reinstalling corrupt iTunes library 2015

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reinstalling corrupt iTunes library 2015

I'm running OSX 10.95 on a 2011 Macbook Pro. ITunes 12.3.1.23. I recently used Gemini app to delete duplicates in my library. Unfortunately it deleted half my files. I now get messages saying original file unable to be located. Some are able to be re-imported via download, but most are not. The cover art, playlists ext appear to be ok. I have backed up my library onto a Mac for Passport prior to the deletions. I also have copied and pasted all the MP3's into another folder on that Passport. I don't want to have to go through the entire library and reconstitute it. Whats the best way to put it back together. I'd like to replace the library with the copied MP3's as the iTunes library had a lot of duplicates (the file information was showing 16,000 items even though there was only 7,500 in there) which is why I tried to delete them. However I'm afraid if I just import the copied MP3's that Ill lose the playlists, art etc. I tried reinstalling the library with the duplicates ect on it from The Passport, but its telling me I don't have enough hard drive (I can't seem to delete the current Media folder on my hard drive to make space). Can anybody help please?. I'm using the latest version of iTunes.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6)

Posted on Nov 23, 2015 9:10 PM

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Answer 1

Limnos

Level 10

411,223 points

Nov 24, 2015 6:05 AM in response to newmonk91

If you are running OSX 10.6 you are not using the latest iTunes version (12.3).

Did you make a backup before you unleashed this Gemini on your computer (if you did not this may be a learning moment)?

You say you backed up the "library" but many people do not realize a library is (for most) the entire iTunes folder, not just media files.

I can think of one very, very slow and laborious method for dealing with this if you do not have a complete backup you can simply drag back to the computer (by the way, copy and paste is a very Windows way to copy and move files).

You need to learn how iTunes works:

About iTunes library files - https://support.apple.com/HT201610 - Does not mention that a complete working library also includes other files and folders also in the iTunes folder.

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 - plus supplemental information about organizing to new structure https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6477809?answerId=26404702022#26404702022

Image of folder structure and explanation of different iTunes versions (turingtest2 post) - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-7392 and making an iTunes library portable.

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Answer 2

newmonk91 Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 26, 2015 12:05 AM in response to Limnos

Hi Limnos, thanks for the advice, but I'm running 10.95 as I stated in the first post and the latest version of ITunes. I'm not a techie so I just need to solve the problem in a simple way. Do you have any real-time instructions that might allow me to re-instate the library either from a pre Gemini Time Machine backup on

a Mac Passbook or from the copied audio files in another folder on that same hard drive (its just the mp3's). I'm so over iTunes that unless I can find some way to do this I'm leaving the platform and moving on (and in another life I used to be an audio engineer, so if I can't sort it easily then its in the too hard basket for me). This of course follows the 12.2 forced upgrade where I lost half my library earlier in the year and had to reconstitute it. PS the files will only copy and paste. Believe me I tried dropping and dragging but its not going for it. Can you help please?. Thanks for your help in advance. Just a quick question. If I move the library to Trash and delete it, will that then give me the space I need on the hard drive?

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