Mac Forum / Applications / Mac Applications / March 2005

The way you describe it, you should not import automatically (let iTunes
do the search).

iTunes has two ways of handling the mpg's it finds: It either copies
them to the iTunes Music Folder and plays them from there, or it leaves
them where they are. (Dropdown file menu -> edit ->preferences
->advanced). If you (as you describe) move your files manually, you
should leave these boxes unchecked.

iTunes keeps all the info about its music in its own library file
(usually in myMusic\iTunes\iTunes Music\iTunes Music Library). If you
move your mpg files manually, iTunes (usually) loses them and the
library sooner or later will be corrupted.

Best way for a complete restart:
a) Place all your music in a singe folder. You may organize this in as
many subfolders as you like (such as
music\electronic\tekkno\trance\goa\specifig group\best tracks\ etc)
b) delete the iTunes music library file manually
c) launch iTunes, follow the screen (you loose yr settings, reset them
in preferences)
d) now do a complete new (manual) import (dropdown menu ->file -> add
directory) it will import all mpg files in the directory & include all
subdirectories.

If you want to keep your pref settings, you may also delete the mpg
library within iTunes (go to library, click on any song, ctrl-a (mark
all) and press del) be carefull to tell iTunes NOT to delete the mpg
file physically (it will ask you if it should).

btw: If you delete your library, you also loose the contents of your
playlists (except the "smart" ones).

oh, and "refresh": If you add new files to an existing mpg folder, just
import it again in iTunes. iTunes will only register the files it does
not already know.

ciao