iTunes off External Hard Drive Help

Discussion in 'Mac Apps and Mac App Store' started by JW008, Jul 5, 2006.

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  1. JW008, Jul 5, 2006

    JW008 macrumors 6502

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2005
    #1
    I know this is a repeat thread, but I've been using the search function for about half an hour and haven't found an exact answer to my question. I would appreciate any help that anyone has to offer.

    My iMac G4's 80GB hard drive has about 1GB left before it fills up, so I ordered the LaCie 160GB external firewire drive (the one designed by Porsche) to house my 46.35GB worth of music/videos.

    How do I change iTunes to recognize my music/videos off of the External HDD ? Basically I would like everything that I put in iTunes to go to the External HDD. Is it as simple as going to iTunes>>Preferences>>Advanced>>General and then changing the iTunes music folder to the one I copied to the External HDD? I would like to keep my song ratings, playlists, play counts and everything else intact.

    Again, I know this is a repeat question and I apologize, but this is one thing that I really don't want to screw up. THANKS!!!!!
     
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  2. JW008, Jul 5, 2006

    JW008 thread starter macrumors 6502

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2005
    #2
    Sorry...

    Sorry for the post. I think I've found the thread I was looking for!
     
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  3. gallagb, Jul 5, 2006

    gallagb macrumors 6502

    gallagb

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2004
    Location:
    IN
    #3
    it is a repeat question

    but i don't have the other threads bookmarked
    nor do i have the apple page bookmarked

    and it is an easy fix-

    the short answer

    itunes functions like the old school card catalogues @ libraries

    you had the lil drawers w/ the cards in them
    and seperate the books on shelves

    the itunes window is like the drawers w/ cards (w/ ratings..etc)
    the shelves are different- where the acctual music files are

    so the short answer-
    you go to itunes
    preferences>>advanced>>
    change the music folder location
    (to a folder on ur external drive)

    THEN
    hit OK

    then under ADVANCED>>Consolidate library

    itunes will say "are u crazy?"
    to which you say "yes- i know what i'm doing"

    and basically it will then COPY all of the files onto ur external
    (so it is re-shelving ur books in a new room)

    meanwhile the card cataloge will go "hmm- moved the book- ok let's change the call #"

    you check this by hitting "get info" on any song file
    it will say the location is in the new place

    then u can play it all like normal
    (depending on how large the library is- it could take quite some time to transfer it over)

    that's the long & the short of it
     
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