[jrebman]

I just got an Oyen MiniPro FW800 portable 1 tb drive for my mini and I'd like to know what's the best way to delete the entire current database, load up the minipro from my archival drive, and then import it all into iTunes again.

Sorry if this is really basic stuff, but I'm still feeling my way around iTunes, the Mac in general, and VoiceOver and all the online tutorials on the apple site are videos, which don't do me much good.

Thanks,

Jim

[roscoeiii]

The ability to have multiple libraries in iTunes is a little known feature. Access the option to choose a library or create a new library by holding down the option key when opening iTunes. No need to delete old library, but it may be a possibility on the windows that pop up when you hold option down.

[Crimson]

Plug in both drives, start iTunes, and then change the path of your library to point to the new drive (Preferences >> Advanced). Once you do that, Consolidate your library (File >> Library >> Organize Library). This will effectively move (copy) your library to the new drive and simultaneously rebuild the database. It'll take a while, but it works flawlessly.

[jrebman]

Crimson and Roscoe,

Thanks both for some very useful information!

I'll try both tomorrow,

Jim

[jrebman]

As a follow-up question, is there an eay way to delete an entire album or artist if one sorts by album or artist?

Thanks,

Jim

[skunark]

As a follow-up question, is there an eay way to delete an entire album or artist if one sorts by album or artist?

Thanks,

Jim

First make sure you have a backup .
Second, search by artist, album, etc
Third, review the list selected and you can do command-A (ctrl-a on windows) to select all
Fourth, press delete or right click to delete.

[jrebman]

Thanks, that looks easy enough.  I'm getting there... one of these days I'll not be asking so many basic questions.  I seem to be doing ok with te rest of the mac, just iTunes keeps throwing me for loops.  Somewhere I know there are probably a couple of little nuggets of knowledge that will unlock this whole thing for me.

-- Jim

[Levi]

This is somewhat an old school way to transfer new music into iTunes music folder.  That is if you don't want to consolidate your music files and have a little control on which music you want to transfer.

I happen to have a new 27" iMac (my son) and want to transfer selected music from an external HDD.  That is music he likes and not all music from my HDD(s).

1. Specify where the new music folder is located in iTunes
2. Locate the music folder and select the music files or folder containing music and drag it into the music folder in iTunes.  You will see a + sign.

iTunes will then start to organize files and you will have your new (selected) music library.  That's how I do it and it works for me even the album artwork comes over.

[jrebman]

Thanks, Levi,  Another great tip I'll surely use!

-- Jim