iTunes help

[Chrislit18]

It's really sad that I have to ask this question after having the software for like 3 years basically, but I'm having quite a problem.

Yesterday, Jazmen sent me about 15-20 files over sendspace, in an archive [I think they were called a zip drive???]

So last night, after they downloaded, the only way to get them into my iTunes library, was to 'open' the file, and play the music. I had to do this twice before I realized that I better upload them into my iPod so I could have them on there permenently.

But today, I opened iTunes to put some CDs of my dads in here, because I have to bring them back to his house tomorow, and all of the files were unable to be played .

Then I tried dragging the archive into iTunes, like I do with mp3s I get off of sendspace/yousendit etc. and it won't work. Then I tried dragging in each individual song, and it won't work either

Does anybody know what I could do to get them in my library permenantly, becuase if that can't be figured out, each time I want to add/delete songs in my iPod, I will have to put the songs in each and every time, and I think we could all agree what a pain that is.

Any help will be appreciated
Thank you
Christine