Error messages on songs in itunes/match relating to files not found.

Question

I subscribe to itunes match. When highlighting certain songs in itunes where a cloud symbol has appeared next to them, I get the following message "the song................could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?" If I press the locate button it takes me to windows file search screen, but if I cancel it finds the song and an arrow appears at the base of the cloud symbol. If I click this the whole cloud symbol eventually disappears and problem seems resolved. ie it plays when highlighted and can be dragged and dropped onto my ipod. On other songs the cloud symbol appears next to them but with an exclamation mark in it and "Error" in the icloud status column (Whereas "matched" appears next to the others). I get the same message as before and if I cancel the song is found. The difference is that when I click on the cloud symbol, I get the message "The item was not added to the iCloud as an error occurred", the exclamation mark reappears, "error" remains in the icloud status column and I have to go through the whole process again if I high light the song again. I cannot drag it onto my ipod.
I manually manage my music and am preparing to revert to syncing. I have many playlists in itunes and looking through them there is a scattering of these cloud symbols throughout against random songs. The clear symbols I can alter as above (though it will take ages) but the ones with the - ! - mark in the cloud symbol next to them will not (I think) sync and go over to my ipod. I have in excess of 10,000 songs - 99.9% from my cd collection. Itunes match appears to have created havoc with them and it is frustrating not to be able to access songs that are originally mine.
I hope this is clear and can anyone help please?

Answer 1

First, you need to let the inital scan, match and upload process in iTunes complete before you enable the service on your iOS devices. This is the best practice. Once the initial scan is complete then all the music will be availabe on the iOS devices.
Second, in Song view in iTunes enable the iCloud Status column so you can see how the service has classified all the music in your library. If successfully processed all the tracks shoud be either "purchased," "matched," or "uploaded." Any other status indicates a problem with that track that will need to be sorted out, and it won't be availble on the iOS devices.
Third, be patient with the artwork. It can take some time for all the artwork to download to the iOS devices. It isn't instant. But eventually all the artwork will show up.