Corrupt Files When Backing Up iTunes Library

Hi
I want to back-up my iTunes library so that I have it incase anything goes wrong. I have read the article on how to back-up to an external hard disk (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751) and have bought a 16GB USB memory disk to put the contents on. However I keep hitting a problem........
When copying the library in explorer I always seem to get a message after a while saying that a certain folder/file cannot be copied due to being corrupt. I have tried a few times (starting from scratch) and it is not always the same file, and I have even managed to copy across files that it previously flagged as corrupt. The files do not actuallyappear to be corrupt as I can play them through iTunes (touch wood).
Has anyone else had this problem and got any solutions. Spent around 3 hours trying to back-up last night but ultimately I have got nowhere.
Grateful for any advise.
Chers

You're welcome!
+I have tried though copying other stuff to it (films from my main computer) and it seemed to work fine so problem seems to be limited to iTunes library.+
This is a good clue.
I suspect you're dragging the entire itunes folder over to the drive using Windows Explorer, and it is going for the whole thing at once? But when you just copy a few files over (those films), it does work?
That makes me think one (or three maybe) files in your itunes folder are giving it problems. You could try copying over in smaller batches. For instance, artist folders A through E, then F through O, P through Z.
If it still fails, try even smaller batches. Watch out for C, because the "Compilations" subfolder might be fairly large.
You might also want to back up your itunes library file, iTunes Library.itl.
That file holds all ratings, play counts, play lists, etc.
If you want to assign a drive letter,pick something pretty far down in the alphabet like M for Music.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307844
I don't know if formatting it a different way (NTFS vs. FAT32) will help; just a thought.

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Error when backing up Itunes library

Trying to backup Itunes library so I can put it on my new computer. Got 5 of 11 discs copied fine. On 6th cd error 4950(I think) pops up and says burn failed. How do I get the rest of my library copied so I can put it on new computer? Please help!!!

A DVD backup set is not the best way to transfer your iTunes library to a new system...
Fast backup for iTunes library (Windows Only)
Grab SyncToy2.1, a free tool from MS. This can be used to copy your entire iTunes library (& other important data folders) onto another hard drive or networkshare. You can then use SyncToy periodically to synchronise or echo your library to the backup. A preview will show which files need to be updated giving you a chance to spot unexpected changes and during the run only the new or updated files will be copied saving lots of time. And if your media is all organised below the main iTunes folder then you should also be able to open the backup library on any system running the same version of iTunes.
When the time comes to migrate/reformat, do a final sync, close iTunes and open the backup copy on the external/network to make sure it functions properly. (Hold down shift when starting iTunes to choose a different library). Deauthorize the PC if you are upgrading on the same hardware or won't be using it again. Once you connect your external/network drive to the new system you should copy the entire iTunes folder into the new profile and then install iTunes. Install SyncToy again so that you can maintain a backup in future.
A library cloned in this fashion should (as far as iTunes is concerned) be identical to the library previously used to manage your devices, so none of the content should be disturbed.
Taking a slightly wider view of things you should probaly aim to backup your entire profile folder so that you can restore all the files from your desktop & documents folders, mailboxes etc. It is easy to gather and preserve more data than you need, and then throw away what you find don't want, than to recover lost data once you've discarded/reformated your old system.
tt2

I upgraded to iTunes 10.5 and now I can't back up iTunes library to disc. In previous versions it was in file library backup to disc. In iTunes 10.5 that is gone!

I upgraded to iTunes 10.5 and now I can't back up iTunes library to disc. In previous versions it was in file>library>backup to disc. In iTunes 10.5 that is gone!

Some of us have our enture itunes library backed up on CD/DVD - what a waste of time and effort as now presumably you can't use these discs to restore itunes on a new computer! WHY NOT APPLE?
Very unimpressed with itunes 10.5/ios5 - wifi tracking apps have been removed from the store (and won't function in ios5), it's impossible to sync photos (I have spent a whole day trying to sync my iphone 3GS with itines 10.5) to no avail and now, no CD backup facility.
I have never had problems with apple before - I was thinking of upgrading my whole system from PC to Mac but now I am doubtful - if this is typical of apple software, I will stay with windows!

All of a sudden (video) files added to my iTunes library after a certain date aren't playable on other devices.

hello!
All of a sudden I have a weird issue with playing video-files added to my iTunes library after a specific date.
This is the situation so far:
I encode the video for iTunes with the same settings for the last 3 years. I know these vids play on all my devices. AppleTV & iPad. All of a sudden videos added to my library after the 8th of september aren't playable on my AppleTV and iPad. I can play them directly in iTunes and by accessing them directly via the finder and quicktime.
The following errors occur:
When I pull the video from iTunes on my AppleTV.. the video simply doesn't play.
When I pull the video from iTunes on my iPad I get a message that the file can't be found.
When I push the video from iTunes to the AppleTV using airplay I get a message that there has occured an error while connecting to the AirPlay-device "Apple TV". The necesary file could not be found. In addition when the AppleTV is switched off it doesn't turn on doing this, suggesting that there is something missing on my mac itself.
All the above errors aren't popping up when I choose a video that has been put in my library before the 9th of september. Then everything works as expected.
This is what I tried:
Turning off and on home sharing on all devices including the mac.
Logging in wiht a different apple ID though using the same ID as before.
I created a new iTunes library and populated with a video that was added after the 8th of september and one that was added before the 9th of september. Surprisingly the older one played and not the newer one.. while they both used the same encoding settings. The new library was locally on my mac as my original library is on a NAS.
I encode my videos with Quicktime 7 Pro using the following settings:
H.264 (current frame rate, key-frames:automatic, re-order frames, automatic bitsize)
Medium Quality
Multi-pass
current resolution (which is always 1280 X 720)
AAC sound
44.100 kHz
128kbps
I'm using the Mountain lion 10.8.2 and iTunes 10.7 Mountain lion got updated a few days after 19th of september and iTunes i think as well. Both versions were released after this issue seemed to pop up.
I also have two video-files encoded on the same day with the same settings that dragged into the iTunes library on the 9th of september. One works.. the other doesn't.
So I wonder if there is somebody out there that can tell me what might have happened here and how I could fix this issue.
Thank you in advance.

Hi Seraphiel07.
I have a very similar issue. Hardware involved:
Apple MacMini (Mid 2011) - OSX 10.8.2. iTunes 10.7. Home Sharing enabled.
Apple TV (3rd Generation). Home Sharing (access) enabled.
Apple MacBook Pro (15" Mid-2009). OSX 10.8.2. iTunes 10.7. Home Sharing enabled.
Apple iPad 2 (Wifi only). iOS 6
Apple iPhone 4S. iOS 6
All connected through:
Apple Time Capsule 8.0211n (4th Gen)
I have an iTunes library on the MacBook Pro, shared over "Home Sharing" and another (duplicate content, different library name) iTunes library on my MacMini, which is also accessed through the Apple TV.
All software is current (as of Sep 26th).
All movies are iTunes purchases. 80 in total.
All files are purchased (and home shared) under one account.
My last two iTunes purchases both HD movies on 09/17/2012 and 09/05/2012 refuse to appear on any device accessing either of the two Libraries over Home Sharing. It should be noted that every other movie (the other 78) all show up and play correctly. I therefore know it is not an issue with connectivity, otherwise I would see zero movies available.
I have:
1. Removed all content from each Library and re-added
2. Upgraded the OS on the MacMini 10.8.2
3. Tested viewing the two missing movies on other Apple devices and no luck.
4. Turn home sharing on and off within iTunes and also on each device.
It would appear to me that the issue is with the files themselves, rather than the devices as different devices and different versions have been tested.
All comments welcome.

Back up itunes library

i've backed up itunes library then went back to update cd using option( only back up items added or changed since last back up)using an unformatted disc or formatted i get messages : please insert isert blank disc or disc is not blank. so either way i can't update the disc. the ony way i found to do it is to use a formatted disc and go to source folder and copy from there. not ideal.

If you want to back up everything to an external drive, copy the entire iTunes folder.
Or you can use any backup program to do the same.
Is it also possible to back everythign up in MP3 format to a CD or DVD?
iTunes prefs -> Advanced - Burning.
Set to Data CD/DVD.
Create a Smart playlist where Kind contains MPEG audio file.
Click Burn.

TS1702 What to do when you get "iTunes library app not installed on iPhone; app could not be found"

What to do when you get "iTunes library app not installed on iPhone; app could not be found". None of the Apple suggestions fix the problem. For example, with Animoto, one of the problem apps, I have removed it, reinstalled it, and still get the eoor message.

Of course.
First of all, this started when an external drive i was using died on me. I have no doubt that these apps indeed are off my system. I figure between the apps I've bought for myself and my kid, I have about 150 apps.
Now. The issue.
When I sync my iPad with iTunes on my desktop, it goes through normally until it gets to the apps. When that happens, it get an error box that reads "Some of the apps in your iTunes library were not installed on the iPad because one or more errors occurred. For a list of appps that could not be installed, click on the triangle below."
Then I get a list of apps.
(Added note to any iTunes developers out there: The titles of the apps in this list do not always match the titles of the apps in the App Store. For example, one was called "MuseumGame" on my iPad. It's called "Museum of Thieves" on the App Store. I started out with a list of 60 apps. It was a major pain to track them all down. It would be nice to have everything the same so I can use the App Store search more effectively.)
Anyway, moving on....
The error message stops my sync until I dismiss it. That, honestly, is what makes this whole thing annoying enough to seek out an answer. I can't let my iPad start syncing and walk out of the room. Yeah. I know. First World problems.
Once I dismiss the error, the sync continues and all is well.
I did the following to try to fix the problem. Mostly, I did a lot of searches:
My list of purchased apps on my iPad both using the search box and by going to every page
Searched the main App Store on my iPad using the search field. When that didn't work, I used wider searches and just scanned the page(s) for the little cloud icon that showed I had purchased the app.
I got on my desktop iTunes and searched the apps from there (without a lot of hope, but trying to be complete)
At that point, I came to the conclusion that a small number of the apps are no longer available on the App Store.
Fine. I didn't want them anyway.
I got into iTunes and went to the Apps page. None of the errant apps showed up there. I searched the iTunes help files. Nothing. I crossed my fingers, said a little prayer to the search engine gods, and tried Google. I found some things that sort of matched but they basically boiled down to "re-download the app from the App Store" or "Restore your iPad".
So I spent a couple of hours restoring my iPad. I got the error message again. I hit Google again and came up with this thread. It was as close to my problem as I found.
I think that brings us up to date.
My fundamental problem is that I seem to have found a scenario where if you have to restore apps (because, perhaps, your external drive died) and some of the apps are no longer available for download, there is an error generated that can not be permanently dismissed.
Did I miss anything important?

I lost songs on my itunes library n i have same songs kn my iphone. So how can i get them back to itunes library?

I lost songs on my itunes library n i have same songs kn my iphone. So how can i get them back to itunes library?

See Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
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HT1751 Hello, can you help? I have backed up iTune library to an external hard drive, but want to set up periodic back ups every month. Do I have to follow the "Consolidate file" procedure every time I back up, and does my original back become over writte

Hello can anyone help? I have sucessfully backed up my iTuines library to an external hard drive, but when backing up in the furture (Monthly) do I have to follow the same procedure again, and will this place an additonal copy of my iTunes library on my hard drive, so duplicating the back up and so rapidly fill my hard drive.
Ideally what I would like, is for the lateset back up to over write the original so saving space on my external hard drive. Many thanks ......Steve

The "consolidate" command has nothing to do with making backups. You use that command when you have had content in multiple places and you wish to have it now all in a single iTunes folder. If all of your content is already in the iTunes folder, then the "consolidate" command will be of no use to you. You will make further backups using whatever method you normally would use to make backups of your data in Windows.
Regards.

Corrupt file when Downloading iTunes+Quicktime

Im on my sisters laptop and when I try to install iTunes, it says there is a corrupt file. Im sorry if someone else has had this problem and Im just repeating it. But, she has had iTunes before, but had her pc wiped out. Could that have something to do with it? And is anyone else having this problem

There is a very comprehensive post on the subject at this link: "What to do if Windows displays an "iTunes.exe - Corrupt File" message" http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=1726580#1726580

Backing up itunes library files

Each night using .mac I backup my iTunes Library and iTunes Music Library.xml files. Is there really anything else I can backup in case of that ever so unlikely chance of losing my iTunes data? Or are these the only two key files?
G5 Dual 2.5ghz 2.5ghz RAM LaCie FireWire DVD Burner Mac OS X (10.4.5) 17" Studio display, JBL Creature Speakers, Logic, Edirol USB Keyboard Controller

The really important file is the 'iTunes Library' file, which holds all song locations, playlists and ratings.
The 'iTunes Music Library.xml' file is not used by iTunes, but created by it to be used by other applications (e.g. iDVD, iMovie, iPhoto)
You will find more info here:
What are the iTunes library files?
M
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How do I get back my Itunes library after it suddenly disappeared?

Looked at my ITunes library last week to try and make a new playlist but all my years of music/videos etc has disappeared without me doing anything? I have had very bad luck with Time Machine as well and realised not long ago that for 4 years it has only been backing up 'Desktop' and not the whole computer. I backed up all my photos and docs on various DVD's and CD's once I realised but I cant see that I backed up my Itunes library. I am only hoping that on the 'Desktop' external hard drive back ups that I can find it again? If it is on there, how do I get it off as I have heard that you can not retrieve certain items from an external hard drive especially with Time machine although I have never needed to before. Do you think all my songs etc have gone forever now??....Help!!
Im not even sure what version of I Tunes it was. I am running Mac OS X 10.5.8 on a 2008 Macbook

If you didn't knowingly change libraries then it is more likely that your original library file become corrupted and was replaced with an blank copy. It should be possible to restore your previous data as follows.
Empty/corrupt library after upgrade/crash
Hopefully it's not been too long since you last upgraded iTunes, in fact if you get an empty/incomplete library immediately after upgrading then with the following steps you shouldn't lose a thing or need to do any further housekeeping. In the Previous iTunes Libraries folder should be a number of dated iTunes Library files. Take the most recent of these and copy it into the iTunes folder. Rename iTunes Library as iTunes Library (Corrupt) and then rename the restored file as iTunes Library. Start iTunes. Should all be good, bar any recent additions to or deletions from your library.
The images are from a Windows system but the principle is just the same... Depending on when you initially installed iTunes the library files may, or may not, end with a .itl extension. Be consistent with the file that you are replacing.
See MusicFolder Files Not Added and Super Remove Dead Tracks for tools to catch up with any changes since the backup file was created.
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How Can I Roll Back my iTunes Library?

I'm guessing it may no tbe possible at all, but here goes.
What I would like to do with my music estate is roll back my current iTunes library file, automatically updated to iTunes 11 when updated on MPBr when this was my only PC using iTunes. Now I have three and some iOS devices too. My library has been moved from windows machines to macs and is several years old and has received 100s of hours of tweaking to get it just right.
Now my server is a PowerPC mac and I can only go as far as iTunes 10.6.xx, I want this to be always on and share the library with other PCs accross home sharing (i will sync iPhones over the wi-fi with this PC too, though it may not play with iOS7, so perhaps not).
I want to see the iTunes library on the macbooks, probably through Home Sharing, I also want to be able to sync the iphones, but only have a single copy of the music files on the server. is this possible? This will just be for when out of the house as I can also use home sharing in the house for music.
Thanks

You say you want to do this with multiple devices. Let's say you have a new iPhone 5 that requires iTunes 11. You will not be able to sync that if your base iTunes is iTunes 10.6 since your hardware will require at least whatever version of iTunes was current at the time of purchase. You're seeing this with your iOS7 phone. Anyway, unless all your hardware is old enough to use the lowest version of iTunes you need to run, you may be out of luck. You cannot share the library. Sharing media is different, and relatively easy, but it will be complex to ensure all the multiple libraries are kept up to date.
You also can't roll back iTunes libraries to earlier versions unless you kept a backup of your library from the point to which you wish to revert, or it is still in the previous libraries folder.

How do I back up itunes library to an external hard to free memory on my Macbook?

I have just noticed that a majority of my memory is being used by my itunes library. I was told that I can transfer and use an external to free up space on my macbook.I am in need of some type of step by step or a good link to walk me through it.I don't want to lose any of the movies or music I have accumulated, I am fairly new to the Apple world and just need some beginner help. Thanks

Nah that's fine I think.
The other thing to make sure of, is that you aren't doubling up on your music/video/podcasts.
If you have a neat folder where all your stuff is great. But if you have set itunes to Copy files to iTunes Media Folder when adding to library, then there is going to be 2 copies. Your original, and your copy, as far as I can remember.
You should double check that.
Because your backups will be backing up twice as much.
Also note, time machine backups back up all files that have been changed. If you are downloading a 5GB movie, if you download an extra 4MB and do backup again, it will backup another 5GB file.
I always have my download folder as not part of the backup due to this.
You could also add a 2nd HDD in your Macbook: http://eshop.macsales.com/owcpages/datadoubler/

How do I back up Itunes library to External HD?

Hello:
Anyone who read my prior post knows that my internal CD-RW Drive crashed. I am now forced to find another method to finally get around to backing up my itunes library which currently has about 2-3 GB of music. When I open itunes and go to file it gives me the option to backup to disk. Obviously with the external HD I will not be backing up to disk. Can anyone assist me with the following:
1. How will I backup my data to the external HD once I get it today (I am not all that computer literate so as detailed as you can be would be much appreciated).
2. If I ever need to restore my itunes music back onto itunes how do I accomplish this?
3. Will backing up my itunes also back up all of my podcasts or just music that I purchased or downloaded from CD, ect.
4. After I backup today on the external HD can I then open another itunes account on my wife's computer (which is brand new and much faster supporting USB 2.0 where mine is 1.1) and transfer all of my data to her computer so that I do not have to use my computer anymore?
THANKS FOR THE TIME READING THIS!!! I greatly appreciate any replys and have a safe and happy new year!

Its pretty simple to do. Long as you have some extra space to spare on your INTERNAL harddrive (aka the C drive in windows) because you will want to consolidate the library.
In iTUnes when you goto Advanced>Consolidate library it will COPY all songs listed in itunes to the "iTUnes Music" folder, located in My Music>iTUnes.
All purchased items from the itunes store are already in this folder, so itunes will not copy them.
Once this is done all you need to do is goto My Music rightclick the "iTUnes" folder and select copy.
Now open "My Computer" double click the external drive there, rightclick in a blank field and hit "Paste". this will put the whole itunes folder on the external drive with all your music AND the "iTUnes Library.xml" file.
Now use the "Safly remove hardware" to remove/eject the external drive from your PC (This will be a little small green arrow icon in the lower righthand corner of windows, where the clock is).
Far as your wifes computer goes, you may have to create your own user account in windows first UNLESS she doesn't use itunes or you want to combine all your music with hers on her user account in windows.

How do I get my applications back into iTune library

Just upgraded PC to Windows 7. Got my music libray 75% back, but not i have an issue with iPhone. Over 100 applications on phone, but can't get them to show on PC iTunes. How do I get library updated or do i have to download them all again. Also why is it so hard to get any answers from Apple. This has taken me 20 minutes to get here. Frustrating, why not just have a good old fashioned help desk Apple? Maybe we should be charging Apple for our (your) experise in solving our problems with their items.

On your computer, itunes running, do the following:
1. Disable auto sync when an ipod/iphone is connected in preferences, which in windows is under the edit menu.
2. Connect your phone, do not sync at this point.
3. Go up to Store>Authorize this Computer.
4. Then go up to File>Transfer Purchases
Your purchased apps & music will be transfered to your itunes library.

Corrupt Files When Backing Up iTunes Library

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