2. pc-audio
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iTunes and file format

I have several computers -- both Macs and PCs -- and am looking to finally consolidate things. Current music server is a (Vista) PC with library on external drive formatted in NTFS. I know this will work if I plug it into a Mac -- I've tried it -- but can I then just go ahead and import new CDs using iTunes on the Mac without making any changes to the external drive? Or is there a better way to do this, some other file format that would make more sense for a Mac-based server? If so, can I copy what I've got onto a properly formatted drive? (I sure as heck don't want to rip all 659 discs again!) I really don't know much about all of this -- as is doubtless obvious from this post -- and I'd really appreciate any help you all could give me. Thanks so much.
Howard
hodu

Showing 2 responses by synthfreek

synthfreek's avatar
synthfreek
627 posts
 
I think instead of simply "copying" the files to the new drive you're supposed to use the Consolidate Library function. Simply copying would lead to incorrect path/directory errors wouldn't it?
synthfreek's avatar
synthfreek
627 posts
 
Do you plan on using Time Machine for backups? If so you should remember that the first time you perform a backup you should allot 2-3 X's the copied drive's capacity on the Time Machine drive. In other words if you set up a fresh drive as a 1TB backup and copy 700GB of music onto it Time Machine will not work. I'd run Time Machine after you've copied 1/3 of your music then copy the next 1/3 and run TM again. Finish copying the final 1/3 and lastly running TM again. A program such as SuperDuper would need to be purchased/used or you'd need to start over if you get the point where TM gives insufficient space errors. I nearly lost it the time I made that mistake. Right on the screen it said something like "Insufficient Space-you are trying to back up 600GB but you only have 920GB available...". I was like huh?!
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