Best approach to recreating iTunes library

Hello all,
I'm looking for some feedback on needing to recreate my iTunes library.
I had a crash a couple of weeks ago, and was able to use the Recovery Disk function to get my laptop up and running, but since then there have been some oddities that refuse to go away despite repeated Disk Utility runs. One of the symptoms is iTunes losing track of deleted items. I delete something, select "Move to Trash" from the dialog, and the track listing (music, book, movie, etc) is gone. BUT I check the actual location on disk and it remains.
I've resolved myself to needing to reinstall the system and I believe it would be a good time to get the library cleaned up in the process.
The core of my question is: I've got imported CDs, movies, iTunes purchases, Amazon purchases.... I've added artwork as well as lyrics to many files. If I backup the whole iTunes library and do the reinstall and IMPORT everything fresh will I lose my lyrics, edited start times, and artwork and such? I don't mind (much) losing the playcounts and other play data, but I don't want to have to redo all the track stuff.
Can anyone suggest a reasonable way to approach this? I've looked, and the only real links that seem to partially apply are http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1451 and https://discussions.apple.com/message/1499771#1499771
Thanks,
Markie

Chris,
I did the reinstall via Recovery, and have to admit it was pretty sweet that everything just came back.
Unfortunately, there have been intermittent probs.
I believe you may be suggesting a reinstall from scratch though, which is my intent at this point. Haven't done it yet. I do maintain a backup, yes.
I thought simply re-copying the iTunes folder might bring any crud along with it, but I don't suppose it would hurt to try. Then I can avoid the stuff I'm hoping to.
Thanks,
Markie

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Best way to move iTunes library & media from MacBook to mini server?

First, I searched the forums (parameter: "itunes") and didn't see this addressed.
Second, I searched the web (using multiple parameters), and didn't find an answer on point. I saw discussions about moving the iTunes library (well, media files) to another location (but same computer) and discussion about manually copying everything (with warnings about ensuring that the volume name and path are exactly the same, or else it's totally messed up).
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My media includes both iTunes purchases and non-DRM'd media.
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MrHoffman wrote:
iTunes has its own private little world, and this question isn't really specific to Mac OS X Server, and the generic media-transfer discussion will likely receive better coverage over in the [iTunes forum|http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=149].
Mac OS X Server doesn't do anything special with iTunes, and likely doesn't do anything specific with it at all; you're going to a "different" Mac, and server makes this more akin to a transfer to a new Mac, rather than the "replacement Mac" sequence seen with Mac OS X client.
I'd be surprised if this music transfer wasn't something that could be sorted out (within the limits of the copyrights) from some FAQ over in the iTunes forum, or from some of the following support articles:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1449
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1329
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1848
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1203
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA38534
See if the folks over in the iTunes forum have something for this. (And again, server likely isn't relevant here; you're "just" going to transfer your music to a different Mac box here, and one that happens to run Mac OS X Server.
Thanks for the links - unfortunately, none of those are on point. The reason this is unique to server, I think, is that in the case of a regular mac to mac transfer, you would use Migration Assistant, and the move is easily done. But in seems like server doesn't come with Migration Assistant.
I suppose when I get it, I'll first try copying Migration Assistant to it, and try to run it. That will probably fail (but you never know), so my next attempt will be to have my MacBook move the media to the server (as if the server is simply network storage), and then copy over the library files. (I'm hoping that will enable the file paths to remain intact.)
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Best way to share iTunes library with two user accounts?

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Hello again,
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Message was edited by: Limnos to reflect using second internal drive.

Best way to move iTunes Library to a new PC?

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I'm trying to help my sister-in-law... she wants to move her entire iTunes Library from her 10-year-old PC to a new Windows laptop.
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If the entire library is on the external drive then simply copy the iTunes folder into <User's Music> on the new computer, then install iTunes. If you've already installed iTunes you will want to remove the empty iTunes folder in <User's Music> first.
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tt2

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http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57401784-285/the-best-ways-to-format-an-exte rnal-drive-for-windows-and-mac/
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iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
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Macworld - How to transfer iTunes libraries between PC and Mac - http://www.macworld.com/article/46248/2005/08/shiftitunes.html
Move an iTunes library from a Windows PC to a Mac - http://www.macworld.com/article/1146958/move_itunes_windows_mac.html

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ok... so i i just made sure all my music is all together in 1 folder and i am going to trash my old music folder that is in the itunes folder... and follow your directions - let itunes start w/new library and bring my music in. Well, last little hurdle/question. I noticed that the place where my itunes library is - on an external drive doesnt have much space left on it. The place where i gathered all my music together in order to start fresh - is a different external drive and has LOTS of free space on it.
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i promise this is the last question - i would love to fix this problem tonight and just be DONE!
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What is the best method for transferring iTunes library from PC to iMac?

I have a new iMac. I have authorized it with my iTunes account. My current iTunes library is on a Windows Vista PC, not on the same network. What is the best method for me to use to transfer the iTunes library from the PC to the iMac?
iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Did I just answer this in another post for you?
iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
Quick answer if you let iTunes manage your music: Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive. Start iTunes with the option (shift on Windows) key held down and guide it to the new location of the library.
Macworld - How to transfer iTunes libraries between PC and Mac - http://www.macworld.com/article/46248/2005/08/shiftitunes.html
Move an iTunes library from a Windows PC to a Mac - http://www.macworld.com/article/1146958/move_itunes_windows_mac.html
iTunes for Windows: Moving your iTunes Media folder - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1364

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Here's my situation (any thoughts would be greatly appreciated):
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I realize all my album artwork, playlists, genius mixes, etc. are probably lost for good. But is there any way to get iTunes to recreate the library database without having to do something funky like drag my newly moved media folder back into iTunes?
Thoughts?

I think that either you click and drag to wait for it to build... Or you can use the file and import options to recreate it.
DO NOTE: that it may create a folder with small files in it (which are pointers to the music on your alternate drive).
Just make sure that you don't delete that folder agian.
Sorry to hear, and don't those stupid tricks you do just irritate you after you realized it.

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iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music [library] to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527 - a somewhat bewildering and not always easily understandable set of options.
Quick answer if you use iTunes' default preferences settings: Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive. Open iTunes and immediately hold down the Option (alt) key (shift on Windows), then guide it to the new location of the library.itl file in the moved iTunes folder.

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hp Other OS

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If you prefer something more automated then there are a number of third party utilities that you can use to retrieve the music files and playlists from your iPod. This is just a selection, you'll find that they have varying degrees of functionality and some will transfer movies, videos, photos and games as well. Have a look at the web pages and documentation, they are generally quite straightforward. You can also read reviews of some of them here: Wired News - Rescue Your Stranded Tunes
YamiPod Mac and Windows Versions
iGadget Windows Only
iPod Access Mac and Windows Versions
PodUtil Mac and Windows Versions
iPodCopy Mac and Windows Versions
TuneJack Windows Only
CopyPod Windows Only
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Derekeys wrote:
I believe there is a way to have my itunes library on an external, but can the iMac read the external and stream to Apple TV with quality?
No problems at all.
Get an external USB drive.
Copy the entire /Music/iTunes/ folder to the external drive.
Hold Option, launch iTunes, select Choose library... and select the iTunes folder on the external.
That is all you need to do.
You can do this with on the laptop and and later use the same iTunes library on another computer just by connecting the external, holding Option, selecintg Choose library... and selecting the iTunes folder on the external.

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i have already used the migration assistant and my itunes library is missing alot of music

Several options.
Just use a portable device. Copy to drive and then copy to drive. Then disconnect and connect to the Mac. Just drag songs to library.
If on same network you can do the copy command from the Mac directly by going to your pc drive from the Mac.
You choice

How to recreate itunes library?

Long story short: All my songs got deleted on my iPod and on my computer. I had 1,200 songs which will probably impossible to get all those back unless I knew the name of all the songs. Is it possible to get the list of all the songs I had on my iPod? All I need is the list of songs! I tried to go on iTunes and load the ituneslibrary.itl but it only loads like 4 songs out of the 1000...I always connected my iPod to iTunes regularly, surely there must be a file that has the list of songs.
Any help will be appreciated!

Yes. See:
Syncing to a "New" Computer or replacing a "crashed" Hard Drive: Apple Support Communities
Sync Your iOS Device with a New Computer Without Losing Data - How-To Geek
Recovering your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device: Apple Support Communities

Best approach to recreating iTunes library

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