• TV
  • MOVIES
  • MUSIC
  • SHOWBIZ
  • SOAPS
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • FORUMS
  • Follow
    • Follow
    • facebook
    • twitter
    • google+
    • instagram
    • youtube
Hearst Corporation
  • TV
  • MOVIES
  • MUSIC
  • SHOWBIZ
  • SOAPS
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • FORUMS
Forums
  • Register
  • Login
  • Forums
  • Gadgets
  • Tablets and e-Readers
duplicated library in itunes
calvin&hobbs
22-03-2009
my itunes library is on a removeable hard drive. I have been having a few problems recently and decided to put them onto another drive as well just in case ( I have also backed up using disks).
I used the pie chart to check how much space would be needed, expecting approx 60 gigabytes or so but found that i have duplicate files of everything, done on different dates, one set on 5th june and one on 7th june. I have started deleting the older dated ones but it is taking ages and wonder whether there is a way of deleting the older duplicate files but leaving the newer ones intact as i dont want to lose everything and have to reinstall all the music again. hope this makes sense, i dont have two libraries, but when you open the artist folder, then the cd title folder, there are two lots in there,though only the later dated ones work in itunes.
goodnamesgone
23-03-2009
This will only work if you have the preferences set to itunes organizing your music.
(I've done this on my mac)

Select everything in itunes and delete it
when it gives you the options: cancel, keep files, move to trash; you want to KEEP FILES.
now drag your Music folder to itunes and wait (and probably wait some more).
calvin&hobbs
23-03-2009
ta for your help,call me a coward if you like but it looks like i will have to do it the long way and delete manually, sounds just a bit risky to me.
calvin&hobbs
23-03-2009
ps also surely there will still be two copies of each song in the music folder???
goodnamesgone
23-03-2009
Ah,

Plan B - select show duplicates
- sort the list by date added column
- select everything on the relevant date
- sort the list by name and you should have a nice stripy list as a visual check
- delete away
calvin&hobbs
23-03-2009
everything in the date added column is dated 7th june,it is the 5th june entries i need to delete.i have a nice stripey list but I hoped the light stripe would be one date and dark stripe another and they arent.
goodnamesgone
24-03-2009
Just rereading your first post - you have two copies of everything but only 1 plays?
If so follow my first suggestion; BUT rename your music folder first (e.g. to "something else") then copy the lot to itunes (or if space is an issue; artist by artist) as itunes will ignore files it can't play.

So in summary:
1. do Consolidate Library then Quit itunes
2. rename your music file to "something else"
3. Start itunes
4. clear your library (KEEP MUSIC)
5. drag your "something else" folder (or artist sized chunks of it) to itunes
6. throw "something else" (or artist sized chunks) away (repeat 5&6 for artist sized chunks)

OR if the duplicates are only in your music folder

Use the finder (or windows explorer) to find files in your music folder from the duplicate date (5th) and trash 'em.

OR if you have 2 working copies of each tune

Use the finder (or windows explorer) to find files in your music folder from the duplicate date and trash 'em. Then do option 1 to take the now missing files out of the itunes list!

(It all depends on how much music you've got - I've got over 50000 tunes and I'll do anything to not got through 'em by hand!)
calvin&hobbs
24-03-2009
after reading your ideas i managed to find how to find the dates in search on explorer by clicking on the file and then date created, arrow pointing up wards. now the music is split into two dates and i can delete as i wish. if you hadnt said it could be done, i wouldnt have tried.

cheers mate
calvin&hobbs
06-04-2009
goodnamesgone.

well i finally gave up and went with your suggestions. somehow i had ended up with two of everything in my itunes window as well as my itunes music folder. i deleted the bloody lotin itunes and dropped the music files into the now empty window. took ages but at last everything apears to be ok.

once again thanks
VIEW DESKTOP SITE TOP

JOIN US HERE

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Hearst Corporation

Hearst Corporation

DIGITAL SPY, PART OF THE HEARST UK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK

© 2015 Hearst Magazines UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 72 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 9EP. Registered in England 112955. All rights reserved.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Complaints
  • Site Map