What if I have to reinstall iTunes because I get an err msg?

Question

What if I have to reinstall iTunes because I get an err msg?

I got an error message yesterday in iTunes that said I needed to reinstall iTunes. It said there was something missing that I needed to import and burn CD's. I have had the program up and running since December of last year. I also have about 5400 songs in my library. My question is, if I reinstall iTunes, will I lose all my songs? Also, I had some music that I hadn't transferred over to my iPod yet so I went ahead and hooked up my iPod to get the new music just in case I lose everything in my library. Well, after doing that, I was listening to my iPod and it all of a sudden shut off and had an exclamation point and something on the screen. Is this a coincidence? I was hoping that if I did lose all of my music out of my iTunes that I would be able to pull my music back off my iPod. Or would the iPod think that I purposely deleted the files and automatically take them off my iPod since they were no longer in my iTunes? But now that my iPod is acting up (and I'm sure with my luck this means I'll have to reset my iPod), am I going to lose everything from both iTunes and my iPod and have to start completely from scratch again? I haven't done anything to either the iTunes or iPod since I bought it (i.e. - upgrades). Please help!!! I don't want to lose all my music especially when it has taken me 9 months to get it to where it's at today! Just in case it's the battery, I am going to try and recharge my iPod today and see if that works and if it'll come back on. Also, I keep it plugged into a speaker system. Since this speaker system charges all the time, do you think maybe I have ruined my battery in my iPod by keeping it on the dock all the time? Thank you so much for your help!

Posted on Sep 19, 2005 10:17 PM

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Answer 1

Sep 19, 2005 10:38 PM in response to Melissa Knight

Hi Melissa. My heart goes out to you. If you get deep enough into this discussion area, you'll quickly discover how many people are in the same boat. I know this doesn't help, but here's some advice: Be patient, don't panic. TRY if you can to back up your iTunes library (usually in "My Documents/My Music" on XP) on to CD/DVD or external drive and wait for one of the experts in this forum to respond. There are some very nice and helpful people here. Oh, one more thing..watch the discussion area here and don't quickly jump at the Apple "fix" that's coming before watching the discussion to see if it works! Good luck, Melissa.

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Answer 2

Sep 19, 2005 10:41 PM in response to Melissa Knight

One more thing, Melissa: Your iTunes library is what updates the iPOD when it's connected to your PC. I.E., if your iPOD is empty and your iTunes music folder is OK, your iPOD will be restored to those songs. If your music library is empty on your PC and your iPOD is full, the reverse isn't true, unfortunately. My advice is HOLD OFF plugging your iPOD into your PC until your PC -- and iTUNES -- are working working properly again.

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Answer 3

Sep 19, 2005 10:46 PM in response to John Hall17

Thank you so much! I feel a little better now. Kind of... LOL Anyway, I'll see about backing up my iTunes and I'll hold off plugging my iPod back into my PC as of now. I hope to get some good advice! I'm sure I will. I have read a lot of posts on this site and, you're right, there are some very caring and helpful people. I look forward to getting my iPod back going again! Thanks again!

Melissa

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Answer 4

Sep 20, 2005 7:22 PM in response to Melissa Knight

Well, I recharged my iPod and it works again! My only problem now is that my iTunes needs to be reinstalled. I didn't get the chance to do it yesterday but I will try today to make a back-up copy of my iTunes as suggested by John. I hope this works!! I'm very happy though because at least I didn't lose all my music out of my iPod. I just have to figure out how to keep it in my iTunes. Thank you so much, John Hall, for your help!!

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Answer 5

Sep 20, 2005 9:43 PM in response to Melissa Knight

Hi again, Melissa. Question: Do you THINK all of your music is intact in your iTunes library on your computer (NOT your iPOD)? The library is usually in "My Music" folder. Do whatever you can to back those mp3s up. Copy them on to several CDs or an external drive. I feel bad because I really haven't done anything to help you. May I suggest you start a new topic and try to draw the attention of b noir, toonz or katrina? Those folks have been doing miracles here. (My advice is to try to roll back to 4.9 version, unless you have functionality in 5.0, but these people would give you the best advice.) I'm sorry I'm no help, Melissa. I'm struggling with a broken PC myself (no iTunes, no CD burner) and have reached the point of calling it quits on any fixes. I'm terrified of doing something and losing functionality in my desktop PC, which I need for work. GOOD LUCK, Melissa.

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Answer 6

Sep 21, 2005 7:29 PM in response to John Hall17

John, yes I think my iTunes library is still intact, I just can't add anything else to iTunes without reinstalling it. I'm in Iraq right now and I've been trying to find the time to back up my iTunes before I reinstall it. For some reason, I just can't find time 🙂 Anyway, I will try to back it up today. I have seen several posts by b noir, toonz, and katrina. I hope maybe if I post a new subject, they would help me. You have helped me alot, too. Maybe it's just because I was panicking and you brought me back down to Earth. Thanks! I have not upgraded to the new 5.0 version that everyone is ranting about. I'm still using the version (4.0 maybe?) that came with my iPod last December when I bought it. So, it wasn't an upgrade that messed me up. It was just timing, I guess. I hope you resolve your computer issues soon. Personally, all this computer stuff gives me a headache!!! Thank you for your replies. Good luck to you, too, John!

Melissa

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Answer 7

Sep 21, 2005 10:34 PM in response to Melissa Knight

Stay safe, Melissa, and God speed.

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Answer 8

b noir

Level 9

72,336 points

Sep 21, 2005 10:58 PM in response to Melissa Knight

hi Melissa!

I got an error message yesterday in iTunes that said I needed to reinstall iTunes. It said there was something missing that I needed to import and burn CD's. I have had the program up and running since December of last year. I also have about 5400 songs in my library. My question is, if I reinstall iTunes, will I lose all my songs?

hmmmm. if we're talking 4.9 here, what quite often fixes sudden onset messages is a
b repair install.

go to your Add/Remove itunes, select itunes, click "change/remove", and select repair.

if no joy from that, would you mind posting back with precise details of your error message? sometimes it's easiest to send us a screenshot:

Hudgie, "Taking screenshots to help with problems.", 12:04pm Apr 19, 2005 CDT

on the reinstalling issue, here's my favorite resource of the moment:

Buegie, ""reinstall iTunes" consequences" #1, 05:49pm Sep 2, 2005 CDT

keep us posted on your progress.

love, b

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Answer 9

Katrina S.

Level 7

24,152 points

Sep 22, 2005 1:22 AM in response to b noir

That's what I'd try, the repair.

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Answer 10

Sep 23, 2005 7:49 PM in response to John Hall17

Thank you, John!

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Answer 11

Sep 23, 2005 7:50 PM in response to b noir

Thank you so much, b noir and Katrina!! I'll try it and let you know. You are a blessing!!!

Melissa

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Answer 12

Sep 26, 2005 3:54 PM in response to b noir

Oh my gosh!!! It worked!!! Thank you so much b noir!!! YOu are truly a blessing! Thank you, too, Katrina S!! And thank you, John, for advising to ask b noir and Katrina S!!! I am so happy!!! My iTunes is fixed! My iPod is running great!!! Life is great!!! Until I try to upgrade so it appears. LOL Again, thank you so much! I really, really appreciate all of your help!

Melissa

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Answer 13

b noir

Level 9

72,336 points

Sep 26, 2005 5:00 PM in response to Melissa Knight

It worked!!!

well done, Melissa!

🙂 glad to have been one of the people pointing you in useful directions.

love, b

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Answer 14

Katrina S.

Level 7

24,152 points

Sep 26, 2005 10:09 PM in response to Melissa Knight

You're a sweetheart to post back with happy news...happy songs, Melissa!

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