how do i overcome "itunes library cannot be saved" message and problems?

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Level 1

4 points

how do i overcome "itunes library cannot be saved" message and problems?

Hi fellow itunes users

This is the second time i've had this problem in the past few months. I was working on my itunes for hours getting playlists in order, ripping songs from CDs, etc and all was going well. I burned a whole load of CDs with the new playlists and songs so no major loss other than time if I wanted the CDs replicated.

I had the message come up, "itunes library cannot be saved" when i was closing the program down which worried me as I had no option but to accept this. I switch the machine on the following day and boot up itunes to find all the songs I saved and playlists made disappeared. Clearly they were not saved but and there is no way to get them back as i did not do a time machine back up at that moment but what bothers me is if it happens again.

Can anyone suggest a way to prevent this from happening again?

Your reply and assistance will be greatly appreciated!!

Many Thanks

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Jul 19, 2012 5:59 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Limnos

Level 10

411,247 points

Jul 19, 2012 6:10 AM in response to llcooljaz

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

Note that an xml version of your library is not 100% identical to the original .itl version, but you'll have to weigh up what makes the difference.

I don't know why your library isn't saving. You may have a directory error on your computer. Maybe there's some other conflict. It could even be an iTunes issue except if it were then I would expect more people to report it more than maybe once every couple of months. I have been using iTunes for the past 13 years and never had this problem.

How much free space do you have on your hard drive?

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Answer 2

llcooljaz Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 19, 2012 6:24 AM in response to Limnos

Hi Limnos

Thanks for the reply. The space on my HDD is another issue i'm working on, I do get the message sometimes that the HDD is full but i dont see how as the only files saved on the machine are from iphoto 100gb and itunes 40-60gb, the HDD is 250gb.

If I need more space on the HDD I can make this by moving files off and onto an external drive if you believe it will help prevent these problems, in the mean time I shall follow the link you provided and try that out.

If it happens again should I take a chance with in-store "genius" bar to rule out an directory issues?

Cheers

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Answer 3

Limnos

Level 10

411,247 points

Jul 19, 2012 6:34 AM in response to llcooljaz

You can verify your directory by running Disk Utility > first aid verify.

Have a look at how space is being used:
OmniDiskSweeper (free) - http://www.omnigroup.com/applications/omnidisksweeper/download/

OS X Lion: About Time Machine's "local snapshots" on portable Macs - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4878 - “You may notice a difference in available space statistics between Disk Utility, Finder, and Get Info inspectors. This is expected and can be safely ignored. The Finder displays the available space on the disk without accounting for the local snapshots, because local snapshots will surrender their disk space if needed."

Hidden local backups with Mac OS X Lion filling up your MacBook hard disk! - http://blog.valerio.de/post/19238158977/hidden-local-backups-with-mac-os-x-lion- filling-up-your - Time Machine using local drive to store backups when external drive is not available.

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