Ginny1828
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: exclamation points on every song, can't locate song, just artwork folder

This is SO frustrating.  I bring in my new iMac for the techs to move my iTunes over, I bring it home and have not been able to listen to one song.  I double click on it and it says "Cannot find file, locate?"  I say yes, it brings me to the album artwork.  Please someone help me with this fax.  Know that I am not at all comfortable yet with the iMac environment so need step by step instructions! 

 

Thank you.

Posted on May 31, 2012 7:20 AM

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Ginny1828

Q: exclamation points on every song, can't locate song, just artwork folder

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  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos May 31, 2012 8:35 AM in response to Ginny1828
    Level 9 (54,642 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 31, 2012 8:35 AM in response to Ginny1828

    iTunes works by using a database that connects what you see in your listing to actual individual media files.  If something is done so the listing in the database for location is no longer correct you get broken links.  This "something" can be you renaming a folder or file, or a file going missing (e.g., you accidentally deleting a folder or the computer's directory becoming corrupt). Which "techs" were this?  Move over from what?  We will have to know a lot more about what was done in order to figure out if all your music is truly missing and has to be restored from a backup Apple notes you should always maintain, or if it's simply a matter of putting a few files back into order.

     

    Saying yes you want to find the song means you have to find the actual media file that is the one associated with the one in the database.  This isn't done automatically just by you clicking on yes.  It's like a librarian having to go find the actual book associated with the entry in a catalog.

     

    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

     

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