ITunes 10 losing my music library -- is this a possible solution?

I last synched my iPod on Friday afternoon.
This morning, when I downloaded the new version of iTunes, it lost all my music.
Apple's "recreating your iTunes library" doesn't seem to help. But I have an appointment tomorrow at my local genius bar.
In the meantime, can I use my iPod to recreate my library? I'll lose some stuff because my library is too big for my iPod but I can live with that. Everything I really want is on my iPod, including all the playlists and play courts. But I'm afraid to synch it because I don't want to end up losing what's on it.
This new version of iTunes not just looks different (which I don't like) but feels buggy. I wish I hadn't downloaded it, at least not until Apple had devised patches, tweaks, new versions so these problems are headed off.

Double check to see that the ‘iTunes Library.itl’ file or the folder it resides in (the ‘iTunes’ folder) is not read-only.
First, see this Article for some background information: What are the iTunes Library files?
Using Windows Explorer:
a) Right-click on the file name
b) Select ‘Properties’
c) If it is read-only, then close iTunes, change it, and reopen iTunes.
Now (and going forwards), any changes you make to the Library should be retained (i.e. – rebuilding).
For Vista users, How to Take Ownership and Grant Permissions in Windows Vista may offer some help.
Give yourself ownership and full control of the main iTunes folder and all its subfolders.
If you are running a Sony Vaio PC, then This Thread may offer some insight.
FYI: Rumor has it that Sony has released a Vaio update on their Support site to fix the iTunes related issues (at least on their UK site). I would assume that the same would be available on their US site. See This Link
Best of Luck

Similar Messages

HT4914 I purchased iMatch because my old computer was failing and I was afraid of losing my music library. Now I bought a new laptop; what is the best way for me to transfer my library to my new laptop? Will iMatch help me do this?

I purchased iMatch because my old computer was failing and I was afraid of losing my music library. Now I bought a new laptop; what is the best way for me to transfer my library to my new laptop? Will iMatch help me do this?

Is/was failing or has failed?
If the old computer still runs one of these methods may be best.
Method 1
Backup the library with this User Tip.
Restore the backup to your new computer using the same tool used to back it up.
Deauthorize the old computer if you no longer want to access protected content on it.
Keep your backup up-to-date in future.
Method 2
Connect the two computers to the same network. Share your <User's Music> folder from the old computer and copy the entire iTunes library folder into the <User's Music> folder on the new one. Again, deauthorize the old computer if no longer required.
I'd recommend method 1 since it establishes an ongoing backup for your library.
I don't have personal experience with iTunes Match, but in principle you should be able to download all the tracks currently registered to your iTunes Match account. This isn't quite the same as restoring your previous library exactly as it was. There is always the potential for iTunes match to provide the wrong version of a song and could be content such as movies, podcasts, audiobooks etc. that would have been excluded.
tt2

Why does iTunes not refresh the Music Library if files are updated?

What if have already a nice library SYSTEM built for my music, and every time I add 30-50 files to 30-50 different locations, iTunes requires me to add the same song again... What if I am doing this updating for 3 hours and I can't remember anymore which songs I added to my Brazilian compilation folder? Why can't iTunes update the library with added files? I see this question popping up on a lot of forums. This is very cumbersome. I keep my international music collection organized by country of origin. If I let iTunes consolidate my music, it will put everything into one big folder organized by name of artist. I definitely don't want to let the program do that. I would lose all my work and all my system.
Once I imported the folder system into iTunes though as a reference, it does not recognize if there was a change, music added, music deleted, music reogranized. It doesn't make sense to delete everything from the iTunes Music Library every time I update my music collection.
Where is the solution? I want iTunes to find the changes and apply it to my Music Library automatically.
I can live with my iPod only having the files in one big library, since I mostly use it for shuffle play anyway, but I want to keep my originals in an orderly manner based on style, country of origin, etc. I don't want to end up having all my files renamed and moved.
So I need iTunes to refresh my Music Library by looking at the original folder I imported the list from, and make the necessary changes.

I guess then this is a serious shortcoming of iTunes... Up till this point I owned an RCA Lyra MP3 player and it had no problems whatsoever doing these things. I guess, after seeing how iTunes and iPod works, I'd rather return to Lyra if it had an 80 G version. The only thing that still keeps me with iPod is the capacity.
It seems like that iTunes is a very cumbersome program and it tries to be so much user friendly that it even tries to eliminate the human element. Sometimes, it makes sense to keep files organized in specific manner. Especially when there is work involved and productivity.
I guess I will just delete everything from the play list and read in the main folder every once in a while, leaving the machine working on it during the night or something, then another night, it will refresh my iPod. That's the only solution I see right now.
It is interesting that a huge program like iTunes cannot do what a small one like Lyra can. And I even read in user groups that some people created programs for this problem, but those programs don't work with iTunes 7 well yet, so I am stuck with the manual updating or the brutal deletion and re-reading.
Thank you for the answer. At least I know what not to expect from the program. I just use it for only one purpose: load music onto iPod, then forget about it. It quite an unuseful program for me otherwise.
G5 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

I have an ancient laptop (from 2005) that has my entire music library. This laptop barely works and some keys don't type anymore. How can I get all this music transferred to another computer, or available to me on the cloud?

I have an ancient laptop (from 2005) that has my entire music library. This laptop barely works and some keys don't type anymore. How can I get all this music transferred to another computer, or available to me on the cloud?

No... do not move programs.
About the iTunes library files
Your iTunes library files track the media you add to iTunes, how you've organized it, and other information such as playlists. By default, these two files are in your iTunes folder:
Mac OS X: /Users/username/Music/iTunes/
Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\
Windows Vista: C:\Users\username\Music\iTunes\
Windows 7: C:\Users\username\My Music\iTunes\
Windows 8: C:\Users\username\My Music\iTunes\

HT204074 How can I transfer music from my iPad to my iPod. I no longer have a Pc. It died and cannot be restored. It had iTunes with my entire music library on it.

How can I transfer music from my iPhone to my iPad.?
I no longer have a PC. Mine died and cannot be restored. It had iTunes with my entire music library on it.

If you are running an OS of 5.0 or higher, you should be able to use the iCloud to sync both devices together & share music.

HT4236 I lost my iPod touch 32 GB a month ago, and today I got a new iPod touch 64 GB. While syncing it with itunes, I got my music library, books and purchased items back, but I didn't get my photos and videos.How can I get my old photos back in my new i

I lost my iPod touch 32 GB a month ago, and today I got a new iPod touch 64 GB. While syncing it with itunes, I got my music library, books and purchased items back, but I didn't get my photos and videos.How can I get my old photos back in my new iPod?

Correct. When you update via iTunes all synced media that is not in your iTunes library will be lost.
As IO said before:
You can redownload most iTunes pruchases by:
Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store
I do not think it included audio books.

Why did the new update for itunes wipe out my music library?

Why did the new update for itunes wipe out my music library?

Very vague question.
It should not.
There is no way to know with the vague question you asked and no information at all.

I only want to apply iMatch/iCloud to one of my iTunes playlists, not my entire library. Is that possible?

I only want to apply iMatch/iCloud to one of my iTunes playlists, not my entire library. Is that possible?

Hello efisch81,
As far as I know, this is not currently possible. It matches the entire library or none of it. For specific playlist syncing, you'll still need to sync traditionally through iTunes for now.

When I try to access iTunes, I get a message that the copy of iTunes is corrupted or not installed properly and to please reinstall iTunes. How can I do this without losing my music library? thank you, Marty

when I attempt to access iTunes, I receive a message reading, "this copy of iTunes is corrupted or installed improperly, please reinstall iTunes," How do I do this and not lose my existing music library?

Hello, marty51.
I would start by removing iTunes and all of it's components in the order specified of this article. Your iTunes Media folder will not be affected.
Removing and reinstalling iTunes, QuickTime, and other software components for Windows Vista or Windows 7
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1923
Removing and Reinstalling iTunes, QuickTime, and other software components for Windows XP
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1925
Once uninstalled, download and install a new copy of iTunes.
If you experience any issue or error when attempting to uninstall any component, these articles will help you resolve those conflicts.
"The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable" alert when removing Apple software in Windows
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3704
iTunes for Windows: "Error 7" message when opening iTunes
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3074
Cheers,
Jason H.

How can i transfer my ipod to my new itunes without losing all music

my computer crashed and now all i have is my cousins and i need to know how to convert my music onto her new itunes, hopefully without losing all my music. if thats possible, so there is no way i can go back to my old itunes, her computer is the only itunes i will be able to use. how can i transferr my ipod touch to her computer without losing all data???

Welcome to the discussion,
Create a new user in windows to keep your iTunes library separate and log in. Make sure your new computer is authorized in iTunes. Disable autosync in itunes, connect your ipod, right click on it in the device list and choose backup.
This will save data, pictures and settings to itunes. See what's included in this backup here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1766
Transfer your purchases the same way to copy all apps and bought media from the Store to your computer.
Set up at least one contact and event on your computer to be able the merge your calendars and contacts after your ipod got wiped during the first sync.
The rest of the data can be restored from the backup you made.
Restoring: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414
Music is one way only, from the computer to your device, unless you bought the songs in itunes and transferred your purchases.
There is 3rd party software out there, but not supported by Apple, see this thread: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2013615&tstart=0

I deleted iTunes from my PC, is there any way i can sync my phone to a newly downloaded iTunes without losing my music that wasn't purchased from iTunes?

BACK-STORY
I recently was given a new iPhone 4S from the Apple Store, I synced it to my PC when I got home and got everything back.I had to uninstall a download of windows 8.1 back to the original windows 8 in order to install an anti-virus software. The only way to uninstall Windows 8.1 is basically a factory reset, by doing so I lost everything that wasn't saved in cloud or external drive.I downloaded iTunes again, signed in and the only thing I could find was the music that I purchased from iTunes. I don't want to connect my phone to the iTunes I just downloaded,because I think I'm going to lose all the music that's already on there, minus the music I bought from iTunes. It's a lot of albums and it took me a while to collect them all too.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE HELP WITH PLEASE
Can I transfer the music on my phone to some type of storage?
USB memory drive
Cloud ex. Skydrive, Google Drive, Dropbox etc
Store somewhere on my PC. (I know I can't sync from my iPhone to iTunes.)
If it is at all possible to store the music that's already on my iPhone using another method,such as the ones I've mentioned or haven't,can I then transfer it to iTunes?
If there is no way to save my iPhone's music library, then when I rebuild it is there a way to store it, that if the same thing was to happen I wouldn't have to go through this process?
Also, any other tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
THANKS IN ADVANCE TO ALL!!

The syncing of music is one way, computer to phone. See this helpful document from a fellow user. Credit goes to the author.
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3141

ITunes 11 destroyed my music library

I upgraded to iTunes 11 and it destroyed my entire music library in one fell swoop.
After the upgrade to 11, many of my mp3 files got moved to Unknown Album folders. If I looked at the files in Windows Explorer, I could see the album name, track number, and track name still in the ID3 tags. Why iTunes couldn't read them at this point is a mystery.
After some searching around, I found that iTunes apparently has some trouble with differing ID3 tag versions, and some threads suggested converting them to a newer version. I started this process, and it went through without reporting any errors. However, the failure mode for tags it can't read is apparently to DELETE THE INFORMATION THAT IS THERE. What moronic developer thought this was a good idea should be fired.
It's going to take me literally weeks to clean this up, and some of it I'm not even sure I can. Thanks Apple, you've made this experience great.

You can restore much of the look & feel of the previous version with these shortcuts:
ALT to temporarily display the menu bar
CTRL+B to show or hide the menu bar
CTRL+S to show or hide the sidebar
CTRL+/ to show or hide the status bar (won't hide for me on Win XP)
Click the magnifying glass top right and untick Search Entire Library to restore the old search behaviour
Use View > Hide <Media Kind> in the cloud or Edit > Preferences > Store and untick Show iTunes in the cloud purchases to hide the cloud items. The second method eliminates the cloud status column (and may let iTunes start up more quickly)
If you don't like having different coloured text & background when you access each album use Edit > Preferences > General and untick Use custom colours for open albums, movies, etc..
Should you feel the need to roll back to iTunes 10.7 first download a copy of the 32 bit installer or 64 bit installer as appropriate, uninstall iTunes and supporting software, i.e. Apple Application Support & Apple Mobile Device Support. Reboot. Restore the pre-upgrade version of your library database as per the diagram below, then install iTunes 10.7.
See iTunes Folder Watch for a tool to scan the media folder and catch up with any changes made since the backup file was created.
tt2

Itunes can't find music library on computer

Somehow I've moved my music on my computer and itunes cannot find any of it. I can't play anything on the computer, an exclamation point is next to it and the computer tells me itunes cannot find the music. Help! What did I do and how do I fix this? Where should my library be saved? It's currently under itunes folder in my music... is there somewhere else it should be?

I have the exact same problem and came here looking for an answer. Does anyone have one?!? I am so frustrated. All my music is on my computer and has not been moved yet iTunes suddenly can't find it and I am so mad right now!! When I went to update my iPod with the one new song I bought from iTunes it deleted EVERYTHING except my purchased music and now it can't find anything. WE're talking 500+ songs and I am really upset so I hope someone here has an answer!!

How do I sync/update an iphone without losing my music library?

Hi there,
My wife's iphone was tied to a laptop iTunes library. The laptop's hard drive died some time ago, and she has since refused to update the iOS version or sync the phone with another computer, for fear of losing access to the considerable amount of non-iTunes MP3s that were formerly on her laptop, and are now only stored on her iPhone.
So my question is twofold:
1) Can I update the iOS for her without syncing the itunes library on the phone? She is currently running iOS 3.1.3 (7E18). If I can update it, how do I do so safely?
2) Is there any way to set up a new iTunes library on her new laptop without destroying the music library she already has on the phone?
My goal would be to simply get the iOS version and iTunes database up to the latest version, so we can subscribe her to the iCloud service and back up all her music.
Your help is appreciated.
Cheers,
OMJ

If on a Mac, you can use a program called senuti to get all the music off the phone.
http://www.fadingred.com/senuti/
If you have the old itunes backed up, you can move it to the new user on the new laptop. The phones are linked to the itunes library, not the computer.

Question: Multiple iTunes users w/ single music library on file server

My son and I (separate computers) host all of our music on a common file server. Initially, it was my music library...when he loaded iTunes, it imported everything and all was fine.
However, now if I add a few songs to the library (I can see them in the shared folders that we both have setup as our music folder within iTunes) they don't show up in his music library unless we either import them or drag them from File Mgr into iTunes.
There has to be an "automatic" way...doesn't there?
I'm eager for suggestions.
Thanks much,
Rick

Sorry to say, there is not an easier way and folks have been requesting it from Apple for years.
You are running into the situation noted in this article, towards the end
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203
+When another user of the computer has imported new music from CD, repeat steps 6 through 8 to add the music to your library.+

ITunes 10 losing my music library -- is this a possible solution?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for