Monday, March 10, 2008

  • iTunes Disaster

    OK, so someone in my house accidentally deleted my entire 11,000 song iTunes library. It's not in the recycle bin; it's gone.

    Should I get some undeleting software (I know about the utilities that can recover deleted files, but can someone recommend one? I'd like something that's really easy to use as I'm not a genius when it comes to files/file structure/etc.), or some software that allows you to pull songs off your iPod and back into iTunes, or is there a better way? I used something another time that moved songs from my iPod into iTunes, because I wanted to have a copy of my iTunes here at work. What it did, mostly, was create a lot of duplicate songs and it didn't work that well. But it was a free download (I think it was called X-Pod or something; its logo was an alien sort of face). Is there a way to make the computer see your iPod as a hard drive? I'm sure those options exist in iTunes, but I'm worried about connecting my iPod and then having it sync, and then the music really is gone.

    How about if I connect the iPod to a computer without iTunes, and then copy everything onto a USB hard drive, then connect the hard drive to my computer? Will that work?

    I don't have the whole library on my iPod. The whole library (or almost all of it) is spread out over three different iPods (via playlists).

    I'm not so worried that I can't get the music back--I'm worried that iTunes will never work right again or that I'll end up with a bunch of duplicates, etc.

    Anybody have any experience with this or any bright ideas?

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Comments (15)

  • longtimelurker

    The files will still be on your hard drive unless you've recently reformatted  or ran some type of utility program that removes all files marked for deletion.  If not, there is a way to recover them.  Do a google search on "recovering deleted files" and you should be able to find step by step directions.

    Good luck!
  • unbridled_science

    I cannot help with that. Let me know how you resolve it.
  • hilton156

    Yeah, that's terrible.  It's happened to me twice.  I've just always started over with my collection.  11,000 songs is a pretty big loss though.  A Google search like longtimelurker suggested should do the trick.
  • notagoose

    I'm hopeless with this kind of stuff but will keep my fingers crossed that you find a way to undelete them..and try not to strangle the "someone" who did it.

  • SansMerci

    Is that person still alive?  Seriously?

    Thankfully, the only person in our house that deals with the music is ME.  I fill husband's mp3 player for him, with the music from his 'puter.  My iPod and 'puter are off limits...

    I hope you can fix it - I'm still trying to delete the stupid 800+ duplicates that the not-very-intuitive iTunes created on my main machine...  Oy.
  • a_strange_wind_blowing

    I've no idea - but good luck! 
  • SavonDuJour

    There are some links here that might be useful. I've successfully undeleted stuff off old hard drives years after the event.
  • longtimelurker

    Just happened to think, another thing you might try if you're on a Windows XP is restoring to a previous date which should recover your missing files.

    Go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore and follow the directions to restore your system back to an earlier date.
  • jerjonji

    someone would be dead at my house i suspect! let us know what works when you figure it out!
  • odetocorny

    I don't have a lot of experience with iTunes yet, but everytime I delete a song off my playlist (this happens after I buy music for my husband that I wouldn't even listen to myself) iTunes flashes me a message that says that they have saved the music for me, you know, in case I change my mind about wanting to get Dr. Demento's greatest hits off my computer.  Have you thought about contacting iTunes? 

  • Baroness_Fritinanci

    There is indeed a program that does grab the songs off your itunes and put them back onto your software.   I just don't have the web site.   it is not a itune site.   My son had a computer failure (harddrive) and all his songs were on his ipod(lost), so i called up a friend and he gave me the www site.  And it did put all the songs back unto the software for itunes.   I'll get back to you as soon as I hear from my friend. 

  • Baroness_Fritinanci

    wait.... it grabs the songs off the ipod to the (www) software and then back onto the itunes software.   or you could try to set the date back to the last check point date?   but, that never worked for me.  I hope I havent confused you.   but indeed there is a software you download and it does grab the songs off the ipod and then puts it back unto the itune software. 

  • jersy_grl12

    sorry...i'm no help.  i hope you figure it out.
  • AMRLion

    lots of good info here
    the sort of programs you're asking about are on page 3, but i link to the article bc it's comprehensive to help make your decision. good luck!
  • CndFrnd

    Sounds like you are getting some good advice here.  I don't let "someones" touch my ipod.  Ever.

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