General

[titan aresta]

It probably would be best if you created a shortcut to your music folder on C drive, rename it iTunes Music, and direct iTunes to use that folder. This way iTunes always thinks it's writing to C drive all the while the files are redirected to whatever the drive with the music actually is.
If your drive letters get all screwy, just fix the shortcut and you should be ok.
It probably would also help to keep a backup copy of the iTunes Library file. This way if something does go wrong, you don't have to rebuild the whole library from scratch.

[Schmitti]

You guys are missing the point.... i-tunes and navigating within it are not the problem.

The problem is that I have a problem with not being able to see MY files when looking for them outside of i-tunes. I can only see the *.mp3's when in i-tunes as it hides them away somewhere that you can't see when searching the hard drive through my computer outside of i-tunes.

Basically if I don't feel like using i-tunes. Take for example I buy a non apple mp3 device that doesn't sync with i-tunes and I don't want to have to go through the hastle of moving all the files to some where else on the machine. In theory I should be able to go to "Start" then "My Computer" then search my hard drive or open a known folder and view the mp3's... i-tunes will not let you do this. It's put them in a hidden folder somewhere or dropped them into the i-tunes software somewhere. That is the problem.

Not navigating apple software, not licensing (Harb thanks for the offer), and not ... was there another one.

Just plain hiding MY data from me.

Oh and I thought IE was supposed to be easily removed from pc's... looks like they've gone and made it harder to remove despite the class action suit that said they had to make the program removeable.

E

[Lrrpie-CT]

Erik, I've never had a problem moving client's iTune music. I don't own an iPod but I'm frequently replacing computers and migrating data, including iTunes data, from one to another. All the music should be in a folder within the my documents structure of the profile. If not, then something is way wrong. If it's not in my music, or iTunes music, etc., then you've got a different issue. So, you searched the PC for mp3 and mp4 and didn't find anything??

[Schmitti]

Correct.

I did a search from the top of the tree for both *.mp3 and *.mp4. The only ones I found were Kindred's Irish drinking songs that I downloaded on St. Patties day. But nothing that Suzanne had used i-tunes to rip cd's or download/purchase from online. That stuff is all hidden.

E

[Kindred]

Originally Posted by Schmitti

Oh and I thought IE was supposed to be easily removed from pc's... looks like they've gone and made it harder to remove despite the class action suit that said they had to make the program removeable.

Although I RARELY if every use IE, I can honestly say I've never bothered to remove it...just install the free browser of your choice and make it the default.

As for paying to escape iTunes...I honestly thought it was worth the money. I love the iPod device but dont like, or trust their software...so I took the approach that I "get what I pay for". I was willing to pay a few bucks to keep absolute control over my precious music.

As for searching for your music, it really does sound kind of screwy. Ive done this before for people, and although it's a pita, it's do-able. Music files are big and by default windows dumps them all together...they should pretty much jump right out at you! I can think of two options off the top of my head:

1) Not knowing how permissions are setup on your computer, try doing the search for Suz's files while you're logged on as her. By default windows will want to put them inside her profile, which your id may not have access to.

2) When doing the search, just make sure you expand the "Advanced options" and check the boxes to include hidden and system files.

I'm assuming you're searching on the COMPUTER, not on the iPod it'self, right?

[DarkStar]

Originally Posted by Schmitti

Correct.

I did a search from the top of the tree for both *.mp3 and *.mp4. The only ones I found were Kindred's Irish drinking songs that I downloaded on St. Patties day. But nothing that Suzanne had used i-tunes to rip cd's or download/purchase from online. That stuff is all hidden.

E

Unless you changed the default settings music you rip will not be a mp3, it will be an aac. So will music you buy from the iTunes store.

[Brewtt]

iTunes is the devil.

HATE all iCRAP stuff. Proprietary crap drives me batty.

Dump it and install Anapod Explorer.

Best non iTunes program for the iPOD there is. It doesn't discriminate.

[Moose]

Itunes music files are *.m4p for protected files and *.m4a for unprotected.

Itunes will convert all files that you rip (with itunes) to m4a's UNLESS you change your preferences.

Music folder is usually under my documents/my music/itunes/itunes music unless you have told itunes to put them somewhere else.

[Schmitti]

Kindred... one profile as I didn't feel like dealing with logins and crap when holding a baby in my lap. As it is the new machine is pretty much suzanne's... I use it maybe for 5 minutes a day in the morning when I turn it on while making coffee before leaving for work.

I will do an advanced search tonight and search for hidden files. The fact that they are hidden is what's bothering me. There is no reason for it.

I also need to fart around with i-tunes. I've never used it as I don't use the ipod... that's Suzanne's toy. I really on the radio or cds in the car... any more advanced and it's to complicated for my brain

Guess it's time to sit down and actually play around with the machine instaed of actually depending on it to give me what I want

E

[Kindred]

I hear ya!
I honestly do think that Apple did a fantastic job on the iPod, but their software is......well......it just "is".

I was actually given an iPod by a vendor once that I refused to even open because I didn't want to use iTunes. It stayed shrink-wrapped for several months thinking I'd just toss it up on Ebay.

Then I found Anapod for $30 I'm now an iPod fan. (not so much of the "touch" though)