Storing music on an external drive in Itunes

GodwinAustin · 12-29-2005, 06:09 AM

My hard disk is only 20GB and I quickly ran out of space to keep all my music, so I ended up getting a 160GB external drive. I continue to keep some music on the 20GB drive, but I keep alot of live stuff in in folders on the 160GB external.

Heres the problem: Once I add the folders from the external drive to my Itunes library everything works fine UNTIL I disconnect the drive. After I have the drive disconnected and I try to go back to Itunes and reconnect the drive at some later point Itunes loses track of the songs and says "original file could not be found" Basically I guess this is a problem of Itunes preserving file assosciations, but does anyone know how to fix it?

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lee · 12-29-2005, 06:29 AM

when you disconnect and reconnect the drive, does it maintain the same drive letter?

GodwinAustin · 12-29-2005, 06:31 AM

yeah it does Lee.

lee · 12-29-2005, 06:46 AM

thats really strange cause i do this exact same thing, and i have never had a single problem?

sorry i know that doesnt help!

***Corey*** · 12-29-2005, 06:55 AM

I too run a 160 GB USB external, but most of my MP3s are on my main drive, with only a few on the USB one.

You need to have the external powered up all the time.
Your tunes are only in the iTunes library, not actualy stored there.

When you fire up iTunes and you get that message, it is because the MP3 can not be found, as your hard drive is turned off.

I get the same message too if I forget to have the external powered up.
Your best bet would be to add a 2nd hard drive in the case, wipe your library, then rebuild it by adding the folders back in again.

GodwinAustin · 12-29-2005, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corey

I too run a 160 GB USB external, but most of my MP3s are on my main drive, with only a few on the USB one.

You need to have the external powered up all the time.
Your tunes are only in the iTunes library, not actualy stored there.

When you fire up iTunes and you get that message, it is because the MP3 can not be found, as your hard drive is turned off.

I get the same message too if I forget to have the external powered up.
Your best bet would be to add a 2nd hard drive in the case, wipe your library, then rebuild it by adding the folders back in again.

right, well what I have been doing is deleting the songs after I disconnect the hard drive - then when I turn the hard drive on and connect it again, I add the songs all over again - needless to say this is an incredible pain in the ass. Why cant Itunes just remember where the file is, and when it is there(HDD on and connected) find it, and when it is not(HDD off and disconnected) simply not access it????

lee · 12-29-2005, 08:39 AM

yet another reason i hate itunes.

apples software that is ipod related is all so cumbersome and not intuitive in the least. very surprisingly so.

i hate it all (and i realize im pretty alone in that opinion).

***Corey*** · 12-29-2005, 08:55 AM

That is strange, I love how the iPod and iTunes go so well with each other.
I have mine set to auto update the iPod whenever it connects, as I am always adding new tunes to the library.

Psssssssst, if anyone is a Battle Star Galactica nut, if you head to scifi.com you can then access the iTunes store to get a free show that is going to air next Monday night at 10 PM on Sci-Fi.

GodwinAustin · 12-29-2005, 09:45 AM

yup overall Itunes is very good - auto update is nice too.

12-29-2005, 06:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
GodwinAustin Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Eagle County Colorado Posts: 1,149	yeah it does Lee. __________________ -Jon Red 88 4runner - 5Spd - 22re

12-29-2005, 06:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	I too run a 160 GB USB external, but most of my MP3s are on my main drive, with only a few on the USB one. You need to have the external powered up all the time. Your tunes are only in the iTunes library, not actualy stored there. When you fire up iTunes and you get that message, it is because the MP3 can not be found, as your hard drive is turned off. I get the same message too if I forget to have the external powered up. Your best bet would be to add a 2nd hard drive in the case, wipe your library, then rebuild it by adding the folders back in again. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

12-29-2005, 08:55 AM	#8 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	That is strange, I love how the iPod and iTunes go so well with each other. I have mine set to auto update the iPod whenever it connects, as I am always adding new tunes to the library. Psssssssst, if anyone is a Battle Star Galactica nut, if you head to scifi.com you can then access the iTunes store to get a free show that is going to air next Monday night at 10 PM on Sci-Fi. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

12-29-2005, 09:45 AM	#9 (permalink)
GodwinAustin Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Eagle County Colorado Posts: 1,149	yup overall Itunes is very good - auto update is nice too. __________________ -Jon Red 88 4runner - 5Spd - 22re

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12-29-2005, 06:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
lee Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: boston, ma Posts: 6,756	when you disconnect and reconnect the drive, does it maintain the same drive letter?

12-29-2005, 06:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
lee Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: boston, ma Posts: 6,756	thats really strange cause i do this exact same thing, and i have never had a single problem? sorry i know that doesnt help!

12-29-2005, 08:39 AM	#7 (permalink)
lee Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: boston, ma Posts: 6,756	yet another reason i hate itunes. apples software that is ipod related is all so cumbersome and not intuitive in the least. very surprisingly so. i hate it all (and i realize im pretty alone in that opinion).

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