Q: I lost all my music!
-
Dec 17, 2013 5:34 AMby Limnos,iTunes expects files and folders to be in very specific locations. When you start iTunes it looks for a file called library.itl which is in the iTunes folder. It then uses all the references in that file which tell it where all your media files are located to build up the view you normally see. Probably you moved the library file so iTunes cannot find it and it will make a default one which is empty. When you plug in your iPod it isn't recognizing the library since it is not the same one to which you synced last.
Simply put, you need to undo all your file moves. Not as eaily done as stated but since I cannot quite see from here exactly what you spent an hour doing last night it will be up to you. Did you make a backup before doing all this?
What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management
What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html
Where are my iTunes files located? - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391
iTunes 9 [and later]: Understanding iTunes Media Organization - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3847
Image of folder structure and explanation of different iTunes versions (turingtest2 post) - https://discussions.apple.com/message/13025536 and https://discussions.apple.com/message/17457605
