Directing iTunes to new music folder

[troutman]

My main hard drive (PC) was getting full, so I moved the Music folder to the empty D drive.

Now iTunes can't find the music, and is asking me to choose or create a library.

The music isn't on the D drive in one folder. Each artist has a separate file. Also, the songs have defaulted to some other music format (AVS media player)?

When I try to choose a library and click on the D drive it does not seem to recognize the music files.

How do I direct iTunes to the new location? I assume I have lost all my playlists.

I think a better way to have done this would have been to move the music files through iTunes, not Windows.

[TurnedTheCorner]

It has to do with the library file, which must stay on your OS drive in the 'My Music' folder for your username. Check the iTunes support page for moving a library or restoring a library.

You can also tell iTunes where you iTunes Media is under Advanced Preferences.

[Julio]

File...
Add Folder to Library...

You will probably have to do a master 'Music' folder that has all your music in it...that's what I did when faced with the same issues as you have and moved my music files.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by troutman

I assume I have lost all my playlists.

NM - don't have a PC handy, can't describe what to do accurately enough.

[TurnedTheCorner]

You haven't lost your playlists, you just need to restore the library file and they'll be there. I went through horror very similar to yours earlier this year with my new PC, thinking all ws lost. The library file will retain all your playlists, play counts, ratings, etc.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

It has to do with the library file, which must stay on your OS drive in the 'My Music' folder for your username. Check the iTunes support page for moving a library or restoring a library.

You can also tell iTunes where you iTunes Media is under Advanced Preferences.

I can't even open iTunes because it is telling me to choose or create a library. I think I will try moving all the music files on D into one "Music" folder, then see if iTunes can find it.

Is it a problem that all the music in D has defaulted to AVS format?

[silentsim]

If you backed up the whole iTunes Music folder which includes the DB, you can easily point iTunes to the D: and run it all there.

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

[You Need a Thneed]

If nothing else, uninstall iTunes and then reinstall.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by troutman

I can't even open iTunes because it is telling me to choose or create a library. I think I will try moving all the music files on D into one "Music" folder, then see if iTunes can find it.

Is it a problem that all the music in D has defaulted to AVS format?

You should be able to just choose the library .itl file that you moved to your new location (it lives in your itunes folder, which is originally something like: C:\Users\troutman\Music\iTunes).

Then, under preferences, you can point iTunes to your new location, and it might be ok, but if not

You just need to redirect a few files (try and play them, then locate them in their new location) and then let itunes use that new location to find other missing songs.

[troutman]

I think I made a big mistake.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by troutman

I think I made a big mistake.

define big

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Rathji

You should be able to just choose the library .itl file that you moved to your new location (it lives in your itunes folder, which is originally something like: C:\Users\troutman\Music\iTunes).

Then, under preferences, you can point iTunes to your new location, and it might be ok, but if not

You just need to redirect a few files (try and play them, then locate them in their new location) and then let itunes use that new location to find other missing songs.

'

Thanks! That worked for me!

[Mccree]

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/art...ew-hard-drive/

I did these steps and it worked perfect.

[troutman]

Oops - still one problem. Library is restored, but if I click on a song, I'm told original file could not be found. How do I reconnect library to songs on D drive?

I see how to connect songs - do I have to do them one a time?

iTunes found only 2294 of 14152 files on its own. There are exclamation marks by all the missing songs.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by troutman

Oops - still one problem. Library is restored, but if I click on a song, I'm told original file could not be found. How do I reconnect library to songs on D drive?

I see how to connect songs - do I have to do them one a time?

iTunes should offer to find other songs after you have found one. It should use the directory you have chosen as a reference point and be able to find others.

You might need to make sure your library is pointing to the same relative location (ie X folders up from where the file is located, in same file structure as previously used.)

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Rathji

iTunes should offer to find other songs after you have found one. It should use the directory you have chosen as a reference point and be able to find others.

You might need to make sure your library is pointing to the same relative location (ie X folders up from where the file is located, in same file structure as previously used.)

Thanks, that is what happened:

iTunes found only 2294 of 14152 files on its own. There are exclamation marks by all the missing songs.

How do I now redirect to the remaining missing songs? Manual, one at a time?

[troutman]

ok, I seemed to have reconnected everything. Thanks for your advice everyone. Rock and Roll!

[TurnedTheCorner]

Glad it worked out. It's such a sinking feeling when it seems all your playlists are gone.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by troutman

ok, I seemed to have reconnected everything. Thanks for your advice everyone. Rock and Roll!

You just had to do it with a few songs, right?

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

Glad it worked out. It's such a sinking feeling when it seems all your playlists are gone.

Especially when it's someone you know is heavily into music.