Since iTunes v8.1 install I lost most of my song files

Question

Since installing v8.1 a few days ago when I open iTunes it shows that I have 1250 songs on 7.54 GB. But, when I try to select a song, a window opens stating; THE SONG COULD NOT BE USED BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL FILE COULD NOT BE FOUND. WOULD YOU LIKE TO LOCATE IT? I click, YES. Next window opens titled; CHOOSE A FILE. My iBook disk selection is highlighted. It indicates that I have only 180 song files. Why does iTunes v8.1, when opened, show me that I have 1250 songs (which is how many there should be) but there are only 180 songs that actually exist and are randomly from various albums? Have I lost all those other songs? And, what do I now do to get back all those songs I paid for from iTunes store and from other music web sites if they are gone?

Answer 1

iTunes upgrades don't recycle your preferences from the previous version - you need to reset them to how you had them before (e.g. "Keep my iTunes Library organised" and 'Copy songs to my iTunes Library when importing", etc). Having done that, quit and relaunch iTunes and see if the problem is gone.
Why does iTunes v8.1, when opened, show me that I have 1250 songs (which is how many there should be) but there are only 180 songs that actually exist and are randomly from various albums?
The 1250 is taken from the iTunes Library database file (in your ~user/Music/iTunes folder) - this is all the song information and locations, not the songs themselves. iTunes 8.1 SHOULD have found these from the database file though.
Have I lost all those other songs?
No, an upgrade of iTunes has no impact on the actual music, which will be exactly where it was before.
And, what do I now do to get back all those songs I paid for from iTunes store and from other music web sites if they are gone?
I suspect that the 180 songs are in the ~user/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music folder, which is the default location, and is where Apple Store Purchased tracks always get downloaded to. The other songs will be on your HD where they were before. Try using a Spotlight search on one of the titles of the "missing" søngs. Then having found where the songs are located, use Add to Library to get them into iTunes.