iTunes noob - I have a question

I'm NOT and iTunes guy. I have never really used it, I don't like it, and care very little about it. However, a client has a laptop here and wants the iTunes music backed up. I've done this dozens of times w/o problems: there's usually an "iTunes Music" folder within the "My Music" folder in "My Documents" (drop the word "My" if using Vista or Win7), and I simply save that folder. But on this laptop, the "iTunes Music" folder is empty, but if I click on an "iTunes Playlist" file in the "My Music" folder, it opens up in iTunes with a BUNCH of songs. There are several iTunes Playlist files in a few different folders in "My Music" and they each open a different set of songs. So... where is this music actually stored? It does not appear to be on the PC; I've checked many locations (I have not run a Search yet). Could all the music be online in an online iTunes account?

 

No its stored on the computer or on there local device, itunes has a backup option that burns everything to cd/dvd its in one of the menus. Easyest and best way to do it. Like if they played music off an external harddrive, and have the option to let themselfs manage media the files would remain on the external media.

 

Open iTunes > Edit > Preferences > Advanced - if the default Media folder's location has been changed, that dialog should show the path.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2279