Hard disc died - how to restore iTunes from external hard drive

My son's Windows PC has died and needs a replacement hard disc. Fortunately he had backed up iTunes to an external hard disc. However, this is not an iTunes backup - but a straight copy of the PC's music folder.
This folder contains an iTunes folder with the music folder and other iTunes files/folders.
Can this file be copied directly back onto the new hard disc - or does re-importing need something else - and if so what?
Thanks
Patrick

See Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash. If you restored the entire iTunes folder then you ought to have everything unless the .itl file was corrupted when it was first opened and upgraded. Double-clicking other .itl files in the Previous iTunes Libraries folder doesn't actually open them so I suspect they are "all empty" because in truth you've only been looking at the one corrupt library.
tt2

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Restoring itunes from external hard drive

-I used WD backup program to store itunes on external hard drive
-hard drive on mac pro crashed, replaced hard drive
-trying to restore itunes songsa from external drive and when I copied songs from external hard drive to new internal hard drive which has itunes program, only song titles appear and track number for songs I ripped from CDs. All info is present for songs I purchased from itunes (why is there a difference in the way these two are restored???)
-Can I restore itunes from external drive so that artist and album are associated with each song title I ripped from CDs?
Much appreciate all assistance. Thanks.

I know MP3 and AAC save tag data, and I believe AIFF does as well (if you want to keep them in full-quality but space-greedy format). I don't think WAV supports tagging which is why they were lost. Read:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9558241&#9558241
This time make sure you have a complete backup of your itunes folder (which, in fact you may still have). That way you can recover your complete library and everything intact (as long as you keep your backups up to date).
Here is a related topic
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9267109&#9267109

Reinstalled Windows - how to restore iTunes from backup?

OK, here's the short succinct and none-waffley version of my question:
Under OSX there's a whopping big (xml?) file stored in the iTunes Library folder, but where is that on Windows? I've read about a Library.itl file, is that the same thing? If so, where on earth is it please?!?
And now for those who don't mind reading a bit, I'd like to explain my problem (a blank looking iTunes library after reinstalling Windows / iTunes) in a bit more detail. A lot of hard work and many listening hours went into crafting those smart playlists and I'd rather like to get them back if that's at all possible?
Here's what I've got to go on:
- the "iTunes music folder" is on a disk partition that remained untouched during the reinstallion process, so all my music's still there (else I wouldn't be quite so relaxed about it!!!)
- my "My Documents" folder is also on another untouched partion, but I don't think iTunes saves anything there does it?
- before reinstalling Windows I backued up my "Documents and Settings" folder from C drive. I assumed everything I'd need for restoring iTunes would be stored in the "Application Data" subfolder (or whatever Windows calls this in english - it's Anwendungsdaten in german)
So after reinstalling iTunes and before starting it for the first time, I copied my backup of "Docs & Settings/Rich in Berlin/Anwendungsdaten/Apple Computer/iTunes" to the corresponding place on C drive (and also the same named folder from "Local Settings"). Then I started iTunes, remembered that this is a PC not a Mac and saw an empty library window. Which brought me here.
As I wrote at the beginning, I suspect Library.itl has something to do with it. Can anybody confirm this and/or tell me where to find it, please?
Cheers
a computer designed by the devil Windows XP Pro iTunes 4.8 and why do so many only use this to show-off irrelevant items they own???
BeigeG3 400/256/40 OS921, PismoG3 400/640/40 Windows XP iTunes 4.8 and why do so many only use this to show-off irrelevant items they own???

iTunes operates as a database of information for your music files. The actual music files are stored on your PC, not within iTunes. iTunes keeps absolute references of the music file location and other information in its database file. This allows iTunes to use music files from any location on the PC: different directories/folders on the main HD, another internal drive, an external drive, or a network drive (or any combination of the above). Each song reference has a specific and hardcoded path so iTunes can find and play (or sync) it. Move the file, change the path, re-map the drive it is on, and iTunes will lose the file (giving you the '!' of a ‘Broken Link’). Lose, move or corrupt the ‘iTunes Music.itl’ file and your complete Library will ‘vanish’.
If you delete, corrupt, or otherwise lose your ‘iTunes Library.itl’ file, you will end up with a ‘blank’ Library within iTunes. Nine time out of ten, your underlying music files are still on the PC. They can be ‘re-Added’ via the File==>Add Folder/File menu command, but you will lose some of the music meta-data. Recovering your Library via backup copies of the iTunes database file, or from importing the XML file is always preferable.
The iTunes music information (meta-data) is stored in two places: the actual individual song files themselves, and the iTunes Library database file (‘iTunes Library.itl’). There is a corresponding XML file that is created by iTunes, but not directly used. See: What are the iTunes Library files?.
Song attributes stored directly in each music file are as follows: Artist, Album, Song Title, Year, Comments, Compilation tag, Lyrics, Genre , Grouping, Composer, BPM, Album Artwork, Bit Rate & Kind (Both not tags - inherent to the file itself).
Song attributes stored in the iTunes Library database file only are: Playlists, Ratings, Play Count, Last Played, Date Added, Date Modified, Equalizer, Volume Adjustment.
While it appears that all of the music attributes (except for Album Art) are also written to the XML file, when ‘Importing’ the XML file back into iTunes, it will not capture the Ratings, Play Count, Last Played, and Date Added attributes. The XML file can be somewhat useful, but it is usually better to have legacy copies of the ITL file for restoring your complete Library.

How to restore iTunes from a PC backup?

My PC crashed and I have restored my iPod to my PC iTunes. Not all of my songs were on my iPod. I don't have an iTunes backup, but I do have a PC backup on an external hard drive.

See Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
As I understand it if you have a "new" calendar with at least one entry and try to sync this to the device you should be offered the choice to replace or merge with the details on the device. Obviously you want to merge. Backup the device first in case something goes wrong so you can at least restore it to the current state.
tt2

External hard drive has died, can I restore iTunes library to new drive?

The external hard drive containing my 120GB library has died, but I have iTunes Match and all my music on my iPod. Is there any way to redownload, move, or restore my library to a new hard drive without having to re-import my library into iTunes?
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The external hard drive containing my 120GB library has died, but I have iTunes Match and all my music on my iPod. Is there any way to redownload, move, or restore my library to a new hard drive without having to re-import my library into iTunes?
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How to restore session from external hard drive as time machine?

Hi - I'm trying to restore my apps and data from my time machine onto a new hard drive, which was just replaced by Apple. I'm using a WD elements hard drive as a time machine and the new hard drive only sees it as an external hard drive - it asks whether I want to use it as a time machine, so if I select this will it keep all my old back ups from the previous hard drive?
When I went through the set up assistant it didn't pick up the external hard drive - it is definitely plugged in, on and on the same network! I'm now trying migration assistant which closes down all apps, and so it can't pick up the drive either - any ideas?
Thank you!

You need to boot to the recovery HD and then select Restore from a Time Machine backup.
You can't do that when you are bootiing to the real OS. It has to be done from the recovery hd.

Hard drive replaced on imac how to restore data from external hard drive

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http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/14.html
See especially C.

Restoring Itunes from external HD

I know this question has been answered before but there is a slight difference. I was recently upgraded to Snow Leopard from Leopard. I backed up everything on the Time Machine before the upgrade including my iTunes. When I got my MacBook back, I started putting things back on the computer. iPhoto was moved pretty easily but I guess I didn't do iTunes correctly because now my iPhone 3gs won't sync. I moved the iTunes from the external to the new OSX 10.6.3 but iTunes says my iPhone is with a different library and it can only be synced with one library. I assume this means the iTunes from Leopard on my external hard drive?
Should I delete the iTunes in 10.6.3 completely and then put the old iTunes on from the external hd (and use the proper method which I clearly didn't do before)?
Delete iTunes first and then restore from external hard drive?

Drag and drop onto iTunes.

Restore iMac from external dvd drive

I'm giving my iMac to a friend. But my superdrive is is failing to read the restore disks, but not after wiping the HD.
Now my G4 iMac wont do a thing.
I had assumed that my external DVD drive would do, but it stops on the small mac icon and goes no further.
Is there a work-around I can do? You'd be helping a retired photographer to leave his ancient PC and give my gorgeous G4 iMac a new home. While I get on with my iMac 20' intel.
The G4 last run on Tiger.

Put the Intel into Target Disk Mode with the G4's installer disc in the drive.
[How to use FireWire target disk mode|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58583] includes description of hardware and software requirements.
Boot the G4 while holding down the option key. If you're lucky the installer disc will appear as a boot option and you can reinstall the OS onto the G4's drive.
Oh, connect the two computers with a Firewire cable!

How do i restore iTunes from external hard drive?

All my music and play lists disappeared from iTunes for seemingly no reason. Back up my PC regularily on external drive. Using WinXP.
How can i restore?
Thanks.

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) so you get a prompt to select a library, then guide it to the 'iTunes Library.itl' file in the moved iTunes folder.

How to restore itunes library after a drive got corrupted

I have iTunes on my PC. I have my media on D drive while library file on C drive.
My C drive got corrupted and my computer started showing Blue Screen of Death. I tried every thing possible but was not able to restore any files from that drive. I had to reformat the drive and reinstall windows 7 again.
Since D drive was fine all my songs, videos, movies, apps and books are fine. How can I restore my library as is. There is no option to add the whole folder in iTunes. There are a lot of files to add individually. Please help.

Restore all of your important data from the backup of the computer.
If you have no backup, the library and playlists should be possible to recreate by following the instrucitons here: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451

How do I copy iTunes from external hard drive to iMac?

How do I copy iTunes from external
Hard drive to iMac?

if your main library is on your external, then when not connected, you wont have access to it.
so first decide, where do you want to keep the files.
E.g. In my case, I keep my files on "C:\iTunes Music".
I have a backup on external "Z:\iTunes Backup". If I format my laptop, this is how I restore everything.
Edit -> Preferences -> Advanced.
The iTunes music folder in selects as "C:\iTunes Music"
I have checked Keep iTunes Music Folder Organized, and also Copy Files to iTunes Music folder when adding to ibrary". Click OK to save and close preferences.
My iTunes list is now empty. I go to file, and select "Add Folder to Library". From that window, I select "Z:\iTunes Backup". iTunes then copies everything from the backup to "C:\iTunes Music". For me, backup is backup, I dont need it to play music.
Now decide this. If you do not want to keep music on C:, but want to only connect the external to update music on your ipod, do this:
In preferences, set iTunes Music folder as "Z:\iTunes Backup", and uncheck Copy files to iTunes Music folder, since they are already there. Then in files, select Add folder to library again to build and update the list.

How to restore iTunes Library from Time Machine on Mavericks?

Please, can someone give me the instructions on how to restore iTunes Library from Time Machine on Mavericks?

See Pondini's TM FAQs, for details.

HT1660 How do I run itunes from external Hard drive?

How do I run itunes from external hard drive. I only have ssd on PC and media is too large to fit

You do not.
iTunes, like all programs is installed on the C drive.
You can store the media on another drive.
Assuming you are moving an existing library from another computer:
Move or Copy the ENTIRE iTunes folder from the old computer to the new computer and put it where you want it.
Install iTunes using the default options.
Hold <SHIFT> while launching iTunes. It will prompt to create a new library or locate an existing library.
Select the option to locate an existing library.
Point iTunes to the iTunesLibrary.itl file in the iTunes folder that was moved from the old computer.

How to restore iTunes library after operating system changed?

How to restore iTune library after operating system changed on the laptop? The syn is not working because it doesn't recognize the computer.

Recovering your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device: Apple Support Communities
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

Hard disc died - how to restore iTunes from external hard drive

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