Moved Library and Lost All Songs

I have a Windows XP laptop and an external HD. The goal is to have my whole CD library imported to the external HD using ITunes. However, I import the CD's at work to my laptop HD because I can't carry the external around. So, when I copy and then move the location from laptop to external, then delete the original copy from my laptop, it doesn't get mapped, and then I would have to go through song by song to edit info and find change where it's newly located. Can I do it differently so that this doesn't happen (maybe MOVE in Windows Explorer instead of COPY)? If there is a way to prevent this in the future, is there anything I can do about the stuff that's already misplaced? Thanks. B

Hi Benjamin -
Welcome to Apple Discussions!
You may have better luck in the iTunes for Windows area, but in the Mac version, in the file menu, there is an option for "Add to Library" If you chose the music folder on your external hard drive, it would find all of the files located there and add them to your music library. You could continue to do this each time you copy music to that folder without having duplicate entries in the library.
Also, if you try to play a song and it can't be found, I believe iTunes will prompt you to find the location. If this happens, it might find the rest of the files that are associated with that file. (Try the suggestion above first, though) if the file has already been imported, but can't be found, and you add a file that is identical to the missing file, it will recognize it as that song and change the link.
Good luck!

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The backup you made before a major reorganization of your library?
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Moved library and lost iOS application files

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I have an idea. not sure how well it work.
I've noticed that when I connect my phone to a different
computer is tells me I have apps on the phone that are not
in itunes, and would I like to copy them into itunes.
so here is my idea.
quit itunes
rename the itunes folder
start itunes - it will create a new itunes folder
plug in your iphone, hope it asks you if you'd like to copy apps into itunes
(don't sync your phone else you might lose everything on it)
If this works, it should generate a folder called Mobile Applications.
Copy this folder into your old renamed itunes folder.
Delete the temporary itunes folder, rename the old one back, and all should be well. Maybe.
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tt2

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From your backup that is in iTunes or in iCloud or resync them from your computer.

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I have two ipod and lost all my songs on one of them

This is in the iPad forum, but anyway, your music should still be in iTunes. What happens when you try to sync your iPod with iTunes?

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You can transfer all your songs.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1495

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iPod touch User Guide (For iOS 4.3 Software)

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Wait for tomarrow for further replies by me.
Also, iTunes will only allow you to transfer PURCHASES to it. Follow this advice^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^....!!!!!!

Moved Library and Lost All Songs

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