Where is my original library?

What a mess! I attempted to do a "drag and drop" backup of my library to a Seagate Free Agent external hd. The result was that the whole library was moved. Not knowing anything about the library files, I simply tried to move the iTunes folder (located in a My Documents folder) back onto my computer's hard drive. The result was a mess: I've got My Documents in three locations on my hard drive; each one has a different iTunes folder; when I open up iTunes the songs are there, but recognized as copies, and therefore I can't play them or manipulate them. Then I tried the "recreate your iTunes library and playlists" step--result was that everything in iTunes is doubled-and inaccessible. How do I find the original library? Should I delete everything from iTunes and try the recreate step? As I said, what a mess!

It has a lot of sub-folders, and one is called iPhoto Library
This does not follow your previous post
I accidentally moved my iPhoto folder into the documents directory.
What exactly did you do an what exactly do you now have - we can not see you computer and depend on your descriptions - these two statements do not make sense
It has a lot of sub-folders
What is "it" = the pictures folder? The iphoto library? (never go inside of the iPhoto library - there is no reason to and it is very dangerous to do so)
And the iPhoto library is not a folder - it is a package - what do you have - an iPhoto library package or an iPhoto library folder
If you have an iPhoto library exactly what happens when you double click on it?
LN

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Original Photo Size Lost....Why? Where has my original library gone?

I have had some problem with my iphoto library. Whilst I have deleted anything, or atleast, nothing appears to be in TRASH, my mac now only shows iphoto libraries that have been created recently.
These recent libraries though, do include thousands of my original photos, however, they all appear to be a fraction of their original size. Photos are appearing to be around 25KB in size when they were original 1-2MB. This has happened to all photos except the photos i uploaded today. The problem with the pics I uploaded today, is that iphoto is only enabling me to view these when the slider is at the far left - i.e. small thumbnails only. When I pull the slider to the right, hit slideshow, or double click to enlarge on of these new photos, I am simply presented with a large, but blurey, explanation ("!") point.
I am praying my originally sized photos are not lost? Where is my original library? I am lost and stressed - and desperately hoping someone can assist me.
Yours in need

Welcome to the Apple Discussions. First the size of the photos you mentioned, 25KB, appear to be the thumbnails that iPhoto creates when importing into iPhoto. The "!" occurs when iPhoto loses the link to the original file. If you don't see any of the older image files that are greater than 25KB they probably have been deleted. However you can try the following just in case: run the three fixes below in order as needed:
1 - launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys depressed and follow the instructions to rebuild the library. Select all options.
2 - rebuild the library using iPhoto Library Manager as follows:
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
1 -Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
2 -Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your User/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
3 - Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the File->Rebuild Library menu option
4 - In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
5 - Click on the Create button.
Note: It may take some time to create the new library if you have a lot of photos.
3 - start over with a new library and import the Originals folder from your original library as follows:
Creating a new library while preserving the Events from the original library.
1. Move the existing library folder to the desktop.
2. Open the library package like this.
3. Launch iPhoto and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.
4. Drag the Originals folder from the iPhoto Library on the desktop into the open iPhoto window.
This will create a new library with the same Events as the original library if you have the Finder checkbox unchecked in the Events preference pane.
If the above doesn't find and restore those missing older image files and you don't have a backup of your library your only recourse is to use a file recover application like SubrosaSoft FileSalvage. It will let you run it in demo mode to determine if it can recover the files you need before you have to purchase.
In the future you might want to invest in an external HD for backups.
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier) database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger or later), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 6 and 7 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. Just put the application in the Dock and click on it whenever you want to backup the dB file. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.
Note: There's now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

Where, oh, where is my original library

I downloaded the latest version of iTunes in order to get podcasts. Now I have a new file called "Original iTUnes library" and a "New" Library (where the podcasts appear). But I can't locate music anywhere on my HD! When I get the information window, location appears "Unavailable". What can I do?

I apologize for the delay with receiving your new iPhone, weavematt. Due to the high demand we have experienced a backorder and are working to fulfill our orders as soon as we receive inventory. Any updates to your order will notify you via email.
AndreaS_VZW
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Where has the original library gone?

HELP!! Before my father disowns me!! Ok- so my ipod touch was synced to my brothers computer. He has moved interstate so I synced it to my fathers computer. I created a new library by holding shift as i clicked on itunes icon- but now his libraryas disappeared! HELP please!!!

Creating a new library won't have deleted the old one, so unless you deliberately threw something away it should still there. Try searching your entire computer for all files of the form *.itl and then browsing to the correct folder.
tt2

TS1277 Where is our original iTunes library?

Hi
We recently moved from Australia to US. Our iTunes library was created in Australia, through the Australian iTunes store.
Now we have bought new music and when we try to psynch iPod, the message ' this iPod is psyched to another iTunes library' and the choices we have are: Erase and Psynch OR Transfer Purchases. Erase and Psynch will erase everything on iPod and replace with the 20 odd songs purchased in US, so we dont want that! Do we want 'Transfer Purchases? The way it is written is confusing.
The other problem is we cant see the extensive music list we purchased in Australia. The library only shows the music purchased here in US.
To add more confusion, our account still shows as the 'region' of Australia so we dont understand why another library has been created.
We did change Apple ID passwords so that our devices would psynch. Would that have screwed things up?
We really want our original library back and can go without the 20 odd songs purchased here - if anyone can shed some light we would be grateful!
thank you

Or, if you've been opening alternate libraries and are no longer sure exactly which one is the current library, try my script iTunesXMLPath which tells you where the active XML file is. The active library is the most recently modified ITL file in the same folder.
tt2

I have a new mac book air and somehow iPhoto was installed twice. Also, a second library was created and it became the default library. I attempted to switch to the original library but it won't open. what can I do to revert to the old library?

I have a new mac book air and somehow iPhoto was installed twice. Also, a second library was created and it became the default library. I attempted to switch to the original library but it won't open. what can I do to revert to the old library?

Both iPhotos open to a default library (#2) which has 300+ photos, I attempted to "switch to library" under the file tab in iPhoto and tried to choose "other library" which had most of my photos. When I attempt to open it, it doesn't do anything. I can see it and there are 2 libraries but it won't open.
Have you tried to open your old iPhoto library by double-clicking it directly, instead of using the File menu? That should work, if you are running iPhoto '11 and the library has been created by that version or an older version. DO you get an error message, if you select the library directly in the Finder?
I checked and it is the latest version of iPhoto.
Is it iPhoto '11, version 6.0.5? "Latest version" is ambiguous, because it will depend on your system version.
Where is your iPhoto Library stored?

Where did old iphoto library go?

My main iPhoto libary has disappeared and I am freaking out. This happened after opening iPhoto with the option key down and opening it with a different library. Now I can't get my original library back. None of the libary options are the right one when opening with the option key down The images do not even seem to be on my hard drive. They are not listed under All Images. They are not in the Trash or iPhoto Trash. No, I do not have a backup. Yes, I am an idiot. Where could these thousands of photos have gone? Would it work to rebuild the library in iPhoto or is there any third-party software?

two suggestions
Never use all images to find and modify any images - it is not a place but a list and if you delete or change theings there you may corrupt your iPhoto library
and not having a backup is inexcusable - if you do not have a backup at all times you are 100% guarenteed to lose all of your files and photos sooner or later - people, computers and software all fail and when they do a backup is your solution - I do two daily (Time Machine plus a daily clone), keep my photos on the camera memory card for a minimum of a year had have an off site backup - my files are important to me
LN

Iphone photo transfer choas: where is the original image ?

folder structure is confusing:
iphoto library
modified
2007
Roll 312
if modified, where is the ******* original ?

Are you transferring photos from iPhoto to your iPhone?
The folder structure on the iPhone should be as follows:
Camera Roll - stores photos taken by the iPhone only.
Photo Library - access to all photos transferred to your iPhone from your computer via the iTunes sync/transfer process. Photos take by the iPhone are available in the Camera Roll folder only.
Below Photo Library are select iPhoto albums (or select folders containing photos) transferred from your computer to your iPhone.
If you transferred one iPhoto album or separate folder named 2007 containing photos to your iPhone which includes 100 photos - it should be available on the iPhone as follows:
Photo Library (100)
2007 (100)
If you transferred 3 iPhoto albums or separate folders named 2005, 2006 and 2007 containing a total photo count of 100, it should be as follows:
Photo Library (100)
2005 (35)
2006 (35)
2007 (30)
You can view the 30 photos in the 2007 album or folder only by selecting it or view all 100 photos in all albums or folders by selecting Photo Library.
I'm not sure where the modified folder is coming from but unless you have an iPhoto album or pictures folder name modified which was selected for transfer from your computer to the iPhone, something is wrong but the original photos should be available on your computer.

I downloaded a picture from Adobe and in doing so created a new library and now cannot find my original library with all my pictures

I downloaded a picture to what I thought was my iphoto library but created a new library with the one picture and lost my original library and cannot find it. hepl please
thanx
g

What version of iPhoto and system are you running? Where is your library normally located, in the Pictures folder or on an external HD? How and where did you download the photo to? Describe in detail.
Launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and see if more than one library is displayed in this window:
If you see your origial library select it and open.
If you don't download and use Find Any File to search for "Library6.iPhoto". That's a file that's unique to iPhoto libraries. FAF can search areas that Spotlight can't like invisible folders. If there's a second library on your HD FAF will find it.
When you find it drag it into your Pictures folder.
OT

I have replaced my laptop and installed iTunes. When I try to sync my iPad or iPhone it says they are already linked to another iTunes library. How do I get back to my original library.

I have replaced my laptop and installed iTunes. When iffy to sync my iPad or iPhone it says they are already linked to another iTunes library and will only let me transfer purchased items. How do I get back to my original library.

Check out the solution found here.
If you do a restore you will lose everything. Some things will be backed up in iCloud but not everything.

My wife and I share a computer for our itunes accounts. How can we copy our music libraries to each others accounts without erasing the original library? We want to merge our songs.

My wife and I share a computer for our itunes accounts. How can we copy our music libraries to each others accounts without erasing the original library? We want to merge our songs.

If the music is on the same computer, import the songs to your iTunes library by dragging them into iTunes or choosing File > Add to Library (Mac) or File > Add File to Library or Add Folder to Library (Windows). If the music is on different computers you can set up Home Sharing to copy the music from one library to the other (see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3819 and http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4620).

Trying to split large library, I exported a folder of 3000 images to a new library. The new library was created with these images, but it still remained in the original library. How can I remove it from the original library while keeping it in the new l

Splitting a library does not remove the folder I moved from the original library. I exported a folder of 3000 images from the original library to a new library. The new libraryb was created alright, but the folder and the 3000 images remain in the original library. Why? And how do I safely remove them?

The new libraryb was created alright, but the folder and the 3000 images remain in the original library. Why? And how do I safely remove them?
Exporting a library will create a duplicate of the exported library items. Usually you do this to work on a partial library on another computer and later merge the changed images back. Splitting the library is not the primary purpose of exporting.
If you want to remove the library items that you exported, select them in the source list of the library inspector and delete them (File > Delete Original Images and all Versions). Then empty the Aperture Trash, after checking that you did not trash more than you wanted.
But check, if the backup of your Aperture library is in working condition, and check the exported library carefully, before you do such a massive delete.
Regards
Léonie

I have an old ipod and want to know how to get everything off it and into my iTunes library. My old computer died and the original library was lost, so don't have any of the content saved anywhere else.

I have an old ipod (it's the very thin oblong one in purple, the one before the one that does video) and want to know how to get everything off it and into my iTunes library. My old computer died and the original library was lost, so don't have any of the content saved anywhere else. I now have an iPhone 5S and listen to music on that, so want to be able to listen to things from the old ipod too.
Can anyone help please?
Thanks very much
Jane

Apple normally does not get involved in handling lost objects like this. Since a real name is not installed it will be much more difficult.
You can try contacting Apple support at the US number, assume you are US going to BWI from the listing: http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57 and explain the situation and see if they offer any suggestions.

I just saved my iphoto original library to my external hard drive, now how do i create new space on my hard drive and create a new iphoto library

i just saved my iphoto original library to my external hard drive, now how do i create new space on my hard drive and create a new iphoto library

Trash the copy of the library you just moved. Then Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Create Library'
But do you want to have two iPhoto Libraries? Why not just use the one on the External?

I have an old version of itunes (not sure which one)and if I download the new version 11.1.4, will I be able to keep my original library with playlists from old version of itunes?

I have an old verison of itunes(not sure which one) and if I download the new version 11.1.4, will I retain my original library and playlists from the old version or loose it?

you can just make a backup and download the new verion

Where is my original library?

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