Need to restore iTunes library locally stored
I do not maintain my ITunes library in the cloud. All is kept..to the extent that I can .. locally. Don't know exactly when this happened, perhaps during the last iTunes update, but today when I was doing an iOS update to my iPodTouch5G noticed that iTunes was no longer connected to the iTunes libary that I maintain on my D not my C drive. My D drive is a terabyte HD; the C drive is a 256GB SSD. I tried to simply tell iTunes to point itself back to the D (D:/MyMusic/Itunes) hoping that it would simply redirect itself there and pick up the libary of music, videos, books, etc I have stored there. But no joy at all. I refuse to believe that I need to rebuild my library given all the palylists etc I' ve established. What is the easy way to rebuild my library? Until this is fixed, everything I have on my IpodTouch is not being backed up (even tho it says it is.when I sync it). Everythign on my iPodTouch is still there. I just want my local libary in iTunes restored.
Note that the folder containing my iTunes libary is intact.. all the data is there..but somehow I have seem to have lost the index that knows its there along with all my settings.
Sounds like you might need to make a split library portable but first you'll need to fix it...
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. Note that in iTunes 11 an "empty" library may show your past purchases with links to stream or download them.
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.
Alternatively, depending on exactly when and why the library went missing, there may be a more recent .tmp file in the main iTunes folder that can be renamed as iTunes Library.itl to restore the library to a recent state.
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!
Should you be in the unfortunate position where you are no longer able to access your original library, or a backup of it, then see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
I've noticed more of these missing library posts of late and a common factor to most since I started asking is AVG Anti-Virus. It seems in some cases it might be at least part of the reason why the library file disappears. Try excluding the iTunes folder from any AV scanning process.
tt2
Similar Messages
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Need help restoring iTunes Library and iPhoto Library after re-install???
some history, my 5 1/2 year old iMac started as Tiger, upgrade to Leopard and then to Snow Leopard...the latter being done after Snow Leopard came to market. Over a week ago I developed a Disk error that could not be fixed by the repair disk and everything else that Apple could come up with. The iMac at this point was pretty unresponsive. (It had been running great for years) Anyhow the decision was made to do a complete restore. Time Machine had made a backup just the previous day or two earlier plus I have close to 2 years of other SL backups. So per Apple, we did a full install of Leopard followed by a upgrade to Snow Leopard, followed by installing all the updates. We then reinstalled iWorks (with iTunes and iPhoto) and installed those updates as well. So now I had an empty itunes and iPhoto.....Now it gets confing for me! It was late at night and the Apple folks were shutting down. They simply said, Go to your last Time Machine back up date and hit restore and you will be all set. Well...what ever it restored, I can't find my music or photos. I called the next night, again it was late and we only had a short time but this person had me do a system Migration...to restore everything back to the way it was before......So now I have 100 gigs of everything I recognize from my applications to all the stuff in my User file and it would appear everthing else. The problem is....I can't find my old iPhoto library or my itunes library anywhere and I am scared to death that I have lost them despite all my Time Machine Back-ups. Worried and concerned!!! Bill
Bostonfan49 wrote:
Thanks Pondini/___sbsstatic___/migration-images/migration-img-not-avail.png/___sbsstat ic___/migration-images/migration-img-not-avail.png All is well. Everything is intact and fine. I used a 4 month old Time Machine Back-up to avoid restoring the iMac with my daughters 60G of MacBook stuff that I didn't need. After the Restore and all the updates, I ran the Repair Permissions and Verify Disk and have No errors...for now/___sbsstatic___/migration-images/migration-img-not-avail.png
Yay/___sbsstatic___/migration-images/migration-img-not-avail.png
If you need to, you should be able to selective restore things from later backups, via the "Star Wars" display. See #15 in [Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions|http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/FAQ.html] (or use the link in *User Tips* at the top of this forum)., if you're not sure how to do that.
I am going to watch like a hawk and if it does occur then I know I probably have some HD issues.
Good plan. You might want to run this: [Intel-based Macs: Using Apple Hardware Test|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509]. Run the Extended tests.
I also think I may do something like a Carbonite back-up in addition to my external HD.
That will be excruciatingly slow. See #27 in the FAQ for some other suggestions. -
I am trying to grasp all the possibilities for consolidating my stuff and my family's stuff from multiple devices and multiple accounts from multiple sources but I cant.
I have been reading many instructions and FAQ regarding iCloud Drive, iCloud Sharing, iTunes Match, Familly Sharing, file size limitations on iCloud Drive, app sharing on iOS, Backup vs Sync vs cloud sharing, storing iWork documents on iCloud drive, storing iTunes library on iCloud Drive, storing iPhoto library on iCloud Drive, storing Aperture library on the iCloud, the Photos app on iOS with iCloud and many others.... but I feel like I need a systems admin course from apple to manage all of it.
This is what I and my family currently have:
Hardware: Multiple iPhones, Multiple Macs, Apple TV (with hard drive), Multiple iPads.
Operating systems: Everything is upgraded to the latest iOS and Yosemite.
Libraries:
1) Multiple iTunes Libraries locally stored on Macs and IPhones with lossless CD music and iTunes purchased music. What I want to do:
a) Have a main family shared iTunes library across ALL devices that contains our Lossless music and purchased music. so that it can be played across ALL devices. With the ability to have private music for each individual (Not shared).
b) Purchase new music and add it to the family share or purchase music and make it private (Not shared).
2) Multiple iPhoto Libraries macs (With photo stream from iPhones) and ONE Aperture Library on my mac. What I want to do:
a) Have a main family shared photo library that every one can deposit to and view.
b) Store individual iPhoto libraries on iCloud Drive(s)? So that everyone can have their own library and edit it across THEIR devices.
c) Store and use my Aperture Library on iCloud Drive?
Other documents:
iWork files, PDFs etc. What I want to do:
a) Have a main family shared area (on iCloud Drive i suppose) where we can share documents.
b) Sync private documents across ALL individuals devices (Available locally and on iCloud).
c) Store private documents (One instance) on iCloud drive and make them available on ALL individuals devices.
d) Backup of local documents?
Apps:
iOS apps:
a) Share purchased apps?
b) Not share private apps.
Storage:
What do I purchase to accomplish the above:
a) iCloud storage for everyone?
b) iTunes Match for everyone?
c) All of the above?
Conclusion:
It would be great for Apple to explain all this with all the options in one concise document instead of hunting down individual documents and sections all over the place.
Thank you for your help.Hey there!
You and I are data soulmates. I have been having this trouble for a while and have yet to get my head around it. Our problem is that we've cycled through multiple macs and the "home" or "host" for all the stuff that's now been moved or moving to the Cloud is very scattered. It drives me crazy... almost to the point where I'm thinking about starting a brand-new iCloud account and beginning from scratch.
If you have any experiences or recommendations you could share about your strategy, I would love to hear it. -
After "Restoring iTunes Library backup" it wont link to the files in the iTunes folder. I've followed the procedure as described, and the iTunes folder is in the correct location. iTunes lists all my music correctly (albeit with no artwork), but can't locate any of the files.
I've been restoring my iTunes folder from a backup hard drive to a new computer on which I've downloaded the latest iTunes (10.7). If this is a newer version than the one I backed up with could this be the problem? (I had the latest (to my knowledge) iTunes when I backed up the folder about 3 weeks ago, was this version 10.7?)
Or is the version of iTunes (within recent updates) not an issue when restoring a library?
Using Windows 7.
Any help please?From the top of the page where the scripts live...
The general method of use is to download the script to a folder of your choice, e.g. your Desktop, Downloads folder or create a folder at ...\iTunes\Scripts. Select a playlist or highlight some tracks in iTunes and then double-click on the script to execute it. If no specific tracks are selected the script will try to work with all tracks in the current playlist. Some scripts offer a choice of track by track confirmation of changes or fully automatic processing of the selection. Many of the scripts can optionally display a progress bar while running.
You are strongly advised to backup your entire library, or at the very least the iTunes Library.itl file, before use. Test the behaviour of your chosen script on a small group of files first to make sure it does what you want before applying it to large numbers of files.
Most builds of Windows will execute *.vbs scripts when you double-click them. If that doesn't happen then you might need to visit the Add/Remove Programs or Programs & Features control panel to enable the Windows Scripting Host. I can track down details if you have issues.
Backing up and restoring data is an area that is often glossed over. Most people don't try to learn much about it until they've lost something important. (Me too )
If your iTunes library was in the usual layout then normally copying the whole iTunes folder from the User's Music folder in the old computer to the User's Music folder in the new one will usually work fine. Ideally this is done before iTunes is installed so that there is no empty library to replace, and all settings are picked up from the old library. This post contains more details.
tt2 -
Restoring iTunes library after hard drive crash
The hard drive on my Macbook pro (mid-2009) crashed. I took it to the genius bar for a diagnostic. The drive was physically fine so they wiped it and reinstalled Mavericks, which is now running 10.9.4. I am restoring user files from Time Machine individually to keep things clean. Hooray!
I'm now running iTunes 10.3.1. Years ago, I placed the iTunes library in Users>Shared on the hard drive, so my wife could access the files when she logged in. We don't need to do that now, so today I dragged all the music files from Time Machine to the "Music" section on the iTunes window.
They seem to have installed and indexed fine, but I lost some of the original data--like date added and numbers of plays--which would be nice to have. (Then all now read as installed today with zero plays.) My playlists are all gone as well; I'd like to have them back.
Is there any way to restore the music so those things stay intact, by basically making my library the way it was?
I considered dragging the entire set of folders over from the Shared section of Time Machine, but was afraid the music would not index, and the folder structure and nomenclature was different (for example, it had iTunes Music instead of iTunes media and there were a couple other anomalies). I imagine this is because the Shared library was set up under a different version of iTunes.
I hope this doesn't further complicate things but my user name was changed at the genius bar (from what it was prior to crash); they added my last name to my user name. I didn't notice till I got home. So far I have had no trouble accessing the files I have dragged in (Numbers, Word, etc), but don't know if the permissions on the music files might be affected.
All help greatly appreciated. Thanks!Answers to all your questions are in the links below:
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
What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html
Where are my iTunes files located? - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391
iTunes 9 [and later]: Understanding iTunes Media Organization - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3847 - plus supplemental information about organizing to new structure https://discussions.apple.com/message/26404702#26404702
Image of folder structure and explanation of different iTunes versions (turingtest2 post) - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-7392 and making an iTunes library portable.
06/2014 ChrisCA post: Restore iTunes library from Time Machine backup - https://discussions.apple.com/message/26104480#26104480 -
Restoring itunes library from a backup
I copied my iTunes folder into a backup drive. My hard drive died, and now I want to "re-connect" my iTunes with its library. How can I do it? Simply pointing iTunes to the library location doesn't work.
I need to be able to sync my iphone, etc... Help!When restoring Itunes library from a backup DVD, will it overwrite anything already in the library?
No.
(47058) -
I have now downloaded all of my CD's to my itunes library and have since only purchased new music using itunes Store. This itunes library is stored on an old Dell Desktop that I am getting ready to replace with an iMac; how can I move the music? 86GB
Is the music I downloaded from my CD's already in the iCloud or only the music I purchased on itunes?This might help: http://www.macworld.com/article/1146958/move_itunes_windows_mac.html.
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I have a broken laptop which I can not get into on which my itunes library is stored, I have set up another library on my new laptop but I can not add tunes etc., without sync and erasing because you can only be registered to one library, how do I get around not having to start all over again putting music on my ipod, and spending loads more money downloading, I have the 1st generation ipod nano
many thanksSee this older post from another forum member Zevoneer covering the different methods and software available to assist you with the task of copying content from your iPod back to your PC and into iTunes.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2452022?start=0&tstart=0
B-rock -
How do I restore iTunes library from Backup files on External Hard Drive?
How do I restore iTunes library from Backup files on External Hard Drive and keep the new iTunes library on the External Hard Drive. I have all the media and playlist and .xml .itl files, just want the iTunes to recognise the content.
I backedup my iTunes content by dragging to External Hard Drive. Formatted and reinstalled OS. My iTunes content is so large, that I wish for the Library and content to remain on the External Hard Drive. I have all the music files and playlists, I just cannot get the iTunes application to display all the content. Hoping to Not have to drag and drop all the content to be recopied into new iTunes organised files.
Troubleshooting this by researching other conversations on the web, I have come stuck for a solution. One Troubleshoot told me to hold down the Command key and then lauch iTunes and a dialogue box will appear to Choose a new library, however when I try this, no Dialogue box appear to give me the option!?It sometimes has that funny switch symbol on it too.
tt2 -
How to restore iTunes Library from Time Machine on Mavericks?
Please, can someone give me the instructions on how to restore iTunes Library from Time Machine on Mavericks?
See Pondini's TM FAQs, for details.
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How to restore iTunes library after operating system changed?
How to restore iTune library after operating system changed on the laptop? The syn is not working because it doesn't recognize the computer.
Recovering your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device: Apple Support Communities
Syncing to a "New" Computer or replacing a "crashed" Hard Drive: Apple Support Communities
Sync Your iOS Device with a New Computer Without Losing Data - How-To Geek -
How do I restore iTunes library from flash drive backup?
How do I restore iTunes library from flash drive backup?
brigdool wrote:
How do I restore iTunes library from flash drive backup?
HI Brigdool,
It depends how you made the backup.
If you copied your entire iTunes folder onto the flash drive, just copy it back to the appropriate place on the computer.
If you copied individual folders or files, add them back to iTunes by inserting the flash drive in your computer, and then dragging the files into your "Automatically Add to iTunes" folder.
The first method recreates your library as it was, with all playcounts, playlists, etc. The second method builds a new library with the same content. -
Syncing -whenever I connect my iPad to my computer it ejects my external hard drive which is where my iTunes library is stored? What's the deal???
Anyone know how to fix this?You can't connect directly to the external drive, but should be able to use iTunes Home Sharing via the laptop.
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH1453 -
Hello,
I got my self a new SSD and installed Lion in it from the internet. I tried copy pasting the itunes library from the most current backup in the TM drive that was used to backup the old hdd. I keep on getting "not enough permission" error for every single file. This same happens when I restore using Time Machine by navigating to the foler using the option "Browse Other Backup Disks"
Note: There is no encryption problem here AFAIK cause i never used encryption on any of my drives.
Please help me restore iTunes library and iPhoto library form the backup. Thanks.
NeeravAceNeerav wrote:
I tried copy pasting the itunes library from the most current backup in the TM drive that was used to backup the old hdd.
Don't copy & paste.
Just use TM to restore it. -
Can I restore iTunes library by help of iPod?
Hi,
I had iTunes library on a stationary computer which had a hard crash. Had the library synked to my iPod touch. Can I restore iTunes library to a new computer by help of the iPod? How?
Best regards,
Lovisa in SwedenIt has always been very basic to always maintain a backup copy of your computer.
Have you failed to do this?
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