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When trying to recover a lost iTunes library file, the programme moved all the normal contents of iTunes folder to the desktop. Now what must I do?

When trying to recover a lost iTunes library file, the programme moved all the normal contents of iTunes folder to the desktop. Now what must I do? There is no iTunes Library.itl file. On the desktop it is labelled iTunes Library.xml. Several others files have appeared there too including iTunes Music Library.xml

Before I can use the programme is it necessary to take another step?

Thanks for advice.

iTunes-OTHER, Windows 7

Posted on Apr 8, 2013 5:18 AM

25 replies

Prof_ST Author

Level 1

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Apr 29, 2013 8:27 PM in response to Prof_ST

Sorry, when I ran your script I did not notice it had started up iTunes. The iTunes Libary.itl file is now on the desktop and has overwritten the file that was there.

In Preferences\Advanced the iTunes Media folder address is shown to be Users\User\Music\iTunes.

It was as expected I am glad to say.

turingtest2

Level 10

272,881 points

Apr 30, 2013 3:22 AM in response to Prof_ST

Every time iTunes starts up it will attempt to open the last library file that it had open unless you press and hold down shift and keep holding until asked to choose or create the library. Currently your active library file is on your desktop and any supporting files that are supposed to go with it will be recreated there if missing.

1. If you haven't already done so I would apply the permissions fix outlined earlier to the folder C:\Users\User\Music\iTunes just to be on the safe side.

2. Open C:\Users\User\Music\iTunes and create a folder called Old. Move any of the following that can be found into the Old folder:

iTunes Library.itl

iTunes Library Extras.itdb

iTunes Library Genius.itdb

iTunes Music Library.xml

sentinel (hidden)

Album Artwork (folder)

and delete any *.tmp files.

3. From the desktop move any of the following that can be found into C:\Users\User\Music\iTunes:

iTunes Library.itl

iTunes Library Extras.itdb

iTunes Library Genius.itdb

iTunes Library.xml (rename as iTunes Music Library.xml, or just delete - iTunes will rebuild)

sentinel (hidden)

Album Artwork (folder)

and delete any *.tmp files.

4. Click the icon to launch iTunes and immediately press and hold down the SHIFT key. Keep holding until asked to choose or create a library. Click choose and browse to C:\Users\User\Music\iTunes\iTunes Library.itl

5. Go to Edit > Preferences > Advanced and correct the media folder location to C:\Users\User\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media. If iTunes prompts to consolidate say No.

6. Check under File > Library > Organize Library... that the Rearrange files... box is greyed out. If not tick the check box and click OK.

7. Run the script Unconsolidated to see if there is anything that isn't where it should be. If there is you can either use File > Library > Organize Library... Consolidate files and then manually clean up the originals, or use my script ConsolidateByMoving which will tidy up as it goes.

tt2

Prof_ST Author

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Apr 30, 2013 6:04 PM in response to turingtest2

Thanks for all this. It is very clear.

I have reached step 3. and have a couple of questions before completing.

In your last post you were interested in my two iTunes Media folders. But in this post you don't mention what I am to do about them. Do I delete the iTunes Media folder on the Desktop? And if so, do I do that after the complete restorarion or before, or do I just ignore it now that everything else is in the iTunes folder?

Thanks

turingtest2

Level 10

272,881 points

May 1, 2013 3:18 AM in response to Prof_ST

Once you've got through to step 7 anything still left in the iTunes Media folder on the desktop should be a redundant copy which can be deleted.

tt2

Prof_ST Author

Level 1

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May 1, 2013 7:09 PM in response to turingtest2

I am doing well.

I have done all you said.

The iTunes is now back where it is supposed to be and with a restored library in the right place. The same number of tracks/songs/titles are in it. The ratings and number of plays are preserved. This is great progress.

I have a few problems still.

The process has generated a fair number of new or duplicate playlists. Do I just delete? Are there any I should not?

More worryingly it has also generated some new folders, for instance it has created a folder called Music with just a few of my CDs in it. I don't understand why or what to do about it.

I haven't yet gone through everything, but there seems to be some duplication of the music now as well. Or could that have been the problem before? I shall look this weekend and see if I can pinpoint which albums have been duplicated and when that happened.

But I am very pleased with progress. Thanks.

Is it now safe to update iTunes to the latest version or do we need to tweak things first?

Thanks a lot.

turingtest2

Level 10

272,881 points

May 2, 2013 2:36 AM in response to Prof_ST

Hmm, apart from step 7 which was supposed to create a playlist for you to review, none of the other steps should have created new playlists. If you've used the File > Add Folder to Library command that can import any m3u files that are in the added folders. You can delete any playlists that you don't have a need for, althjough I would keep any Purchased or Purchased on <Device> ones as they will resurect on your next purchase.

The default naming scheme for music files is ..\iTunes\iTunes Media\Music\<Artist>\<Album>\## <Name>.<Ext>. If you still have artist folders at the level of iTunes Media then check that you corrected the media folder location, as per step 5, and that you did step 6. Check also under Edit > Preferences > Advanced that Keep organized... is ticked. If already ticked, and files are in the wrong place, untick it, apply the change, then go back and select the option again.

tt2

Prof_ST Author

Level 1

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May 4, 2013 2:01 AM in response to turingtest2

Your patience with me is greatly appreciated.

As I delve into the way my library is organized, with your help, I now realize it is not at all like you say it should be. I have hardly any music in the \iTunes\iTunes Media\Music folder. In fact it is at several different levels within iTunes and subfolders that have been created over the years.

When I went to step 5 (above) and Go to Edit>Preferences>Advanced and corrected the media folder to the default location iTunes did not ask to consolidate. I have not repeated the step.

When I go to step 6 and check under File>Library>Organize Library there are two options one is Consolidate (which I have left unchecked) and the other is Reorganize which is greyed out. There is no Keep organized option. The reason I have left Consolidate unchecked is that earlier you said that I might end up with a library double the size that it is at present because of duplication of tracks and we decided that with one as large as mine that would be quite a task to sort out manually.

So if I want to move those songs that are at the level of iTunes Media into the iTunes Media\Music folder could you explain precisely how I should do that? Should I do that with each folder that contains the music files?

Thanks again

turingtest2

Level 10

272,881 points

May 4, 2013 2:37 AM in response to Prof_ST

To make sure iTunes is organizing the files inside the media folder in the normal way go to Edit > Preferences > Advanced and untick Keep iTunes Media folder organized, click OK, then go back and enable that option again.

You can run my script Unconsolidated to see if there is and media connected to iTunes which is located outside of the iTunes Media folder. If there is you can either use File > Library > Organize Library... Consolidate files and then manually clean up the originals, or use my script ConsolidateByMoving which will tidy up as it goes.

If you think there may be media inside the media folder not currently connected to iTunes you can use File > Add Folder to Libray and select the media folder. This should add in any unknown content. You can then go to the Songs view, hold down Shift and click View > Show Exact Duplicate Items, then if any are shown you can sort on Date Added and delete those added today.

tt2

Prof_ST Author

Level 1

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May 5, 2013 9:06 PM in response to turingtest2

I have just realized that I have started asking you about something rather different from my original question.

The iTunes library is now restored and everything is back in its rightful position. My question is solved.

I can't tell you how grateful I am to you for helping me to sort that out. Thank you very much. I greatly appreciate your care and persistence in helping me through this.

Since I have started asking you a different question, I should close this particular conversation.

The questions I want to ask relates to a post of yours from 2011, but which still continues to attract comments, I shall place further questions there.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3278989

Thanks again for all your advice.

turingtest2

Level 10

272,881 points

May 6, 2013 3:26 AM in response to Prof_ST

You're welcome. 🙂

I shall keep an eye out for your follow up question. As long as you attach it to a thread I've posted in I should see it.

tt2

When trying to recover a lost iTunes library file, the programme moved all the normal contents of iTunes folder to the desktop. Now what must I do?