ITunes and IPod question

[TexOle]

Right now it appears that I have all of my media files on my computer and my external HD. I want to put all my media files on my external HD using ITunes. When I try to use Itunes to consolidate the files I get an error message, because my computer HD is completely full. Does anyone know how I can get all of my iTunes stuff to this external HD. I am afraid if I do it wrong I will lose everything.

[Beta]

You can physically move the files to your ex-HD.

1) Windows Explorer
2) Tools -> Folder Options -> View -> Show Hidden Files
3) Go back to Windows Explorer, select your Ipod...it should be listed as an external drive.
4) Open Ipod Control, there should be some folders listed.
5) The Music Folder contains several folders that house your music. Whichever folders the files are in make no difference...they can all be in one.

*I have only done this for music, regardless these are the actual files so technically you're safe*

**Note, the files do not have "readable" names, just random numbers. You will have to get the details in the windows explorer bar to view "Artist" and "Song"**

[mholtz]

Are you using windows or mac?

assuming windows all your files should be in "MyDocuments\My Music\itunes\itunes music library" or something very close to that.

open itunes then go to edit->preferences

in the advanced tab under the general sub tab there is a "itunes music folder location"

you can change that to be on your external hard drive.

I'd recommend checking "keep itunes music folder organized' which puts songs into folders by artist

and also "copy files to itunes music folder when adding to library"

I've never tried this, but it may actually move all your files into the external HD.

If it doesnt then try selecting the old itunes music folder (from my music) and drag the entire folder into itunes. that should import them, and then they will get copied to the external HD.

That will take quite a while depending on the size of your music folder.