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iTunes Can't Read iTunes Library.itl

This is my fault, but I need help recovering my iTunes library.

In an effort to test a plug-in for iTunes, I used Parallels to open iTunes in Windows. The result, while opening iTunes on my MacBook Pro, I now get the following message:

"The file iTunes Library.itl can not be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes."

I would imagine that this 'newer version' was the one created when I open iTunes in Parallels.

The question is, how do I get iTune to open on my Mac without wiping everything that was originally in iTunes - literally years of organized audio tracks, playlists, and video?

Needles to say, any assistance would be welcome.

Posted on Apr 2, 2010 7:10 AM

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2 replies

Apr 2, 2010 7:31 AM in response to bj4mac

Have a backup that you made before testing any software you're developing developing on your computer?

Here's information about library files [http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1660] Check the library file folders and see if you have an older one you could open instead, or perhaps the .xml file (and again, just work with copies in case something else goes awry).

Apr 5, 2010 6:45 AM in response to bj4mac

Thanks for your feedback. I did discover that I had a back-up that was within a few weeks, and this restored things to, pretty much, what they were before.

It is troubling that Parallels would allow the windows version of iTunes to write to the Mac version of iTunes Library - if in fact this is what happened. Especially, if Parallels never asks the user if they would like to do this.

Anyway, I learned from this incident to back-up iTunes Library before I go messing around.

Thanks

iTunes Can't Read iTunes Library.itl

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