iTunes and file format

I think instead of simply "copying" the files to the new drive you're supposed to use the Consolidate Library function. Simply copying would lead to incorrect path/directory errors wouldn't it?

I think instead of simply "copying" the files to the new drive you're supposed to use the Consolidate Library function. Simply copying would lead to incorrect path/directory errors wouldn't it?

Actually, Herman's excellent suggestion will end up with all of the files in their original location (as well as on a backup drive). And what the "Consolidate Library" function does is simply to copy music files that may be present at locations other than the iTunes music folder into the iTunes music folder.

However, it should be pointed out that the drive letter assigned to a given external drive may be different depending on what computer it is connected to. In which case the iTunes program on each computer can easily be pointed to the iTunes folder on that drive by going to Edit/Preferences/Advanced within the iTunes program.

Regards,
-- Al

Thanks so much, Herman. I know so little about this that I nearly typed "NTSB" for the file format when I was posting this question. I plan to follow your very clear instructions -- on a really big drive -- and be good to go. Thanks, again.
Howard

Do you plan on using Time Machine for backups? If so you should remember that the first time you perform a backup you should allot 2-3 X's the copied drive's capacity on the Time Machine drive. In other words if you set up a fresh drive as a 1TB backup and copy 700GB of music onto it Time Machine will not work. I'd run Time Machine after you've copied 1/3 of your music then copy the next 1/3 and run TM again. Finish copying the final 1/3 and lastly running TM again. A program such as SuperDuper would need to be purchased/used or you'd need to start over if you get the point where TM gives insufficient space errors. I nearly lost it the time I made that mistake. Right on the screen it said something like "Insufficient Space-you are trying to back up 600GB but you only have 920GB available...". I was like huh?!

I'm going to agree with Synthfreek on this one. If you change the iTunes music folder in advanced preferences to the new external drive then consolidate iTunes will copy everything over to the new drive AND use the files on that drive. If you simply copy as I suggested it will continue to play the files off of the original drive and once you reformat it you will need to delete the old iTunes library and add all of the files back into the new iTunes library. Easy enough to do but consolidating is easier.

This will not work

However, it should be pointed out that the drive letter assigned to a given external drive may be different depending on what computer it is connected to. In which case the iTunes program on each computer can easily be pointed to the iTunes folder on that drive by going to Edit/Preferences/Advanced within the iTunes program.

Changing this setting does not point iTunes to existing files. It only determines where iTunes will place any files added after that point. When you add a file to the library iTunes records the path to that file and looks for it in that location from then on. If you move the files and then change the iTunes folder to match the new location iTunes will still look where the files were, not where they are. Consolidating instead of copying changes the pointer and takes care of that problem,