[eclein]

Hey guys, here is what I currently use for my digital files as far as storage, playback etc..
 Sony VAIO laptop--server and storage
 1 TB Seagate USB drive connected to laptop -storage
 Squeezebox DUET for playback
Until yesterday I had all my music on my laptop, yesterday I did a full music library copy over to the USB drive connected to the laptop (laptop was full) full music library is now in two places.
 I use ipeng on an ipod touch to control the playback and Squeezeserver is setup to look into one folder- My Music on my laptop - for music and to let me navigate that folder to whatever sub file I have. One of which has now been added-"My Music Seagate". It works, sounds fine so how long do I test this out before I start chopping my library up on the VAIO?
 The other question is this: When I started putting this library together I was using itunes to rip, tag etc and SB Server was set to look at itunes for my music. I now use Music Monkey Gold to rip. listen at my PC and burn...when I delete music files I don't want taking up space on my laptop I should do the removal through itunes so as not to loose my itunes acct. ipod syncing and soon to be ipad syncing and iphone syncing--for now ( I know Media Monkey can sync to ipods or at least claims to be able to) so I need itunes for apps and to move music onto the ipod. The other playback software items like WMP, Media Monkey-they just look at current files on the laptop where itunes digs in deeper so if I just wack folders out of tunes I don't want in explorer then I run the risk of screwing up my itunes library.
 
So to summarize:
 1) How long do I test out this new config before removing file from itunes?
 2) I really should buy another backup drive correct, to backup the now primary music storage drive- Seagate USB.
 3) Any other thoughts you guys have on this approach??

 Thoughts??

Thanks

[DARTH AUDIO]

I moved all my music files to my new external/internal hard drive. I bought the Antec MX-1 Actively cooled Hard Drive Enclosure and the WD Caviar Black 1TB Internal Hard Drive. I also purchased a high quality USB cable from Kimber Cable. Total set up was around $250.00. I use the Squeeze Box Touch (Modified by Wayne @ Bolder). I do back up this set up with my WD external 500MB hard drive.

[Vincent Kars]

Storage is cheap today
Make a backup before you say to yourself “I should have made one”.
Make 2
1 for at home
1 to store at the house of a friend, relative, etc, simply at a save distance from your current home

[Nels Ferre]

This is my method:

All of my music is stored on a WD Elements 1.5 TB USB hard drive that is used hours daily. No issues.

I make a backup to another WD Elements USB hard drive.

I have a second backup on a Drobo.

The WD Elements units are very quiet, cool running, compact, and most importantly, very reliable. They can be found very cheaply now that USB 3.0 is ramping up. I recommend these drives without reservation.

I back up new music to the Drobo immediately. I use the older WD unit as my daily drive, and back up from that to the second WD drive monthly. I keep the second drive in its box when not in use.

[eclein]

Ok---got that part---but my other question is, when I remove files off my laptop to I just delete them or remove them through itunes particular way so I preserve the itunes library?? I don't want to corrupt it because it has my info regarding ipod apps, music etc...I doubt Apple would say "oh we're sorry you lost all your app files here, here they are again for FREE"  LOL

[Nels Ferre]

Now I get it. Understand I literally have not looked at iTunes set up on a Windows machine in years, but here's how it works on my Mac. Hopefully this helps.

In the iTunes folder, you will see different sub folders. Music, Movies, Apps etc. You can go into the music folder and empty it, as long as you have moved the contents of that folder to your external drive. You can do the same with the movies folder, if you have any purchased movies.

On the Preferences tab, under advances you have to tell iTunes where your files reside. Point iTunes to your external drive.

I hope this helps.

[eclein]

Thats even better than what i was thinking, I was just gonna remove them off the laptop and be done with them relying on the USB drive at that point on ward. You know that music you burned 3 years ago thats just taking up space on the HDD but you gotta keep it just in case...LOL