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Author Topic: iTunes Library  (Read 4213 times)

Offline sluggo

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« on: August 23, 2008, 05:57:13 AM »
I recently updated iTunes to version 7.7.1. I mindlessly hit the "Agree" button to install this update. Now, every song that I had is gone. The entire library is wiped out. Searches don't turn up a single song. What the heck could have gone wrong?
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Todd
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Offline Paddy

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« Reply #1 on: August 23, 2008, 10:24:21 AM »
Todd, have you checked in Users > Your Name > Music > iTunes > iTunes Music

The other place to look is Documents >iTunes > iTunes Music; for some reason or other most of my music is there, though the most recently added is in the first path. (one of these days I'll get this sorted out!) Both lots turn up my iTunes Library.

Do you have a backup?

I cannot find reported instances of this with 7.7.1 - and when libraries failed to show up in other upgrades, they were still there but had somehow parted ways with iTunes. I'm still using 7.5, because I don't have time to deal with any problems at the moment!!
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Offline beacher

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« Reply #2 on: August 23, 2008, 12:48:51 PM »
Another possibility, Todd, and probability, is that when you updated to the new itunes (is that what you're trying to play the tunes with, or are you trying to use the old iTunes?), is that it converted your library for the new itunes format, and is now mixed up as to which library list to use. . . You might also look for a previous systems folder.  It's got to be there somewhere, but it's just gotten lost.  I use a "freebie" called "Easy Find" (http://www.versiontracker.com/macosx/) to locate things on my HD, and you just need to look for an extremely large folder. . .
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Offline Paddy

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« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2008, 01:05:08 PM »
QUOTE
and you just need to look for an extremely large folder. . .


Well...depends on how much music he has in there! wink.gif Me? I'd be tearing my hair out by the roots, if my iTunes music folder truly went bye-bye. It's 31GB and over 8800 individual songs/pieces; probably over 600 CDs now. It's on my computer (3 different hard drives), my son's computer, my husband's computer (though he's tossed some of it no doubt) and most of it is on my 30 GB iPod. The thought of ripping it all again is frightening.

I have never heard of an iTunes upgrade truly erasing or eliminating an iTunes library from a drive - usually it's some sort of glitch where it doesn't link properly, but I'm a bit worried that you cannot find any songs when you search, Todd.
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Offline kbeartx

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« Reply #4 on: August 23, 2008, 05:36:49 PM »
QUOTE(sluggo @ Aug 23 2008, 05:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Searches don't turn up a single song.

What kind of searches? From inside iTunes? From the Finder?  For song name?  Artist name?  I bet if you Search for iTunes from the Finder you'll find The Folder [maybe several], and iNside it, you'll find the tunes...

 - KB coolio.gif
« Last Edit: August 23, 2008, 05:40:28 PM by kbeartx »
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Offline sluggo

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« Reply #5 on: August 25, 2008, 04:57:31 AM »
I did a search from Finder. After this update I clicked iTunes on and the library was completely empty. Not a single iTunes item within Documents. The only thing in the Users folder was an empty folder names Sharing. Using Finder, I located an iTunes database file named iTunes library and an iTunes folder names iTunes music. Both are empty. Very perplexing.
The names of artists that I know were in the library don't even appear on a Finder search.
« Last Edit: August 25, 2008, 05:02:05 AM by sluggo »
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Offline kbeartx

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« Reply #6 on: August 25, 2008, 02:28:04 PM »
I guess I lost that bet!

Sorry for your loss... That's what a Backup is for [maybe not completely up-to-date, but prevents a total loss]. sad.gif

I recently updated to that version also, and had no loss of tune-age.  I wonder if the fact that my iTunes Library is not in the default location has protected me from this kind of catastrophe?

KB coolio.gif
« Last Edit: August 25, 2008, 02:34:13 PM by kbeartx »
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Offline Mayo

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« Reply #7 on: August 25, 2008, 03:35:58 PM »
Sluggo, try looking in the iTunes preferences under Advanced/General. Look in the box under iTunes Music folder location... that is where iTunes thinks the music resides. What do you find there? It could be that the update somehow changed the location of your music folder. (I installed the same update with no problems.)

As far as I know iTunes can only access one library at a time, so I have no idea how Paddy can be accessing music simultaneously from two libraries... it's more likely that duplicate tunes reside in both libraries. Generally one has to go into the preferences to change the location of the iTunes library; in certain circumstances the iTunes library can revert to the default location in the user's music folder. So it is not unusual to think that you are adding music to one library when you are actually adding audio files to a different library.

I keep my iTunes library on an external drive because when I began ripping music my Mac's internal drive could not hold it all... And I have a copy on another external drive.

Sluggo, if your music resides on an iPod there are ways to transfer it to a Mac: MusicRescue and iPodDisk are two options.

And you might find more info on the Apple forums regarding whether your experience is unique or not...
« Last Edit: August 25, 2008, 06:24:18 PM by Mayo »
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Offline sluggo

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« Reply #8 on: August 25, 2008, 07:21:41 PM »
I do have most everything on the iPod and I also have everything backed up on a Western Digital USB drive. However, the most recent backup is a couple of months old at best. That one is on me.
I tried the Prefs/Advanced/General method. It does indeed show a path: Users/My Name/Music:iTunes:iTunes Music. However, under Users is one lone, empty folder name Shared and not a thing about iTunes or Music.
« Last Edit: August 25, 2008, 07:28:23 PM by sluggo »
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Offline Mayo

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« Reply #9 on: August 25, 2008, 07:23:45 PM »
Sounds like you could use SuperDuper! A scheduled backup once a day sounds about right...
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Offline tacit

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« Reply #10 on: August 25, 2008, 09:44:41 PM »
QUOTE(sluggo @ Aug 26 2008, 12:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I do have most everything on the iPod and I also have everything backed up on a Western Digital USB drive. However, the most recent backup is a couple of months old at best. That one is on me.
I tried the Prefs/Advanced/General method. It does indeed show a path: Users/My Name/Music:iTunes:iTunes Music. However, under Users is one lone, empty folder name Shared and not a thing about iTunes or Music.


You do not even see a folder under Users that has the same name as your user name? That doesn't sound possible.

Open your hard drive, On the left-hand side of the window, in the sidebar, click on the icon for your home folder (it's shaped like a house). What happens?

When you do this, you can see where your home folder is located on your hard drive by holding down the apple key on the keyboard and clicking on the title bar of the window. What does it say?
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Offline krissel

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« Reply #11 on: August 26, 2008, 04:07:44 AM »
Try opening iTunes while holding down the Option key.  It will pop up  window asking if you want to create or open a library. Choose to open one and see what comes up in the browse window.


Could this be directory problems? Do you have Disk Warrior?  

Couldn't hurt to run Permissions.

Try the demo of Data Rescue.

http://prosofteng.com/products/data_rescue.php

Unfortunately this has happened with past iTunes updates over several years. sad.gif
« Last Edit: August 26, 2008, 04:12:44 AM by krissel »
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Offline Buck

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« Reply #12 on: August 26, 2008, 11:35:01 AM »
I too have lost all tunes due to upgrade, never to be found. Had to start from square one.
Now I never keep tune files in Itunes. I've made a folder for my tunes. This I keep on  my Desktop.
No more lost files. Works 4 me.
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Offline Mayo

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« Reply #13 on: August 26, 2008, 12:13:21 PM »
Repeat After Me: BackupBackupBackup!
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Offline kimmer

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« Reply #14 on: August 26, 2008, 01:35:54 PM »
I've been reading this thread with interest and must admit, I've sat here and ... jawdrop.gif

I've never had a major prob with iTunes, and I've never lost music. I'll also admit that I don't have my current library backedup. blush-anim-cl.gif Mainly because I don't have an external to back up to ... but I guess I'd better remedy that right quick.
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