Fix for "necessary file could not be found" when syncing photos

During the holidays I found the fix for an annoying error message when syncing my iPod Touch (2nd gen), my wifes iPhone 3GS and my iPhone 4, that I'm pleased to share with you all:
The problem was that iTunes gave an error message that "an necessary file could not be found" (my own translation from the Danish wording) when I tried syncing photos - and then syncing stopped/aborted all together. Very annoying!
But it wasn't all photos that triggered this error, only some. I've tried switching usb-port, removing special folders inside "Pictures" and inside "Library" etc.
Yesterday I tried to remove the "iPod Photo Cache" folder inside the iPhoto Lib itself. And that resolved this issue! Eg. ctrl-click the iPhoto Lib file, show content of package and delete/move the "iPod Photo Cache" folder to trash.
Hope this will help others!

Had the same problem, but with music only. Thank you for the information
http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/org/sbc/old/orgs/sbc/files/wage/13/index.html
http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/org/sbc/old/orgs/sbc/files/wage/14/index.html
http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/org/sbc/old/orgs/sbc/files/wage/15/index.html
http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/org/sbc/old/orgs/sbc/files/wage/16/index.html
http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/org/sbc/old/orgs/sbc/files/wage/17/index.html
http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/org/sbc/old/orgs/sbc/files/wage/18/index.html
http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/org/sbc/old/orgs/sbc/files/wage/13/map.html
http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/org/sbc/old/orgs/sbc/files/wage/14/map.html
http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/org/sbc/old/orgs/sbc/files/wage/15/map.html
http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/org/sbc/old/orgs/sbc/files/wage/16/map.html
http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/org/sbc/old/orgs/sbc/files/wage/17/map.html
http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/org/sbc/old/orgs/sbc/files/wage/18/map.html

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What does this message mean: This song could not be used because the original file could not be found--When I try to play songs there is an "!" next to it.

A friend recenlty replaced my hard drive.
When I try to use itunes--I receive this message: "The song could not be used because the original could not be found, would you like to locate it? Next to my songs I see this: "!" Help--Please!!

Well what happened is the pathname to the song has changed slightly.
For instance if the song was located say c\:Windows\User\Mary\Music\iTunesFolder
and now it's c:\Windows\User\MaryXray\Music\iTunesFolder
I'm assuming here your music was replaced in the Music folder like on the old hard drive, that iTunesFolder was simply copied over in whole.
So to fix things, you go into the iTunes Folder in your Music Folder and look for a iTunes Music Library .XML file and open it in a Text Program that has "find and replace" ability.
You find the partial pathname of the old drive and you replace ALL instances of it with the new pathname.
so \Windows\User\Mary would be changed to
\Windows\User\MaryXray
Save the file and reopen iTunes.

When Syncing, got error msg "iphone4 can not be synced as the required file can not be found", When Syncing, got error msg "iphone4 can not be synced as the required file can not be found"

i've upgraded to IOS5 and also my iMac to latest iTunes.
i now found Itunes frequently issued a error during syncing "iphone4 can not be synced as the required file can not be found". i have connected the iphone4 to my iMac using USB (i.e., wired). but without doing any thing further, i go to iTunes and just hit the button to "SYNC" the iphone4 again, it will work.
so, why am i getting that error usually first time around when i connect the iphone?

Hi folks. Am REALLY struggling here and hoping for some help. I too am constantly getting the 'iPhone can not be synced' message since upgrading to a new MacBook and trying to sync my iPhone 3GS. Have tried updating to latest iPhone software and hasn't helped. Have tried all the stuff mentioned above (dumping that file etc) and no luck. When I go to my sync page for photos, even if i un-tick the sync photos option altogether, this error keeps appearing. Very odd and very frustrating. Can't sync - seems to stall at last step of the process every time.
I'm guessing it is photo related as the pics on my iPhone are now all lowres and blurry, and it is asking for sync to iTunes to get high res images onto the phone.
Also have problem going the 'other way'! WHen I go to iPhoto on Mac and try to download new photos taken on iPhone.. I keep getting the message 'The following file could not be imported. The file is an unrecognized format."
help please
Nick

Original file could not be found when I click on song

I had to restore my hard drive but had everything backed up. But I don't remember the exact directory it was in to point the Itunes library to. How can I find this previous link to the songs? When I right click on the song it doesn't show any previous address.

The "missing file" error happens if the file is no longer where iTunes expects to find it. Possible causes are that you or some third party tool has moved, renamed or deleted the file, one of its parent folders, or the drive it lives on has had a change of drive letter. It is also possible that iTunes has changed from expecting the files to be in the pre-iTunes 9 layout to post-iTunes 9 layout, or vice-versa, and so is looking in slightly the wrong place. In the case of a library moved from one system to another there are also potential permissions issues. See Repair security permissions for iTunes for Windows.
Select a track with an exclamation mark, use Ctrl-I to Get Info, then click No when asked to try to locate the track. (Due to a bug in iTunes 12 you currently have to say No twice!) Look on the summary tab for the location that iTunes thinks the file should be. Now take a look around your hard drive(s). Hopefully you can locate the track in question. If a section of your library has simply been moved, a folder renamed, or a drive letter has changed, it should be possible to reverse the actions. If the difference between the two paths is an additional Music folder in one path then this is a layout issue. I can explain further if that is the case.
In some cases iTunes may be able to repair itself if you go through the same steps with Get Info but this time click Locate and browse to the lost track. It may then offer to attempt to automatically fix other broken links.
If another application like Windows Media Player has moved/renamed the files then the chances are that subtle differences in naming strategies will make it hard to restore the media to the precise path that iTunes is expecting. In such cases, as long as the missing files can be found somewhere, you should be able to use my FindTracks script to reconnect them to iTunes. See this post for an explanation of how it works.
See also Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
tt2

Quick time error "a file could not be found"

Quick time error "a file could not be found" when trying to open a file that exist in a directory name including hebrew characters.
When copying the same file to other directory with english characters only, file opens without any problem.
This is very frustrating since my files are located under My documents directory
The full path of the "My Document" directory is:
C:\Documents and Settings\אלון\My Documents.
Also, I have IPOD 5G (with video). iTunes does not have any problems with audio files located under the above directory, but video files for my IPOD have the same problem (since probably it is using Quick time). The problem with iTunes is more frustrating since it does not report any error, but you just cant update video podcasts or add video files to library.
I spent a few days to uderstand this.
Windows XP

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=769732
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Wow, after about 2 weeks I finally got my iPod to update on my very own PC. I followed the directions according to this document, http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304309, and the iPod software was updated to 1.2 version. I had did this one time before and it didn't work. However, just a few minutes ago it finally went through. Yeaaaa!
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you're welcome.
(been there and done that, too.)

Less destructive fix for the "original file could not be found" issue

+(Note: this is mostly a copy of the post I just submitted in reply to http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=6785594#6785594)+
Most solutions to the "The song xxx could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?" issue involve deleting iTunes library files, deleting-then-re-importing everything from iTunes, and other destructive techniques. I found an easier fix for this, but it might be (a) specific to libraries on a network drive (NAS) or (b) specific to me. YMMV, but give it a try. This was on a Mac, so a Windows solution might exist with the same technique. Please post here and let me know if this works for you!
After some investigating and trial-and-error, I discovered that if I viewed a list of songs in Finder, iTunes could find the files again. For example:
*Double click on a song in iTunes and get the "original file could not be found..." error. Do not say 'Yes' to locating it.
*Open Finder and locate that Folder of songs
*Double-click on another song from that album. It should work.
So, my fix: *run a command that lists/touches every file in your iTunes music folder.*
For Macs:
*Open Terminal
*Run this: *ls -R /Path/To/Your/iTunes\ Music \Folder/* (note how you 'escape' spaces in the folder name with back-slashes).
Windows:
*Start - Run - cmd
*Run this: dir /s \Path\To\Your\"iTunes Music Folder" (note that you escape spaces by quoting the dir name.)
My NAS is named "VAULT" so my command was "ls -R /Volumes/VAULT/My\ Music/" You will see the files being listed at light speed -- ignore this. It will run for a while, depending on how many files you have, about 30 seconds for me. After executing this I could listen to any music file in iTunes!
But, every time I lost my connection to my NAS, such as waking from sleep mode, I had to run it again. So I created an Automator application and a Apple Script to run it from within iTunes so I can run it any time I need to. If you don't want to do that, just run the command I specified. If you want to download my Automator app, or see instructions on how to create your own, check out my blog post: http://40withegg.com/2008/3/8/mac-attack-making-itunes-find-those-original-files -especially-on-a-nas
With any luck, my post will be *completely unnecessary* soon because Apple will find a real solution to this.

Jeffe hello,
I have seen more problems created by the consolidate command than I have ever seen fix things... I'm not saying it does not work but what it does do and what it does not is very hard to work out for most and major problems are the result...
to sort your problem do this...
1. Open your iTunes folder in the Home Music folder and make a backup copy of the iTunes Library file and put on the desktop.
2. Start iTunes and in the Library sort on the Heading 'Date added' ... you may need to install it... control/click on heading-bar and select from popup menu.
3. When you have sorted scroll to half way and you will see the songs are split evenly... select the ones you want to remove with a shift/click and hit delete key... say no about move to trash for now.
4. Check that everything is as you want it... if so carry on... if not come back and tell me what happened.
5. Quit iTunes and put the iTunes Library file in the iTunes folder in a safe place like your Documents folder... drag the copy from desktop and put it in the iTunes folder.
6. Check the name is correct on the 'copy' edit it to be iTunes Library.
7. Start iTunes by double/clicking on the file and go through steps 2 & 3 again but this time when you delete say yes about move to trash... don't empty it yet 1st check that all is OK with your library.
You can edit the good files that you are left with but the addition of '01' in the name will not have any adverse effect on them at all... editing with an Applescript is very easy.
take care Jeffe and let's know how you get on or if you run into any unforeseen problems ... TP

I cannot play music from my itunes library. I keep getting an itunes message that says, "The song could not be used because the original file could not be found." Is there a fix for this? Thank you.

I cannot play music from my itunes library. I keep getting an itunes message that says, “The song could not be used because the original file could not be found.” Is there a fix for this? Has this happened to anyone else? Is there a fix for this? Thank you.

Hello Turintest2,
I am having a similar problem. I have over 4000 songs giving me this error. I certainily don't want to go in one by one and find them. I know you wrote a script for Windows but I am a Mac user. Is there a fix for me? Here is the info on where the song is currently (used by doing the get info)
Here's a shot of my preferences:
Just FYI, I know that apparently iTunes is looking for this music in the trash. However, if I go here:
Then I find the music there as well. (Which is where it is in my preferences.)
Please help! I don't want to have to go through over 4000 songs and update them one by one.

This is a new notification coming up with iTunes, why and how do I fix it? The song "Penny Lane" could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?

This is a new notification coming up with iTunes, why and how do I fix it?
The song “Penny Lane” could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?
Max

Hey xxCreepyFiaxx,
First, I would try the following suggested steps for when you don't see content in iTunes after updating:
Quit iTunes.
Download and install the latest version of iTunes.
Use the Finder (Mac) or Windows Explorer (Windows) to go to the iTunes folder that contains the iTunes library files:
Mac OS X
/Users/username/Music/iTunes/
Microsoft Windows Windows XP and Windows 2000
\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\
Microsoft Windows Windows Vista and Windows 7
\Users\username\Music\iTunes\
Drag the iTunes Library file from the above location to the Desktop.
Open the Previous iTunes Libraries folder in the iTunes folder.
Locate the file named iTunes Library YYYY-MM-DD where YYYY-MM-DD is the date you upgraded iTunes (Year-Month-Day).
Drag this file to the iTunes folder (the enclosing folder).
Rename this file to iTunes Library.
Open iTunes.
You should now see your missing content in iTunes.
via: No content shows up in iTunes after updating
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1967
If that doesn't resolve the issue, then I'd go through the steps in here:
iTunes: Finding lost media and downloads
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1408
Have a good one,
Delgadoh

I have a new hard drive as my old one crashed. Everything seemed to transfer fine except for my entire iTunes library. It shows all of my old songs, but when I click on one it states "the song could not be used as the original file could not be found

I have a new hard drive as my old one crashed. Everything seemed to transfer fine except for my entire iTunes library. It shows all of my old songs, but when I click on one it states "the song could not be used as the original file could not be found.would you like to locate it".
Either how do I locate it, and I've tried every trick I know, or how do I restore all of my songs from one of two sources. I have my old hard drive backedup on an external drive which should have all of my songs, and I have most of my songs on my old iPhone 3S which I'm using as a backup iPod.

The "missing file" error happens if the file is no longer where iTunes expects to find it. Possible causes are that you or some third party tool has moved, renamed or deleted the file, one of its parent folders, or the drive it lives on has had a change of drive letter. It is also possible that iTunes has changed from expecting the files to be in the pre-iTunes 9 layout to post-iTunes 9 layout, or vice-versa, and so is looking in slightly the wrong place. In the case of a library moved from one system to another there are also potential permissions issues. See Repair security permissions for iTunes for Windows.
Select a track with an exclamation mark, use Ctrl-I to Get Info, then click No when asked to try to locate the track. (Due to a bug in iTunes 12 you currently have to say No twice!) Look on the summary tab for the location that iTunes thinks the file should be. Now take a look around your hard drive(s). Hopefully you can locate the track in question. If a section of your library has simply been moved, a folder renamed, or a drive letter has changed, it should be possible to reverse the actions. If the difference between the two paths is an additional Music folder in one path then this is a layout issue. I can explain further if that is the case.
In some cases iTunes may be able to repair itself if you go through the same steps with Get Info but this time click Locate and browse to the lost track. It may then offer to attempt to automatically fix other broken links.
If another application like Windows Media Player has moved/renamed the files then the chances are that subtle differences in naming strategies will make it hard to restore the media to the precise path that iTunes is expecting. In such cases, as long as the missing files can be found somewhere, you should be able to use my FindTracks script to reconnect them to iTunes. See this post for an explanation of how it works.
See also Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
tt2

My iPod cannot be synced because the required file could not be found. How do I fix this problem?

Peace. My name is Free. Thanks in advance for any help u can offer. My iPod cannot be synced because the required file could not be found. How do I fix this problem?

Hi antiklady,
I see that you may be having an issue with compatibility of iTunes when connecting your iOS device. This sort of issue can arise if you have two versions of iTunes installed on your computer, which I feel may be the case. Here is an article that can tell you how to identify the version of iTunes that you have open:
iTunes: How to find which version you are using - Apple Support
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201521
If the version of iTunes that is opened is not the version you are required to use for the iOS device in question, try searching through your computer or applications folder to see if there may be two versions of iTunes installed on your computer. Then, uninstall the version that is incompatible using these steps:
Remove and reinstall iTunes and related software components for Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8 - Apple Support
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT1923
Take care, and thanks for visiting the Apple Support Communities.
-Braden

"File could not be found" message on top of all images in Library: How do I fix this?[was:Question]

New to LR 5.2 Running OS X 10.8.5. Tried to save image in file folder. Now get this message at top of all images in Library: "File could not be found." How do I fix this?

“Save” is not a term used with LR to create images. What are you trying to do, exactly, in terms of LR menu options?
Are there questions marks on the thumbnails for the images that say File could not be found?
Sometimes a screenshot can communicate things quicker than words.

HT1933 I bought six songs using my itunes gift card in February but I cannot play the songs or downlaod them to my ipod because I get an error saying the original file could not be found. I have used the gift card previously with no issue. How do I fix

I bought six songs using my itunes gift card in February but I cannot play the songs or downlaod them to my ipod because I get an error saying the original file could not be found. I have used the gift card previously with no issue. How do I fix it?

Have you moved or deleted those tracks on your computer (the gift card has got nothing to do with it) ?
You might be able to re-download them via the Purchased link under Quick Links on the right-hand side of the iTunes store home page on your computer's iTunes (re-downloading isn't possible in all countries) - if those songs appear there then delete the entries from your iTunes library (where you are clicking on them to play them and gettinf the 'original file' error), and they should then get a cloud symbol against them for re-downloading.
If they don't appear in that link then have you got them on, for example, an external drive ?

Smart Previews issue. LR5 catalog saying "The file could not be found" for entire collection. How do I "sync" or "find" the smart previews?

I created an LR5 catalog with 1:1 previews and smart previews. I then placed the catalog along with the previews and smart previews files into dropbox.
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Smart Preview cache file is there right below the lrcat file.
Anyone know how I can make the catalog find that smart previews cache?

Thanks for the quick response.
There are ? next to the folders but that's to be expected because that drive is not connected to my comp.
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However the smart previews don't seem to be working this time as I cannot edit the images.

Fix for "necessary file could not be found" when syncing photos

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