Upgraded to iTunes 6 and cant find my music files

I upgraded to version 6 today and afterwards almost all of my files give me the error message: file could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?
I lost a lot of music i purchased through iTunes and I dont know how to get it back, any help would be much appreciated.

it has always been very basic to always maintain a backup copy of your computer.  Use your backup copy to put everything back.

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  • HT203288 Itunes can not find my music files. But I can with Windows . Lost over 8 hours trying to fix stupid itunes, Even removed it and reinstalled. Still nothing.

    But I can using Windows.
    Lost over 8 hours today. Still not working
    Even deleted itunes and reinstalled.
    My Music files are still there. But itunes can not find them.

    Empty library or library full of broken links?
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    See Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash.
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    I have some 15.000 music files on an external hard drive. I added them to my iTunes library and added also a lot of extra info (titles, genres, albums covers, etc.).
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    ------------------------

    No, your files will be safe.
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    If you are in the United States itunes store you can download previous music purchases with this article
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  • ITunes can't find my music files

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    Bummer
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    These links will give you several methods of recovering whatever songs remain on your iPod; some free, some third-party software, some more comprehensive for restoring Playlists, Ratings, Play Counts, etc. Read them and their associated links before deciding on a strategy that works for you. There are many various third-party software programs that will offer a more robust process, or an easier GUI. Do a Google search for them if the links below leave you wanting…
    Don King Resurrected: Deleted files from hard drive (free user steps – music recovery only)
    MacMuse: Computer Crashed (free user steps – music recovery only)
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    Copying Songs from Your iPod to a Mac or PC (resource for 3rd party software)
    iPodRip Software (Free trial: Mac & Windows)
    PodUtil Software (Mac & Windows)
    YamiPod Software (Free: Mac & Windows)
    PodPlus Software (Windows)
    TuneJack Software (Windows)
    Senuti (Mac OS X v10.3 or higher Recovery Utility)
    XPlay (Windows software For Music Recovery &/or Cross-Platform Functionality)
    XPlay Photo Browser (For recovering Photos)
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    2c --- Click OK to store changes
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    5 - Within iTunes: Edit=>Preferences=>’iPod’ tab: switch iPod to manual transfer – click ‘OK’
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    8 – File=>Add Folder
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    10 - Click OK
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    You need at least two full sets of your music, not including what is on the iPod:
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    -- One full set on an separate external backup medium (CD/DVD/ExHD/other)
    -- One (full or partial) set on the iPod
    Music files on just the iPod and only one other medium is not considered having any backup.
    If you cannot store your complete music files on the computer’s internal HD, then create and maintain at least two external sets (any multiple combinations of ExHDs, DVDs, CDs).
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    Here is a post on developing a thorough backup strategy:
    http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=1822938#1822938

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