Library Disappears or Must Redownload from "The Cloud"

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Library Disappears or Must Redownload from "The Cloud"

A couple of weeks ago I upgraded from 10.7 to 11. That's when my library/playlists started to disappear. I followed some procedures offered online to recover my libary, but only for a little while. I reinstalled 10.7 but then libary continued to disappear. I also noticed some itunes files (none of them music files) appearing in my recycle folder.

Back to 11, transferred all my songs on my ipod back. After closing and reopening a few minutes later, all the tunes were in the Cloud and needed to be redownloaded. I can never sync any files added to the library from CD, etc. Only my purchased files seem to remain constantly. I can never sync. This is infuriating. I've uninstalled anti virus, cleaned registry, everything that has been suggested. I use windows 7 with a nano 6. Never had a problem until a couple of weeks ago. What is going on? Ready to give up Apple and go elsewhere.

iPod nano (6th generation), Windows 7

Posted on Apr 2, 2013 5:25 PM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

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Apr 2, 2013 5:28 PM in response to Popmeister

Empty/corrupt library after upgrade/crash

Hopefully it's not been too long since you last upgraded iTunes, in fact if you get an empty/incomplete library immediately after upgrading then with the following steps you shouldn't lose a thing or need to do any further housekeeping. Note that in iTunes 11 an "empty" library may show your past purchases with links to stream or download them.

In the Previous iTunes Libraries folder should be a number of dated iTunes Library files. Take the most recent of these and copy it into the iTunes folder. Rename iTunes Library.itl as iTunes Library (Corrupt).itl and then rename the restored file as iTunes Library.itl. Start iTunes. Should all be good, bar any recent additions to or deletions from your library.

Alternatively, depending on exactly when and why the library went missing, there may be a more recent .tmp file in the main iTunes folder that can be copied & renamed as iTunes Library.itl to restore the library to an earlier state. Look for a recent .tmp file that is similar in size to the .itl files in the Previous iTunes Libraries folder. If it has happened repeatedly you may want the earliest such file generated since the last iTunes upgrade.

If applicable, see iTunes Folder Watch for a tool to catch up with any changes since the backup file was created.

When you get it all working make a backup!

Should you be in the unfortunate position where you are no longer able to access your original library, or a backup of it, then see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.

I've noticed more of these missing library posts of late and a common factor to most since I started asking is AVG Anti-Virus. It seems in some cases it might be at least part of the reason why the library file disappears. Try excluding the iTunes folder from any AV scanning process.

tt2

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Answer 2

Popmeister Author

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Apr 2, 2013 5:40 PM in response to turingtest2

Yes, yes... this is the first post I tried. It worked... for about a day, and then everything disappeared again. Is this now standard operating procedure for living with itunes?

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Answer 3

turingtest2

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272,985 points

Apr 2, 2013 5:58 PM in response to Popmeister

What AV are you using now? I'm running the current build of iTunes and Microsoft Security Essential on a couple of machines and have no problems. Have you backed up everything so that, if something should go wrong, you can restore the database in a matter of moments?

I can't say for certain, but I've a strong suspicion that AVG is a major factor in these recent disappearances, however there could well be other factors.

tt2

Message was edited by: turingtest2

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Answer 4

Popmeister Author

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Apr 2, 2013 6:49 PM in response to turingtest2

I am using AVG free but I have made an exception for the Itunes folder as suggested, but did not help. I have been using the AV and Itunes for years without problems, but I realize updates, etc can change things.

I have burned all files to playable CDs, and even purchased an external hard drive yesterday after finding my library had again disappeared.

I will uninstall AVG and install MSE and see if that helps. Thanks for your suggestions. I'm trying them all.

Edit: JUST opened Itunes and all the music files (I have no other file types) must again be downloaded from the cloud

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Answer 5

Popmeister Author

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Apr 4, 2013 1:37 PM in response to turingtest2

I'm happy to say that my library has remained intact and synching is back to normal for 24 hours AFTER I COMPLETELY REMOVED AVG! Other posts had recommended adding an exception for the ITunes folder, which I did but the vanishing of my library continued. Even reverting back to 10.7 did not cure the problem. Only after completely removing AVG and switching to your recommended Microsoft Securities Essentials has the problem (for now) been eliminated.

I will repost here should the problem return, but it seems that your suspicions regarding AVG were correct. My only addition is that is should be completely removed if an exception to Itunes does not work.

Thanks turingtest2!

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Answer 6

turingtest2

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272,985 points

Apr 4, 2013 4:16 PM in response to Popmeister

You're welcome. 🙂

tt2

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