ITunes library.itl - Im going crazy! Help

Question

I am trying to get my iTunes appl up and running.I never had issues before 7.0 I tried with 7.02.16, i tried with 6.x versions...same result: I store my mp3's (45,000+) on an external HD. I import the files (which takes considerable time;-() and whenever I close iTunes and re-open later I get the same error 'The file "iTunes Library.itl" does not appear to be a valid iTunes Library file...bla...bla...bla
iTunes then generates a useless replacement file. I don't know what I am doing wrong !!! HELP!

Answer 1

This kind of problem seems to be rather common with iTunes 7 and external drives and large libraries seem to figure often. Unfortunately no one knows exactly why it happens or how to prevent it.
One suggestion is that virus checking may in some way make iTunes think the library is corrupt. You could try specifically excluding iTunes Library.itl from virus checking. Most antivirus software has an option to do this somewhere buried in the options.
It is important to ensure that the external drive is up and running before opening iTunes.
One thing you might experiment with, you didn't say where the library file is located. By default it is in My Music\iTunes on your internal drive. I don't know if it would make any difference moving it onto the external drive, or back again if that's where it is.
If you start iTunes with the shift key held down it will allow you to create or choose a library.
If you manage to get a working copy of the library, it is worth making a backup:
Backup the iTunes Library Files
The library files are in:
My Documents\My Music\iTunes
Close iTunes and wait about 30 seconds.
Copy iTunes Library.itl and iTunes Music Library.xml somewhere else e.g. into the Previous iTunes Libraries folder.
To restore, with iTunes closed drag the current itl and xml file from the iTunes folder to the desktop, then copy the backup iTunes Library.itl into the iTunes folder. The xml file isn’t necessary but can come in handy if the library needs to be recreated and the itl file is causing problems.