How do I know if my iTunes library is backed up by Carbonite?

Posted by kent on October 16th, 2009

The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.

Q: I purchased Carbonite and see no indication my songs in I-tunes have been backed up. How can I get it backed up? If it is backed up how would I know?

A: The purchase version of Carbonite should back up your iTunes music by default. If you're not sure that it has, here's what you should do. These are directions for a Windows machine:

1. Navigate to "My Computer" (or "Computer" in Vista)

2. Find your way to your iTunes music via this path:

C:\Documents and Settings\your user name\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music

3. Look for green dots. If there are green dots by the MP3 files, then they're backed up. This explanation from the Carbonite website shows the three possible states files can be in:

4. If you don't see green dots, then you can right-click on the folder. Use the contextual menu to select "Back this Up."

If you're using a Mac, it's pretty much the same process, except you'll start your search in the "Places" sidebar in the a finder window.

• Will Carbonite back up the music I downloaded from iTunes?
• Can we buy one subscription of Carbonite to back up both our computers?
• Will Carbonite also backup programs and applications in a form that would allow them to be installed and run without the hassle of rebuilding ones pc in a crash?
• Will online backup services also backup a virus or spyware?
• Wake up and backup!