portable hard drive question

[cb4]

I think you can add/delete media files from either computer to the HD and sync whatever files you want to the player without issue and without manually copying these 'special' files. If not, dump iTunes and use WMP.

[jtp]

Apple intentionally made it difficult to transport music from one computer to the other. You can't just move the media and have iTunes "recognize" it. Apple wanted to make sure that it got multiple sales of its Music Store songs rather than making it easy for people to copy and/or share music.

When you start off with a brand new iTunes installation, you have to import the music (either by ripping it, buying it, or importing it) into iTunes. When you do so, iTunes automatically generates the song list. Then you have to create playlists. When you do that, iTunes automatically generates the second file. If you get rid of those two files, iTunes will revert to appearing empty even though the music files are still there.

I have transferred my iTunes libary from computer to computer on three occasions now. In every case, I tranferred the song files to the new computer and iTunes nevertheless appeared empty. Then, when I copied the two required data files into the proper C drive location, all of the songs and playlists instantly appeared.

There may be complex ways of getting around this system. But I don't know them. And with all due respect to B_TopleZZ, if she doesn't know whether she needs to plug the device into a specific USB port (not a dumb question by any means) then she isn't going to know how to work around Apple's security features either.

JTP
'00 Bright Red II, Black, Black 2.3

<b>PERFORMANCE: </b>Dinan Stage II suspension, Dinan strut tower brace, Porterfield R4S brake pads, Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 tires, UNGO MS8300 alarm, Doug Whalen Seat Bushings, Sylvania Silverstar headlights and fog lights. <b>MAINTENANCE: </b>Peake Research R5/fcx-II and SRS Reset Tools, Mity-Vac oil evacuator w/ brake bleeder, BMW Battery Tender. <b>COSMETICS: </b>Dinan Badge, OEM chrome exhaust tips, Magnetic stone guards, Roundel valve stem caps, Trunk-mounted Dragon sticker, WI plates: RES IPSA. <b>COMFORT: </b>Premium Package, Heated sport seats, “Z3 Roadster” heated vest (for GF), In-dash CD, LeatherZ MarkII armrest, OEM mesh windscreen. <b>CAR CARE: </b>Porter Cable random orbit buffer, Meguiars car care products, NOAH car cover, Plexus, Raggtop. <b>EXTRAS: </b>Z3Solutions warning triangle.

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[jtp]

But hey, have at it. I've been using iTunes for three years now, and have transferred music from computer to computer multiple times. Plus, I have loaned my external harddrive to multiple people and have had to explain to them how to get the music into THEIR version of iTunes. This by no means makes me an iTunes expert or computer guru, with regard to computer stuff I bow to your expertise, but I think I have a little more experience with iTunes than you do.

Apple made music sharing difficult on purpose. They want additional sales. WMP didn't worry about that because Microsoft wasn't in the business of selling music.

JTP
'00 Bright Red II, Black, Black 2.3

<b>PERFORMANCE: </b>Dinan Stage II suspension, Dinan strut tower brace, Porterfield R4S brake pads, Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 tires, UNGO MS8300 alarm, Doug Whalen Seat Bushings, Sylvania Silverstar headlights and fog lights. <b>MAINTENANCE: </b>Peake Research R5/fcx-II and SRS Reset Tools, Mity-Vac oil evacuator w/ brake bleeder, BMW Battery Tender. <b>COSMETICS: </b>Dinan Badge, OEM chrome exhaust tips, Magnetic stone guards, Roundel valve stem caps, Trunk-mounted Dragon sticker, WI plates: RES IPSA. <b>COMFORT: </b>Premium Package, Heated sport seats, “Z3 Roadster” heated vest (for GF), In-dash CD, LeatherZ MarkII armrest, OEM mesh windscreen. <b>CAR CARE: </b>Porter Cable random orbit buffer, Meguiars car care products, NOAH car cover, Plexus, Raggtop. <b>EXTRAS: </b>Z3Solutions warning triangle.

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[jtp]

I've been doing this for three years. You haven't tried it. You are applying your knowledge about a Microsoft product that doesn't worry about song sales to an Apple product that is fiercely protective of file transferability.

But if you think you understand it more, then go for it. But if I were you, I would hesitate to suggest to someone that they go out and buy hardware because you "I think it will work" when you don't know that for sure and when someone with a fair amount of experience with the program suggests that it might not work, and at the very least is going to be a chore to manage.

I'm done beating my head against a wall on this one.

JTP
'00 Bright Red II, Black, Black 2.3

<b>PERFORMANCE: </b>Dinan Stage II suspension, Dinan strut tower brace, Porterfield R4S brake pads, Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 tires, UNGO MS8300 alarm, Doug Whalen Seat Bushings, Sylvania Silverstar headlights and fog lights. <b>MAINTENANCE: </b>Peake Research R5/fcx-II and SRS Reset Tools, Mity-Vac oil evacuator w/ brake bleeder, BMW Battery Tender. <b>COSMETICS: </b>Dinan Badge, OEM chrome exhaust tips, Magnetic stone guards, Roundel valve stem caps, Trunk-mounted Dragon sticker, WI plates: RES IPSA. <b>COMFORT: </b>Premium Package, Heated sport seats, “Z3 Roadster” heated vest (for GF), In-dash CD, LeatherZ MarkII armrest, OEM mesh windscreen. <b>CAR CARE: </b>Porter Cable random orbit buffer, Meguiars car care products, NOAH car cover, Plexus, Raggtop. <b>EXTRAS: </b>Z3Solutions warning triangle.

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[jtp]

If you don't have an iPod, then iTunes is not the best application for organizing your music files. It just has too many "security" features built in that make transferring and manipulating song files too difficult. It is set up for ease of use with iPods, but it is also set up largely to prevent people from moving music around.

On the other hand, if you have an iPod and if you just need to have the music on that one computer rather than moving it around, iTunes is the most user-friendly application I have found. The Music Store is easy to use, it automatically imports into your library, and it automatically syncs with your iPod. Other programs that I used required multiple steps to do the same thing, and had too many options regarding how to save the music, etc. Like most things Apple, iTunes is more plug-and-play user-friendly. But it does have it's (significant) limitations. Regardless of what Carl says.

JTP
'00 Bright Red II, Black, Black 2.3

<b>PERFORMANCE: </b>Dinan Stage II suspension, Dinan strut tower brace, Porterfield R4S brake pads, Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 tires, UNGO MS8300 alarm, Doug Whalen Seat Bushings, Sylvania Silverstar headlights and fog lights. <b>MAINTENANCE: </b>Peake Research R5/fcx-II and SRS Reset Tools, Mity-Vac oil evacuator w/ brake bleeder, BMW Battery Tender. <b>COSMETICS: </b>Dinan Badge, OEM chrome exhaust tips, Magnetic stone guards, Roundel valve stem caps, Trunk-mounted Dragon sticker, WI plates: RES IPSA. <b>COMFORT: </b>Premium Package, Heated sport seats, “Z3 Roadster” heated vest (for GF), In-dash CD, LeatherZ MarkII armrest, OEM mesh windscreen. <b>CAR CARE: </b>Porter Cable random orbit buffer, Meguiars car care products, NOAH car cover, Plexus, Raggtop. <b>EXTRAS: </b>Z3Solutions warning triangle.

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[cb4]

Shall we make a bet? I say I can do it.

(Hint, hint - you dropped information in another post that suggests to me that this will work.)

[cb4]

Doesn't mean it won't work.

Agree to the bet and I'll tell you how:)

[jtp]

I made a simple observation. I simply pointed out that iTunes may have issues with an external harddrive moving between computers. My observation is 100% accurate.

Can you perform some sort of computer wizardry to make it work? Maybe. I've said all along that it might be possible. But it's not something that I would want to have to tackle and not something that B_TopleZZ is likely to figure out either.

And even if you failed at getting it to work, you won't admit it. I can't even get you to admit that iTunes is going to make this an issue in the first place.

I'm done. I have issued my warning to the original poster. You can do whatever you want, I really don't care beyond making sure the warning is posted. The whole point of the discussion is that you said it WOULD WORK without issue. Based on that uneducated recommendation, someone was going to go out and buy expensive hardware. Turns out, you were talking out of your backside because you don't KNOW that it will work. Might you get it to? Maybe. Did you have enough info to render your original opinion? Not in the least.

JTP
'00 Bright Red II, Black, Black 2.3

<b>PERFORMANCE: </b>Dinan Stage II suspension, Dinan strut tower brace, Porterfield R4S brake pads, Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 tires, UNGO MS8300 alarm, Doug Whalen Seat Bushings, Sylvania Silverstar headlights and fog lights. <b>MAINTENANCE: </b>Peake Research R5/fcx-II and SRS Reset Tools, Mity-Vac oil evacuator w/ brake bleeder, BMW Battery Tender. <b>COSMETICS: </b>Dinan Badge, OEM chrome exhaust tips, Magnetic stone guards, Roundel valve stem caps, Trunk-mounted Dragon sticker, WI plates: RES IPSA. <b>COMFORT: </b>Premium Package, Heated sport seats, “Z3 Roadster” heated vest (for GF), In-dash CD, LeatherZ MarkII armrest, OEM mesh windscreen. <b>CAR CARE: </b>Porter Cable random orbit buffer, Meguiars car care products, NOAH car cover, Plexus, Raggtop. <b>EXTRAS: </b>Z3Solutions warning triangle.

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[cb4]

I'm debating if I should install iTunes on a couple of computers here or wait for a certain light bulb:)

Well, there's always a chance (a small chance) I could be wrong but I'm feeling confident today. Hey, it's our extra day. Need to do something fun with it.

[jtp]

JTP
'00 Bright Red II, Black, Black 2.3

<b>PERFORMANCE: </b>Dinan Stage II suspension, Dinan strut tower brace, Porterfield R4S brake pads, Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 tires, UNGO MS8300 alarm, Doug Whalen Seat Bushings, Sylvania Silverstar headlights and fog lights. <b>MAINTENANCE: </b>Peake Research R5/fcx-II and SRS Reset Tools, Mity-Vac oil evacuator w/ brake bleeder, BMW Battery Tender. <b>COSMETICS: </b>Dinan Badge, OEM chrome exhaust tips, Magnetic stone guards, Roundel valve stem caps, Trunk-mounted Dragon sticker, WI plates: RES IPSA. <b>COMFORT: </b>Premium Package, Heated sport seats, “Z3 Roadster” heated vest (for GF), In-dash CD, LeatherZ MarkII armrest, OEM mesh windscreen. <b>CAR CARE: </b>Porter Cable random orbit buffer, Meguiars car care products, NOAH car cover, Plexus, Raggtop. <b>EXTRAS: </b>Z3Solutions warning triangle.

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[cb4]

Saying I have an uneducated opinion was nasty or suggesting that I'm talking out my backside equally so. I write software for a living and am pretty knowledgable on data file storage and file architectures. That said, I believe I don't have to do any magic with iTunes. Just use it the way it was intended w/o trying to 'out-smart' it. I could be wrong, I'd admit it. Saying I wouldn't tells me you don't really know me very well.

[jtp]

You have acknowledged that you don't have experience with iTunes and that you were basing your initial answer on your experience with WMP. I'm not casting aspersions, I'm simply pointing out that your initial advice was therefore coming from an admittedly uninformed position.

You thought that iTunes would simply index any music files it found. Unfortunately, it doesn't have that functionality. Again, you gave an opinion without realizing the limitations.

Take it for what it's worth, but that's how I see it. I made a simple observation that she might -- MIGHT -- have problems and you have fought tooth and nail, despite not knowing the software, to argue that she won't. So congrats - it's your baby now.

JTP
'00 Bright Red II, Black, Black 2.3

<b>PERFORMANCE: </b>Dinan Stage II suspension, Dinan strut tower brace, Porterfield R4S brake pads, Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 tires, UNGO MS8300 alarm, Doug Whalen Seat Bushings, Sylvania Silverstar headlights and fog lights. <b>MAINTENANCE: </b>Peake Research R5/fcx-II and SRS Reset Tools, Mity-Vac oil evacuator w/ brake bleeder, BMW Battery Tender. <b>COSMETICS: </b>Dinan Badge, OEM chrome exhaust tips, Magnetic stone guards, Roundel valve stem caps, Trunk-mounted Dragon sticker, WI plates: RES IPSA. <b>COMFORT: </b>Premium Package, Heated sport seats, “Z3 Roadster” heated vest (for GF), In-dash CD, LeatherZ MarkII armrest, OEM mesh windscreen. <b>CAR CARE: </b>Porter Cable random orbit buffer, Meguiars car care products, NOAH car cover, Plexus, Raggtop. <b>EXTRAS: </b>Z3Solutions warning triangle.

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[cb4]

since Beth may care.

1) Install iTunes on computer A.
2) Plug in USB drive containing MP3 files.
3) Do an import of that location and let iTunes build it's catalog.
4) Remove USB.
5) Install iTunes on computer B.
6) Plug in USB drive to computer B.
7) Do an import of USB drive and let iTunes build it's catalog on computer B.

Then freely switch USB drive between both computers.

I say it works and you didn't think to try it. Are you still going to insist this won't work? If so, I'll try it. I said earlier, I could be wrong but I don't think so.

[jtp]

But it doesn't do ANYTHING for the playlists. She would have to recreate all of those. My sister just did the same thing when she tried to move her iTunes library from one computer to the other without asking me how to do it. She got the music imported, but not the playlists. She had to recreate all her playlists.

In addition to that, now what happens when she wants to add, change, or delete music. So she does so on one computer. But the other computer isn't going to know the change was made, so it will be confused when the iTunes library no longer matches what it was expecting.

Really, Carl, this is NOT as easy as you are making out to be. Apple made this difficult for a reason.

p.s. The fact that you "could be wrong" means that you should have been willing to acknowledge that when it was first pointed out after you gave potentially erroneous advice that someone buy expensive hardware. It might be that you are right. But there is a risk that you are wrong and you weren't willing to accept that - to B_topleZZ's potential disadvantage. THAT is my point this whole time.

JTP
'00 Bright Red II, Black, Black 2.3

<b>PERFORMANCE: </b>Dinan Stage II suspension, Dinan strut tower brace, Porterfield R4S brake pads, Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 tires, UNGO MS8300 alarm, Doug Whalen Seat Bushings, Sylvania Silverstar headlights and fog lights. <b>MAINTENANCE: </b>Peake Research R5/fcx-II and SRS Reset Tools, Mity-Vac oil evacuator w/ brake bleeder, BMW Battery Tender. <b>COSMETICS: </b>Dinan Badge, OEM chrome exhaust tips, Magnetic stone guards, Roundel valve stem caps, Trunk-mounted Dragon sticker, WI plates: RES IPSA. <b>COMFORT: </b>Premium Package, Heated sport seats, “Z3 Roadster” heated vest (for GF), In-dash CD, LeatherZ MarkII armrest, OEM mesh windscreen. <b>CAR CARE: </b>Porter Cable random orbit buffer, Meguiars car care products, NOAH car cover, Plexus, Raggtop. <b>EXTRAS: </b>Z3Solutions warning triangle.

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[B_TopleZZ]

i think that is a GREAT idea! get that going...i will wait for the step by step instructions once you figure it all out. ;)

thanks,

Beth

[cb4]

<i>p.s. The fact that you "could be wrong" means that you should have been willing to acknowledge that when it was first pointed out after you gave potentially erroneous advice that someone buy expensive hardware. It might be that you are right. But there is a risk that you are wrong and you weren't willing to accept that - to B_topleZZ's potential disadvantage. THAT is my point this whole time.</i>

potentially erroneous advice ...... expensive hardware ......potential disadvantage.......

puhleeeeeeeeeeeeeease, this has the makings of a bad lawyer joke!

how about this:

If I am right you apoligize to me and pay for Beth's USB drive
If I am wrong I'll do the same.

Deal?

[jtp]

1) I have no desire to bet because I don't care enough.
2) I am already right about what I said. I DID NOT say that it wouldn't work. I said that it MIGHT cause her problems.
3) YOU are the one that said it WOULD work. But you have admitted that it might not. Which means that you admitted that I was right that it might now work.
4) The fact that you would now have to try it shows that you aren't positive it will work.

You are posing this as an "I said it won't work you said it will work" issue. That's not the question at all. I DID NOT say that it won't work. I just wanted to warn her of a potential problem, just like you wanted to warn of a potential problem with back-grading to XP. In that case, you thought the warning was reasonable because you were giving it. In this case, you think the warning is not reasonable because it involves advice that you gave. That is unfortunate, but it does not make me so interested that I am willing to bet on the outcome. Especially since the ultimate outcome wasn't the subject of the warning in the first place.

JTP
'00 Bright Red II, Black, Black 2.3

<b>PERFORMANCE: </b>Dinan Stage II suspension, Dinan strut tower brace, Porterfield R4S brake pads, Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 tires, UNGO MS8300 alarm, Doug Whalen Seat Bushings, Sylvania Silverstar headlights and fog lights. <b>MAINTENANCE: </b>Peake Research R5/fcx-II and SRS Reset Tools, Mity-Vac oil evacuator w/ brake bleeder, BMW Battery Tender. <b>COSMETICS: </b>Dinan Badge, OEM chrome exhaust tips, Magnetic stone guards, Roundel valve stem caps, Trunk-mounted Dragon sticker, WI plates: RES IPSA. <b>COMFORT: </b>Premium Package, Heated sport seats, “Z3 Roadster” heated vest (for GF), In-dash CD, LeatherZ MarkII armrest, OEM mesh windscreen. <b>CAR CARE: </b>Porter Cable random orbit buffer, Meguiars car care products, NOAH car cover, Plexus, Raggtop. <b>EXTRAS: </b>Z3Solutions warning triangle.

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[cb4]

Sorry for the delay, we went out for dinner.

I now have iTunes installed on two computers and each can access music from the same USB drive (obviously not at the same time).

All you have to do is select Files=>Add Folder to Library and navigate to the USB drive and folder and it will build the catalog.

If you add more files to the USB drive, just add the folder again and iTunes will discover any additional files and add them skipping over the files that are already cataloged.

If you delete files (unlikely) you can always clear the list and re-add the folder again. Even if you don't and attempt to play a deleted file, it will prompt you to remove the entry from the catalog.

The catalog is stored in an XML file called "iTunes Music Library.xml" under $USERPROFILE\My Documents\My Music\iTunes and can be stored on the USB drive but there is really no point in doing that.

If you want to share playlists between both computers, all you need to do is export them to a folder on the USB drive then import the playlist from the other computer. These are stored in an ascii text file named (playlistname).txt. This is actually a fairly nice feature of iTunes.

Really, the only thing you need to be certain of is that the USB drive gets assigned the same drive letter each time you connect it. I found that even when I changed my drive letter all I had to do was re-add my USB folder and iTunes straightened everything out.

I tried all of this out and it all works fine. It behaves very much like WMP which in all fairness I can't be too surprised by. If iTunes was unfriendly with shared media libraries, it would quickly fall out of favor with its user base.

I am annoyed by its always wanting to connect to its music store and its consistently wanting to convert my WMA files to its format. Other than that, not as bad as I feared it would be.

[cb4]

This is the part I didn't understand or more accurately didn't agree with. I hope that when you calm down and reread this thread you will listen to what I've been saying.

I'm convinced that you didn't (maybe still don't) understand how iTunes works. Read my 'it works fine' post and maybe next time you will be in a better position to help others who are struggling with iTunes.

In any case, I thought the bet was a clever idea to get Beth a free USB drive. It would also give me incentive to download and install iTunes. Turns out it was pretty painless.

[rustyh]

"Saying I have an uneducated opinion was nasty "

Gosh, [thinking to self] now who else have I seen say to someone that their opinion is uneducated or uninformed? lol

Oh yea, it was that guy arguing with me about HD rallys. ;)

Btw, in that thread I realized I never brought up the most obvious difference between rallys I liked versus HOG rallys. The bikes themselves. At rallys I like(d), there are tons of different kinds of bikes. Sometimes it almost seems like you never see the same model twice. At the HOG rallys I went to, all the bikes were HD, which of course is expected. That's Ok for 30 minutes or so, but once I'd seen one Springer, or Roadking, or Dyna, etc I'd kinda had my fill. My interest was much more into looking at all the different machines with all the different setups and some of those incredible paint jobs.

Damn I want another bike. :(

Rusty
'05 330i ZHP in Imola