ITunes playlist empty after moving music folder

I have recently moved my music folder to a different partition on my PC. After doing that, my entire song list, including playlists, has vanished from iTunes.
I tried changing the media folder location by going to edit -> preferances -> advanced.
I tried holding Shift when starting iTunes and choosing the correct folder.
I tried exporting the playlist from my iPhone and importing back into iTunes (got an error message that the music could not be located).
None of the above worked...
What can I do now?
Keep in mind that I don't want to import my entire music directory back into iTunes, since I don't have enought storage space on my phone to sync the whole thing onto it.
Any ideas?
Thanks!

Hold down shift as you start iTunes. You should get a prompt to choose or create a library. Click choose. Browse to the folder for your relocated library and open the file iTunes Library.itl. If it still comes up empty, close iTunes and use the following technique...
Empty/corrupt library after upgrade/crash
Hopefully it's not been too long since you last upgraded iTunes, in fact if you get an empty/incomplete library immediately after upgrading then with the following steps you shouldn't lose a thing or need to do any further housekeeping. In the Previous iTunes Libraries folder should be a number of dated iTunes Library files. Take the most recent of these and copy it into the iTunes folder. Rename iTunes Library.itl as iTunes Library (Corrupt).itl and then rename the restored file as iTunes Library.itl. Start iTunes. Should all be good, bar any recent additions to or deletions from your library.
See iTunes Folder Watch for a tool to catch up with any changes since the backup file was created.
When you get it all working make a backup!
tt2

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After moving Music folder to external disk, iTunes and iPhone Apps gone :-(

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Thanks. John, for your excellent problem-solvers.
Since I had already deleted the itunes files on my Mac, I went the "TimeMachine restore way" and it works. Thanks! Good also to know that the iPhone Apps are always available.
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Welcome to the Apple Discussions, SJUBRIT!
I moved the 'My Music' folder from one harddisk to another,
It sounds like that's the cause of your problem right there.
As you can see by looking at this article in the Apple Knowledge Base, if you want to move the location of your iTunes Music Library, you should only move the
i iTunes Music
folder,
b not
the
i iTunes
folder, let alone the
i My Music
folder.
As the article states, it's important for the
i iTunes
folder with the iTunes Library files to stay on the C drive.
I'd suggest you move the
i My Music
folder back to its original location and then follow the steps described in the Knowledge Base Article.
Good Luck!
Any further questions, post back.

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I just replaced my hard drive and restored everything from Time machine. However, my itunes is empty. No music, movies etc are there. Please help thanks

Empty/corrupt library after upgrade/crash
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Windows images, but you get the point. Depending on the age of your library the library file might not include the .itl extention. Make it match the file you are replacing.
See MusicFolder Files Not Added and Super Remove Dead Tracks for tools to catch up with any changes since the backup file was created.
tt2

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demeastro wrote:
I Moved the iTunes folder in My Music to my D:\ Drive to get some extra room on my computer, then when I tried to open iTunes it wouldnt open
Moving the /My Music/ folder will not prevent iTunes from opening. That only contains the iTunes library, not the application files. Moving that folder would only get you an empty library when you open iTunes.
I suggest you reinstall iTunes.

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iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
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Do a shift-start of itunes.
Press *AND HOLD* the shift key whilestarting ituens.
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This area is for G5 iMacs.
Suggest you repost your question in one of the iTunes for Windows Forums so that other users of Windows computers can see your question & help you.
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ITunes Fix for Manually Moving Music and other Media

Intro
Any iTunes 7.x user who manages their own music library outside of the "iTunes Music" folder might be able to tell you that iTunes DOES NOT respond well after manually moving tracks from one place to another on their computer systems. In fact, any file you move becomes immediately unplayable in iTunes. And, if you're anything like I am, losing several years worth of song rating metadata and playlists is not a good incentive for change. However, one thing others might not be able to tell you is that there's an easy workaround for the problem and you get to keep your playlists, ratings and other info. Read on to learn about the workaround.
About the Workaround
The workaround is a simple hack I devised after recently transferring a good portion of my music library between hard disks and running into problems with iTunes. The fix steps provided below are intended to circumvent the problems with iTunes and give users the freedom to move songs and other media files on their computers while maintaining the integrity of both the ratings and the playlists. Meaning you won't need to manually update the song locations in iTunes one-at-a-time, which, at version 7.02 is the only way to accomplish this task using the program.
Please be aware that not all information is retained using this workaround. What will be lost are the following: the "Recently Added", "Recently Played" and "Top 25 Most Played" iTunes Smart Playlists; any media file play counts; last played information; and possibly some other data used only internally by iTunes.
So, if you're comfortable parting with some metadata while keeping your cherished song ratings and playlists intact during file relocation, read on to learn how to use the workaround.
Workaround Steps
The following instructions walk step-by-step through the process of this workaround.
Note: All backslashes used in file paths have been converted to forward slashes so that they will adhere with MySpace XSS security validation checks. These altered paths can still be copy/paste into Windows Vista's Explorer program once the Username is changed to the User Account where the iTunes files reside.
Preparing for the Move
Before you move your files, do the following:
1. Close iTunes.
2. Create a backup copy of the following files:
iTunes Library XML (iTunes Music Library.xml)
Note: Vista users can find the Library XML at C:/Users/Username/Music/iTunes
iTunes Music Database (iTunes Library.itl)
Note: Vista users can find the Music Database at C:/Users/Username/Music/iTunes
Moving Your Files
This part should be self explanatory, but while you do it make sure to note the following two things:
1. The path where the files were previously stored (e.g. D:/Music).
2. The path where the files will end up (e.g. E:/Music).
Execute the Fix
After your files are moved, complete the following steps to implement the fix.
Note: Do not open iTunes during this process.
Hack the iTunes Library XML
Once the files are moved the Library XML file locations will be out of sync. Follow the steps below to update them so that they now reference the correct file locations.
1. Open the iTunes Library XML with a Text Editor with a Find/Replace function.
Note: Vista users can find the Library XML at C:/Users/Username/Music/iTunes
Tip: Do not try to do this with Dreamweaver if your Library XML is greater than 10MB.
2. Perform a Find/Replace using the following inputs:
Find: Path from Step 1 of Moving Your Files
Replace: Path from Step 2 of Moving Your Files
3. Confirm your results, and then save and close the Library XML.
Delete the iTunes Music Database
Hacking the iTunes Library isn't enough to fool iTunes. Like the Library XML, the Music Database also holds the file locations of all of the media stored within the program. And it's smart enough to wipe out the Library XML hack if iTunes is opened before completing this step.
Ensure you have backed up the iTunes Music Database (iTunes Library.itl) and delete the file.
Note: Vista users can find the Music Database at C:/Users/Username/Music/iTunes
Back in iTunes
Once the fix is in place you can now open iTunes again. You will notice that all of your playlists, music and other items have vanished. In order to recover them all (with the exception of the Smart Playlists mentioned in the About the Workaround section above) we'll need to import the hacked Library XML file back into iTunes.
1. Open iTunes and press CtrlShiftO or go to File > Import…
2. Navigate to and Open your modified Library XML (as pictured below).
3. iTunes will then begin importing the contents of the XML file (as pictured below).
Note: This process may take a while, depending on the size if your library.
Wrapping Up
Once the import process is complete iTunes will look almost exactly the way you left it, with the exception that some playlists have been duplicated and the number of songs may be a hair off. To fix this problem delete any duplicate playlists in the "Library" panel in iTunes. You can now test out the changes by selecting an item moved earlier and testing it out. All that's left from there is to let iTunes perform any automated analysis it needs to do and rock on.
Other OS

Holy Smokes:
I appreciate your detailed workaround post. My question is this: I use iTunes to keep everything organized (though I'm well aware of the shortcomings...) and can use the simple solution that Chris from CA posted, but I don't have room to consolidate everything. My read on consolidating is that you copy from wherever you have your music located (and right now my music is outside of the MyMusic/iTunes folder, as that backs up to my work server) and so you have to have enough room for all of your music to be copied (and then you delete it from its prior location). That's how Apple describes it in, e.g., http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301748. I ain't go that kind of room. Is there any way to make the move to a completely different PC by following the simple option? From the posting I just linked it sounds like you MUST consolidate whether you use you iPod to move things or use an external drive.
Of course, I can use your workaround, but I thought I'd ask first. Many thanks.
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Moving Music folder

Hello, my problem is that I have multiple harddrives and since I was running out of room on one, I decided to move my music folder onto a different harddrive. Now whenever I try playing a song iTunes cannot find it, I was wondering if there was any way that I could redirect iTunes to the folder on the different harddrive, or would I have to do redo my library over. Thanks for any help

Moving the music manually (without informing iTunes) will create the '!' indication of a 'broken link'. Youll need to move the music back to its original spot for iTunes to pick it up again.
Then move the music using iTunes to the location you want (see below).
If you want to make another drive (direct or portable) on your PC the main music location for iTunes, move all song files there, as well as any future imported music from CDs, here is one method (see the links below):
You will maintain your playlists, ratings, comments, etc. This will only move your music folders location, NOT your iTunes program files or the Library database files. It is my opinion that programs (i.e. – iTunes) work better when installed on your main hard drive. At the very least, it makes it easier to manage all your programs if they are centrally located on one hard drive (the Windows default standard).
See these links for some step-by-step info:
iLounge: Moving your iTunes Library to a New Hard Drive
MacMuse: iTfW: Move iTunes music/Library to new drive
iTunes: Moving your iTunes Music folder
If you are moving the music to an external hard drive or network drive, after the transfer (and to work correctly), the drive must be running prior to your opening iTunes. If not, iTunes will reset the location of your music folder location to the default location (usually: ‘C:\...My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music’). If this happens, you need to manually change the path back to your external location, or future CD ‘Imports’ will be deposited on your internal HD.
Also make sure that the new drive always loads as the same Drive Letter, otherwise you will lose the references within iTunes.

UNUSUAL iTunes 7 Error while Adding Music Folder

It's seems fairly simple, I am suprised thousands of others have not had this same problem. After I installed iTunes 7 I was adding a music folder (containing 4000+ songs) that is on an external HD...so,
1) iTunes notes that I have .wma files in the folder
2) I click either skip or convert, it doesn't matter
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This error has occurred again and again regardless of restarting the program or the system.
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Hi
Due to some kind of copy protection in iTunes - I don't copy directly from this in iMovie
to my projects. (Most often the result of doing it in iMovie is a DVD without any sound)
I do
• In iTunes - collect needed audio into a new Playlist
• then burn this out as an Audio-CD .aiff (NOT .mp3)
• This CD I copy into a folder on my Mac (often containing other material that's connected to the project)
• And then I drag and drop these .aiff files into my movie project in iMovie.
This works Greatly and even more so when I do my DVD.
Yours Bengt W

Itunes can not find My Music folder

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"The folder "i Tunes" cannot be found or created, and is required. The default location for this folder is the "My Music" folder
I followed instructions from the Apple website to download Tweak UI, but even that doesn't list "My Music" folder. It list all the others, "My Pictures etc."
When I click on my documents, "My Music" is there with the "Itunes" folder, but I am still unable to get Itunes to work. Please help.
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hiya!
in the cases where "My Music" doesn't appear as an option in TweakUI, we've been having some success using the alternate procedure in this Nigel Carpenter post:
Nigel Carpenter: re: Itunes problem
love, b

ITunes playlist empty after moving music folder

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