Kiddo
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: missing iTunes Library

I have 4 iTunes Libraries on ext. drives

- need to find the latest one with all my music on it.  Have tried numerous things with no luck.  Is there an easy way to do it?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Mar 10, 2012 2:29 PM

by Limnos,Solvedanswer
Limnos Limnos
Level 9 (54,642 points)
Mac OS X
A:

iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451

Posted on Mar 12, 2012 10:36 AM

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Kiddo

Q: missing iTunes Library

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  • Helpful answers

  • by sanjampet,

    sanjampet sanjampet Mar 10, 2012 3:13 PM in response to Kiddo
    Level 5 (7,874 points)
    Mar 10, 2012 3:13 PM in response to Kiddo

    connect the drive  try a spotlight search of that disk, try tying a song that you know is only on that disc, and spoth light might give you the path

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Mar 10, 2012 4:04 PM in response to Kiddo
    Level 9 (54,642 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 10, 2012 4:04 PM in response to Kiddo

    Hold down the option key while starting iTunes. Guid it to a library and let it tart.  See if that's the one you want, if not, quit ittunes and repeat search.

  • by Kiddo,

    Kiddo Kiddo Mar 11, 2012 10:07 AM in response to Kiddo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2012 10:07 AM in response to Kiddo

    Thanks for input.  I am able to open one Library, but it only has 29 of over a 1,000 of my songs on it and all my playlists are gone.  When I attempt to open the others I get the following error messages:

     

    "An ITunes library file could not be found in folder "iTunes (10.5).app".  Please choose a diffeerent folder".

     

    "The file "iTunes Library.itl" cannot be read because is was created by a newer version of ITunes"

     

    "The folder "Music" is on a locked disk, or you do not have write permissions for this folder".

     

     

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Mar 11, 2012 10:02 AM in response to Kiddo
    Level 9 (54,642 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 11, 2012 10:02 AM in response to Kiddo

    I don't see the messages.

  • by Kiddo,

    Kiddo Kiddo Mar 11, 2012 10:19 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2012 10:19 AM in response to Limnos

    Thanks for input.  I am able to open one Library, but it only has 29 of over a 1,000 of my songs on it and all my playlists are gone.  When I attempt to open the others I get the following error messages:

     

    1.      "An ITunes library file could not be found in folder "iTunes (10.5).app".  Please choose a diffeerent folder".

     

    2.      "The file "iTunes Library.itl" cannot be read because is was created by a newer version of ITunes"

     

    3.      "The folder "Music" is on a locked disk, or you do not have write permissions for this folder".

  • by Kiddo,

    Kiddo Kiddo Mar 11, 2012 10:22 AM in response to sanjampet
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2012 10:22 AM in response to sanjampet

    Sorry Sanjampet, but not quite sure how to go about "spotlighting" with an external drive.  Please bear with me and take me step by step.  Good to know there are people out there who know a heck of a lot more about computers than I do.

     

    Kiddo

  • by sanjampet,Helpful

    sanjampet sanjampet Mar 11, 2012 11:11 AM in response to Kiddo
    Level 5 (7,874 points)
    Mar 11, 2012 11:11 AM in response to Kiddo

    I don't do this often, but wife is very disorganized with multiple HD's, I'm sure there are a few other ways to do this, but what i do is plud in the drive, highlight it let it index, then type in what she thinks tne file is she is looking for, it usually takes me to that place on the drive so I can find what she is looking for rapidly.

    I wish she would keep things in some kind of order, but I found it to be easier than hunting thru the drives. If it is not that drive I grab another of her drives and do it again, till I find it let her grab it to a stick, then she's on her way.

  • by Kiddo,

    Kiddo Kiddo Mar 12, 2012 7:13 AM in response to sanjampet
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 12, 2012 7:13 AM in response to sanjampet

    Thanks sanjampet.  I believe I found the iTunes app.  However, it said "The file "iTunes Library.itl" cannot be read because is was created by a newer version of ITunes".  The new version only has 29 songs, no playlists, album covers etc. whereas the original has way over a 1,000 songs, playlists, album artwork etc.  Any way of getting this one back?

     

    Kiddo

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Mar 12, 2012 8:34 AM in response to Kiddo
    Level 9 (54,642 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 12, 2012 8:34 AM in response to Kiddo

    Is there anything out of context that we should know about such as you re-installing the operating system?  One of the reasons a library cannot be opened is because it really was used by a newer iTunes version and re-installing an OS can revert to an older iTunes.

     

    You can try getting the old one back by importing the .xnl version of the library file into a blank library.  It isn't the most elegant solution.

     

    You might want to read up a bit on how iTunes works and the structure of files it uses.

     

    What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660

     

    More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management

     

    iTunes 9: Understanding iTunes Media Organization - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3847

     

    Image of iTunes folder structure Dec. 2011 - https://discussions.apple.com/message/16923545

    see also:

    Image of folder structure and explanation of different iTunes versions (turingtest2 post) - https://discussions.apple.com/message/13025536

     

    What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html

  • by Kiddo,

    Kiddo Kiddo Mar 12, 2012 10:08 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 12, 2012 10:08 AM in response to Limnos

    Hi Limnos.  I believe I was trying to move my iPhoto Library to an external drive, along the way (don't ask me how) I ended up creating a new Library and it was at this point I ran into problems.

     

    I'd like to try "importing the .xnl version of the library file into a blank library".  However, would you please take me step by step?  Thanks.

     

    Kiddo

  • by Limnos,Solvedanswer

    Limnos Limnos Mar 12, 2012 10:36 AM in response to Kiddo
    Level 9 (54,642 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 12, 2012 10:36 AM in response to Kiddo

    iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451

  • by Kiddo,Helpful

    Kiddo Kiddo Mar 14, 2012 9:07 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 14, 2012 9:07 AM in response to Limnos

    Thank you Limnos, you've been a great help.  God bless.