iTunes sees shared library but nothing in it

[akirbs]

I have looked at previous posts and cannot seem to find a mention of my current dilemma. I successfully copied over my iTunes library (the entire folder) from my laptop to the MBL. It is now located at: public\shared music\iTunes

I enabled the iTunes server and rescanned and while the MBL device name appears on my iTunes under “Shared” it shows nothing. No music, movies or TV shows. I know that the files transferred properly because they are being used to play our Sonos system.

When I click on a file within the MBL and have it open up in iTunes it plays but under properties shows it as coming from the directory on my laptop’s hard drive. In order to test it some more, I used a friend’s computer. The same song plays when clicked from the folder and when you “get info” on iTunes it correctly displays the path. However, when you click on the MBL device name within iTunes nothing shows up.

Do I need to get rid of all iTunes library database files? Does it take a long time to rescan? Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

[Gabthemonster]

I recommend that you move the iTunes library to the MBWE using the iTunes program instead of manually transfer. Click on the link below for more info:

Windows:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1364

Mac:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1449

After this verify if the same thing occurs.

[akirbs]

I moved the iTunes library using the iTunes program rather than manually transferring everything. So now my laptop’s iTunes is directed towards the MBL and works fine.

Since my laptop is not always connected to the network, I took the opportunity to create another library (using the shift command when opening iTunes) using the music files on the laptop. Both libraries work fine and are correctly locating the files in their respective locations.

Unfortunately, I am experiencing the same issue when trying to access the music from iTunes server. What is odd is that when testing on my wife’s computer and iTunes account, the MBL device name appears but shows nothing. If I have my iTunes library that is linked to the MBL open on my computer  the name of that iTunes library also appears under the Shared tab of iTunes on the left. All that music appears whereas nothing appears when trying to access the very same music but through the MBL iTunes server function.

Even when I turn off the iTunes server the MBL device name remains on iTunes.

I guess it is not that big of a deal since I can easily access the music on the MBL by using the ‘shift’ key opening up iTunes and selecting the MBL library, but it would be nice to have that music available when using my laptop’s library or from any other computer connected to the network.

Any suggestions out there?

[Gabthemonster]

Well, make sure that both computers are running the latest updates from Microsoft, also, ensure that there’s not any anti virus or firewall interfering between the NAS and software. Emmmm what else, emmmmm and make sure that you have the latest iTunes’ updates installed…

[ewenjc]

akirbs,

You are not alone.  I have the same problem and can’t find a solution.  If you do manage to fix it can you post the fix on here. Thanks

[WDTony]

For those of you experiencing this issue, can you give a complete description of your network setup.

Router (including Model name/number)

Computer name/model

Wired/Wireless connection/Speed (make sure you verify that you are gigabit if you mention it)

iTunes version

exact problem description

Try also rebooting the My Book Live after you experience the issue. Does that resolve it?

Thanks,

Tony

[Checker]

Same problem here:

1. Copy music to Public “Shared Music” folder (the folder that already exists). 

2. Run “Rescan” 

=> “MyBookLive” Entry appears in iTunes but is empty.

Restart MyBookLive does not help.

Tested on  two PCs running itunes 10.1.2.17

Router Fritzbox 7390 with Gigabit Ethernet connection enabled

[sheppardp]

Hello,

I also have exactly the same problem and tried the same as akibs with similar  results.

When I initially set up the WDMBL I did see the library of the MBL under Shared in iTunes, but it somehow disappeared, however I can see the PLaylists heading with nothing in it (I have not made any playlists).

I am using a Fritzbox 7270 with a TP Link Gigabit switch to which the router, the WDMBL and the computers (Mac Pro) and two Windows 7 computers are connected. All computers, the Fritzbox and the WDMBL are password protected.

I am using iTunes 10.1.2 latest version on all machines.

[TonyPh12345]

Ya’ll need to make sure your firewall programs aren’t blocking DAAP and/or Bonjour protocols.

I just upgraded my iTunes to 10.1.2.17 on my Win7x64 box and it has no problems seeing my library on my MyBook Live (1.03.03)

[SplinterGMD]

Same problem here. I bought the MBL on saturday and it appears in iTunes under the name “Shared” but nothing appears (depite the numerous MP3 files in the folder Shared / Music).

Router (including Model name/number) : Apple Time Capsule

Computer name/model : Apple iMac

Wired/Wireless connection/Speed (make sure you verify that you are gigabit if you mention it) : Wired connection

iTunes version : the last one, 10.1.2 I think.

Any help would be very appreciated

Otherwise, I think I will return the MBL to the shop where I bought it. I was wondering if a model from Verbatim (very nice design : MediaShare) encountered the same issue.

[ewenjc]

WDTony,

The information you requested. I hope you can help.

Router (including Model name/number)

Netgear DGN2000

Computer name/model

iMac, Macbook Air, Windows 7 PC

Wired/Wireless connection/Speed (make sure you verify that you are gigabit if you mention it)

Wired from Live to router and router to PC.  Wireless from router to iMac and macbook Air

iTunes version

10.1.2 (17) on all 3 machines

exact problem description

It’s not 100% clear how you’re meant to set this up so I’ve tried three ways;

1. Copied my mp3 in folders of artist and album from my mybook world (blue ring) to the mybook Live.

RESULT MyBookLive is visible in iTunes under SHARED but there’s nothing in it.

2. Copied the iTunes folder from the iMac to the mybook Live.  From the iMac I could launch iTunes with option key (think thats the key) and choose the iTunes library on the mybook Live or switch back to the local iTunes library directory.  

RESULT as per point 1

3. Let iTunes move the library over to the mybook Live.  It copied the files, consolidated etc. iMac now runs iTunes with library on mybook Live.

RESULT as per point 1

Is the location of the iTunes folder on the NAS important? Mine is under “Shared Music”.

[WDTony]

There are two ways (which you have found out) to support iTunes.

Use the internal iTunes server on the My Book Live

Copy your complete iTunes folder over to the My Book Live (I map a drive for that) and point iTunes to it (look on the web for handy help in doing that). That is my prefered way as you can get much more information from iTunes vs using the internal iTunes server.

If you use the iTunes server of the Mybook Live, then you need to make sure your music is under the Shared Music folder.

Tony

[ewenjc]

?

I’ve not found a way to support iTunes!  I can locate my iMac’s library on the MyBook Live but no one else can see it under shared section in iTunes.

I want the internal iTunes server TO DO SOMETHING but I’m still 100% clueless as how to do this because everything I’ve tried has resulted in NOTHING available via the shared section in iTunes.

This is very frustrating!

[ewenjc]

UPDATE

I’ve ssh’ed into the MyBookLive to try to see what’s going wrong.

iTunes server on MyBookLive seems to be uses forked-daapd.  I found the logfile at “/var/log/forked-daapd.log” and the config file at “/etc/forked-daapd.conf”. 

The logfile says the process tries to scan the directory /var/nothing and gives up as the path does not exist.  The config file includes a parameter that sets which directory to scan and this is set to /var/nothing.  There is also a file called forked-daapd.conf.orig which includes the correct path to scan.  So i copied the the .conf file to .conf.old and the .conf.orig to .conf.  I then stopped and restarted (enabled) the itunes server using the dashboard.  Here’s the weird bit; the config file is re-written to point to /var/nothing and the scan fails as the path does not exist.

LOG FILE;

[2011-02-15 14:58:36]     main: Got SIGTERM or SIGINT

[2011-02-15 14:58:36]     main: Stopping gracefully

[2011-02-15 14:58:36]     main: mDNS deinit

[2011-02-15 14:58:36]     main: Remote pairing deinit

[2011-02-15 14:58:36]     main: HTTPd deinit

[2011-02-15 14:58:37]     main: Player deinit

[2011-02-15 14:58:37]   player: Could not send exit event: Bad file descriptor

[2011-02-15 14:58:37]     main: File scanner deinit

[2011-02-15 14:58:37]     main: Database deinit

[2011-02-15 14:58:37]     main: Exiting.

[2011-02-15 14:58:40]     main: Forked Media Server Version 0.11 taking off

[2011-02-15 14:58:40]       db: Could not prepare statement: no such table: admin

[2011-02-15 14:58:40]       db: Could not check database version, trying DB init

[2011-02-15 14:58:42]     scan: Skipping library directory /var/nothing, could not dereference: No such file or directory

QUESTION: Why would the itunes process (or forked-daapd) rewrite the directory to scan to the non-existing /var/nothing? How do I stop it doing this?

[TonyPh12345]

ewenjc:  Dumb question, and I didn’t look back over the whole thread to see if it was answered already:

Do you actually have the various shares set to STREAM MUSIC in the MBL’s GUI?   

If you DO, and it’s still being overwritten to NOTHING, then that’s definately a bug.    The MBL’s Dashboard is setting the configuration options which then gets pushed down to the various processes CONF files.

By comparison, here’s that section of my config file:

# Library configuration
library {
        # Name of the library as displayed by the clients
        # %h: hostname, %v: version
        name = "%h"
        # TCP port to listen on. Default port is 3689 (daap)
        port = 3689
        # Password for the library. Optional.
# password = ""

        # Directories to index
        directories = { "/shares/Public","/shares/tony" }
        # Directories containing compilations
        # Matches anywhere in the path (not a regexp, though)
# compilations = { "/compilations/" }

        # Should iTunes metadata override ours?
# itunes_overrides = true

[ewenjc]

TonyPh, YOU ARE A GENIUS!!!

This and similar threads seem to have been running for ages with no one coming up with your solution.  I’d always assumed that SHARED MUSIC was “shared” but when I checked it’s setting in dashboard it’s media types was set to “none” even though it says the default is “all”.  The setting was actually for Public as I don’t have any share info at the individual share folders.

Thanks again and much kudos.

[dunkziy]

In  other words, assuming you’re copied over your music to the SHARED MUSIC folder and have ‘look for shared Libraries’ on in iTunes.

1. Login to the Web GUI for your box

2. Choose ‘SHARES’ from the menu

3. Under the ‘Shares list’, click on ‘Public’ and make sure that ‘Media Serving:’ is set to 'ALL"

4. Save that change and then go back to the Menu and Choose ‘SETTINGS’

5. click on ‘Media’ then’iTunes’ a  hit ‘rescan’

6. Give it a minute and open iTunes application and see if it shows up in the shared Libraries.

I did something pretty much like this, if I recall properly, and I was able to see files show up in iTunes.  As I write this the list of files is getting longer and longer so I guess it’s working now.

Good Luck to you!  Add your own notes to help too.

[JoeTam]

In iTunes, I’m able to see shared music files via WBL shared service ONLY IF THEY’RE PLACED IN THE “SHARED MUSIC” DIRECTORY.  If I place those same files within a sub-directory of the “shared music” folder, they are not visible to iTunes?

Am I missing some setting either in iTunes or WBL dashboard?  

Please help!

Thanks

[tubarao]

Had the same problem and it is working properly now. MBL user doc is ■■■■…

[Intr3pid]

So do the mp3 files need to be directly in the shared music folder, with no directory structure? Mine are organized by artist/album, and itunes (win7) sees the share but cannot see anything in the public music share.