Anyone know how to transfer mp3s read in iTunes from a PC hard drive to an external hard drive without having to re-import every file?

Thanks in advance.

Can't you just drag the files from one drive to another via whatever your connection is?

Get yourself a copy of EphPod. It's a freebie program that will let you drag files from your iPod to another drive. You may have to create some directory structures to organize your music since the iPod's format is different from a PC directory format.

I did that a year ago when my PC hard drive crashed and I moved my backed up mp3s from my external hard drive back to my restored PC. I had to re-open every single mp3 into iTunes - sucked.

If you want to have the files in itunes point to the external drive, you can just re-add them to itunes (e.g. Add New Folder or Add New File), and itunes will replace the location in its database. Make sure you have the latest version though

why not just use the add folder function? In fact you can use that if you lose the files in iTunes to re-establish them in this move. just remember to change your default location to the external for future ripping.

^^ heh-heh, he said "future ripping"

Why is it that the same file sounds better if played w/ QuickTime vs. iTunes, on the same computer?

you can open your ipod as a hard-drive, I am on a mac now so I dont remember the exact spesfiics but I believe you have to get around the files being hidden and then you can place them on another drive. I dont know if you would have to go into each file individually but I know I had to do that before. all the files will be placed into random "F" folders but once in I tunes they will be sorted and then drag and drop from each folder into a music folder, alphabetical order will be provided after the move.

Okay, I got a new iTunes question. A little back-story, if you will: I recently got a boatload of mp3s from a pal of mine. He sprinkled in a few tunes he purchased/downloaded from iTunes and, when I went to play them on my iMac G5, a prompt came up asking me to enter his iTunes password in order to authorize my computer to play them...f*** that Orwellian bulls**t! Actually, I guess I can see where they're coming from, and luckily my pal was a true pal and supplied said password...now I can listen to A Flock Of Seagulls' "Space Age Love Song" anytime I want and it's all to the good.

ANYWAY, my question is: I recently assembled a mix which is comprised almost entirely of iTunes-purchased tracks (like, 88%). If go and y'all-send-it there, on the other side of the board, are the decent, hard-working folks (both of 'em) who download the thing going to be asked to enter my iTunes password to listen to those tracks? Also, I think there's a limit as to the number of computers one can authorize to listen to said tunes (I think it's five?). Anyone have any experience with this?

Yes. That's the magic of iTunes and its DRM tags-- you have to be authorized to play the tracks.

Suggestion: Burn the iTunes tracks to a CD, and then rip those tracks off the CD to MP3. No muss, no fuss, no goddamn DRM.

Nice, thanks, that's one thing I was considering trying. I already burned the mix to CD, now I just gotta rip...ain't that a trip?