Using iTunes...

[alexpgp]

I only rediscovered a method by which one can reliably cause an external storage device to assume one and the same drive letter over time, so that now my auxiliary half-terabyte of storage mounts as drive S: all the time.

This kind of thing is useful from time to time, as when one uses such an external device to store media files in conjunction with "you'll do it our way" software such as iTunes. Some time ago, when it seemed that Windows 7 had somehow managed to figure out how to keep specific devices at specific drive letters without user intervention, using iTunes with my Acer was tolerable.

My observation, however, turned out to be wishful thinking, so when the drive letter of my external device changed, all of the iTunes database entries suddenly were pointing at files that didn't exist (at least, not on a drive called K:).

Unless I am missing something pretty obvious, there is no feature in iTunes that will allow you to delete such "dead" files (at least not if you're running Windows). At least not without a little work. Here's how to do it:

1. Create a Smart Playlist (Ctrl+Alt+N) that you will name "All Songs" after defining a rule in which the "Artist" "is not" some string that is guaranteed not to be a real artist's name, e.g., "12321!".
2. Create an ordinary Playlist (Ctrl+N) called "Live Tracks"
3. Create another Smart Playlist that you will name "Missing Songs" that contains two rules, the first being "Playlist" "is" "All Songs", and the second being "Playlist" "is not" "Live Tracks"
4. Under the Library, click on Music, then do a Select All (Ctrl+A) and drag the selected files to the "Live Tracks" playlist. Only tracks that iTunes can find end up in this playlist.
5. Right click on "Missing Songs" and select Duplicate (I did this because I am overly cautious).
6. Select the duplicated list and press Shift+Delete, and confirm, as required.

* * *In other news, the prop team graciously gifted me one of their coveted polo shirts, which I suppose makes me sort of an honorary member. I will wear the shirt proudly.

Today was my first trip to the pad this campaign, to interpret for the French as they set up their satellite support equipment in the so-called "vault" located about 25 meters horizontally away from and 8 meters below where the loud end of the rocket will be in just a few days.

Today is L-8, if you're keeping track.

Cheers...

Comments

[velvet-granat.livejournal.com]

That sounds remarkably painful, but then it's iTunes (aka Spawn of Satan). I just use Winamp with the ml_ipod plugin, and it works perfectly, just have to tell Winamp where to look for music and there is it. And it has a "remove missing files" button, which makes it scan the entire library and remove dead links :)

[alexpgp.livejournal.com]

I shall have to check that out, especially since I have a license for Winamp. I seem to recall attempting to use a previous version of the plugin you mention, or something similar, with Winamp, but it didn't work with video files, which is a large part of my usage.

Cheers...

[velvet-granat.livejournal.com]

Can't help you with the video files, sorry - never tried. I only have a Nano for music, podcasts for my runs and audiobooks (finally managed to work out how to get them to bookmark, yay!). Not so good for watching videos, the screen is too small. You could use iTunes just for transferring the videos though... That plugin I mention also transfers cover art to ipods, and as Winamp simply looks for any jpg in the music folder named after the album name or "cover.jpg", it's a breeze. :)