iTunes:How to recreate your iTunes Library

[Ric]

how to recreate your iTunes library and playlists in iTunes 3 and iTunes 4.

Recreating the iTunes Library file

Follow these steps:

1. Quit iTunes.
2. Locate your iTunes folder.
   • For Mac OS X the iTunes folder is stored in one of the following locations:
     • /Users/username/Music
     • /Users/username/Documents
     Note: You may need to check both locations.
     
   • For Microsoft Windows the iTunes folder is stored in
     
     • \Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\
3. Open your iTunes folder.
4. Drag the iTunes Music Library.xml to the Desktop
5. Drag the following files from your iTunes folder to the Trash:
   
   • iTunes 4 Music Library
   • Any other iTunes Music Library files that are in your iTunes folder (for example, you may still have iTunes Music Library files from older versions of iTunes).
6. Open iTunes.
7. From the File menu, choose Import. Tip: Do not add any music into iTunes at this point.
8. Navigate to the iTunes Music Library.xml file on the Desktop.
9. Click Choose.

Original document can be read here:


http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93313

 

[mctavish]

Re: iTunes lost folder!

Hi there - I've been wanting to share my iTunes library with the other account user on my computer- 'Visitor' for ages, and was delighted to find your instructions.

I moved my iTunes folder to the Public folder, then went to iTunes/Preferences and reset where to find the folder in the new location ... NOTHING!

I then put the iTunes folder back into my music folder, from whence it came, and went back to reset iTunes preferenes... can't get the folder back again! HELP!

mctavish

 

[Ric]

Re: iTunes lost folder!

Hi there and welcome...

the instructions above aren't for that ?

They are for 'recreating' the iTunes library...

Where are you at, at the minute, have you done anything else ?

regards

Ric

 

[mctavish]

Re: Lost iTunes

Hi Ric

You're right, I followed where you got it from, and used the '"how to share musci between different accounts on a single user" instructions. I meant that your lead got me to the right place...
however, I'm now unable to access my iTunes library, although it's there in the music folder, back where it was...
Any ideas?

Sorry, I'm not very technical, so keep it simple!

mctavish

 

[Ric]

Re: Lost iTunes

Hi there,

I see now !

What version of OS and what version of iTunes are you using ?

regards

Ric

 

[mctavish]

Hi Ric

Mac OS 10.3.9
iTunes 6

mctavish

 

[Ric]

Hi there,

I have recreated the problem you are having...

To fix it, try and do what it says in the first post this fixed it for me...

regards

Ric

 

[mctavish]

Lost iTunes

You're very patient, Ric, and thanks for all the graphics!

I did what you said, but still nothing. (picture 1)

I dragged the .xml to desktop, but I see it's still there in the folder (and on the desktop), along with my music - no comments about my choices, please! (picture 3).

I'll have to go to bed, but I'll check in with you tomorrow.

MANY thanks for taking the time to sort me out!

Regards

Mctavish

 

[Ric]

Re: Lost iTunes

No problem !

I'll have a further look into it...

regards

Ric

 

[mctavish]

lost iTunes

Hi Ric

Just wondering if you've figured out my little problem...

It's Friday night, so I suspect you're out on the town, but hopefully we can get this cleared up and back to normal at the weekend.
Cheers

Mctavish

 

[Ric]

Re: lost iTunes

Hi Mctavish,

out on the town... ;-)

Give me half an hour and I'll have something for you !

regards

Ric

 

[Ric]

Re: lost iTunes

...just compressing a Movie that shows you what to do...

regards

Ric

 

[mctavish]

I'm impressed!!

Mc

 

[Ric]

...hold that thought till it's fixed !

;-)

 

[Ric]

This isn't necessarily the best way...but as you can see it works.

Watch here.

regards

Ric

 

[mctavish]

I've watched your movie a couple of times...

I've moved my iTunes library to the HD, but unlike in your video, it's now taking 20 minutes to copy it all, so that isn't what's meant to happen - you had a separate window to drag it into, so I suspect I've gone wrong already...
Also, although it's still copying,the tunes are still there in my folder.
12 minutes to go now...

not looking good

 

[Ric]

It will take a while to copy...I just didn't record the extra 20 minutes.

regards

Ric

 

[beglobal]

how to recreate your iTunes library and playlists in iTunes 3 and iTunes 4.

Recreating the iTunes Library file

Follow these steps:

1. Quit iTunes.
2. Locate your iTunes folder.
   • For Mac OS X the iTunes folder is stored in one of the following locations:
     • /Users/username/Music
     • /Users/username/Documents
     Note: You may need to check both locations.
   • For Microsoft Windows the iTunes folder is stored in
     • \Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\
3. Open your iTunes folder.
4. Drag the iTunes Music Library.xml to the Desktop
5. Drag the following files from your iTunes folder to the Trash:
   • iTunes 4 Music Library
   • Any other iTunes Music Library files that are in your iTunes folder (for example, you may still have iTunes Music Library files from older versions of iTunes).
6. Open iTunes.
7. From the File menu, choose Import. Tip: Do not add any music into iTunes at this point.
8. Navigate to the iTunes Music Library.xml file on the Desktop.
9. Click Choose.

Original document can be read here:


http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93313

thanks!!!

 

[Ric]

Hi there and welcome !

glad we could help...that was a nice easy one ;-)

regards

Ric

 

[heidiweidel]

The instructions listed at the beginning of this thread pertain to iTunes 3 and 4. Will they also work with iTunes 7 and later? I am afraid to try this until I know. I just discovered that my library and playlist have disappeared, although the songs are in the iTunes Music Library when I use spotlight to search for an individual song.

Thanks,

Heidi