
Dupin and "Dead" Tracks
What's a "dead" track?
A dead track is a track in iTunes whose associated file is either missing or is inaccessible when iTunes launches. Because iTunes can't find the track's file it therefore can't access the audio it contains when you try to play it. You can't play it. It's dead.
Dead tracks are indicated in iTunes with a circled "!".
Typically a track becomes dead when its file has been Trashed outside of iTunesrather than deleting the track and file from iTunes so its database can be updated with the changeor if the volume a file resides on is un-mounted or otherwise unavailable.
Of course, iTunes can't "know" if a file has truly been deleted or is just temporarily inaccessible. Only you know this.
Important considerations regarding Dupin
Dupin is able to detect dead tracks in your library during the Get Dupes operation. Dead track entries will be colored red in Dupin.
Because the existence of a dead track's source file is, at best, ambiguous, Dupin would prefer not to work with them. Thus:
During a Filter operation - dead tracks will be designated as non-Keeper tracks automatically.
During a Purge operation - Dupe Groups containing any dead tracks will be ignored.
Remove "Dead" Tracks...
However, you can remove the dead tracks from Dupin. Additionally, you can delete the dead tracks detected by Dupin from iTunes.
Removing dead tracks detected by Dupin:
- After performing a Get Dupes operation any dead tracks found will be colored red.
- Select "Remove Dead Tracks..." from Dupin's Tools menu.
- In the drop-down that appears, click the "Proceed" button.
- Dead tracks will be removed from Dupin and any Dupe Groups containing fewer then two tracks will disappear.
Deleting dead tracks from iTunes:
- In the drop-down that appears, put a checkmark in the box next to "...and delete them from iTunes" and then click the "Proceed" button.
- Dead tracks will be removed from Dupin and deleted from iTunes. This operation cannot be un-done.
- This only deletes the dead tracks detected by Dupin. Other dead tracks may still exist in your iTunes library.