Where did all my iTunes songs go?

[Chordata]

I have a Western Digital Passport that syncs my computer, backs up files, etc. I had it back up/sync the iTunes songs.

My computer crashed, and I reinstalled Windows and iTunes yesterday. When I hooked up my Passport to sync it, everything went fine.

Today, though, I look at the actual file folders that got synced and -- no music files. I'll have the folders, but no songs.

Anyone know "what gives"?

[cruisyeyes]

Not sure, but if they are on your ipod, I think you can just plug it in, and it should load it to your computer? Like I said, not sure, so don't all jump down my throat at once.

[BStecke]

Just to be sure . . . iTunes, by default, stores everything in the MyMusic/iTunes/iTunes music folder. You're saying you have this folder but it's empty? Is most of this music you've purchased from iTunes or stuff you've ripped yourself?

[cruisyeyes]

Oh yeah, forgot about that, hehe.

[Chordata]

Originally Posted by BStecke

Just to be sure . . . iTunes, by default, stores everything in the MyMusic/iTunes/iTunes music folder. You're saying you have this folder but it's empty? Is most of this music you've purchased from iTunes or stuff you've ripped yourself?

Exactly -- there are folders for all the songs I purchased (e.g., a "Paul McCartney" folder, then a "Wingspan" folder for the particular album), but no song/music files within those folders (e.g., the 4 songs off that album I purchased are not there).

These were all purchased from iTunes. The stuff I rip myself I do not store on my computer.

[BStecke]

Try this . . . go into iTunes. On the toolbar, click "Store," then click on "Check for Available Downloads." It'll either say that or "Check For Purchases."

[Chordata]

I wonder if this was a problem with my little Passport thing. (Though, not sure why everything else got backed up EXCEPT my iTunes music).

Oh well, thanks again for the insight so far.

[jono_0101]

Originally Posted by O_V_N

I have a Western Digital Passport that syncs my computer, backs up files, etc. I had it back up/sync the iTunes songs.

My computer crashed, and I reinstalled Windows and iTunes yesterday. When I hooked up my Passport to sync it, everything went fine.

Today, though, I look at the actual file folders that got synced and -- no music files. I'll have the folders, but no songs.

Anyone know "what gives"?

do all the songs still show up in your itunes library list? if they do, when you click to play one, what happens?

[Chordata]

Originally Posted by jono_0101

do all the songs still show up in your itunes library list? if they do, when you click to play one, what happens?

No, they do not.

I think this was an issue with the Passport (****er). It somehow backed up all of the file folders (by artist), but NONE of the damn songs.

Yeah, that's what I want -- the folders. To hell with the songs, the folders are awesome!

Really aggravated.

[jono_0101]

Originally Posted by O_V_N

No, they do not.

I think this was an issue with the Passport (****er). It somehow backed up all of the file folders (by artist), but NONE of the damn songs.

Yeah, that's what I want -- the folders. To hell with the songs, the folders are awesome!

Really aggravated.

so i guess you get the error message that "itunes could not find the file, do you want to seach for the file?"

if you get that, is it possible that your passport just took the files instead of copying them as a backup?

if thats the case, i dont know a quick way to fix that, unless you can just copy the files and repaste them back into your itunes folder?

[DrinkMore]

http://www.ipodrobot.com/

Might help.

[garlad]

Hi

my computer died during the week and I lost all my music! wasnt backed up!! I did a bit of searching online and found out that you can email itunes and ask them to allow you to redownload all your purchases.... for free!!

I requested this last night and by this morning I had received a reply saying that they have looked at my account, and the next time i "check for available downloads" all my purchases will be there! and they were!!! downloaded everything again today. For whatever reason there were a few songs that they could not recover, but all of this is noted in the email reply.

In the reply from itunes they stress that it is a one off, but i was more than impressed with their attitude and customer service levels.

Worth a try! here is the link to request "lost" music..

http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/store/lostmusic/

[OrlandoEastwood]

Also if your purchased stuff is on your iPod you can sync your iPod up and "Transfer Purchases". I have my iTunes library on my external Hard Drive because my Toshiba laptop is a piece of s**t.

[Chordata]

Originally Posted by OrlandoEastwood

Also if your purchased stuff is on your iPod you can sync your iPod up and "Transfer Purchases". I have my iTunes library on my external Hard Drive because my Toshiba laptop is a piece of s**t.

Whoa -- what's this? Never heard of it before but it sounds perfect.

(I do not sync automatically, though, because my computer is too old to store all of the songs from my 100s of CDs. Hopefully that won't matter.)

EDIT: Found it here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1848

Perfect suggestion, thanks so much!