Post V 8.2 upgrade will not open without creation of new blank library file

Question

Hello to all.
Any suggestions with regard to the following ?
Since upgrading to V8.2, iTunes will only open after having removed the library file, and letting the application create a fresh new library file, then reimporting all media files.
This must be done EVERY TIME iTunes is restarted; otherwise the application just refuses to open... So yes, I've been leaving iTunes running!
I took the TIME to embed all album artwork... I have no idea if that might be causing the problem (in the case of non-popular music, the iTunes store is so far not capable of corrctly matching artwork to album.
This is a very large but simple and well managed library (100% music, all in Apple Lossless); all media files are managed by iTunes and are in one location.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated!
Rex

Answer 1

I'm answering my own post here for the benefit of those who may be having the same issues (see previous post).
1) Get comfortable and start by reading this a couple times:
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/moving-your-itunes-library-to -a-new-hard-drive
2)Embed all artwork; I did it the hard way, but now know it can be done via a script from Doug (scorll down):
http://dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/scripts13.php
3)Ask iTunes to consolidate your library to a location other than within the iTunes folder (Do not do this via the back door! See iLounge article in first link).
4)Completely uninstall iTunes as instructed here
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1224
Do exactly as instructed, making sure your media files have FIRST been moved via consolidation to a location outside all iTunes folders. Finish with a Spotlight search for "iTunes"... Get rid of everything including the icon in the dock.
Optional step: At this point you may want to verify the master drive and possibly repair permissions using Disk Utilities... I did.(To do this, start from the original OS install CD/DVDs... Insert disk, restart while holding down "C"; once booted, go to the Edit or File menu at top of screen and select "Disk Utility", first aid, etc).
5)Download a fresh copy of the latest version of iTunes and install it (V8.2.1 in my case).
6)Once iTunes is running, set the location of media files in iTunes advanced prefs to correspond to where your media is physically stored (see iLounge article in link above).
7)Go through and reset all iTunes prefs (they will have been tossed out with the uninstall).
8)Import media from within the iTunes user interface (via the pull down menu at the top left of the iTunes screen... See iLounge article). If your library is well sorted, you can do it all in one go, by simply selecting the main folder containing all media files (verify by importing just the work of one artist for starters). Large, high-res libraries will take a while... The final phase of the process is the automatic loading of all embedded artwork.
That's it.
From here on out, every time you import new media, manually embed the art work as follows :
1)Once imported, start one of the album tracks playing so the artwork will appear (see step 3).
2)Select all the tracks in the album to which you want to add the iTunes artwork.
3)In the bottom left-hand corner click on ’show/hide artwork’
4)Right-click on the artwork image that is displayed and select ‘copy’
5)Now right-click on the tracks you’ve highlighted and select ‘Get info’
6)In the pop-up box that right-click in the artwork field and select ‘paste’
Done.
Peace,
Rex