iTunes changed mp3 filenames

B

barry505

Registered
I have a Linux box I use for a file server and I have all my mp3 files stored on it. I just got a new G4 Powermac. I ran iTunes and added all the mp3 files to the library (without copying the files). It appears that iTunes changed all the directory and filenames of the mp3 files on my server. That pissed me off. Luckily I have all the files on a 20gig Lyra and am copying them all back to the server now. To explain further, on the Linux box, all the files are organized in folders, by artist name, and then album name. The directory names use underscores instead of spaces. Same thing with the mp3 filenames, eg: 01-Tennessee_Plates.mp3. iTunes removed all the dashes and underscores. What I think happened is it used the id tags to rename everthing.

Anybody know why this happened? Or what I can do to change the behaviour?

Thanks
 
This is just iTunes way of organizing songs. You are correct when you say it is using the ID3 tags to organized the files into the various folders.

What I used to do to avoid this problem (I REALLY used to despise how iTunes organized everthing) was to go into iTunes preferences and de-select "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to Library". This can be done by doing the following:
Start iTunes.
Go to iTunes "Preferences"
Click the "Advanced" tab in "Preferences"
De-select "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to Library".

Now when you add music to your library, it will not copy it into the library and keep the mp3 file's original name. The mp3 files will also remain at their original location on the Hard Drive. This is also an easy method to share songs between users and not have multiple copies of the same mp3 file.

I hope this helps, and if you need any more help, or need something to be clarified, please feel free to ask.
 
It's nothing to do with it copying the files. Untick the box marked "Organize my music".
 
However, if you only turn off the "Organize my music", iTunes will still move your music into multiple folders determined by Artist and Album (but it will retain the original file name). I got the impression that he needed all songs to be in the same folder. I apologize for any disinformation I may have spread.
 
Thanks for the help. I did have 'copy files' turned off, but not the 'organize' checkbox. I'll uncheck that and try it again. Sure glad I had a backup. Ever try editing over 10 gig worth of filenames?
 
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