Library will not play

I upgraded Itunes to Version 11.0.0.163 in my Windows 7 PC a short time ago after returning from overseas.  When I open the library, every song, whether purchased or loaded from an original purchased CD will not play.
I get an error message, "The song ["name of song'] could be be used because the original file could not be found.  Would you like to locate it?"
I click on "Locate" and it brings up the file location, under Windows Explorer:
computer\local disk (c:)\windows\System 32
In this location, I see just a number of folders but nothing there seems to point to my Itunes Library.
I performed some GOOGLE searches and apparently I can copy and re-name the .ITL file but the instructions are confusing and do not seem to work or I am misunderstanding those instructions.
Could someone help me find a page within the Apple community which clearly helps me find and restore my entire library.  I do have TWO I-Pods which contain my entire library but I am also told that this will not work and will erase all of my years of loading tunes into the Apple Itunes Application.
I am as frustrated with this as anything that has occurred with my Apple Products.   To say the least, I am seriously considering dumping Itunes some day but at this point, all of my CD's are in storage and I am traveling and thus I have no choice but to find a way to listen to music and cash in my Apple Store credit in purchasing new content.   I have a large amount of credit sitting unused because I cannot trust Apple to not destroy anything else I pay for!
   HELP!
Thanks,
DJ

Hey phyllis253!
Here is an article for you that addresses your question and may help you resolve this issue by helping you find any lost media files that may be in your computer:
iTunes: Finding lost media and downloads
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1408
Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities. Have a good one!
-Braden

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