Ok, my database file is somehow getting the information wrong, and deleting entries without being told. I've currently only found one artist in particular that it's happening to (Shania Twain) and notably the UP! album, but there are obviously more missing, I just aven't been able to determine who at this stage.

At first I thought it was an issue with the exclamation mark in the album title, but it doesnt appear that's it.

Then I thought it might be because I have a tree like this:

where SongA, SongB etc... are actually the same song names (as far as filename goes, but in the tag info, the album reflects the correct colour (color for you yanks!) - for those unaware, shania put out three albums with the same tracks in different styles, they were calles UP! RED, UP! BLUE and UP! GREEN) So the track names are the same, but they are in different folders.

So I was thinking this may the issue, maybe the database uses the filename as some sort of reference I don't know.

But I was able to wipe the database and start afresh and drop each album in and it worked. So I added one dir at a time and checked the file count, so far, so good. So I added more folders as groups, and it seeded to work.

But now that I've finished I've gone through and checked and there are over 200 files missing from the database!

What's more interesting, is the "Database View" reports there are 15021 songs and the dbsearch window reports (in pass mode) reports an extra 4 tracks, yet they are both over 200 short.

If I check in windows explorer, I have the correct amount of mp3 and wma files (15200+). So the files actually exist, I just cant see them all in the database. BUT at one time they were there, but have since been removed when more files were added.

I thought it may be the fact that originally there were 1000 mp3 files without id3 tags at all, but if that was the case, I'd be 1000 down, not just a mere 200!

This is really annoying and bugging me.

Does anyone have any idea what's going on?

edit: I've done some further analysis, there are the odd files missing from some directories, there's even the odd whole folder missing. There's nothing odd with the ones that are missing. I just don't understand it.

I was hoping someone would have some insight on this problem, I thought I would add some further insight.

I have rebuilt my database several times today, and the problem is not systematic, ie, everytime I import files into the database, it varies as to what goes missing. In my final import, I was able to import all but 6 files... Usual story though, it's too hard to work out which files are missing.

Has nobody else experienced this problem?

Please elaborate. I have no idea what you're asking.

You wouldn't be fishing to increase your post count would you? Your post does nothing to tell me what you don't understand? Considering I've gone into a bit of detail, so which bit don't you get?

I'll put it simply:

- My database does not contain all the files it should.
- The database was loaded by adding directories one after another
- Not all files were successfully imported
- It seems to be different files each time that it doesn't import
- Sometimes I can jusr re-add the files and they are fine
- Sometimes I can re-add them, but the still don't stick in the database

I will re-itterate point 4:

It's not always the same files that get discarded! And it appears that it's for no apparent reason. I've even analysed these files at byte level to compare id3 tag formats without any notable differences

Your problem has never been reported before that I know of. What formats are these files? What components do you have installed?

If I was just trying to bump my post count, wouldn't I have a bit more than ~1 post/day (compared to your ~10 at present)? Tip: when asking for help, try to avoid annoying the people who are trying to help you.

Yeah, I've discovered that, I have done a fair amount of searching on it. The bulk of my files are mp3 with a few wma's thrown in. I don't believe it's the format, as I've indcated above, there is nothing glaringly different with each file.

With regards to components, I have the special pack installed, so most of them are there. I am essentially using but I'm only using columns, panelstack (it occurred before I installed that one), ummm... I spose most of them are there, so take it that it's the special pack, but I have gone and downloaded upgrades to the main ones.

I do not believe the components or even the fileformat is the problem. I have done this many times, over and over again. I have uninstalled and reinstalled. I'm even about to try it on another system! (I only just thought of doing that)

I honestly believe there is some deficiency in foobar during the importing of the music stage, ie, some tag i haven't yet identified, a networking speed issue or something... I don't know.

Ok, now there's a point, all my music comes from a mapped network drive... but it SHOULDN'T be that. I have spoken to other people who have done it the same way.

BUT the last time I have imported the music, I am only missing 6 songs! from 15000+ I'm happy with that - well, as happy as I can be about losing the songs, but it's better than the original 200 I had missing!
ROFL Ok, point taken. You will notice with my postcount though, it's mainly because I am a new member (only been here a couple of days) and each message has a fair amount of something to say (except for the thanks ones I suppose - but it doesn't hurt to be polite), that and the fact you've been a member since 2002! I'm sure once I've been here a few years my count will be down too I'm just tired of people in other forums saying I don't understand when a lot has been said... what didn't they understand? But having said that... I do apologise for my abruptness, and I do know it's not nice to bite the hand that feeds LOL