4 MB .itl file damaged - I want my playlist and ratings back...

For no apparent reason my iTunes library file (.itl) got damaged and I have no clue how to fix it. Just renaming the (damaged).itl into normal name does not work.
iTunes created a new .itl file which is smaller and not at all up-to-date (I cancelled during a re-built). I have no iPod and no backup of .itl or .xml library files.
I think I have to re-import all music (scattered over my PC) but I will still have lost playlists, ratings, (covers?) etc.
Unless someone knows how to re-validate/fix an .itl file. Internet searches did not help so far.
Any ideas? thanks.
It's iTunes 6.0.1.3.

The normal advice would be to attempt a rebuild from your remaining xml file.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93313
But IIRC version 6 doesn't include ratings and counts, even if the rebuild works.
The other thing you could do is to look for an old backup library in iTunes\Previous iTunes Libraries but my guess is that that will be so old as to be worthless in your case.
Some third party utitites such as copytrans claim to be able to get metadata off the iPod, but I have never tried that myself so I can't advise, you might have to copy the music files as well, I don't know.

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I purchased Anapod ($30.00) because its web page said (http://www.redchairsoftware.com/anapod/):
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"In a future release we will be adding the ability to backup your iPod playlists. This will allow you to generate backup files of your iPod playlists on the computer. These files will not be usable on your computer though. They can only be used to restore playlists at a later time on your iPod (assuming it still carries all the audio files referred to in that playlist)." This text is from url http://www.redchairsoftware.com/anapod/support/tome/tx2pc.php#5.1.2
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After I had my iTunes library up (without ratings and playlists and after finding Anapod did not meet my needs.
1. I imported the xml file to which I had exported playlists before reformating hard drive. That gave me the playlists back although an error message said some items not copied because the music tracks listed in playlists were not in my iTunes library. --Possibly I deleted songs after playlists were downloaded some time ago to iPod. Importing the xml file is probably not necessary because of what I did below.
2. Quit iTunes
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http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301748
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4 MB .itl file damaged - I want my playlist and ratings back...

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