Reinstalled Windows - how to restore iTunes from backup?

Question

OK, here's the short succinct and none-waffley version of my question:
Under OSX there's a whopping big (xml?) file stored in the iTunes Library folder, but where is that on Windows? I've read about a Library.itl file, is that the same thing? If so, where on earth is it please?!?
And now for those who don't mind reading a bit, I'd like to explain my problem (a blank looking iTunes library after reinstalling Windows / iTunes) in a bit more detail. A lot of hard work and many listening hours went into crafting those smart playlists and I'd rather like to get them back if that's at all possible?
Here's what I've got to go on:
- the "iTunes music folder" is on a disk partition that remained untouched during the reinstallion process, so all my music's still there (else I wouldn't be quite so relaxed about it!!!)
- my "My Documents" folder is also on another untouched partion, but I don't think iTunes saves anything there does it?
- before reinstalling Windows I backued up my "Documents and Settings" folder from C drive. I assumed everything I'd need for restoring iTunes would be stored in the "Application Data" subfolder (or whatever Windows calls this in english - it's Anwendungsdaten in german)
So after reinstalling iTunes and before starting it for the first time, I copied my backup of "Docs & Settings/Rich in Berlin/Anwendungsdaten/Apple Computer/iTunes" to the corresponding place on C drive (and also the same named folder from "Local Settings"). Then I started iTunes, remembered that this is a PC not a Mac and saw an empty library window. Which brought me here.
As I wrote at the beginning, I suspect Library.itl has something to do with it. Can anybody confirm this and/or tell me where to find it, please?
Cheers
a computer designed by the devil Windows XP Pro iTunes 4.8 and why do so many only use this to show-off irrelevant items they own???
BeigeG3 400/256/40 OS921, PismoG3 400/640/40 Windows XP iTunes 4.8 and why do so many only use this to show-off irrelevant items they own???

Answer 1

iTunes operates as a database of information for your music files. The actual music files are stored on your PC, not within iTunes. iTunes keeps absolute references of the music file location and other information in its database file. This allows iTunes to use music files from any location on the PC: different directories/folders on the main HD, another internal drive, an external drive, or a network drive (or any combination of the above). Each song reference has a specific and hardcoded path so iTunes can find and play (or sync) it. Move the file, change the path, re-map the drive it is on, and iTunes will lose the file (giving you the '!' of a ‘Broken Link’). Lose, move or corrupt the ‘iTunes Music.itl’ file and your complete Library will ‘vanish’.
If you delete, corrupt, or otherwise lose your ‘iTunes Library.itl’ file, you will end up with a ‘blank’ Library within iTunes. Nine time out of ten, your underlying music files are still on the PC. They can be ‘re-Added’ via the File==>Add Folder/File menu command, but you will lose some of the music meta-data. Recovering your Library via backup copies of the iTunes database file, or from importing the XML file is always preferable.
The iTunes music information (meta-data) is stored in two places: the actual individual song files themselves, and the iTunes Library database file (‘iTunes Library.itl’). There is a corresponding XML file that is created by iTunes, but not directly used. See: What are the iTunes Library files?.
Song attributes stored directly in each music file are as follows: Artist, Album, Song Title, Year, Comments, Compilation tag, Lyrics, Genre , Grouping, Composer, BPM, Album Artwork, Bit Rate & Kind (Both not tags - inherent to the file itself).
Song attributes stored in the iTunes Library database file only are: Playlists, Ratings, Play Count, Last Played, Date Added, Date Modified, Equalizer, Volume Adjustment.
While it appears that all of the music attributes (except for Album Art) are also written to the XML file, when ‘Importing’ the XML file back into iTunes, it will not capture the Ratings, Play Count, Last Played, and Date Added attributes. The XML file can be somewhat useful, but it is usually better to have legacy copies of the ITL file for restoring your complete Library.