ITunes seeks phantom files

upgraded this AM to 9.0.2, and now iTunes is telling me it can't find
8 items to sync to my phone:
"some of the items in the itunes library, including "SampleTitle", were not copied to the iPhone "iPhoneName" because they could not be found."
They're all podcasts, and some of them date to 2007. I always delete podcasts after listening to them, so I know they should be long gone, and these phantom podcasts don't show up in my podcast lists, but a search for the title in my entire iTunes library does turn up the titles.
Any way I can tell iTunes that the phantom podcasts are really deleted, dead, done, gone?

The fix: made serial screen shots while scrolling through the error message window showing the offending items, then searched for the items in the whole iTunes library (they were not visible in the general list, but were findable by search), then highlighted and deleted each. Eight phantoms dispatched, and all seems happy.
But it was annoying, and still no idea why items from 2 years ago were suddenly causing trouble after the update from 9.0.1 to 9.0.2.

Similar Messages

ITunes music library file, yet again...

I apologize for this advance:
About every other post on this discussion board relates to how people are missing their music, playlists, etc. and I roll my eyes to read them. Now I am one of them.
Two days ago, I consolidated my music on my external drive, fixing a longstanding problem with syncing my iPod. For good measure, I figured I would make a copy of the iTunes Music Library file to have a backup. I am almost sure I copied it, but I may have MOVED it from the Music folder on the Mac (despite how none of my music was stored in that location). When I next opened iTunes, everything was reset: no music, no playlists. I have attempted SEVERAL times since then to import the backup file; my playlists have returned, but my ratings and the last played category are empty. How do I restore this information?
Know also that I had retitled my music library within iTunes to "The Jam." When I import the .xml, does it need to be named "The Jam" or "iTunes Music Library" or what? Does it need to be in the Music folder on my HD? with the actual music files on the external drive?
Any help would be appreciated (and eye rolling, too).
Grant

Also, a corollary:
Out of frustration, I imported the backup of my library into iTunes, but did it about 20 times changing the options a little each time in an attempt to restore the rating/play count/last played information (it didn't work). As a result, I have 20 copies of each playlist, so many that it has slowed everything down to the point that it takes around a minute with the spinning beach ball of death to delete EACH playlist. Is there a way I can start from scratch? I already followed the instructions on this discussion board about reinstalling iTunes...I did, deleted my copy, downloaded a new one, and the new iTunes came up with the exact same playlist configuration (despite my replacement of the iTunes music library file with the desired file).
Just know that I have spent days of my life amassing the information I now seek to reclaim and if a proposed solution requires that I reset and reinstall iTunes, I would be more than willing to go through with it.
Grant

When i double click itunes it doesn't open it just comes up with an error saying " The itunes library.itl file cannot be found or created. The default location for this file is in the 'itunes' folder in the 'music' folder". How can i fix this?

When i double click itunes it doesn't open it just comes up with an error saying " The itunes library.itl file cannot be found or created. The default location for this file is in the 'itunes' folder in the 'music' folder. How can i fix this problem?

Anyone can help to advice how to solve this issue ?

Have found multiple iTunes Library.xml files. Moved Library to new Hard Drive and it needs to be completely rebuilt?

Hello. I have a Mac Mini operating Mac OS X 10.7.2. I recently had to move my iTunes Library to a new hard drive. I followed the directions on how to move the library and refind everything yet when I do so what comes up is a mere skeleton of what I had. I have had to hunt down my purchased Apps, Music and Movies and re-add them to the library. I also noticed in doing this I have multiple iTunes Library.xml files ... shouldn't there only be one? If so how do I clean this up without doing any accidental damage (i.e. how do I find the one that is being used and delete the rest?)? If I delete the others is there any risk of losing purchased content? Lastly syncing my iPads has become a nightmare as I get the "This iPad is currently synced to another iTunes library" message. Obviously something

It's hard for me to picture the exact situation. It sounds like you still have your library file on the internal but some files on the external, and maybe some on the internal, some of which are in the library and others not... By re-adding things after consolidating it may have made things into a hodge-podge. Yes, that article you referenced says: "iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder"with Media Folder being the emphasis. You probably should have just moved your whole iTunes folder. Still, moving the media folder as instructed should not have messed up the library. Did you make the mistake of starting up iTunes before the external drive had mounted fully and it then told you it couldn't find many files? How you proceed to sort it out will depend upon how much time you want to spend and how important things such as ratings and playcount are to you. I have not actually used the consolidate feature across different drives myself (and don't feel inclined to do so here to test ).
If you are in the USA you can download some previous purhcases with iCloud, but not all.
Here's a bit on what an iTunes folder should look like:
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]
Library files with graphic and explanation of different iTunes versions - http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=13169517
Once you get iTunes working off the external drive it should just put new media to the external when you add it.
I have almost no experience with synching (I synched my neice's iPod, once, about 4 years ago).

I'm trying to copy music from my PC to itunes. I open itunes, go to 'file', go to 'add folder to library', select the folder and nothing happens. What am I doing wrong?

I'm trying to copy music from my PC to itunes. I open itunes, go to 'file', go to 'add folder to library', select the folder and nothing happens. What am I doing wrong?

Hello there, gleab.
The following Knowledge Base article reviews the ways to import content into iTunes:
Adding music and other content to iTunes
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1473
Also keep in mind which formats can be added:
You can add audio files that are in AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, Apple Lossless, or Audible.com (.aa) format. If you have unprotected WMA content, iTunes for Windows can convert these files to one of these formats.
Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.
Cheers,
Pedro.

ITunes keeps moving files to wrong directory

This has happened twice now. I go to play an album and get the ! and that iTunes cannot find the files. I dig around in my MAcBook's hard drive and find a folder labeled Music Drive with about 200 randomly selected albums. I move them back to my external drive and erase the folder on my MacBook hard drive and the next day they are back again. Anybody run into this one?

I figured this out. Not sure if it's the same problem or solution for others, but definitely wanted to share what I found.
Initially I had moved the songs from my hard drive back to my computer. I have 30 Gig, so that was a pain. The problem still occurred. Then I figured it out.
I had a niece that had plugged her iPod into my computer. As a result, she had saved music onto my computer. I later found out that it was music that her friends had downloaded from the internet, etc. (Justin Bieber, etc.). Anyway, I started watched the Hard Drive where iTunes was moving files and started to watch exactly what tracks it was moving. I started to remove those from iTunes. After I felt assured I had moved those files which were being moved, I then reimported the remainder into iTunes fresh. There was something about those files that was causing problems. After I removed those offending songs, it worked just fine. I can move it back to the hard drive, etc. and it all works just fine with those songs deleted. I was able to figure it out by 1) figuring out that my niece had done this back about the time that the problem occurred 2)watching which songs were getting moved initially and starting the problem.
I hope this helps. It seems pretty isolated and may be specific to me.

TS1717 unes, i have windows 8, i get the message, "the itunes Library .itl file is locked, on a locked disk, or you do not have write permission for this file. how did this happen, how do i fix this?

the message"The itun, library .itl file is locked, on a locked disk, or you do not have write permission for this file". i have windows 8. how why did this happen? how do i correct this and prevent another occurance? I am able to access itunes on my i5, ipad, and my old i4 that i use solely as my ipod now. At the time problem occurred, i was connected to ext hard drive that hold over 190GB music, to add to my library. I am now unable to add to my library using my laptop. any advise/help is greatly appreciated!!

I just had the same problem and was able to fix it after trying a couple of things I found after a search.
The solution that worked for me:
Find iTunes folder - it should be in C:\Program FIles (x86) or similar depending on your operating system
Right click the entire folder (no need to open it) and click properties
Click the security tab
Click edit and highlight the user name under which you logged in.
Click the box next to full in the allow column, which should check everything
Click apply
Open iTunes
This worked for me.

How To Fix: "The iTunes Library.itl file is locked, on a locked disk, or you do not have write permission for this file."

I can't reopen my iTunes after I have to force quit when it does not respond. I get this message:
"The iTunes Library.itl file is locked, on a locked disk, or you do not have write permission for this file."
I've read to do the solutions. I right clicked on both the iTunes and Music folder and went to info for each. On both the lock at the bottom of the Get Info was locked. All of my users including admin can read and write all files within those folders. They are even a shared folder. I clicked on the lock to unlock it, typed in my admin password, and went to the gear to apply to all files inside. After doing that I keep getting the saved message.
I tried another way that I've found online to move my ituneslibrary folder to the desktop and then open my iTunes. In theory the iTunes is supposed to ask for where the iTunes library is. Once that is prompted you quit iTunes and drag the iTunes Library folder back to the folder from the desktop and reopen iTunes to apprently solve the problem. However, when I move the iTunes Library file to the desktop and try to reopne iTunes the icon just keeps bouncing and when I right click the application does not respond.
This problem is only resolved if I restart/shut down my macbook pro which is a 15-inch Core 2 Duo with intel. It will be 5 years old in December. I currently have Lion and the latest iTunes 10.5. This problem started in late December.

If you hold down the option key when starting iTunes, it will allow you to select a library or create a new one.
You can create a new one, and then add all of your iTunes music back in by simply dragging the old iTunes music file onto iTunes.
There are more detailed instructions at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1451#
It will show you how to re-build your iTunes database file.

Syncing iTunes library & music files

Does anyone know how to sync iTunes between 2 computers? I have 2 macs in my home (one with an external drive that holds all of my music). I can get both computers to see and operate from the music files in a single location but I can't seem to figure out how to have any changes to my library, playlists, etc. made on one computer to automatically show up on the other in iTunes. Does this have something to do with the iTunes library.itl file?
If so, do I have to copy the iTunes library.itl file from the computer on which I have made the most recent changes and then delete this file from the other computer and drop the recently modified iTunes library.itl file into the music folder on the unmodified computer? Will this effectively sync both libraries? If so, is there a program that will automatically schedule this procedure for me. I am in the process of sorting through 5000+ duplicates (fun, I know) and I don't want to do it twice.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Chris

Hello Midori55,
Take a look at this article named iTunes: How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one found http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1589 to direct iTunes to open the library you copied over.
I would also change the location of the library in the iTunes preferences
iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1449
Open iTunes.
From the iTunes menu, choose Preferences.
Click the Advanced button in the Preferences window.
Click the Change button in the iTunes Media folder location pane.
In the Change Media Folder Location window that appears, navigate to the location where you would like your new iTunes Media folder to be created.
Note: By default, your iTunes Media folder is a folder named "iTunes Media" in ~/Music/iTunes/ where the tilde "~" represents your home directory.
Cheers,
Sterling

ITunes won't open, I get this message: The iTunes Library .itl file is locked, on a locked disk or you do not have write permission for this file.

iTunes won't open.
I get this message: The iTunes Library .itl file is locked, on a locked disk or you do not have write permission for this file.

This may indicate a corrupt preference file with iTunes trying to open the wrong location. Try holding down shift as you launch iTunes then choose the correct file, normally <User's Music>\iTunes\iTunes Library.itl. See iTunes: How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one.
tt2

What to do if Windows displays an "iTunes.exe - Corrupt File" message

Greetings fellow Podders, Resident Furball here...
It is about time that I produced a single post for all the chkdsk issues that we've been discussing since November 2004. The Apple KB article seems to cover the major points succinctly, but we need to address the more serious variations and flavours of the problem.
<hr>
What to do if Windows displays an "iTunes.exe - Corrupt File" message
Many users are coming across this seemingly distressing error message in Windows when connecting their iPods. As described in Apple KB Article 300554, the message reads:
iTunes: iTunes.exe - Corrupt File
The file or directory \iPod_Control\iTunes\????????? is corrupt and unreadable. Please run the Chkdsk utility.
and the ????????? can be anything (eg. sysinfo, Temp1, DeviceInfo etc.).
<hr>
Don't panic!
If you do see this, don't worry, and don't panic. Contrary to what the error message reads, this issue actually has very little to do with iTunes. The iPod_Control is the key to this - because this folder doesn't even exist in iTunes... it's on the iPod!
...so! Installing and uninstalling iTunes really won't do you much good at all... it's the iPod that needs attention.
<hr>
What's causing this error?
To be honest, we don't know. We saw a massive number of reports of this issue back in November 2004, because iPod Updater 2004-11-15 contained a firmware bug that corrupted iPod system files when the Pod entered Deep Sleep.
But this firmware bug was corrected in iPod Updater 2005-06-26.
Of late, we have seen a resurgence in chkdsk errors on Discussions. Some of these are caused by the old buggy firmware that people still have. Some of the errors are more serious and are hardware and operating system-related. But we have still to pin down the exact cause of this error.
<hr>
Okay, so what do I do if I see this error?
In short, as Apple have recommended in their KB article:
Restore your iPod, using the latest iPod Updater.
Follow the instructions carefully. Ensure that you download the iPod Updater. Ensure that you install it, and then ensure that you run it with the iPod connected and follow the prompts to the letter.
The broad majority of the errors are painlessly fixed this way. Of course, it does mean that your iPod will be wiped, so make sure that you have your music/data backed up, and/or present in iTunes so you can resynchronise it when you have finished Restoring.
<hr>
Okay, I've Restored, but the error is still coming up
Are you sure you've Restored? Quite a number of folks are assuming that just downloading the iPod Updater is enough. It's not. And neither is downloading iPod Updater, and installing it on your computer. It needs to be implemented on the iPod, according to the iPod Updater instructions.
Okay, so if you have Restored your iPod, and you are still getting this error, then you have a variety of options available.
Chkdsk errors that are not fixed with a Restore are most likely down to two things:
1) A physical issue on the iPod itself
or
2) An issue on the computer's operating system
Here's where it gets woolly. There are a variety of things you could try...
Format the iPod in Windows
This would usually have the same effect as a Restore, but a deep-level format in Windows is something that Apple have recommended in the past, as a last resort to completely wipe the iPod before performing a Restore with iPod Updater. This process wipes the iPod.
To do this:
1) Enable Disk Mode on the iPod. You can do this either in iTunes (which is best), or manually on the iPod itself.
2) Open My Computer and locate your iPod
3) Right-click the iPod and select Format
4) Leave the parameters set at their defaults, and ensure Quick Format is unchecked
5) Hit Format
6) Then Restore your iPod as normal.
Run the Chkdsk utility
You could run the chkdsk utility on your iPod. But Restoring your iPod has the same effect as running chkdsk. Chkdsk does not wipe your iPod.
1) Enable Disk Mode as above
2) Determine the drive letter of your iPod from My Computer
3) Go to Start, Run
4) Type cmd. Hit Enter to take you to the Command Prompt.
5) Type chkdsk /f X:, where X is the drive letter of your iPod. Hit Enter, and any corrupt files are found and corrected.
Run Windows ScanDisk
ScanDisk is the Windows version of Chkdsk. It does not wipe your iPod.
1) Enable Disk Mode
2) Right-click the iPod in My Computer, select Properties
3) Select Tools
4) Select the option to scan the disk for errors
Try changing the Drive Letter of the iPod
Sometimes Windows confuses the drive letters, and this can cause the iPod to be adversely affected. Try the instructions detailed in Apple KB Article 93499 to change the drive letter of the iPod. This does not wipe your iPod.
Try changing Hardware Policies for the iPod
The Hardware Policies in Windows have been known to affect the way in which the iPod connects, synchronises, and disconnects. This does not wipe your iPod.
1) Enable Disk Mode so the iPod appears in My Computer
2) Right-click the iPod in My Computer
3) Select Properties
4) Select Hardware Policies
5) Select Optimize for Performance (instead of Optimize for Removal)
6) Restart your computer.
Contact Apple for a replacement iPod
Some chkdsk issues have been caused by faulty hardware. As a last resort, contact Apple Support by phone to report your issue, and/or request an iPod Service.
If you explain that you have followed all these steps, you should have a strong case for obtaining a replacement iPod.
<hr>
Thanks!
Thank you to everyone for their continued support, kindness and excellent troubleshooting skills here on Discussions. There are countless people that I am deeply grateful to for their assistance in handling this issue. Rest assured folks, you have made me the Discussions Furball that I am today.
Happy Podding folks!
Kind regards,
Gopha.
<hr>
References
1) The Original Corrupt iPod File thread from 2004. (Credit: AbbyM)
2) Our Summary and Index threads to consolidate the chkdsk issue at the height of its reign of terror.
3) Chkdsk is fixed by iPod Updater 2005-06-26.
4) Different flavours of chkdsk.
5) Happy Birthday chkdsk!.
6) Apple Level 2 Technical Support officially close the chkdsk casefile. (Credit: Apple Level 2)
7) Chkdsk can be fixed by changing the drive letter of the iPod. (Credit: daisysnroses, jchiu8)
8) Chkdsk can be fixed by changing the hardware policy. (Credit: Bruce Finn)
9) Chkdsk caused by faulty hardware. (Credit: Kiwi_Bloke)

iPod Updater 2006-03-23 has been released
iPod Updater 2006-03-23 includes iPod Software 1.1.1 for the new iPod and new iPod Software 1.1.1 for iPod nano.
iPod Updater 2006-03-23 contains the same software versions as iPod Updater 2006-01-10 for all other iPod models.
What's new in iPod Updater 2006-03-23:
- Volume limit
- Bug fixes
I have been trying to ascertain from Apple Support Level 2 as to whether the latest iPod firmware improves or provides better resolution for the chkdsk issue. If anyone has been using iPod Updater 2006-03-23 to resolve their chkdsk woes, feel free to post in here just to say how things worked out for you...
Kind regards,
Gopha.

TS3212 Still unable to download itunes to my pc. Tried with IE, Mozilla and Google Chrome. Keep getting an error message :"Windows cannot open itunes.exe the file is corrupt contact support."previous itunes files were wipped out by "disk cleaner." Any hel

Still unable to download itunes to my pc. Tried with IE, Mozilla and Google Chrome. Keep getting an error message :"Windows cannot open itunes.exe the file is corrupt contact support."previous itunes files were wipped out by "disk cleaner." Any help??
Please!
Thanks!

If anyone is reading this still looking for what caused the issue and how to fix it here is what I discovered.
The antivirus program our company uses, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, was causing some of the PDF files not to open. After troubleshooting the different modules and settings the culprit was..
Scan SSL in Privacy Control Settings. Turning it OFF solved the problem and all the PDF files that previously would not open now open just fine. This issue has been sent to Bitdefender for them to review. If you use a different antivirus program and are having this issue try locating the Scan SSL setting and see if turning it off solves the problem.

HT1527 iphone wont open it says the itunes library.itl file is locked on a locked disk or you do not have write permission for this file. nothing l do seems to help thanks

Have tried to connect and sync my iphone 4 to my computer in itunes but this message keeps coming up The itunes Library .itl file is locked on a locked disk. or you do not have write permission for this file.

I have tried both suggestions, unfortunately neither fixed this for me. Hoping there's another possible fix. Thanks in advance.
Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash and/or Repair security permissions for iTunes for Windows.

I am trying to backup my Itunes onto my external hard drive. I am at the step where I on Itunes, click on File - Library - Organize library. I am suppose to check mark both boxes there, It won't allow me to check mark the second box, why? How to fix this.

I am trying to backup my Itunes onto my external hard drive. I am at the step where I on Itunes, click on File ->Library ->Organize library. I am suppose to check mark both boxes there, the first being "Consolidate Files" & the second being "Reorganize files in the folder 'Itunes Media'. I am able to checkmark the first box but It won't allow me to check mark the second box, why? How can i fix this? Please help!

Well you must have made a mistake somewhere. The last instruction of step four reads:
When you've found your iTunes library folder, drag that folder to your external hard drive. This will begin the iTunes backup. The amount of time the backup will take depends on the size of your library. When the transfer is done, your backup is complete and your external hard drive can be disconnected.
Normally dragging content from to a new location on a different drive will result in a copy action which is what you were supposed to do. At a guess you somehow managed to move the iTunes folder. Then when you started iTunes it created a new blank library for you assuming it had just been installed rather that raising a warning.
Close iTunes. Rename the iTunes folder on the internal drive as iTunes (Empty) then copy the iTunes folder from the external back into the User's Music folder. Start iTunes. All should be well.
When you've made sure it all works please read my User Tip and use that method to backup in future. Since you already have a folder with the backup in place you can skip the "Make New" operation in the fourth step and simply choose the external folder.
tt2

I can't open itunes it's giving an error "The Itunes Library.itl file is locked, on a locked disk, or you do not have write permission for file.

yes itunes will not open it gives me an error that the file itunes library.itl is locked or on a locked disk or i don't have write permission for it.

Make sure that you have closed all programs that might be using the iTunes library.itl file. I would hit CTRL + ALT + DEL buttons and enter the Task Manager - from there end any unnecessary program running in the background.
Next try to start iTunes again. If it fails, restart PC, do the same with Task Manager and try to open iTunes again.

ITunes seeks phantom files

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