problems with restoring my iTunes library after performing an HP backup and system recovery

Question

problems with restoring my iTunes library after performing an HP backup and system recovery

Hello,

Last Sunday night/Monday morning, I had to perform a system recovery (from the discs supplied by HP) on my HP Compaq Presario SR5310F 32-bit desktop computer running Windows Vista Home Premium, (on the recommendation of samone at HP) and just backing up my 90+ GB iTunes library took 12 hours (the actual system recovery took only about 2-1/2 hours, the following morning). After the recovery process was complete, I 'restored' the backed-up files by either double-clicking or just opening the first backup file (the one whose file name ends in '.1') and following the prompts, which placed the files into something called the 'System Restore Files' folder. I thought I could just restore my iTunes library by dragging and dropping the music, video and iTunes folder files from this System Restore Files folder back into their original places on my computer, but while the song titles did show up in my iTunes library, whenever I tried to actually play one, an exclamation point would appear beside the song's title and I'd get the error message 'iTunes cannot find the file'; when I clicked on 'Find missing file'--or whatever it's called--the C < Users < [username] < Music folder would open, and it would be completely blank, with only the words 'This folder is empty' appearing in it. (And BTW, before you try to recommend the 'Finding missing content in iTunes' or 'How to find missing music in iTunes' articles to me, I should point out that I did try all of the steps in those articles, but my iTunes library was still completely empty at that point, despite trying those steps; that was why I finally tried 'dragging and dropping all of those files back into the Desktop, Downloads, Documents--yes, some really large download files, not from iTunes, showed up in the Documents folder--and also a couple of downloaded music files--again, not from iTunes--showd up 'loose' [by 'loose', I mean not in one of the folders (e.g., Documents, Downloads etc.) in my [username] subfolder] in my [username] subfolder, after which, I was able to get most of my song and video titles listed in iTunes again, but they just won't PLAY! Also, it appears I'm missing about 5 GB from my iTunes library now, as it's saying that I only have about 85.15 GB worth of files in it, where before I had 90+ GB worth of files in it.)

BTW, I can play the files I moved to Desktop, Downloads, etc. if I right-click on the individual files in these locations and then click on 'Play' or 'Open With', but they just won't play in iTunes.

And one more thing: I stupidly deleted my 2 iTunes podcast file titles after I discovered that these, too, would not play; is there any way I can recover these--and my iTunes library--without performing yet ANOTHER system recovery and starting over 'from scratch'? (But if that's what I'll have to do, I'll do it--or else I'll just give up and start all over again with the new computer I plan to buy over the Labor Day weekend [it'll be a 64-bit Windows 7 computer, I know that much at least], as most of my music was ripped from CDs or else downloaded from places like Bandcamp or Amazon MP3, and these downloads were saved to a series of USB flash drives; I was informed that if worst came to worst, I could redownload my iTunes purchases, but my 2 podcasts will be lost forever, as iTunes doesn't 'keep' those--or words to that effect...)

P.S. The computer I'm using has only a 250 GB hard drive, of which 223 GB were available, I couldn't perform the 'Consolidate' function so I could properly back up my iTunes library, as, what with the accumulated Windows downloads (I got this computer in February 2008) and other programs, I had only a few (< 10) GB free--not enough to consolidate the iTunes library, and second, the computer malfunctioned just prior to my performing the system recovery, so that I could no longer log on in 'normal' mode, only in the various safe modes. A lady at Microsoft told me I could back up my iTunes library by logging on in safe mode with networking (since I could do that, albeit with the error message 'Your account has been loaded with a temporary profile') and pasting my iTunes library to my external hard drive, but when I tried this, I got a message listing my iTunes library as '(empty)' when I clicked on iTunes in 'All Programs', and needless to say, my iTunes library wouldn't even open in any of the safe modes (I don't know whether it was 'just' my computer, or whether the lady didn't know what she was talking about--she does work for Microsoft, after all).

Compaq Presario SR5310 desktop PC-OTHER, Windows Vista

Posted on Jun 13, 2012 11:27 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

turingtest2

Level 10

272,707 points

Jun 13, 2012 1:46 PM in response to The Petite Demoness

Not sure at this point if this is a permissions issue or the library being confused as to where things are.

The "missing file" thing happens if the file is no longer where iTunes expects to find it. The way that you've backed up and restored things might have caused iTunes to expect the files to be in the wrong location or layout.

Select a track with an exclamation mark, use Ctrl-I to get info, then cancel when asked to try to locate the track. Look on the summary tab for the location that iTunes thinks the file should be. Now take a look around your hard drive. Hopefully you can locate the track in question. If a section of your library hasn't been restored to the correct place then it might be possbile to move it now you know

Alternatively, as long as you can find a location holding the missing files, then you should be able to use my FindTracks script to reconnect them to iTunes .

tt2

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Answer 2

Jun 14, 2012 4:56 AM in response to turingtest2

Hello turingtest2,

I tried locating the 'missing' files (as per a suggestion by someone else to try the steps in the article 'Finding lost media and downloads') first by opening Windows Explorer from the Start menu, then clicking on Music under Favorite Links, then double-clicking iTunes and then attempting to click on iTunes Media; when that folder proved to be empty, I then went back and double-clicked on the iTunes folder to access the iTunes Media folder so I could double-click on that, and there were all of my 'missing' music and podcasts folders, which were located in [username] <Music < iTunes < iTunes < ITunes Music.

I then followed your instructions on how to locate the file path for any song that iTunes wouldn't play because it couldn't find the file, and the full file path of the 'missing' song I selected was file://localhost/C:/System Recovery Files/C/Users/[username]/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music/[artist]/[album title]/[song title] --since these files were originaaly in the System Recovery Files folder after they were 'restored' post-system recovery, does this mean that I shall have to drag and drop them back to their 'original' places in the System Recovery Files folder? (*sigh* - I mean, I'm sorry, but I'm not computer-literate enough to use your 'FindTracks' script; I likewise couldn't make any sense of the article linked to the 'Finding lost media and downloads' article in Apple Support titled 'Where are my iTunes files located?' --but maybe I'll try that one again once I've gotten some sleep...)

TPD

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

272,707 points

Jun 14, 2012 5:04 AM in response to The Petite Demoness

OK. Please run the script iTunesXMLPath and post back the result, together with the full path to the actual location of one of the songs in the library. With that info. I should be able to suggest the correct steps to get everything working again.

tt2

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Answer 4

Jun 14, 2012 6:13 AM in response to turingtest2

Hello again,

The full XML path is C:\Users\[username]\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music Library.xml; the full path of one of the songs (which is a song I downloaded from the Gizeh Records website--please let me know whether you'd rather have the full path of a song I downloaded from iTunes, or a song from a ripped CD) is file://localhost/C:/System Recovery Files/C/Users/[username--I'm using 'username' because I'd rather not post my real first name, which *is* my username]/Music/iTunes/iTunes music/A-Sun Amissa/Gizeh Sampler_Winter 2011_12/I Lower My Eyes (live in the basemen.mp3 (BTW, when I emptied my Recycle Bin after deleting the temp files, I accidentally also deleted the WINDOWS and Users folders from System Recovery Files folder which I'd sent there while dragging and dropping the contents of the System Recovery Files folder's Desktop folder to my actual desktop--will this cause any problems? I just now did this, but the MY_DATA folder is still on the desktop, as well as a file called 'cvdm.err'; I think this last file is a copy as when I dragged the original to the [username] folder, it--the original--went along with a music file I'd downloaded that ended up in the [username] folder when I downloaded it; the file on the desktop is blank and doesn't seem to be able to be moved. Also, the MY_DATA folder and a music file I'd downloaded to Downloads ended up on my computer's desktop after this latesr round of updates last night/this morning--either or both iTunes and Windows).

Thanks,

TPD

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Answer 5

turingtest2

Level 10

272,707 points

Jun 14, 2012 9:35 AM in response to The Petite Demoness

Hmm I think I'm getting lost in all the paths. Your library is currently at:

C:\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes\

The library "thinks" the file should be at:

file://localhost/C:/System Recovery Files/C/Users/<User>/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music/<Artist>/<Album>/## <Name>.<ext>

which reads as meaning they should be at

C:\System Recovery Files\C\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\<Artist>\<Album>\## <Name>.<ext>

The file is actually at:

C:\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes\iTunes\iTunes Music\<Artist>\<Album>\## <Name>.<ext>

Is the second \iTunes\ in there real or a typo? If it is real then moving the iTunes Music folder up one level might sort things out, otherwise it should be placed back inside:

C:\System Recovery Files\C\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes\

Once iTunes is correctly connected to files and playing music I can talk you through moving things to where they should really be.

tt2

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Answer 6

Jun 14, 2012 10:42 AM in response to turingtest2

Yes, that second 'iTunes' in that file path IS real! Now just how do I go about 'moving the iTunes Music folder one level', or else placing it back inside 'C\System Recovery Files\C\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes? Remember, I don't know what I'm doing...

Thanks,

TPD

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Answer 7

turingtest2

Level 10

272,707 points

Jun 14, 2012 10:57 AM in response to The Petite Demoness

Close iTunes
Open Windows Explorer
Browse to C:\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes\iTunes
Right-click on the item iTunes Music and click Cut
Change the folder to C:\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes and right-click on an empty area and click Paste.
Start iTunes

If it now works then great, otherwise do this:

Close iTunes
Open Windows Explorer
Browse to C:\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes
Right-click on the item iTunes Music and click Cut
Change the folder to C\System Recovery Files\C\Users\<User>\Music\iTunesand right-click on an empty area and click Paste.
Start iTunes

It really should work this time...

Let me know how you do.

tt2

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Answer 8

Jun 14, 2012 1:16 PM in response to turingtest2

Well, I tried both of your suggestions, buting worked until i first tried the second one again (cutting and pasting 'iTunes Music' to the System Recovery Files folder, and then cutting and pasting the entire 'iTunes' folder from C:\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes and pasting it into C:\System Recovery Files\C\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes under the 'iTunes Music' folder; I then opened iTunes and clicked on 'Import MP3 and AAC files', and it started importing files, but it only imported the MP3 files I'd downloaded from sources other than iTunes, no iTunes Mp3s or podcasts, and none of the ripped CDs I'd previously inported into iTunes. (My iTunes library now says it has about 5 GB worth of data in it, but when the files were being inported into the System Recovery Files folder, the total number of GB was '88.4', so those files are SOMEWHERE on my computer..)

What did I do/am I doing wrong?

Thanks,

TPD

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Answer 9

Jun 14, 2012 1:25 PM in response to turingtest2

P.S.: I forgot to say that the files now in my iTunes library are playing just fine now, but just how do I go about retrieving the remaining 83+ GB worth of iTunes downloads and AAC files? (The bulk of my iTunes library was AAC files from ripped CDs, and according to the available space on my hard drive--42.7 GB of 223 GB available--they're still *somewhere* on my computer, both the iTunes downloads and the ripped-CD files.)

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Answer 10

Jun 14, 2012 1:44 PM in response to turingtest2

Oh, and one more thing: I just checked what was actually in my iTunes library now, and it isn't even all of the non-iTunes downloads! It's just the Amazon MP3 and some downloads that were on my desktop and in Documents originally--NONE of my Bandcamp or other music and video files that originally downloaded to my Downloads folder are there.

Sorry about the multiple replies--I just keep forgetting to check EVERYTHING before I post.

TPD

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Answer 11

Jun 14, 2012 2:10 PM in response to turingtest2

And here's one more thing: I opened iTunes and clicked on 'Import File' and 'Import Folder'' the 'Import File to Library' option just showed my iTunes, Amazon MP3, most of my 'Desktop' downloads and a folder called 'Daytrotter Downloads' (which did originally download to Downloads, but why this particular download should show up in my iTunes library nut not the rest of the files in Downloads, I don't know), while the 'Import Folder to Library optiom just showed the iTunes Media and (iTunes) Album Artwork folders; however, when I go to Downloads in Windows Explorer, all of my non-iTunes, non-Desktop and non-Documents downloads are there (but the one file that downloaded straight to <User> is not there, of course).

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Answer 12

turingtest2

Level 10

272,707 points

Jun 14, 2012 3:44 PM in response to The Petite Demoness

The Petite Demoness wrote:

Well, I tried both of your suggestions, buting worked until i first tried the second one again (cutting and pasting 'iTunes Music' to the System Recovery Files folder,

Yes, I said that

and then cutting and pasting the entire 'iTunes' folder from C:\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes and pasting it into C:\System Recovery Files\C\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes under the 'iTunes Music' folder; I then opened iTunes and clicked on 'Import MP3 and AAC files'...

but I don't recall saying that.

The point was to repair the existing entries, not break more of them, or import any other files at this stage.

When you cut the iTunes folder out of the initial location iTunes would have woken up without a valid library and will have started importing files from your profile folder.

tt2

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Answer 13

Jun 14, 2012 4:38 PM in response to turingtest2

So what do I do now? Do I repeat the steps that you originally gave me, to try cutting the iTunes Music folder out of C:\Users]<User\Music\iTunes and try pasting it back into C:\Users\<user>\iTunes, and if that fails, to cut the iTunes Music folder from C:\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes and try pasting it back into C:\System Recovery Files\C\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes, AFTER restoring the iTunes folder I originally cut from C:\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes and pasted into C:\System Recovery Files\C\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes under the 'iTunes Music' folder in that location, back into C:\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes, after deleting my current iTunes library? The reason I imported the 'iTunes' folder into the System Recovery Files folder is that when I tried your original steps, they didn't work!

And I TOLD you I don't know WHAT I'm doing--this is the first time I've ever had to do anything like this!

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Answer 14

turingtest2

Level 10

272,707 points

Jun 14, 2012 5:06 PM in response to The Petite Demoness

OK, before you moved the iTunes folder did the library contain entries for your original files?

This is the normal layout of the iTunes folders. From what you said at the outset it would seem that, as far as that copy of your library is concerned, it thinks the media folder is C:\System Recovery Files\C\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media

Not quite sure where you have moved the original set of library files to (that is the five files listed above and the Album Artwork folder) but you should move these to C:\System Recovery Files\C\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes, (leaving everything else in place) then click the icon to launch iTunes and immediately press and hold down the left shift key until asked to choose or create a library. Click choose and browse to the library file at C:\System Recovery Files\C\Users\<User>\Music\iTunes\iTunes Library.itl - fingers crossed this will open your old database, which will be able to find your old files. If that goes well we can look to moving them somewhere more sensible.

tt2

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Answer 15

Jun 14, 2012 5:59 PM in response to turingtest2

Hello again turingtest2,

I followed your instruction exactly (this time), and they worked! I got back all of my files (*except* for the podcasts), and they are all playing just fine now. (Stupid me, I didn't realize the reason I wasn't getting the option to choose a library at first was because I was haolding down the Ctrl key rather than the left shift key--how stupid of me!) But I am wondering why I didn't get my podcasts back, despite their still being listed in iTunes Media under Podcasts--is it because I stupidly deleted the files from my iTunes library when they wouldn't play at first, or is it because at least one of them isn't being offered any more, or is it simply because they *are* PODCASTS?

And about actually moving the files (again)--is this going to be as much of a 'pain' as finding the files in the first place was? I am asking because i know it must be getting really late wherever you are, and I don't want you to stay up all night on account of me--surely you have much better things to do, like get some sleep! (BTW, it's nearly 9 PM ET where I am, but I've been struggling with this issue ever since I restored my files after that system recovery, and that was just over ten days ago.)

Thank you very much,

TPD

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