My files are a mess - how can I start over in iTunes?

Over the years, my music files have become scattered all over between different locations on my internal drive and various externals. I have tons of duplicates, lost files, and it's just a general mess.
I would like to do a search for all my music files, and completely start over with iTunes and keep them on my MacBook Pro. I have room on my internal (or would, if they were oranized properly and I got rid of duplicates!) but a lot of the files that show up on iTunes are on an external so of course it will ask me where they are. This is driving me crazy and I want to just scrap everything and start over fresh.
I have a 1TB external that I can dump them all on while I change over.
Any suggestions on the best way to do this would be welcome, as well as whether there are programs available that would help with this (or is it just as doab;e without a separate application).
TIA, Alicia Morgan

Alicia Morgan wrote:
Over the years, my music files have become scattered all over between different locations on my internal drive and various externals.
basically, the question is: does iTunes know where all these files are ? or does iTunes show a "!" next to any files ?
I have tons of duplicates ...
_*How to find and remove duplicate items in your iTunes library*_
_*http://www.araxis.com/find-duplicate-files/ (free trial)*_
_*http://dougscripts.com/itunes/itinfo/dupin.php (commercial)*_
... lost files
see
iTunes Track CPR v1.3
This script attempts to locate the files of so-called "dead tracks"--iTunes tracks designated with (!)--that you assume are not actually missing but are still located in the iTunes Music folder in their "iTunes File Order" (Music -> Artist -> Album -> file.xxx)."
or
_*Music Folder Files Not Added v2.0*_
This application will list the file paths of the files in your designated "iTunes Media" folder which are not in iTunes' library. Additionally, you can select a different parent folder and its contents will be compared to the iTunes library. Options to Add a selection of found files to iTunes or move them to the Trash.
... completely start over with iTunes and keep them on my MacBook Pro. I have room on my internal (or would, if they were oranized properly and I got rid of duplicates!) but a lot of the files that show up on iTunes are on an external so of course it will ask me where they are.
once you have gotten rid of dupes and located the lost files, you could consolidate your library:
(a) go iTunes > preferences > advanced and make sure
o iTunes media folder location is pointing to the iTunes music folder on your startup disk
o +keep iTunes media folder organized+ is checked
o +copy files to ... when adding to library+ is checked
(b) have any external HD holding any of your media files is mounted on your desktop
(c) go file > library > organize library > consolidate files
if the option to +upgrade to iTunes media organization+ is available, select that too.
JGG

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My files are a mess - how can I start over in iTunes?

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