was ridiculous in retrospect.

I lost $18.99 in Music Vids and 1000 songs from other sources.

 

[iVoid]

I don't suppose you have a iPod with your music on it? There are utilities to pull music from an iPod.

 

[ntrigue]

Things are progressing...

I am opening the corrupt DVD's and copying files drag-n-drop (excluding those that are corrupted).

Looks promising just labor intensive.

Thank for everyone's comments.

 

[Eidorian]

External LaCie to arrive Tuesday. The DVD method didn't require much labor but the waiting was ridiculous in retrospect.

I lost $18.99 in Music Vids and 1000 songs from other sources.

Well the hard drive method can be as simple as copying the ~/Music/iTunes folder.

If iTunes is set to manage your media everything should be there.

Things are progressing...

I am opening the corrupt DVD's and copying files drag-n-drop (excluding those that are corrupted).

Looks promising just labor intensive.

Thank for everyone's comments.

That's good to hear.