Jacks2
On a PC I don't think the terminology actually means relocating ALL files following your outline for migrating the whole of the library to another folder especially if its in another pc.
on a PC the info window which appears following the change of music folders says, "would you like iTunes to move and rename the files in this new folder to keep it inline with your preferences of Keep itunes organized." . or words to that effect.
Meaning IMO ONLY the files in this new folder will be moved and renamed. Not those from other folders in previous itunes music libraries or folders.
I just did this twice... moving my default music folder to another location, and then back again. No files were moved physically from either location to either location during this process.
It must be different on a Mac somehow.
if as well though, in your prefferences, and on the same page as the instructions you provided, the "Copy files to itunes music folder wehn adding files to library" selection is checked, perhaps then this method will work.
Naturally the new pc itunes software must be able to see the music files on the older pc too.
I know of one who checked this above named box, just following their installation of itunes after wiping and reinstalling a new OS onto their old PC....
She had all her music on a 80 GB USB drive. her desktops C drive was only 20 GB. the default location of the itunes music folder was never changed so it remained on her C:\ drive.... she doesn't turn her pc off either.
She went to bed and the next morning awoke to find her pc sluggish and despondent. The 17GB of free space she had prior to the new itunes install was gone! itunes copied all it could of the 80 GB drive onto her C\ drive overnight.
... and that's another way to migrate files... if their location can be seen by the new pc's itunes application. Just check the second box down under the music folders location on the Preffs page under the ADVANCED TAB.
Selecting also the "SHARE MY MUSIC LIBRARY" box will help with this too.
The folder itunes is in might have to be placed in your shared folder during this networked relocating effort.
Another poster pointed out the Backup to disc plan... you can use dVDs as well for that maneuver. Just remember, at less than 5GB per disc, IF you have 500 GB of music already on the hard drive, you'll need to sit there and feed it over 100 DVDs!! one after another, over and over again. over ... and over 700 CDs.
That's why I said get a USB or firewire outboard drive for this exercise in the first place.
Iomega's website store had some 500 gb for well under $100. i think they had a 650GB for $80 + ship a week or two ago.
use explorer to copy and paste them files onto the new HDD and let itunes find them... all you lose are the playlists that way.
One last caveat here... IF ALL THE FILES WERE RIPPED TO wav? THE FILES WILL COPY, SURE. BUT THE INFO ATTACHED TO THEM LIKE TRACK #, ALBUM NAME, ETC... WON'T. That info was placed into the database of the previous pc.... not onto the file itself. One great reason to choose files which have ID tag abilities....
Good luck, ever how you do it . And back them files up.
On a PC I don't think the terminology actually means relocating ALL files following your outline for migrating the whole of the library to another folder especially if its in another pc.
on a PC the info window which appears following the change of music folders says, "would you like iTunes to move and rename the files in this new folder to keep it inline with your preferences of Keep itunes organized." . or words to that effect.
Meaning IMO ONLY the files in this new folder will be moved and renamed. Not those from other folders in previous itunes music libraries or folders.
I just did this twice... moving my default music folder to another location, and then back again. No files were moved physically from either location to either location during this process.
It must be different on a Mac somehow.
if as well though, in your prefferences, and on the same page as the instructions you provided, the "Copy files to itunes music folder wehn adding files to library" selection is checked, perhaps then this method will work.
Naturally the new pc itunes software must be able to see the music files on the older pc too.
I know of one who checked this above named box, just following their installation of itunes after wiping and reinstalling a new OS onto their old PC....
She had all her music on a 80 GB USB drive. her desktops C drive was only 20 GB. the default location of the itunes music folder was never changed so it remained on her C:\ drive.... she doesn't turn her pc off either.
She went to bed and the next morning awoke to find her pc sluggish and despondent. The 17GB of free space she had prior to the new itunes install was gone! itunes copied all it could of the 80 GB drive onto her C\ drive overnight.
... and that's another way to migrate files... if their location can be seen by the new pc's itunes application. Just check the second box down under the music folders location on the Preffs page under the ADVANCED TAB.
Selecting also the "SHARE MY MUSIC LIBRARY" box will help with this too.
The folder itunes is in might have to be placed in your shared folder during this networked relocating effort.
Another poster pointed out the Backup to disc plan... you can use dVDs as well for that maneuver. Just remember, at less than 5GB per disc, IF you have 500 GB of music already on the hard drive, you'll need to sit there and feed it over 100 DVDs!! one after another, over and over again. over ... and over 700 CDs.
That's why I said get a USB or firewire outboard drive for this exercise in the first place.
Iomega's website store had some 500 gb for well under $100. i think they had a 650GB for $80 + ship a week or two ago.
use explorer to copy and paste them files onto the new HDD and let itunes find them... all you lose are the playlists that way.
One last caveat here... IF ALL THE FILES WERE RIPPED TO wav? THE FILES WILL COPY, SURE. BUT THE INFO ATTACHED TO THEM LIKE TRACK #, ALBUM NAME, ETC... WON'T. That info was placed into the database of the previous pc.... not onto the file itself. One great reason to choose files which have ID tag abilities....
Good luck, ever how you do it . And back them files up.