Refomated PC: Need help recovering iTunes Library!

Shadowness · 22 Oct 2008 at 18:48

I had to reformat my PC, and so I had to reload my itunes library. Ive done this before without a problem, as I backup my iTunes music folder (with my library and xml files etc).
When I reload windows, I put this backup folder back into the default music folder, so when I start iTunes it read the library as before. (I keep all my music on another HDD, so my files havent changed after format)

BUT, when I load iTunes it says the library file is not a valid library! It has attempted to recover the library and renamed it Library (damaged)

Why is it doing this? Surely nothing has changed from before and after the format as the iTunes folder is EXACTLY the same?

Any help on this would be much appreciated!

likwid · 22 Oct 2008 at 18:58

Only thing I can think of is directory path. I take it your other drive has the same letter as before?

Shadowness · 22 Oct 2008 at 19:10

Yep, havent changed any physical files or changed the directories

likwid · 22 Oct 2008 at 19:13

Sorry, but just to be absolutely sure, windows assigned the same drive letter for the itunes library containing disk?

Shadowness · 22 Oct 2008 at 19:26

Yeh, my library file is on my main C drive, but my actual music files are all on my 'storage' drive, which I assign the letter X.

That was the same before format too

likwid · 22 Oct 2008 at 19:31

Ah well, if you've done this before with no problems then I reckon you'll have to import everything again.

Probably have more response asking about this in the windows forum to be honest. I know it's itunes and it's made by Apple, but it's running under Windows and is thus windows software. Same as photoshop for windows is windows software rather than adobe, if you get my drift...

Shadowness · 22 Oct 2008 at 20:01

Ive made SOME progress. I used the method of holding down shift as you open itunes, and you can then choose your library. So I chose a past library from a few weeks ago.

I then get this!

How can I fix this? The files havent been moved so I dont know why itunes cant see them! Its for my entire library, so is there a batch 'find' process?

Maccy · 22 Oct 2008 at 20:13

Go into preferences and in the advanced tab (I think it's the same for windows) check to make sure that the default library location is where your iTunes files are.

iSam · 22 Oct 2008 at 21:29

Maccy said:
Go into preferences and in the advanced tab (I think it's the same for windows) check to make sure that the default library location is where your iTunes files are.

Beat me to it. Preferences > Advanced and change the library location.