iTunes Update - I'm too scared to try it!

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TLD

902 posts

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#164276 4-Feb-2015 00:10

Last time I updated iTunes on my main Windows 7 system, it stuffed things up so thoroughly I could not fully recover, and had to do an entire OS reinstall. It took me a week to get back in and was at least able to sort things out for the reinstall, but ever since I have been unable to bring myself to install further updates. I run Shadow Protect, so can be back up and running with a boot drive image, but it would be nice to do without the drama.

Any thoughts?

Running iTunes 11.4.0.18 at the moment

TIA

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)

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#1230858 4-Feb-2015 00:18

The only issue I ever had with iTunes on Win7 over the last few years was it kept losing the connect to two library files, which brought up the same error on bootup after the upgrade install, requiring me to copy these two files into another folder. Other than that, smooth sailing. Perhaps your issue was an inherent fault that was exacerbated by the upgrade, as mine was although mine was a minor issue only?

solaybro

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#1230860 4-Feb-2015 00:29

I updated to iTunes 12.1 the other day and I am experiencing bad stuttering, I can't use iTunes to listen to music because of it. I'm on Win 8.1 though so I don't know what it's like on Win 7.

scuwp

3885 posts

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#1230914 4-Feb-2015 08:11

On Win7...have yet to be able to successfully install an iTunes update without a couple of hours work and stress. Although it doesn't destroy the OS, the update is always unsuccessful normally due to a 'permissions' issue, iTunes then becomes useless and I get stuck in limbo. Doesn't matter if I run the update or download a fresh version from the website and install manually, same outcome.

Web is full of complaints about the updates failing on Win OS, and none of the solutions suggested has ever worked for me.

I have resigned to copying out the critical library and index files, uninstalling, installing the fresh copy from Apple site, and then replacing the new index and library files with the old ones.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

tdgeek

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#1230920 4-Feb-2015 08:22

scuwp: On Win7...have yet to be able to successfully install an iTunes update without a couple of hours work and stress. Although it doesn't destroy the OS, the update is always unsuccessful normally due to a 'permissions' issue, iTunes then becomes useless and I get stuck in limbo. Doesn't matter if I run the update or download a fresh version from the website and install manually, same outcome.

Web is full of complaints about the updates failing on Win OS, and none of the solutions suggested has ever worked for me.

I have resigned to copying out the critical library and index files, uninstalling, installing the fresh copy from Apple site, and then replacing the new index and library files with the old ones.

It might be a corrupt library file. Could you note down what you have in iTunes, install it clean, then import your stuff, transfer purchases to get back where you were on the basis of a brand new install, basically rebuilding iTunes from ground level?

old3eyes

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#1230929 4-Feb-2015 08:36

I'm still running iTunes version 11.1.5.5 as the next versions broke the popdcast side of things which is the main us I have for itunes. Haven't tried the latest to see if it has been fixed

Regards,

Old3eyes

muppet

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#1230948 4-Feb-2015 09:50

Apple. iTunes. Windows.

Mix the 3 together and what do you get?

A giant cluster fruck.

tdgeek

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#1230950 4-Feb-2015 09:52

muppet: Apple. iTunes. Windows.

Mix the 3 together and what do you get?

A giant cluster fruck.

Always worked fine for me, aside from my above mentioned issue.

Equinox IT

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muppet

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#1230953 4-Feb-2015 09:55

tdgeek:
muppet: Apple. iTunes. Windows.

Mix the 3 together and what do you get?

A giant cluster fruck.

Always worked fine for me, aside from my above mentioned issue.

tdgeek

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#1230956 4-Feb-2015 09:57

muppet:
tdgeek:
muppet: Apple. iTunes. Windows.

Mix the 3 together and what do you get?

A giant cluster fruck.

Always worked fine for me, aside from my above mentioned issue.

Don't follow your post

geekiegeek

2513 posts

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#1230957 4-Feb-2015 09:57

never had an issue on Windows 7 or 8 or even Server 2012 R2.

The only reason I haven't gone to 12 is I don't like the layout but I did try it on my Windows 8 machine before uninstalling it and installing an older version - again with no issues.

Could it be that you have underlying PC issues and the itunes update problems are just a symptom?

Glassboy

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#1230958 4-Feb-2015 09:59

TLD: Last time I updated iTunes on my main Windows 7 system, it stuffed things up so thoroughly I could not fully recover, and had to do an entire OS reinstall. It took me a week to get back in and was at least able to sort things out for the reinstall, but ever since I have been unable to bring myself to install further updates. I run Shadow Protect, so can be back up and running with a boot drive image, but it would be nice to do without the drama.

Any thoughts?

Running iTunes 11.4.0.18 at the moment

TIA

I received a copy of JRiver Media Centre with my Pono, and after playing with it I have shifted to using it to load all our iPods.

I've owned a full copy of Media Monkey for a while as a tool for managing music properly, and I have a set of Powershell functions which I use for addressing iTune's shortfalls by calling it's com object. But Media Centre (or PonoWorld as my copy is called) has replaced them all.

I've relegated iTunes just to being a download agent only. The only music it can see is the iTunes purchased tracks. So basically I don't care if I never update it against as long as it can be used to purchase from the Apple store (if for some reason I'd want to buy lossy tracks).

scuwp

3885 posts

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#1231012 4-Feb-2015 10:56

tdgeek:
scuwp: On Win7...have yet to be able to successfully install an iTunes update without a couple of hours work and stress. Although it doesn't destroy the OS, the update is always unsuccessful normally due to a 'permissions' issue, iTunes then becomes useless and I get stuck in limbo. Doesn't matter if I run the update or download a fresh version from the website and install manually, same outcome.

Web is full of complaints about the updates failing on Win OS, and none of the solutions suggested has ever worked for me.

I have resigned to copying out the critical library and index files, uninstalling, installing the fresh copy from Apple site, and then replacing the new index and library files with the old ones.

It might be a corrupt library file. Could you note down what you have in iTunes, install it clean, then import your stuff, transfer purchases to get back where you were on the basis of a brand new install, basically rebuilding iTunes from ground level?

Normally comes down to 'insufficient privileges' relating to just one folder (which iTunes creates). Have spent hours trying to fix but nothing I have tried (including a couple of registry hacks) will correct it. The interweb is riddled with threads on this problem, and suggested solutions. Only way around it is to get rid of the folder (uninstall) and then start afresh. Seems the iTunes installer creates a folder, and then locks itself out of making any future changes to it.

Kind of off-topic, but just commiserating with the OP's frustration. I dread the alerts for iTunes updates, my heart now sinks at the thought of it.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

Glassboy

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#1231014 4-Feb-2015 11:08

scuwp:

Normally comes down to 'insufficient privileges' relating to just one folder (which iTunes creates). Have spent hours trying to fix but nothing I have tried (including a couple of registry hacks) will correct it. The interweb is riddled with threads on this problem, and suggested solutions. Only way around it is to get rid of the folder (uninstall) and then start afresh. Seems the iTunes installer creates a folder, and then locks itself out of making any future changes to it.

There are times when iTunes seems to need higher permissions to its folder in program files than it really should. I believe I may have a batch file kicking about to automatically fix it.

Brumfondl

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#1231026 4-Feb-2015 11:28

If you listen to podcasts then iTunes 12 is a vast improvement over 11 as it gets rid of the annoying pauses when you try to do anything.

If you are having lots of issues with iTunes I would suggest starting again. Copy your music folder somewhere. uninstall whatever version you have. Install iTunes 12.1 and then re-import all your music and set up the playlists again, etc. Just like with Windows, sometimes you just have to wipe ans start fresh :)

tdgeek

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#1231032 4-Feb-2015 11:50

This is quite critical, the order that the components are uninstalled

Steps

Remove iTunes and its related components from the Control Panel.

Use the Control Panel to uninstall iTunes and related software components in the following order. Then restart your computer:

Don't uninstall these components in a different order, or only uninstall some of them. Doing so might have unintended affects.

To remove these components:
1. iTunes
2. Apple Software Update
3. Apple Mobile Device Support
4. Bonjour
5. Apple Application Support
6. Quit the following programs if they're running:
  - iTunes 
  - Apple Software Update
7. Choose Start > Control Panel.
8. In Control Panel, open "Add or Remove Programs."
9. Select iTunes from the list of currently installed programs. Click Remove.
10. When asked if you would like to remove iTunes, select Yes.
11. After the uninstallation is complete, don't restart your computer if you're prompted.
12. If you see other iTunes entries in the list, remove them by repeating steps 4–6.
13. Using steps 4–6, also remove all instances of:
  - Apple Software Update
  - Apple Mobile Device Support
  - Bonjour
  - Apple Application Support
14. Restart your computer.

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