HELP! My Library keeps resetting itself

Not fixed.

I made an AVG exception for iTunes, reloaded the content from the media library, and closed down iTunes. When I reopened it, it's all gone and iTunes back to its default settings.

arggh.

I hope Apple addresses this soon. I tried calling Support but didn't get anything useful, then the connection was broken.

This has happened to me twice in the last few days. Windows 7 x64 with latest free version of AVG. Guess I'm going to have to make a habit of backing up my iTunes Library file each time I make a change or addition, until this is fixed.

Called Apple, they haven't heard anything but they are now watching this thread.

Called AVG, they haven't had any complaints but the guy I talked with elevated the issue and they are watching too.

This morning at 7:30 am PST my iTunes was fine. I just turned it on (9:20 am) and it's back to the default. I checked and there was no Windows update, and AVG updated itself last night. (I had turned off the AVG scan of anything with iTunes in the name anyway.)

Same for me, Windows 7 x 64, with the free version of AVG.

I went into AVG and made exceptions for iTunes. Within the hour it was reset. I closed iTunes, worked at the computer for the 40 minutes or so and then re-opened iTunes to make changes to my iPod nano. So the computer didn't go to sleep, it was active all that while.

Nothing I have done has kept my libraries in place on iTunes. Does anybody know if there are alternatives to iTunes, maybe I should check out Songbird?

In the greater scheme of things this is a minor annoyance, but it is a constant irritation and needs at least a bandaid!

I'm waiting to see in my uninstall/reinstall of iTunes fixed the problem, won't know until tomorrow morning.

If it doesn't fix it, the next thing I plan to do is uninstall AVG (I'll use Microsoft Security Essentials instead) and see if that fixes it.

I've identified the time that I lose my library to between 3:30 and 4:30 am every morning

Just happened to me - Windows 7 64 bit HP pavilion PC with AVG. Can't now update my phone, iPad or iPod. Not happy as it is midnight and I needed to back up the phone.

Last used my iTunes at approx 17.50 today, closed PC down, re-booted at approx 23.30 when I expect AVG ran an update as it does so on ce PC is booted after approx 18.00 each day. I uninstalled and reinstalled iTunes but no change, have excluded iTunes in AVG and am re-adding my apps but will have to do the rest tomorrow.

I haven't run a scan of my PC, just had an AVG update.

Denise Woodcock wrote:

... am re-adding my apps but will have to do the rest tomorrow.

Ideally you want to restore a .tmp file, previous version or older library as described in the second post on page 1. Importing your apps/media into an essentially "new" library may cause data loss if you sync your device.

tt2

Do listen to turingtest2, and don't bother to reinstall and fine tune everything - it will just disappear again. I talked to an AVG tech today who told me that their program cannot change files. Sounds logical, but something is definitely going on. I discovered that my AVG updated very close to the time that my iTunes Library defaulted again this morning between 7:30 and 9:30.

Just wanted to add my five cents worth that I have been having this exact same problem. I had just done a major overhaul of my music library, so I thought I had messed something up. I too have AVG, so I'm uninstalling it. I'll be watching this thread.

I have been afraid to take of the AVG just in case I got a virus. If you decide to remove it, will you please let us know what happens? It may take a week or so to find out for sure. Thanks!

Having the same problem too. glad to see it's not only me. Guess i'll need to disable avg.

Fyi, having the same problem on Windows XP. I've been using AVG and iTunes together for years with no problem, but during that time I avoided upgrading iTunes. Finally, I recently broke down and upgraded to iTunes 11 and that's when my playlists started disappearing. Btw, it's not true that AVG hasn't heard of this problem. There are discussions at their community support from last year on this topic. Can't wait to see what everyone learns.

In the mean time, I'm just going to back up the iTunes Library.itl file to a disc.

Well, I'm optomistic but not convinced. To remind, I started losing my library every morning between 3:30 & 4:00 AM beginning last weekend (Sun 24 Mar). Recent events included upgrade to newer version of iTunes & upgrade to Summer 2013 version of AVG.

Friday morning (29 Mar) I downloaded the latest version of iTunes and chose to "uninstall" and reinstall the software. Once installed I restored my library from a *.tmp (which are generated on about the time the library deletes every morning).

I have been monitoring iTunes since that time and I even generated an update to AVG and manually initiated a full scan.

As of 6:30 AM Sat 30 Mar my iTunes library has remained in tact.

I'll keep posting until I am convinced the problem is solved.

The only recent tmp files were very very small and the files in previous itunes libraries were dated 2011 and 2012.

I use iTunes every day, there's usually some mobile apps updated each day, adding books or music so I wiould have expected to see a large file dated earlier yesterday in the tmp list. The largest one I did rename but it is now labelled as damaged.

I'm not too bothered about losing app info from the phone but have backed up the mobile synch folder which contains the back ups I did of the phone, iPad and iPod Touch yesterday before this happened. Does your comment though mean when I attach my phone next it is going to mean I have to re-add photos, music and videos? Just so I am forewarned that it might take a little more work on each of my devices. Thanks

I also noticed some of my preferences had changed including the one that keeps the iTunes library organised and adding media to the iTunes library so it might be worth users checking their own preferences have not been changed.

I also have two copies each of iTunes Library Extras and iTunes Library Genius in my recycle bin, one of each dated at the time I opened iTunes late last night and another of each from when I tried using the renamed itl file.

So I am continuing re-adding my iTunes Media folders into my account and will wait and see what happens. My AVG update is set for 18.00 so I will re-boot my PC around then and see if it all disappears (I have excluded iTunes from AVG scan).