iTunes Error

The iTunes Music Library file cannot be read because it does not appear to be a valid library file

The Problem

AAAAAAIGH! I had been doing some advanced software installs (XDarwin) and did some royal system messing-with. Somehow, I managed to corrupt my iTunes. Terrible. Awful. I have 3376 mp3 files in my iTunes. Losing them would suck.

iTunes would simply not run.

*whimper*

But wait! Maybe there's a fix. But I couldn't find anything on the web.

XML Saved My Music

Here's what I did in my iTunes Folder:

I made a new folder: (Apple-Shift-N)

Backup

Move:

iTunes 3 Music Library
iTunes Music Library.xml
iTunes Music Library (2)

...to the new Backup folder

(( NOTE: SEVERAL RESPONSES I HAVE GOTTEN INDICATE REINSTALLING ITUNES IS *NOT* NECESSARY. Consider this step optional. If your recovery fails, reconsider adding it back))
Reinstall iTunes afresh <http://www.apple.com/itunes/>

Then do: File > Import...

Import your library back: Backup/iTunes Music Library.xml

If you have a lot of music, it will take some time But this solved my problem. I got my music and my playlists back.

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Calyxa suggested I show the path to the files, and I did. Thanks Calyxa!

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On 27 November 2003 Mike Conlen sent in this suggestion, for iTunes for Windows:

In Windows to do the same look under
My Documents -> My Music -> iTunes
Move the files iTunes Music Library.xml and iTunes 4 Music Library.itl to the Desktop
Run iTunes
File -> Import
Change file type to XML and select the iTunes Music Library from your desktop
Wait while the files are imported.

Thanks Mike!