How do i re-link my music files / library to iTunes?

Yes, moving folder around by hand (bar a few limited exceptions) gets iTunes all confused. Either rename things back to where they were or take a look at my FindTracks script.

If you're going to let the script do the work you might as well put the library into the correct shape before you start. The current convention is for the media folder to be called iTunes Media not iTunes Music, and Music goes into a separate folder called Music.

If should really look like the layout on the right.

With iTunes closed, rename iTunes Music as Music and make sure the correct folders are inside each other. When you start iTunes check under Edit > Preferences > Advanced that the media folder is given as ..\iTunes\iTunes Media. Check also under File > Library > Organize Library... that the option Rearrange files in the folder "iTunes Media" is greyed out. If not tick it and click OK. You can then proceed to try repairing things.

VLC has just taken over your file associations but you should be able to switch them back. Use Start > Set program access and defaults or Default Programs to correct these.

tt2

Thanks for the response! Just getting back at this now.

And I try to do what you say, the current library now seems to be empty except for about 10 or 20 albums.

So, I found an old itl file and put it on the desktop. Here is that path:

the actual music file is on an internal hard drive called photos and space/MUSIC

I certainly would appreciate any help.

thanks

This is exactly what I need! But I need an OSX version....

Do you know of such a thing? I assume that there's no way to run this on a mac, right?

I certainly would appreciate it or any advice you might have.

I don't have an OS X version of the script. There may be another way to fix things. Select a broken track and press CMD+I to get info. Say no when asked to locate the file. Look on the summary tab for the location that iTunes thinks the file should be in. It will begin file://localhost/. Where is the file really? Post back both paths and I may be able to help...

tt2

One way to appraoch this would be to put the .itl file in a folder called iTunes, at the root of the drive where the media is, then create/rename folders so that the music is at iTunes\iTunes Media\Music\<Artist>\<Album>. iTunes may well then be able to reconnect to the media automatically. Either way the FindTracks script can be pointed at a suitable media folder to reconnect broken links.

tt2

Hey tt2

Thanks so much! It appears to have worked. I'm surprised that it ended up being that easy actually.

Only thing I have left to do is make sure that this is the library that itunes opens by default.

THanks again

magazine

You're welcome. 🙂

iTunes always opens the last library opened unless it can't be found. In that case, if the library should be on the default path of <User's Music>\iTunes then it silently creates a new empty library, if it is anywhere else there is a prompt to choose or create one.

tt2

You're welcome. 🙂

tt2