Well, that depends on whether you want to preserve your playlists and other database information such as ratings, play counts, last played times, etc.
Using the "Consolidate Library" function will move your media files to the external drive, but iTunes' library database itself will remain in its original location on your internal hard drive. I'd recommend backing this up as well -- you can copy it manually from the "iTunes" folder located under "My Music" -- just copy the entire folder except the "iTunes Music" sub-folder (you've already consolidated that to the new location, so no need to copy it again)., and then on the freshly-reformatted hard drive, you can copy it back into the same location.
In fact, if you're really just looking to backup and restore the whole iTunes library, there's really no need to worry about the "Consolidate Library" option as this will take additional time to update the iTunes database. Assuming that your iTunes Music Folder is in the default location (under "My Music\iTunes"), you can just copy/backup the entire "iTunes" folder as-is, with all sub-folders, and then re-copy/restore it back to the same location after you've formatted your hard drive. The "Consolidate Library" function is only necessary if you plan to use your library from the external drive, or if you were going to change the location when you later put it back (ie, put it on a different partition, or a completely different folder outside of your "My Music" folder).
Hi,
I read every page of this thread and the article "Transferring your
iTunes Library", but I haven't found the right procedure described for
My problem / question.
I have a MacBook Pro, my iTunes Media folder is located in my
External hard disk (I moved iTunes Media folder with the Consolidate function), and my
iTunes folder is in the local disk (User Name> Music> iTunes).
Up to here all right.
Now I have to format the internal hard disk Mac: I made a backup
the iTunes folder. I formatted the hard disk, reinstalled Snow
Leopard and I put it in the same position the iTunes folder.
Even here so good.
I open iTunes and I find everything in order: playlist, charts, ..
I make "Apple-i" in a track, the position is right , the track is positioned on the
External hard Disk.
The doubt that I have is when I watching the Preference> Advanced: the Position
the iTunes Media folder is set to the local disk (Users / Nadabi /
Music / iTunes / iTunes media). This happens because formatting
lose the Preferences of ITunes.
At this point, is right to manually I change the location
of iTunes Media folder to external hard disk?
Following is procedure (changing Manually the position) show me a window that it
says: “ Do you want to move and rename files in new folder
iTunes Media according to preferences "Keep organized
the folder of iTunes Media? Confirm, pressing YES.
I think that is the right procedure, but I want to be sure!
.. I'd like one of your advice.
Sorry for my english
Thanks for your attention.