System Restore to previous iTunes version caused "New iTunes Library" error

Question

System Restore to previous iTunes version caused "New iTunes Library" error

So like others I upgraded to 11; tried to keep an open mind but the thing keeps hanging up on me, running slowly, and wow I hate not being able to see my playlists next to my library. Even little things like deleting a song from a playlist and iTunes not automatically playing the next song bother me to no end.

SO, I decided to try a System Restore to my previous iTunes version but now I can't open iTunes due to a "New iTunes Library" error. /facepalm

I'm assuming it has something to do with 11 changing my Library file format and the file not reverting during the restore? Or something?

Is there anything I can do at this point? Any easy fix I'm not aware of?

Or will I have no choice but to uninstall/re-install the previous iTunes? (If this truly is the only solution could you please point me in the direction of the easiest way to go about it, I'm somewhat computer-literate but I've heard that it can be a pain in the butt)

I'm sure my songs themselves are fine, right? So my main thing is that I REALLY don't want to lose my playlists, I have dozens of them, that's what I'm the most worried about. I do keep all my music/playlists fairly up to date on my iPod as well, if that would help me restore my library. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

iPod classic 160GB (Late 2009), Windows 7

Posted on Nov 30, 2012 12:02 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 30, 2012 2:32 PM in response to starberryswirls

Am I the only person that has gotten this error, haha...

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Answer 2

Nov 30, 2012 4:28 PM in response to starberryswirls

You are not alone. The EXACT same thing happened to me last night. I'm still looking for a solution. My suggestion to you though is to go into "My Documents>My Music> iTunes" and make a copy of the "iTunes" folder and paste it somewhere first. Mine was about 30 gigs and I pasted a copy in My Documents and renamed it "iTunes Backup" in case I would lose the songs and videos I have in there. iTunes may have a copy of everything I have purchased from them in the past, but I also downloaded my own CDs into iTunes too so I don't want to lose that data.

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Answer 3

Nov 30, 2012 4:33 PM in response to starberryswirls

I believe you have to rename the .itl file to .old, then open itunes and let it create a new one, then rename the old one back...

I'll look for the detailed instructions for this but you can google 'restoring iTunes library' or similar terms...

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Answer 4

Manny888

Level 1

15 points

Nov 30, 2012 4:36 PM in response to Clancy1955

The problem is that iTunes 11 created a new iTunesLibrary file which overwrote your previously created iTunesLibrary.

Hopefully, under Previous iTunesLibrary you will find your most recent library, probably marked with the date next to it 113012, or something like that. Copy that file somewhere for later use.

You should uninstall iTunes 11. Download iTunes 10.7. Move your current iTunesLibrary file to a back up folder somewhere and then rename your most recent Previous Library so it matches the iTunesLibrary file you just removed to that back up folder.

Now, reinstall iTunes 10.7. That SHOULD recapture all your old playlists from the last time you closed iTunes 10.7.

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Answer 5

Manny888

Level 1

15 points

Nov 30, 2012 4:38 PM in response to Manny888

Quit iTunes.
Download and install the latest version of iTunes. (Substitute iTunes 10.7)
Use the Finder (Mac) or Windows Explorer (Windows) to go to the iTunes folder that contains the iTunes library files:
Mac OS X
/Users/username/Music/iTunes/
Microsoft Windows Windows XP and Windows 2000
\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\
Microsoft Windows Windows Vista and Windows 7
\Users\username\Music\iTunes\
Drag the iTunes Library file from the above location to the Desktop.
Open the Previous iTunes Libraries folder in the iTunes folder.
Locate the file named iTunes Library YYYY-MM-DD where YYYY-MM-DD is the date you upgraded iTunes (Year-Month-Day).
Drag this file to the iTunes folder (the enclosing folder).
Rename this file to iTunes Library.
Open iTunes.

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Answer 6

Nov 30, 2012 5:03 PM in response to starberryswirls

Okay... While I was fooling around (because I only know basic simple computer stuff), I solved my problem. My computer is a 64-bit HP TouchSmart running Windows 7. Went to Control Panel and opened "uninstall" program. The computer still listed my iTunes version as 10.7.0.21. After highlighting iTunes, I right clicked and clicked on "repair". Computer did its thing and my iTunes returned. It still shows as 10.7.0.21 and asked me if I wanted version 11. Declined for now and will wait for a while.

Note: I did not delete or rename the "library.itl" file or mess with anything else. After copying your music and moving it to back it up, give it a try. It worked for me just now.

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Answer 7

Nov 30, 2012 5:09 PM in response to Manny888

Thanks for the reply! Okay, so I don't have 11 installed because when i did the system restore it brought back the 10.7 version; I tried doing what you said with the iTunesLibrary files, but it didn't seem to change anything. So I will try uninstalling and re-installing the 10.7 version again... and apparently that worked! Yay! Thank you so much!

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Answer 8

Nov 30, 2012 5:10 PM in response to Clancy1955

Thanks Clancy! I was a little late in seeing your message, but that was probably what I could have done rather than uninstalling/re-installing the 10.7 again! Probably would have been easier, hah! Good to know for the future though, thank you so much!

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Answer 9

Nov 30, 2012 5:48 PM in response to Clancy1955

Had you already installed the updated 11? Because I did, and lost most of my music! I did the Repair, but still lost. Some playlists are gone, too! I'm afraid if I import one of my other Itunes libraries (none are named NEW), I'll have duplicates that I have to go in and delete, like I did when I had to wipe the system last year! UGH!!!

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Answer 10

Nov 30, 2012 5:50 PM in response to stephiern

Yes, I had updated to 11. I didnt lose any music though... that's super unfortuante, I'm sorry! Hopefully you had backed up recently!

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Answer 11

Nov 30, 2012 5:54 PM in response to starberryswirls

I think it's there somewhere. Do you think I should back up my other stuff, and do a system restore to this morning, and then I'll have 10.7?

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Answer 12

Nov 30, 2012 7:50 PM in response to stephiern

If your disk space still indicates you have your music, it may be hidden or something. Unfortuantely I don't know how to go about fixing that so you may need to do some searches on it. Restoring back to 10.7 was exactly what I did, but I ended up having to re-install it again anyway (thought repairing it may work too). I don't know if it will restore your music or not.

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