What is "Scanning" and when do I need to do it?

"Scanning" is when HAL searches your computer for MP3 and/or Windows Media (.wma) music files. HAL makes a note of where each song is located so when you request to hear a song, HAL knows where to look on the computer for that song. During the scan process, HAL also automatically categorizes the song by artist, album, genre, and year, so you can later ask HAL to "Play my Eagles music" or "Play my Rock and Roll music".

 

You need to run the scan after installing the HALdmc and any time you add music files to the computer. For instance, if a friend sends you some music files and you just copy them to the computer, then you need to run a scan so that HAL can find those songs and categorize them.

 

You don't need to re-scan after modifying song information or after copying music from CDs. Please be aware, however, that if you change a song's title then you need to modify any custom song lists in which that song appears. If you do not, then you will not be able to ask HAL to play that particular song because the custom song list will know the song by the previous title, not the new one.