[RayLuczak]

Hello:

Because I recently ran out of disk space for a project I was working on, I copied my entire iTunes folder (approx. 29 GB total of MP3s) onto a FireWire drive temporarily. I deleted the iTunes folder from my startup disk.

I finished the project and then I was able to take it off my startup disk.

When I copied the iTunes folder back onto the SAME place on the hard drive where it was before, I got a very weird problem (bug?).

Some of the song titles had the gray "i" symbol next to it, which meant that the song title was "disconnected" from the MP3 itself. So I'd have to double-click the song title and then search through the folders and "choose" the right MP3 for the right title.

If it's a few titles, I can live with this "bug." But when you've got over 6,500 MP3s, reconnecting some 200 MP3s can be a real pain in the a**.

What should I do to prevent this from happening again if I back up? Why does this happen?

And now I'm thinking that maybe I should archive all my MP3s on my FireWire drive so that when I go on the road with my iBook, I can synchronize my favorite MP3s onto my iPod as needed off the FireWire drive. Is this possible?

For the record, I'm using OS X 10.1.2 and iTunes 2.0.3. The iPod has been updated to 1.0.4.

Thanks!

Raymond

[cacarr1]

Though I can't say for sure, I'd be willing to bet that this problem will not happen again. My theory is that iTunes recognizes the path to the mp3 file, whether it is in the right location or not. Once those songs are moved, it doesn't know where to look (just to remind you, mp3's go in the users>yourname>documents>itunes>itunes music folder.) Take care, Chris.

After rereading your post, I realized I didn't help at all!

[ 02-06-2002: Message edited by: cacarr1 ]

[RayLuczak]

Chris:

At least you tried. Hopefully someone else will be able to answer this puzzle.

:-)

Raymond

did you know you can specify any folder as your main music folder? so yea go ahead and just use your firewire drive, I do. I have a 40gb partition on my firewire drive just for mp3s.

hope this helps at all,
personally i am constantly shifting my collection of music around because i like to re-convert my files to mp3 because itunes organizes the files nicely. I was just wondering if u were clearing itunes library after removing the music off of ur computer. I ussually clear the library then after i have finished everything i click on add to library . I hope that this idea helps u if u have not solved ur problem already
Good luck
if this helps let me know
redeamer00@hotmail.com

[RayLuczak]

Ryudo:

Thanks for the reassurances abt naming a MAIN music folder. I will definitely try that.

Redeamer:

How would you "clear" the library? And wouldn't this take FOREVER to add 6,500 MP3s to the library?

Thanks again, all!

Raymond

[poocat]

just select all, go up to edit and pick "clear"

or, go into the itunes prefs folder and drag your library file to the trash.
(um, this is all under os9...as a warning).

yeah, i can only assume it will take quite a bit of time to re-add that many mp3s.
i'm also curious about this problem, having had it myself (though never on such a scale), but unfortunately i don't really have a solution that takes zero time. darn.

they are all correct in saying you could just throw all the music on your firewire drive permanently and have itunes look for it there, which (to me, from way over here) sounds like the best option. it would be accessible from both comps w/ no reshuffling... i think. i'm curious as to how the ibook would treat the firewire drive if it's only sometimes plugged in... hmmm.

good luck,
pcat.

[gto47]

Delete your itunes library file. It is located in the itunes folder under the documents folder. Delete the one or two library files in there. (while itunes is not running mind you) That will fix it. Then all you have to do is add all of your songs back into itunes. It may happen again. I have enough problems with it with my measely 1000 songs.

[ 02-08-2002: Message edited by: gto47 ]