Apple → Re: [X] Syncing two iTunes Libraries

You can't have iTunes open on both accounts at the same time. Do you both use the computer at the same time? Just quit iTunes before you walk away.

If you leave iTunes open on both accounts and you add a new song on Account 1, then you quit iTunes, Account 1 will update the iTunes Library File. But Account 2 doesn't know it's been updated, so it saves over it with the old version when you quit Account 2's iTunes. Back to the same problem you were trying to solve.

gotcha. Like I said, I really don't need it to update while both users are running iTunes simultaneously. As long as it updates when iTunes is restarted. Thanks so much, ThinkDiff!

What if the folder in which all my music is located is not in an iTunes folder? For instance....All my music is in a folder called MUSIC on an external drive. Do I need to place the XML "iTunes Library" folder in a shared spot? Is that what you're saying?

you can keep the "iTunes Music" folder where it is. What you want to do is open your Music folder (/Users/you/Music), copy the iTunes folder somewhere shared. Then make an alias of the iTunes folder and place it back into your Music folder. Then make an alias on the other account, and put that into the Music folder (replacing the existing iTunes folder). This should work. Might want to rename the two "iTunes" folders first so you have back up copies before replacing them.

I don't have my music in the (users/you/music) directory. The HD my OS is on is only 27Gigs, and my music library is 70Gigs....so I've got my music on a larger drive. For instance, there is no music in my (Users/you/music) directory. It's all in (external/Music). This is the folder that iTunes points to as the source of my iTunes library.

Now I'm just confused. Sorry. I'm having a hard time understanding which file to make an alias of, etc.

Ok. In your /Users/you/Music directory, is there an iTunes folder there? Better yet, do a search for "iTunes Library" and find that file, and tell me the path.

Ok. we're on the same page, actually. The path to that file is the same as you mentioned. I was just getting confused with the terminology, as I named my other folder "Music". So the file I need to reference is the iTunes Library file?

You need to reference the entire folder that holds the iTunes Library file.. It should also have a "iTunes Music Library.xml".

Thanks much.

Works like a charm.

Thinkdiff...

Actually I think you may be mistaken about not being able to have iTunes open on both accounts at the same time...(new functionality with latest iTunes update I guess)

Have a look at this link:

»lifehacker.com/software/ ··· 2405.php

Let me know if I am mistaken...Thanks!

Interesting.. However it still seems to have problems. I wouldn't trust it without a lot more testing.

quote:

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So this isn't without its choppiness or risks. I also had one machine intermittently lose track of where media files were located on the shared drive while accessing the same library.

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I've always been able to open the same library on two computers (never got that already in use message), but it's always caused problems, hence why I recommend against it.

now that you have seen that blog entry on lifehacker, have you re-tested this functionality yet?? If and when you do, please post an update on how it turned out...Thanks!