Installing 6.0.3.5 erases iTunes Library?

I just installed the 6.0.3.5 update today, as I have done successfully with many previous updates. While installing, the install process opened a new version of iTunes where no files showed in the library, then I got an install error message telling me that iTunes was running and needed to be closed for the install to continue.
Did that, install completed, but now when I run iTunes, only the new version with no music in it comes up.
Has my iTunes Music Library.xml file been overwritten? I did a search on my hard drive for the file, and the only current one I can find seems to be time-stamped at the time of the install.
PLEASE tell me there's a way to get the old one back! I have spent so much time adding info to the library file... star ratings, album art...

These links will give you several methods of recovering whatever information remains on your iPod; some free, some third-party software, some more comprehensive for restoring Playlists, Ratings, Play Counts, etc. Read them and their associated links before deciding on a strategy that works for you. There are many various third-party software programs that will offer a more robust process, or an easier GUI. Do a Google search for them if the links below leave you wanting…
Don King Resurrected: Deleted files from hard drive (free user steps – music recovery only)
MacMuse: Computer Crashed (free user steps – music recovery only)
Copying music from iPod to computer (a primer on various methods and software)
Copying Songs from Your iPod to a Mac or PC (resource for 3rd party software)
iPodRip Software
PodUtil Software
YamiPod Software (Mac & Windows)
PodPlus Software (Windows)
TuneJack Software (Windows)
Senuti (Mac OS X v10.3 or higher Recovery Utility)
XPlay (Windows software For Music Recovery &/or Cross-Platform Functionality)
XPlay Photo Browser (For recovering Photos)
After recovering your Library, strongly consider developing a thorough backup strategy for just this type of situation (and many other potential disasters).
You need at least two full sets of your music, not including what is on the iPod:
-- One full set on the PC within iTunes (on internal HD or ExHD)
-- One full set on an separate external backup medium (CD/DVD/ExHD/other)
-- One (full or partial) set on the iPod
Music files on just the iPod and only one other medium is not considered having any backup.
If you cannot store your complete music files on the computer’s internal HD, then create and maintain at least two external sets (any multiple combinations of ExHDs, DVDs, CDs).
Backup both the music files and the Library database file (iTunes Library.itl). What are the iTunes Library files?
Here is a post on developing a thorough backup strategy:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=1583994#1583994

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Previous itunes library question/ erased itunes library

i accidentally erased my i tunes library. now i have a previous itunes library icon in my...my music folder with all my old file names, and when i try to import the old files off a cd my library still recognized the songs i chose off that cd. is there any way to get those files back onto my library with the contents of that icon or any other way? please help!

*Adding new items/removing orphans*
Try iTunes Folder Watch or iTunes Library Updater. Folder Watch is much faster on the adding files front, can be set to run in the background and includes a useful exclusion feature, however it’s really slow at removing orphans. iTLU is better for this although doing it manually after looking at a list of proposed removals generated by Folder Watch is probably faster still. iTLU can also be set to update iTunes when you've used 3rd party tools to change tag info.
tt2

TS1424 Why is it taking forever for an installed CD to import to my iTunes library?

Why is it taking so long for me to import a CD to my iTunes library???

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3603

ITunes Library on External HD used with new OS install?

Hi All.
Macbook OS Update: I'm planning on performing an OS erase and install of my newly purchased copy of Snow Leopard. But I've got quite an extensive iTunes library that's stored on an external hard drive. I've pointed iTunes to the drive and it now works as it should (if a little slow).
Question is, how to perform the OS install and retain all of the iTunes library intact?
Do I just point iTunes on my freshly OS installed Macbook to the music library on my external HD? Is it the same procedure as when migrating the library to an external HD - holding down the ALT key when iTunes is loading and then choosing a destination for iTunes to source content?
I want to avoid having rip all of my CD's again!
Any pointers welcome.

Yetizone wrote:
Question is, how to perform the OS install and retain all of the iTunes library intact?
copy the entire iTunes folder (not just the iTunes music or media folder) to an external HD or thumb drive
perform your erase & install
copy the iTunes folder from the external to <Macintosh HD>/users/<yourname>/music on the new install (replacing the one already there)
connect the external with your media files
fire up iTunes

Import iTunes Library from External Drive to New Computer with Vista

I can't seem to "import" my entire iTunes library from my external hard drive to my new computer. However, I can import songs one-by-one. There must be a way to transfer the whole file at once but it is beyond me. Anyone have a solution?

Hi I am new and have found a way to import Files & Folders over my home network and or other drives.
Start in File, click "Add File to Library", or "Add Folder to Library". In the “look in” dropdown window, locate the File or folder and double click on it. It should begin to transfer. I have never transferred an enter library though.
On a personal note,
I have come to realize that I can only transfer iTunes music. I can not transfer or even find the music that I have installed from a CD into my iTunes library. iTunes dose recognize even the folder that such music is in. If any of you have an answer to this problem let me know.
Thanks

How do use my itunes library in another computer

I have an itunes account and a library on my pc at work, but when i try to accede to my library on itunes on my personal computer it doesn´t work.
What should I do?
on both pc's I have windows xp.
Best regards
Elisabete Gomes

You need to explain what you are doing more clearly.
If you want to use the same music library on two PCs, you need to have iTunes installed on both PCs, the same "iTunes Library.itl" file on both PCs and the same music files in the "iTunes music" folder.
This article form Apple gives a method of copying music between two PCs using your iPod:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300173
Both PCs must also be authorised in order to play music purchased from the iTunes store.

How to convert iTunes 7.0 to 6.0.5 (the iTunes Library.itl)

I found a useful method to get 6.0.5 installed back without any loss of files(if you forgot it backup).
Yes, I have try it and yes it did fix my problems.
This should fix all prblems in 7.0 that people hate. Could someone sticky this?
Backup your files in iTunes 7.0(iTunes Lirbabry.itl)
(optional: Back up all purchases as you might lose them in the process!)
Uninstall7.0 and install 6.0.5
Delete the "Itunes Library.itl" file in the iTunes music folder & "iTunes Music Library.xml"
(Normally found in ...\My Documents\My Music\iTunes)
Now run ITunes 6.0.5
While iTunes is running delete both those filed created.
Now close iTunes.
To put the backup file from the first step back where it was back into (...\My Documents\My Music\iTunes) or where your iTunes folder is.
Now start it
There shouldn't be any problems and it should work normally(atleast mine does)
Notes:
You don't need to restart your PC(or normally shouldn't)
Just bumb this post every once in a while so others can get 7.0 back to 6.0

One question: How do u backup files? Is that what the
Consolidate Library thing is about??
Actually, no. That's different. First, to backup your music library, simply copy your music and database files to somewhere offline. the database files are files with extension .itl and .xml. For example, in my "My Music" folder, I have a folder called "iTunes." This folder contains the files "iTunes Library.itl" and "iTunes Music Library.xml." These are your database files. All my music is in sub-folders within this iTunes folder. I simply send the entire iTunes folder to offline storage to backup. I believe this is all you need to do.
Regarding the Consolidate Library thing, this is something different. iTunes can add music to your library from anywhere on your system, even (I think) a network share. The music doesn't have to reside in the iTunes Music folder. It adds the music to your library, then when you play it, iTunes reaches out to that location for the file and plays it from there. However, you can change a setting in preferences to alter this behavior.
Go to the Advanced tab in Preferences. Here, you'll find a checkbox that says "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library." If this is unchecked, then iTunes behaves as I decribed above. If, however, you check that option, iTunes will make a copy of every file you've added to your library in the iTunes Music folder.
If you have the option above deselected, then the "Consolidate" function will copy all that media to the iTunes Music Folder and link to those copies instead of the originals that do not reside there.
Hope that helps.
BTW, iTunes 7 now has a "Backup to disc" option in it's file menu that simplifies the backup process. (although I have yet to try it)
Dell Latitude X1 Windows XP Pro iTunes 7 with 30GB 5G iPod version 1.2

Copying my iTunes library from Mac OSX 10.4.6 to Windows ..

I have recently installed Windows using BootCamp. My iTunes library is currently on the Apple partition. How do I copy the files over to Windows?
Thanks.

If the Windows partition is in FAT32 format, copy the iTunes Music folder in the Music folder of the folder Finder's sidebar with the house icon to the Windows drive.
If the Windows partition is in NTFS format, install MacFUSE onto Mac OS X and then follow the above steps, or use a FAT32 drive or partition as a temporary storage location.
Another option is to install MacDrive into Windows, and then copy the files from the Mac partition. The home folder is located in the Users folder of the Mac OS X startup disk for accounts you've created yourself.
(24087)

How can I restore my iTunes library via Time Machine after an erase/install and upgrade to Snow Leopard?

Actual problem:
I reinstalled all my programs that I need without a hitch. Meanwhile, I've been trying to recover the few files (mostly music) I actually store on my computer's hard drive as opposed to on my external HDs. I use one external HD for my graphic files and the other is strictly for Time Machine backups. I tried to recover my iTunes music, but I got a message that says: "The file: "iTunes Library.itl" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes." I restored (I thought) my iTunes library Username/Music/iTunes." Additionally, I was going to upgrade to Mountain Lion, but I have seen that there were issues with Lion and iTunes libraries so I'm a little wary of this.
Excuse the long explanation, but I figure the problem may possibly be in the details of the weeks prior this problem:
I have recently been having issues with my iMac. I brought it in to see a Genius twice within the past month and they couldn't seem to find the problem. (It would restart Finder of it's own accord while I was using Adobe CS programs) I figured it was worth backing everything up via Time Machine and doing a complete erase/install/factory reset. I did so and had a problem again, and brought it in again, third time. The Genius did another diagnostics tests and found nothing and said my erase/install probably did the trick, but time will tell. I am, after the erase/rewrite and upgrade running Mac OS X 10.6.3 and previous to this was still running Tiger.

So, I didn't update iTunes and the rest of it after installing Snow Leopard. My stupidity, I figured that the OS was more up to date than the one I had previously so that all the programs that come with it probably were more current than the ones I was using. However, now that I have updated all my software, I am still getting the same message from iTunes that I was previously. I cannot open iTunes at all, same "The file: "iTunes Library.itl" cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes." message. I'm confused again. Checked a few other threads and whatnot and cannot seem to figure this out.

I formatted and re-installed itunes. now it flashing massage that my ´ipod is synced with another iTunes library. An ipod can be synced with only one library at a time.´ now it is giving 2 options, 1- erase and sync, 2- transfer purchases. what to do?

i formatted and re-installed itunes. now it flashing massage that my ´ipod is synced with another iTunes library. An ipod can be synced with only one library at a time.´ now it is giving 2 options, 1- erase and sync, 2- transfer purchases. what to do?

Follow these instructions:
Syncing to a "New" Computer or replacing a "crashed" Hard Drive: Apple Support Communities

I have had my phone for a while and I just installed upgrades to it on my new computer everything went well now i imported some music to my itunes and want to put it on my phone and it is telling me it will erase my old itunes library because it is sync t

my itunes keeps telling me its gonna erase my library if i try to add music. is it gonna erase everything like it already has or just the none existant music that is on my phone

If you have all of your music in your iTunes library you have nothing to worry about. Even if syncing wipes your music off your phone it will restore it again during the sync process. If you have non-purchased music on your phone that is not in your iTunes library, these songs will be lost. If you have purchased music on your phone that isn't in your iTunes library, you can transfer these by right-clicking on your phone in iTunes and selecting "Transfer Purchase" prior to syncing (and even if they are erased they can be redownloaded for free).

I bought a new laptop and used Windows Easy Transfer cable and moved all files from one computer to another. I installed iTunes and found my iTunes music Library. However, when I plug in my iPod it says it is already synced with another iTunes Library.

I bought a new laptop and used Windows Easy Transfer cable and moved all files from one computer to another. I installed iTunes and found my iTunes music Library. However, when I plug in my iPod it says it is already synced with another iTunes Library.
I don't see anything in Help that shows when you already have transfered all the files over. Why would it want to erase and sync when I already have all the music folder copied over? I didn't have an issue when I had another technician copy from one laptop to another. Home sharing is also on but not being recognized.

I suspect you only migrated the media folder instead of the complete working library. Either review the transfer process and copy over the entire iTunes folder from your old profile's music folder or see Recovering your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
tt2

Syncing with another Itunes library without erasing my burned CDs

Installed Itunes on my second computer. When I dock the Ipod shuffle a message appears:
"the ipod "------'s ipod is synced with another itunes library. do you want to erase this ipod and sync with this i tunes library? an ipod can be synced with only one itunes library at a time. erasing and syncing replaces the contents of this ipod with the contents of this itunes library"
press "erase and sync" or "cancel"
my problem: i don't want my ipod shuffle's contents erased because i have a lot of contents from cds i burned. these songs from the cds are not in the library! but they're all in the library of the other computer. now i can't even buy songs because ipod is not synced. please help!

Is there a way to dock a 2nd gen ipod shuffle with another PC without erasing and syncing with the new PC? I want to be able to sync my ipod with my home PC and then be able to plug it in at work and view the tracks on the shuffle. I don't want to erase anything, just view the tracks in Itunes on the 2nd PC. Is there a way to do this?

Hard drive crashed on my MacBook pro and had to replace drive and logic board. When I connect my iPhone and try to sync I get a dialog box stating iPhone is synced with another iTunes library, erase and sync? How do I sync with iTunes without erasing?

Hard drive crashed and had to replace drive and logic board on my MacBook pro. After Install tried to sync with my iPhone and a dialog box pops up stating "this iPhone synced with another iTunes library, erase and sync?". I checked the manually manage music and videos box because I don't want all my wife's pics and music on my iPhone. How do I Sync without erasing what I have on my iPhone???

columbus new boy wrote:
How crap is that?
It's not crap at all.
It's not that simple. For example, I've 3500 songs on my MacBook but don't want them all on my phone, so I have to manually select each song again???
There has to be a solution.
Why not simply make a playlist with the songs you want on the iPhone?
and maintain a current backup of your computer.

Do you want to erase this iPhone and sync with this iTunes library?

Why ON EARTH would I want to do this?? Come on Apple, copy protection aside, this is the stupidest prompt in the history of prompts.
The basic problem (if you Google it) that many many many many legitimate purchaser's of music are running into is this prompt. And here is why:
1. We have an iPhone with a bunch of purchased songs on it and was at one point working with another iTunes library.
2. For whatever reason our computer crashes, the computer is gone/sold, not available, dead, pick your poison, it happens.
3. We setup a new computer and install iTunes and get a prompt to "Authorize" this computer (apparently we get 5 authorizations total).
4. We try to get all the songs from our iPhone back into iTunes and click the Sync button and ...
5. We get the following:
The iPhone "Your iPhone's name" is synced with another iTunes library. Do you want to erase this iPhone and sync with this iTunes library?
An iPhone can be synced with only one iTunes library at a time. Erasing and syncing replaces the contents of this iPhone with the contents of this iTunes library.
Really? This is what I have to do, wipe out all my purchased songs so that iTunes and sync with a new library? At what point did Apple think this idea was even remotely in the best interest of their customers? Seriously?
So now I'm stuck with an iPhone with songs on it, a computer with songs on it, but neither able transfer songs ... Happy Happy Joy Joy. This is NUTS!? Why punish people that you can verify they've purchased their songs with this bizarre scheme ... and further more, what if some of my songs on my iPhone were brought in from a valid CD purchase?
So my only way out of this craziness, is to use a 3rd party app that will hack the transfer for me? This is good how? I'm sorry, but at what point did Apple's $40 Billion (yes Billion) profit for 2012 instigated this sort of treatment to valid paying customers?
So ... here I am, anyone have a solution to this using "valid" means (without losing all my music) or is 3rd party hacks my only option?
Rob

Rob A. wrote:
tt2,
So if I understand you correctly ... I can't move or sync content that was imported via my own CD's that is now on my iPhone back over to my computer?
Not with iTunes as your only tool, no.
The ONLY way I can proceed is with an iPhone backup and then restore that iPhone backup to my computer rather than my iPhone? I assume this will trigger yet another "used activation"?
No you need a third party tool that will copy your other non-iTunes purchased media and photos not in the cameral roll across to your computer. (Some are listed, you can search the web for others).
When you have recovered all the media you want you can then backup the iPhone to the computer (this backup ONLY includes application data and settings, and the cameral roll. After you have backed up this data to the computer you can then immediately restore the recently made backup to the iPhone. The data in the backup will obviously be copied back but all media must have been added to the library or it will be removed from the device.
Your lost computer will count as an "activation" as will the new one. Apple devices don't add to the count. You can reset all your activations (including those you can't physically access) every 12 months should the need arise.
Am I the only one that thinks this is the most crazy and bizarre process of simply moving a music file from one of my devices to another of my devices? Especially ones that were imported from CDs.
You still have the CDs? You can import them again. You sold, gave away, threw away the originals? Technically you no longer have the right to listen to the tracks you ripped. Is it inconvenient? Sure. One might argue that the very reason Apple & iTunes were able to drive the move to digital music to start with is that their system was designed to prevent the casual use of their devices as a means for "the kids" to simply "gift" their music libraries to each other without the tediously time-wasting efforts that the previous generation had to go through with home-taping. This no doubt helped get the content owners on board. Of course memory sticks and portable hard drives now make it trivially easy to copy content from one computer to another and indeed to simply backup your own content against a disaster but most people don't do either. Likewise they don't read instructions or terms and conditions until they are inconvenienced, and then complain. You and I might both wish iTunes made it easier, but it doesn't. And this isn't the place to complain about it. Use iTunes Feedback. You want help, it has been offered. Please read and inwardly digest it all properly this time. It does explain what you need to do to recover your data and safeguard it for the future.
tt2

Installing 6.0.3.5 erases iTunes Library?

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