itunes library won't import

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transferring itunes library to new macbook pro

I have just bought my first macbook after using windows 7. I backed up itunes library to external hardrive and transferred to the itunes folder in my music folder on the mac. When I try to import it in using the option key when opening itunes, it comes up choose library, but when I choose the itunes library (.xml file, is this right?') nothing imports.
The files in the itunes folder include -
ituneslibrary.itl
ituneslibrary.xml
itunesmusiclibrary.xml
and another folder previous itunes libraries which contains this file
ituneslibrary 2012-12-27.itl
It's a large library 106gb. Checked the hardrive which is 500gb and now only 250gb is free, so there's something in there but why isn't it showing?
There's an itunes media folder in there but that's empty, is this right?
I think I might be best starting from scratch and importing again. Can I just delete the whole of the itunes folder on the mac and back up and import again?
Any help or advice appreciated. Thanks in advance
 
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Firstly you cannot use a library file from another machine, especially a Windows PC since it will be referring to files on the C drive - which means nothing to a unix based OS

You said you copied your tunes into the iTunes music folder, that's where you space has gone but the files being in there will not automatically appear in iTunes.

I would say your best bet is to start again (remove the music you copied over), but this time network the mac and PC to your router via ethernet and use Windows migration assistant

About Windows Migration Assistant
 
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Having those files in the iTunes folder shouldbe enough. Just open iTunes no need to hold option as you've copied everything to the default library location
 
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Louishen - are you sure about the library file not being platform independent?

I transferred my library, albeit a while back now, from Windows to Mac in the same way but don't recall doing anything more than the OP has
 
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If there is any difference in the file path then it will not work, eg inm my library the string is

<key>Location</key><string>file://localhost/Users/Shared/Media/iTunes/2%20Many%20Dj's/As%20Heard%20On%20Radio%20Soulwax%20Part%202/08%20No%20Fun%20vs.%20Push%20It.mp3</string>

I dont know what that string looks like for iTunes on a PC - I guess you could use a text editor to correct the file paths, but that's probably more work than using Migration Assistant
 
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You could give this a try . About Windows Migration Assistant
You will still have to authorize your computer in iTunes since your account was started on the PC.
 
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Thanks, I attemted the migration assistant but that was going to take days! So deleted the original import and imported again and it worked. Obviously did something wrong first time but sorted now.
Thanks for all your advice

Thanks for your help guys, I deleted the original import and sent it across via ext harddrive again and it worked, thankfully!
Not sure what I did first time but obviously something not quite right.
 

bobtomay

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Glad you got it sorted and reported back.

(Multiple threads merged - duplicate posts deleted - please do not crosspost (post same question in multiple forums - thanks.)
 

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