How do I help iTunes find all my music again, all at once?

This is probably a rookie question but I'm trying to work it out.
I'm getting the exclamation point problem - can't find the tracks. I know how to direct it, but I don't have the patience to do this to every track in my library. In advanced prefs the library is indicated and yet iTunes suddenly can't find anything.
Will consolidate music fix this? In the past I think the only way I fixed this was basically starting over by deleting my library file and re-adding everything to iTunes. It took forever, and I lost all the ratings and play counts, playlists, etc. It takes time to build all that up. I thought there was an easier fix.
Please refresh my memory. Thanks.

jsunem wrote:
So what are the implications of creating a new library file, if that's what I have to do? What will I lose in creating a new one?
try something else first. in the iTunes folder, there should be a folder +previous libraries+. rename your current lib and move the latest lib from the previous folder to the current location. launch iTunes with the option key pressed and click +choose library+
navigate to that previous lib you just moved. if you're lucky you haven't lost too much and have to repopulate iTunes only with a limited number of files.
any joy ?

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