HT203167 My iTunes Media folder is missing and I cannot access my music files anymore to back them up.

I back up files constantly to an external drive. I went to back up again & my iTunes Media folder is gone & I can't find it anywhere (including Trash Bin). Will I have to uninstall then reinstall iTunes to get that venue back? I've even tried changing the location in my preferences of where new file should go to & nothings doing.

Compacting is deleting messages marked for deletion. It has nothing to do with trying to squeeze out just a little more space in an already full folder.
Here are some good articles that you could probably benefit from reading.
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Thunderbird_:_Tips_:_Compacting_Folders
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Keep_it_working_-_Thunderbird
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/archived-messages
You could also create folders under Local Folders and move the older message there.

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Have you looked in the Music App on your iPhone? On the iPhone music is played by the Music App not iTunes.

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From my post on what seems like the same issue (found here: https://discussions.apple.com/message/21087892#21087892)
Take the following steps:
1) while connected to wifi, toggle off then back on the Show All Music and iTunes Match options shown in my original post. Important: I did this step before, but wasn't connected to wifi, and my music disappeared. Subsequently, I connected to wifi and turned off and then back on those options and everything came back though it was grayed out and my only option was to download music.
2) To get streaming over cellular back, go into Settings>General>Cellular and scroll down to the "Use Cellular Data for:" options and make sure the iTunes option is set to 'On'
The above steps will bring back the streaming capability which seemed to go away when you update to 6.1. It didn't ACTUALLY go away, but something about the update toggled off the iTunes option in step 2 above.
I did a final test by turning off wifi, opening Music app and selecting a song. It played successfully without downloading! Crossing my fingers, but I think I'm good to go!
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I have uninstalled and reinstalled iTunes Version 11.4.1 and still cannot access. I continue to get the Error 7 Windows Error 193 and now I am getting the Apple Mobile Device failed to start. I can't access any of my music I HAVE PURCHASED. What to do?

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I am getting the same error message - error 7, Windows error 193 running iTunes on a PC Laptop (HP) which has been running iTunes previously for at least 2 years.
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Can i use my external itunes media folder on mac and windows

Ok, i have moved my media folder itunes to my external drive.
But i also have installed windows 7 on bootcamp
I want to use the same itunes media folder external on my osx and windows is this
possible didn't tryed it because i was afraid that i could damage the data.

Hi
Yes there is a way to use the media folder with both OSX and Windows, however you have to have the drive formatted with windows NTFS and use something like Seagates NTFS for Mac program. If you buy a Seagate GoFlex Drive it comes ready formatted with the software on board to install on your mac, then anything saved on the drive will be readable from both OS.
I use a couple of these drives for just that purpose very successfully, unfortunately I haven't come across an alternative to buying the Seagate drive.
Hope this helps.
M.

HT1473 why does itunes media folder location in windows 8 goes to \username\music\music when pointed to the my music folder

I have recently decided to upgrade to windows 8 and with it clean out all the music in my itunes media collection and start fresh.
Before I start to download my purcharsed iCloud music or import my cds I set my media folder location to be "c:\users\username\my music\"
and the below images show the outcome, which seems like its a bug and it annoys me.
so now i have a folder called music inside the my music folder in my users profile, this seems really stupid i hope its a bug that gets fixed
if i set it as the below then all the music artists folder names appear straight under c:\users\username\
Why does the extra \music\ folder get added ?!?!!??? it just makes it messy.

Here are typical layouts for the iTunes folders:
Essentially iTunes wants to put its content into <Media Folder>\<Media Kind>\<Subfolders>. See make a split library portable for reasons why you should stick to the default layout for the iTunes folders (media folder inside main iTunes folder), and Getting iTunes & Windows Media Player to play nicely for suggestions on how to set out the library for use by both applications.
tt2

I am receiving the 'Could not sign you in [Access denied: 530]. Check your user name and password' problem on Adobe Muse CC 2014 and I cannot access the xml file that is supposed to fix this issue?

I am a PC user and I have Adobe Creative Cloud Muse 2014. I have received the 'Could not sign you in [Access denied: 530]. Check your user name and password' error when trying to upload my muse site to my ftp host, GoDaddy. I have successfully done this in the past and only recently it has stopped working. I looked online at the FAQ Adobe Muse Help | Uploading an Adobe Muse Site to a third-party hosting service and it said to download the ftpprefs.xml file but this file simply leads to a blank page that says /*Not found*//*Not found*/.
Can someone direct me to a working page with this file or provide a different solution? Thank you!

Hello,
As you are getting error [Access denied: 530] it means issue is with access. Either the username and password you are entering is incorrect or you do not have proper permissions.
I would suggest you to contact Godaddy to either reset password or reset the permissions.
Regards
Vivek

I have files in my iTunes media folder that somehow are not in my library. How do I get iTunes to scan my media folder and add missing files to my library without making a copy of each file in the same location?

I have files in my iTunes media folder that somehow are not in my library. How do I get iTunes to scan my media folder and add missing files to my library without making a copy of each file in the same location? If I use add file / folder to library, it scans the folder and then makes a copy of any file that is not in my library in the exact same location; I recal in older versions of iTunes being able to just drag my media folder into my library and it would update missing links.

Only the songs that are connected to iTunes will be copied when you consolidate to a new folder.
Splitting the media folder away from the usual location makes it harder to move iTunes in the future.
Are you go move everything back once you've tidied up or are you going to leave it that way? Either way I'd recommend you create an iTunes folder at the new location, an iTunes Media folder inside that, and consolidate to this new iTunes Media folder. You should also use the option File > LIbrary > Organize Library > Rearrange files in the folder "<Media Folder"> if you have not already done so.
tt2

Drag and Drop Music folder to iTunes Media folder?

My HDD lacks the space for running "Consolidating Files" (File->Library->Organize Library->Consolidate Files), since iTunes doesn't move the items but rather copies them to iTunes Media. My goal is to have the Music folder live inside the iTunes Media folder. Can I drag and drop the Music folder into iTunes Media? Any adverse consequences for doing this? I am trying to straighten my iTunes folder and file structure. As it is now, in addition to what I mentioned, the *library.xml and other related files are living inside the iTunes Media folder but I believe those should reside under the iTunes folder. How do I get them back out there? Does any of this reorganization matter? Everything displays just fine in the iTunes browser. Thank you for your help.

ohneSchatten wrote:
My HDD lacks the space for running "Consolidating Files" (File->Library->Organize Library->Consolidate Files), s
Where are these files now if not inside the itunes media folder?
since iTunes doesn't move the items but rather copies them to iTunes Media.
Correct. Any music now in iTunes should be in /Music/iTunes/iTunes media/ folder.
Are you looking to add more music to iTunes?
Do this...
Go to /Music/iTunes/iTunes media/ folder.
Find the Automatically add to iTunes folder and make a shortcut on the desktop.
Drag songs here. This will add to iTunes and move, not copy, the song to the iTunes folder.
I am trying to straighten my iTunes folder and file structure. As it is now, in addition to what I mentioned, the *library.xml and other related files are living inside the iTunes Media folder but I believe those should reside under the iTunes folder. How do I get them back out there? Does any of this reorganization matter
Go to iTunes prefs > Advanced.
Makes sure the iTunes media folder location is set to /Music/iTunes/iTunes media/.
Uncheck Keep iTunes folder organized then click OK.
Then recheck Keep iTunes folder organized then click OK.

My old computer crashed and deleted my iTunes media file with all my playlist. However, my iPod has the playlist I lost on the computer. How can I replace (reverse synch?) my iPod media information back onto my (now reinstalled) virgin iTunes media folder

My old computer crashed and deleted my iTunes media file with all my playlist.However, my iPod has the playlist I lost on the computer. How can I replace (reverse synch?) my iPod media information back onto my (now reinstalled) virgin iTunes media folder?

Yes it's possible to sync music back from a iPod back into iTunes that (I assume) wasn't purchased on the iTunes Store.
Apple allows iTunes Store purchases on devices to be reversed back into iTunes, just not cd rips and stuff like that. For that it's a one way trip to the device from iTunes.
I likely can't suggest such software here, but if you visit iLounge you can ask what is the latest software that works for your platform.
Really it only takes a mere few minutes to backup your iTunes Library and stick in a few cd/dvd's or a external drive. iTunes even has a menu command for it to make it oh so simple. Please use it and backup all your data.
Hard drives fail, computers burn up, thieves steal, stuff gets forgotten. Plan for something happening because it will.
Good Luck

ITunes Media Folder Renameable on External Drive (mac)

I have a 1TB collection of music in a folder on an external drive within a folder that is NOT called iTunes Media, but which until now had behaved as if it were.
I just switched to a clone of my old 1TB drive on a 1.5TB drive. After 11 hours of locating my 157000 tracks, I was able to find and use every track. However, when I added a new track, apparently I lost the ability to add new music tracks within the Music folder. Instead, a new iTunes Media folder was created within the folder which SHOULD have been called iTunes Media.
In the (new) iTunes Media folder there are a few folders containing the music I added after the switch. In the Music folder (below, but higher hierarchy) there is 1TB of music, which means it cannot be copied into the (new) iTunes Media file on the 1.5TB drive (not enough space).
Even though it would entail 100+ hours of new clone-backup time, the most logical solution would be to discard the embedded iTunes Media folder, rename the top-level folder iTunes Media, then let iTunes relocate the tracks again (over another 11 hours) and reload the few tracks loaded since the switch.
However I do not know if iTunes will allow this to work, and if so, what needs to be done in order to make it work.
Can the top-level folder be renamed? Do I need to untick and tick the Keep iTunes Media Folder Organized button?
Thanks
Mac OSX 10.6.8, iTunes 11.4

I am getting a bit lost on what was done and exactly why you did it that way. It looks to me like you use iTunes with standard preferences settings and you didn't so much move your media folder to the external drive as your whole iTunes library (everything in the top level folder including all the media files). This should have been done simply by copying the iTunes folder from the old drive to the new one, renaming the AllMyiTunesMusic folder if you so desire, then starting iTunes while holding down the option/alt key and selecting that folder as the iTunes library to now start using. Apart from the copy time when you could go away and drink a pot of coffee the actual labor time would be about 2 minutes. I think you must have done something different which has kind of messed up your library and resulted in duplication of files. Some of those folders such as Movies and the neighboring Music folder should be in the media folder, but don't move things about in Finder or iTunes may lose track of them and things will get worse. If you can go back and do things properly then I recommend you do so, otherwise we can see what we can work with here.
What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management
What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html
Where are my iTunes files located? - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391
iTunes 9 [and later]: Understanding iTunes Media Organization - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3847 - plus supplemental information about organizing to new structure https://discussions.apple.com/message/26404702#26404702
Image of folder structure and explanation of different iTunes versions (turingtest2 post) - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-7392 and making an iTunes library portable.

How can I move my media files from USB-HD to NAS without having to copy the media files to iTunes Media folder?

I have iTunes on a Mac with the iTunes Media folder stored locally and the music on an external USB-HD. The music files are Not copied to iTunes Media folder when added to the library.
Now I want to move my files from USB-HD to a NAS without losing any information or settings. I want to do the similar to my iPhoto library. I do not want to consolidate my files to iTunes Media folder. The articles I’ve read only discuss how to do if the files are copied to iTunes Media folder when added to the library. Any tips or trix?

I have iTunes on a Mac with the iTunes Media folder stored locally and the music on an external USB-HD. The music files are Not copied to iTunes Media folder when added to the library.
How are you achieving the above? What are your copy setting in preferences? If you are manually overriding the copy-to by holding down the option key while adding media then that won't apply when you import a playlist (as in importing the .xml). When you import a playlist like that you are essentially adding the files to the library again and it will obey the preferences setting since you can't option add them that way.
Correct on the .itl. Only iTunes itself can edit that file.
I think you need to review your basic wants/needs in doing all this. If your reason for not wanting to use the Media Folder settiing is because you do not want it to go on the internal drive, but you don't actually mind if it organizes it as long as it is on the NAS, change the Media Folder preferences setting to the NAS and let it consolidate to there. If you want to move the stuff but keep it organized in your own folder structure you may need to do it as I suggested initially. Once it is on the NAS and iTunes recognize the file locations you can do what you can only do if you manually manage music which is move it around in Finder afterward once it is on the drive and recognized to tweak location to your final wishes.

Reverse itunes media folder reorganisation

hello and HELP!
i am a new mac user, and in wanting to import all my music into itunes and avoid copies being made in a separate itunes folder, in the advanced section of the preferences i changed the itunes media folder location to being my "my music" folder, un-checked "copy files to itunes media folder when adding to library", and checked "keep itunes media folder organised" thinking it would just organise my music in itunes.
however, to my great despair, itunes has re-arranged all my songs and re-named songs and folders in my "my music" folder, classing i don't know how many under "unknown", "various", etc...my great despair as i have 90GB of music which was perfectly organised by artist name and album and is now a big shambles.
please someone tell me this re-organisation can be reversed? i've tried un-checking the "keep itunes folder organised" and re-starting itunes, but to no avail. i would greatly appreciate any advice at all.
thanks so much
chantal

Welcome to AD!
It's the same answer for both Mac and Windows.
Sadly, that organization can't be undone. If only you had left the "copy files..." checked as well, you could go back to the originals.
Perfect time for an UNDO button, but there isn't one.

Itunes media folder reorganisation

hello and HELP!
i am a new mac user, and in wanting to import all my music into itunes and avoid copies being made in a separate itunes folder, in the advanced section of the preferences i changed the itunes media folder location to being my "my music" folder, un-checked "copy files to itunes media folder when adding to library", and checked "keep itunes media folder organised" thinking it would just organise my music in itunes.
however, to my great despair, itunes has re-arranged all my songs and re-named songs and folders in my "my music" folder, classing i don't know how many under "unknown", "various", etc...my great despair as i have 90GB of music which was perfectly organised by artist name and album and is now a big shambles.
please someone tell me this re-organisation can be reversed? i've tried un-checking the "keep itunes folder organised" and re-starting itunes, but to no avail. i would greatly appreciate any advice at all.
thanks so much
chantal

Welcome to AD!
It's the same answer for both Mac and Windows.
Sadly, that organization can't be undone. If only you had left the "copy files..." checked as well, you could go back to the originals...

Can an iTunes Media folder be on a LAN network drive?

That is, remote from the Mac on which the library is managed, but (obviously) on the same LAN.
When "Copy files to iTunes Media folder" is set, and I import a CD via the managing mac, will the files land up on the network drive or into the iTunes folder on the managing Mac?

By organizing it should both relocate all current media as well as start using the new location from that point on. You're mostly okay there. Where you are not okay is iTunes doesn't look at your files directly. It only really looks at one single file, the iTunes Library.itl file which tells it where everything is located. You need to get both copies of iTunes using the same complete library (media + library file). The way you do that is using the option start method. You should only need to do that once unless for some reason the library storage drive is disconnected when starting iTunes, in which case iTunes will use the default location and you will need to option start again.
What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management
What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html
Where are my iTunes files located? - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391
iTunes 9 [and later]: Understanding iTunes Media Organization - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3847
By the way, both copies of iTunes will have to be the same version or the library will become unreadable to the older iTunes.
There are variants to the above but I am not going to type in all the possibilities unless you say something that tells me you need a different structure.

HT203167 My iTunes Media folder is missing and I cannot access my music files anymore to back them up.

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