It was there yesterday. Today, the folder is empty. I KNOW I didn't delete it - I know I didn't. I had to search to find the folder where it is all stored. Where did it go??? Can I get it back???
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Couple questions first. Is the actual folder empty, or is your iTunes library listing empty? If it's the library, you can reimport all your songs. A pain, but maybe your library file was damaged or deleted.
If the folder your songs are in is empty, check your recycle bin (if you're on a PC) or your Trash (if you're on a Mac) and make sure they're not in there. If they are, restore them. You still may need to reimport the files, depending on whether iTunes still sees them once you're restored them.
Otherwise... I dunno. I'd need more info.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Also, it may be that many of your songs were not stored in the iTunes folder. Go to the Advanced Settings in the Preferences and check if the "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library" checkbox is checked.
Plus, if any of your music at all shows up in your iTunes library, right click on it and choose "Show Song File".
If this is a work computer, you might check with the IT guys, particularly if there's a nightly (or whatever) backup procedure.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
Were they songs you bought on iTunes or songs you ripped from CDs?
If they were songs you bought on iTunes...can you call them?
-pH
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Unfortunately, you can't redownload iTunes songs. Apple views it as a sale, not just a licensing. You are, however, free to back up songs purchased on the iTMS.
Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :
I thought you were supposed to back them up. Otherwise you'd lose them every time the computer died, just like any other file.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
They were all in the iTunes folder. They are still in the library, but when I double-click to play the song, it says the file cannot be found.
The recycle bin icon looks like there is stuff in there, but the recycle bin will not show any contents when I click on it. I even deleted something as a test, and it still did not show up in the recycle bin.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I wonder if it was a virus? The recycle bin is definitely not working - the icon trash can is full, but even freshly deleted files do not show up and My Computer won't tell me how many bytes are in the folder.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
It does sound like something wonky is going on. Unfortunately, the problems are too generic to diagnose at a distance. Is your anti-virus software still working (a virus this successful may have disabled it)?
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Is there a way I can check?
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Your antivirus should have an application, which you can fire up to run a full computer scan. If that seems to work (and it would take a decent bit of time), then your antivirus is likely working.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I ran a check, and there was spyware program that said it would delete programs. That's right, a bot was roaming my computer and deleting things. I think we found the culprit!!
Now that it is gone, is there a way I can get my files back?
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Bleh, that sucks. Malware's evil.
I'd do a search on that bot's name and "files" or "recover" or the like, and see if anyone with the same malware has had any luck.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Hmm...I didn't write down the name of it. Maybe my anti-virus keeps a record.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Yep, it's called WinFixer, and it's definitely malware. Other people have had problems, but I haven't been able to find a post about to get the files back. I did System Restore to the farthest point back, but no good - files did not reappear, although they were definitely there two days ago or whenever it was that I made the King of Suede thread.
This may be the end of my fling with iTunes.
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
There are several programs you can look into that will reset your hard drive to older positions (literally just go through it and change all the zeros and ones). I use Restorer 2000 Professional. That might work for you.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Kat, Do you have any of the stuff on an iPod or other MP3 player. There is software that will restore your library from your iPod.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I don't have an iPod. I just iTunes about a month ago, and went a little bit nuts with it.
That was fun. But now the dream is over. I can't even cue up King of Suede.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Sad
System restore only restores windows system files and certain preferences, unfortunately.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I need my computer this afternoon because I'm teaching my boss how to use Photoshop, but I think tomorrow will spent hovering over the tech group as they true to fix the Recycle Bin.
Posted by Shmuel (Member # 7586) on :
quote:Originally posted by fugu13: Unfortunately, you can't redownload iTunes songs. Apple views it as a sale, not just a licensing. You are, however, free to back up songs purchased on the iTMS.
Strictly speaking, this is true, but I'd e-mail iTunes tech support anyway. I know of a couple of people who were allowed to redownload their libraries "just this one time" under similar circumstances.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Kat, Have the IT guys had any luck recovering your files?
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
quote:Strictly speaking, this is true, but I'd e-mail iTunes tech support anyway. I know of a couple of people who were allowed to redownload their libraries "just this one time" under similar circumstances.
They will almost always let you, especially if you haven't authorized five computers to use the files yet. They'll typically let you redownload the files and copy over your file authorization lists, adding your computer (again) to those lists.
Not great, but way better than losing all that music...!
Posted by Altáriël of Dorthonion (Member # 6473) on :
I'd go Limewire on iTunes. Hey, you paid for that music, I'm sure you still have the iTunes reciepts on your mailbox. I would only download what I had bought already though, I don't do stealing.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)