Lost equalizer presets

Eric,

Can't help you as to
i why
this happened, but you can recover from it.

As you surmised, you can use the ITL file you backed up to replace the current one. The XML file is not used by iTunes, only created for use in other programs. It can be imported for some recovery, but the ITL file is the Library database that runs iTunes. See: What are the iTunes Library files?.

Using an earlier version of the Library will return the presets that you had at the time of the backup. Any changes you made since that time will be 'lost'. This includes any songs imported, changes to ratings, playcounts, etc.

The incremental song files you ripped after the backup will still be on your PC. You'll just need to 'Add' them back into the Library.

You can 'export' your newer playlists to an XML file prior to rolling back the Library. After the rollback, just import the playlists into iTunes and they will be recovered.

It will depend on how much 'work' you did since your last backup.

In the future, I suggest that you make a copy of the 'iTunes Library.itl' file each time that iTunes closes and finishes the write process. I do this, and it has saved my Library from some iTunes errors and my own, self-inflicted lunacy (I am lees than careful, as I have several backups and like to 'experiment').

Post back if you have questions.

If your presets do not save, then it may be your 'preferences' files that somehow reverted to a read-only status. iTunes may not be able to save any changes to them.

See: Buegie, "custom aac importing bug" #5, 11:02pm Oct 25, 2005 CDT
And: Scott Patrie, "My source list is missing", 07:20pm Oct 7, 2004 CDT

Eric,

i 1) How do I export the playlists to an *.xml file? Do they all go into one file or one for each playlist? All I see is the option to "Export List" to a *.txt file.

You have the option to select the XML format via the lower drop-down box ('Save as type'). Change it from TXT to XML. I do believe that the TXT file format will re-import into iTunes, but it goes a bit slower. For large playlists, the XML format is quicker (I could be wrong here). You'll need to select the right format on the 'import' side as well, when the time comes.

i 2) Am I correct in assuming that, after I roll back, I will have to re-add ALL songs since the last backup, meaning a) mp3 files of my old band, b) songs imported from my CDs, and c) all songs purchased. Will I have to re-import from the CDs or just add the files?

You are correct that you will need to 'Add' the songs back into iTunes. They should all still exist on the PC drive where they are now. You will not have to re-import the CDs.

i 3) I have added mp3s but I have never added iTunes songs back into iTunes. Am I correct in assuming that, after I roll back, I add back missing iTunes files by doing File > Add File to Library (same way I add mp3s)? So I just navigate to /iTunes/iTunes Music and grab what I am missing?

Yup -- just that simple. Like the MP3s you 'Added' before, you now have some AAC files sitting on the HD, just waiting to be included into iTunes.

Post back if you have any additional questions.

One other thing, Eric:

Each playlist will be saved as an individual XML file. Not sure you can save multiple playlists to one file.

I took a stab that the inability of iTunes to save the EQ presets might be due to a preferences files issue.

It is my understanding that the following attributes are stored in the Library database:

These are in the iTunes Library only:
-- Playlists
-- Ratings
-- Play Count
-- Last Played
-- Date Added
-- Date Modified
-- Equalizer
-- Volume Adjustment

While you cannot 'read' the ITL file, you can view the XML file. Look in that file and see when your EQ presets did exist. Perhaps they got 'canned' a bit earlier that you thought?

Open several saved versions of the total Library XML file with a browser, Excel or a text editor.

I'll have to bring in Otto42 or MacMuse on this -- they may have some additional insight.

Equalizer presets are stored in the C:\Documents and Settings\yourname\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes.pref file. If this file is read-only, then you will not be able to save custom EQ presets.

In case of doubt, rename or remove the file before starting iTunes. iTunes will rebuild it, although it will happen with default settings, of course.

This may be considered the definitive word on the question of where the presets are stored. 🙂

Eric,

i "What are all the files I should back up? music files, itl file, and pref file? Any others? Should I instead keep and build up legacy copies"

Music files (of course), ITL file, the main XML file (easy enough to do along with the ITL file), Not sure about the .Pref file (...Otto?), also the individual Playlist XML files (if they are critical). It does appear that all playlists (both Smart & Static) are spec'd out in the main XML file. Don't know if you can individually recover them, or have to import the complete file (which may not be what you want to do at the time).

I keep legacy copies of the ITL and XML files for a while. I save them each and every time that iTunes exits and writes a new one. I am doing some 'experimenting' with iTunes to better understand it, so this is critical for me. It can't hurt to have session backups of the ITL file. It's a fairly easy copy/rename process.

I do incremental backups of the music files to an independent ExHD any time I make changes. As I do not keep legacy copies of the music (other than on DVD+RW), if I mess up a song file (artwork, label, etc.), then back it up, I can be fairly well hosed and need to fix it whenever I find the issue. This has not happened to me (that I know of) yet, but it is a known risk that I take.

I have no clue as to why your .Pref file got corrupted. It does seem to happen infrequently (as posted here). Although, that could be a function of most users not noticing that they cannot change their settings. I saw it once with a 'custom import' setting problem. Probably happens more than we know, but I'm guessing. Maybe an upgrade that has a glitch, maybe user error, or PC hygiene.....

I see no EQ setting in the main XML file. It still could be present in the ITL files for each individual song, but not exported to the XML file. Again, I'll have to defer to Otto.

Glad you got it sorted out.

On the re-launch of iTuines...could you not allow the program to scan the HD, adding both yours and your wife's music? Bypass the initial scan and just 'Add' your directory into iTunes manually. I think that this may have been the way to go. It's been a while since I re-initialized the iTunes program this way. Just a thought.

Post back with comments or observations. Any new information is good to have.