Q: Locating files

I don't know if running the installer removes everything. I would remove iTunes using the Programs and Features control panel. You should remove each of these items, if they exist, in the order given.

• iTunes
• Apple Software Update
• Apple Mobile Device Support
• iCloud
• MobileMe
• Bonjour
• Apple Application Support

Then reinstall iTunes.

tt2

OK, thanks. Will do as you instructed but will do it tomorrow.

Regards, Alex

OK. Happy New Year!

tt2

Oh, by the way you didn't say if or how I should protect my music and artwork files ?

Also another apple product on the computer is Quicktime7. Does this also need to be uninstalled or not ?

Your library will be unaffected. Yes. uninstall QuickTime. Do that first. QuickTime is no longer a part of a standard iTunes setup. However if you have older video files that need QuickTime support and are running 64-bit Windows then you also need to install iTunes for Windows (64-bit - for older video cards) rather than the standard all 64-bit version.

tt2

Thank you for the reply. Have a good new year. Will let you know how I get on tomorrow.

Regards, Alex

Happy New Year

Have uninstalled everything just as you instructed in the correct order, rebooted the computer and checked there was no remaining files before reinstalling iTunes.

Decided to send you the following screen shots so you can see where we're at  before proceeding to the next stage as I'm still not sure everything is as it should be. Will not do anything until you contact me.

Does Edit > Preferences > Advanced look like my earlier screenshot?

The folder G:\iTunes\iTunes Media\Music\iTunes shouldn't be there. Is there anything inside G:\iTunes\iTunes Media\Music\iTunes\iTunes Media? If so it should be moved up to G:\iTunes\iTunes Media\Music and then the folder G:\iTunes\iTunes Media\Music\iTunes can be deleted.

Did you try the suggested fix for the icon on the Music folder yet?

tt2

Edit > Preferences > Advanced does not reset should I alter it manually ?

the iTunes file in the  music folder looks like:-

Do I need to move these items or delete them

Sorry can't remember the fix for the icon on the Music ?

Click the Change button and then use the folder selection tool to choose G:\iTunes\iTunes Media as the active media folder.

Check the active iTunes Library.itl file is the one at G:\iTunes\iTunes Library.itl by looking at its timestamp. If it isn't current then a different file is being opened. If that is the case search G:\ for files of the form *.itl and post back the path to the most recently modified version.

Regarding the folder G:\iTunes\iTunes Media\Music right-click on it, click Properties > Customize > Change Icon > Restore Defaults > OK. This should fix the issue with the folder displaying as a music note rather than a folder.

tt2

Fixed the icon on the Music folder and changed the iTunes Media folder location in Edit > Preferences > Advanced as advised.

Have also attached some more screen shots in order to clarify my next move.

Note the date modified on the iTunes library above is 29/12/2015, is this what you mean by the time stamp ? The other ones shown below are more recent. Do I delete those libraries and the sentinel shown above and move the more recent ones to replace them in the above location ?

The snap shot shown above shows the most recent versions of libraries and sentinel been dated 01/01/2016 except the Genius Library which is 29/12/2015

The snap shot below shows what is in the iTunes Media file shown above

So do I now simply replace those files with the most up to date ones and delete the music folder in the iTunes Media file altogether ?

Will not proceed until you advise.

Regards, Alex   PS. I know this is slow but at least I now feel as if we're making progress ! 

OK, it seems as if the active library files are at G:\iTunes\iTunes Media\Music\iTunes rather than G:\iTunes as planned. Try holding down shift as you start iTunes and keep holding until you are asked to choose or create a library. Click choose, then browse to and open G:\iTunes\iTunes Library.itl.

Does this version of your library show the expected content? If not I'll will explain how to move the other set of files into the correct location.

Check under Edit > Preferences > Advanced that the media folder is correctly listed as G:\iTunes\iTunes Media. If not click the Reset button. It should work as expected this time.

You can delete the file G:\.iTunes Preferences.plist.

tt2

Did as you instructed but the library only shows the albums without artwork. Opening an album shows the content but will not play any songs.

Opened the first ABBA album prior to going into Edit > Preferences > Advanced and had to change it back to G:\iTunes\iTunes Media, for some strange reason the ABBA album artwork appeared together with the songs !

What is my next move ?

I take it the content was working before you shift-started iTunes and chose the new library file?

On that assumption, close iTunes, Make a new folder at G:\iTunes\Old.

Move the following items from G:\iTunes into G:\iTunes\Old:

• Album Artwork
• iTunes Library.itl
• iTunes Library Extras.itdb
• iTunes Library Genius.itdb
• iTunes Music Library.xml
• sentinel

Then move the following items from G:\iTunes\iTunes Media\Music\iTunes into G:\iTunes:

• Album Artwork
• iTunes Library.itl
• iTunes Library Extras.itdb
• iTunes Library Genius.itdb
• iTunes Music Library.xml (but rename as iTunes Library.xml)
• sentinel

Finally delete G:\iTunes\iTunes Media\Music\iTunes and start iTunes.

If you're happy the library is working as you want it delete the folder G:\iTunes\Old.

tt2