Duplicate iTunes database files in Home Folder

Question

Due to an ever-increasing number of songs in iTunes, I downloaded them to an external hard drive -relatively easily(with a lot of help) and successfully for the most part. But....
In order to trash my iTunes Music on the internal drive I had to re-organize the sub-files found in the iTunes file(path - Home>Music>iTunes>). All of the iTunes database files were in the iTunes Music file so I dragged them out and put them in the iTunes file. After I trashed all the music, by highlighting the songs and dragging them to the trash bin, the iTunes Music file(which should be empty) has ‘re-created’ the iTunes database files.
The iTunes seems to work fine. All newly added music is stored on the external hard drive and downloads to my iPod. However now my iTunes window crashes consistently and my external hard drive gets disconnected intermittently.
What should I do about the duplicate iTunes database files and is this duplication causing these new problems?

Answer 1

I would happily assign to you 100 points even now
LOL - just clicked 'Solved' on one of my replies when or if you are happy!
Is it possible that when you create a new library the database files also get duplicated
Well, almost. When you create a new Library, you are creating a new iTunes "window" into which you can import any of your music, irrespective of whether it also exists in another library. So, although the music may be the same, iTunes creates a NEW (not duplicate) set of iTunes Library database files for your new Library. The main one (iTunes Library) holds all your playlists, ratings, etc.
That explains why those new files you found inside your iTunes Music folder were all much smaller than the 4 files you moved out - they were new iTunes Library files. (that's what I meant in paragraph 2; the file sizes of the new set were all wrong - way too small; the set you moved out of the iTunes Music folder, were much more realistically bigger.
However, it may be that the CURRENT set of iTunes Library files is on the eHD with your iTunes Music folder, from what you say. Does the iTunes Library file on the eHD have a very recent timestamp on it? If so, that's the one iTunes seems to be using.
Following your directions in paragraph 3 I couldn't find the main iTunes Preferences .plist file
I'm now inclined to believe that your Preferences are not the problem, though I'm baffled as to how you couldn't find the file. The com.apple.iTunes.plist file MUST be there, I'm not sure how iTunes can run without it. And if it wasn't there, iTunes would create it anew when you run the program. You sure you looked in ~user/Library/Preferences ?
then download iTunes from the Apple site
The problems you describe are from a "wrong way of doing things" rather than a corrupt application, so I'd say no to this, right now.
Could I delete or trash parts or all of the iTunes folders and files somewhere along the path, such as after User/Music and on the external hard drive, without jeopardizing the music located on the external hard drive
{sharp intake of breath} - this is ONLY worth doing once we know which is the Library that iTunes is currently using. Certainly, we haven't got to the bottom of why iTunes re-creates those iTunes Library files in your iTunes Music folder.
One way to track down the current Library file is to add one track only to your iTunes, then quit iTunes. Now, drag each of the "iTunes Music Library.xml" onto TextEdit and then do a TextEdit "Find" for that track name. The .xml file that has that track in it, is part of the set currently being used by iTunes and you should note down where that set is.
Will hear from you again, I'm sure.