Q: Is it possible for my iTunes library, which has suddenly and inexplicably become "damaged", to be restored/fixed?

I use iTunes on a laptop PC. I keep the Media library on an external hard drive. I also have the same library on an iPod classic (although that has not been synced or updated for a while). I am pretty good about updating to the latest version of iTunes, although I think I might not have the very latest one (in the past fortnight or so).

One morning last week, I plugged in the hard drive and started iTunes only to be presented with a message that the library file was damaged.

(The message is not coherent - but no matter.)

Unfortunately, the new library file is missing most of my music.

Is there a way of fixing the damaged library file and restoring my complete music collection (without having to manually input it all again)?

As you can imagine, this is incredibly frustrating. I am also disappointed that Apple itself does not offer any assistance to someone in my position.

Many thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions!