Solving iTunes Problems

iTunes is about as trouble-free as any application gets; this is especially amazing because iTunes offers so many great features. However, even the best application is bound to run into a few hiccups.

Because the odds of me including in this book the specific problem you might experience are small, it is more profitable for you to learn where you can access help with problems you might experience. So, I've included the solution to one problem you are likely to encounter here. Then, you'll learn how to get help for other problems should you experience them.

tip

When you back up your music, make sure you use the data format option, not the Audio CD or MP3 format. If you choose Audio CD format, you won't be able to fit many songs on a single disc. If you choose the MP3 options, music you purchased from the iTunes Music Store won't be able to be burned onto a disc.

Solving the Missing Song File Problem

One problem you might encounter occasionally has nothing to do with iTunes not working properly. This problem occurs when something happens to the file for a song in your Library.

When this happens, iTunes doesn't know what to do because it can't find the song's file. To show its confusion, iTunes displays an exclamation point next to any songs whose files it can't find when you try to play them, or do anything else with them for that matter (see Figure 22.3).

Figure 22.3. The missing file icon means iTunes can't find the file for a song.

To fix this problem, you have to reconnect iTunes to the missing file. Here are the steps to follow:

1.	Double-click a song next to which the exclamation point icon is shown. You will see a prompt telling you that the original file can't be found and asking whether you would like to locate it (see Figure 22.4). Figure 22.4. When you see this dialog box, iTunes can't find a song's file. caution iTunes depends on QuickTime to work. If you remove QuickTime from your system, iTunes will stop working. You'll have to reinstall QuickTime or run the iTunes Installer to get it working again.
2.	Click Yes. You will see the Open dialog box.
3.	Move to the song's file, select it, and click Open. You'll return to the iTunes window, and the song will begin to play. This will also restore the link from the iTunes Library to the song's file, and you will be able to play it again like before it was lost.

If the problem was that the file had been moved, you might want to cause iTunes to place it back within the iTunes Music folder to keep your music files nicely organized. To do this, select Advanced, Consolidate Library. In the resulting prompt, click Consolidate. iTunes will place a copy of any missing songs you have reconnected manually back into the proper location (within your iTunes Music folder).

Getting Help with iTunes Problems

When you run into a problem you can't solve yourself, the first place to go for help is Apple's Support website.

If you use iTunes on a Windows computer, go to http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/windows/. This page provides solutions to common problems, and you can search for specific problems you might experience (see Figure 22.5).

Figure 22.5. If you use iTunes on a Windows computer, check this website when you have problems.

Mac users are certainly not immune to problems either. For help with those, check out http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/ (see Figure 22.6).

Figure 22.6. Mac users can get help here.

You can also access Apple's general support resources at http://www.apple.com/support.

Many other websites contain useful iTunes troubleshooting help. To find them, go to www.google.com and search for the specific problem you are having. This will often lead you to a forum or other place in which you can find information, including a solution, for many problems.

note

You can also write to me with iTunes questions. My email address is [e-mail].

The Absolute Minimum

Heck, who wants to spend time solving problems with a music application when the whole point is to spend time listening to and working with music? Not me, that's for sure. Fortunately, iTunes is designed and implemented so well that you aren't likely to experience any problems. If you do, help is available to you on the Web and from other sources.

• Of course, you can lower the chances that you will ever have problems with iTunes by keeping the application up-to-date. Fortunately, you can set iTunes to do this automatically.

• Just in case the worst happens, keep your music safe by keeping it backed up separately from your computer, such as on CD or DVD.

• You aren't likely to need to solve many problems. You might occasionally run into the "missing song file" problem. Fortunately, you learned how to solve that one.

• If you experience problems with iTunes, you can access the application's help system. You can also get help from the Apple Support web page or by writing to me.