Q: How do I restore iTunes after after updating to 10.7.3?
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Mar 12, 2012 7:51 AMby Limnos,HelpfulFirst, where was your old library located? In the default location on the internal drive? If it was on the internal drive, do you still see your media there? Do you see your library file?
Here's how things should look if you were using default settings. If you had customized iTunes then you will be the only one who knows where the files should be and if they are still there:
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
If you do not see your media or library files or any of this anywhere on your drive then you will have to start from scratch again unless you have a backup. Always back up before installing any major software.
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Mar 12, 2012 8:06 AMby Limnos,Do you see a library file as indicated in the posts above? Library.itl ? The library file is the single file that holds what you see when you open iTunes -- your playlists, your ratings, your media list, etc. If that file is missing or is not where iTunes thinks it should be, iTunes creates a new blank library when you next start it. That is the file to which you want to guide iTunes when starting with the option key held down. If it still starts with a blank library (and I have no idea how or why installing a system update would have deleted that file) then you can look for older library files or try rebuilding using the .xml version.
Restoring old library file after doing an iTunes update -
iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451
