problem with damaged iTunes library

[John Macklin]

This my first post. Please accept my apologies if it has previously been discussed.

 

I have a Mac Mini with an iTunes library of ripped CDs. Recently, I found a damaged track which is heavily distorted and truncated to only a few seconds long. File damage has occurred after the CD was ripped. The file size is much smaller than it should be and the 'Last Modified' date is more recent than other tracks on the same album.

 

I can restore this one file via a Time Machine back-up but I'm now wondering how safe my music is. How to find similarly affected files, how to prevent it, and if it's a digital fact of life, how best to manage the problem.

[wwaldmanfan]

This my first post. Please accept my apologies if it has previously been discussed.

 

I have a Mac Mini with an iTunes library of ripped CDs. Recently, I found a damaged track which is heavily distorted and truncated to only a few seconds long. File damage has occurred after the CD was ripped. The file size is much smaller than it should be and the 'Last Modified' date is more recent than other tracks on the same album.

 

I can restore this one file via a Time Machine back-up but I'm now wondering how safe my music is. How to find similarly affected files, how to prevent it, and if it's a digital fact of life, how best to manage the problem.

 

Welcome to the forum.

I cannot explain it, but file corruption occasionally happens with computers. The solution is to have multiple backups of your music library on external media. Besides your working library and your Time Machine backup, you should make at least one more additional copy, keep it updated, and store it in a safe place. Hard drives fail eventually, and computer gremlins are always finding ways to mess things up.

[Mystic]

Welcome to the forum.

I cannot explain it, but file corruption occasionally happens with computers. The solution is to have multiple backups of your music library on external media. Besides your working library and your Time Machine backup, you should make at least one more additional copy, keep it updated, and store it in a safe place. Hard drives fail eventually, and computer gremlins are always finding ways to mess things up.

 

Welcome... I agree, things happen...backup, backup, backup.

[fritzg]

Do you have iTunes Match running? I've had problems like describe when that is used.

[John Macklin]

Do you have iTunes Match running? I've had problems like describe when that is used.

No, I don't use it and Match is turned off by default, I think.