ITunes no longer recognizes I have already purchased apps!

Question

First, I use Unix. I am VERY unhappy that Apple forces me to either have a Windows or MAC installation to sync iPhone. After getting my iPhone the way I wanted it, I dumped Windows completely, not realizing that I was thus deleting my iTunes app and music library. I wasn't worried because I believed that Apple was somehow remembering my purchases as I was used to seeing the message "you have already purchased that app".
Well, I upgraded to OS 4, but it locked up and would not communicate with the Store (apparently because I was running a virtualized Windows under Linux), and this resulted in me having to reinstall Windows vista and iTunes on a partition of my Unix system. After hours to get that up and running, I was able to complete the OS 4 install on my iPhone 3GS ONLY after reseting it completely, thus lossing ALL my apps and data!
I am not a happy campper. Now iTunes does not seem to know I have previously purchased $100 of dollars of apps and music, and I have NOTHING on my iPhone.
Calling support I was disconnected, and they did not call me back! I was told I had to "chat" for support, but was unable to get the link before being disconnected, and all I want to know is how I can get the apps I have paidd for and get them back on my iPhone without having to get billed for them again!
Any suggestions? I'm so mad I'm about ready to trash my iPhone and NEVER buy Apple again.
Patrick

Answer 1

1) Log into the iTunes Store, making sure you are using the account under which you purchased the apps. Confirm by going into your account information and looking at your Purchase History. If your apps aren't shown there, you probably aren't using the correct account.
2) Go through the process of buying the app. When you click "buy", iTunes should inform you that you've already purchased the app and offer to let you download it again for free.
3) Repeat for each app.
4) Make a backup of the apps so that if you erase your hard drive again you have a backup copy.
Note that the iTunes Store has no telephone support. If you need to contact them, use the form on their Support page. Select the category and subcategory closest to the issue you're reporting and you'll find an "Email Us" button.
Regards.
Message was edited by: Dave Sawyer