Itunes will not open (or close in Task Manager)

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Level 1

1 points

Itunes will not open (or close in Task Manager)

I did a search and couldnt find exactly what I was looking for...

Duel Core Athlon
3.01 GHz
2 GIG RAM
XP Pro SP2
AVG Anti-Virus

I simply can NOT get Itunes to open. I am not exactly sure the version, but I tried to DL the newest version to fix this.

When I click on Itunes, I get an hour glass for about 3 seconds and nothing happens. In Task Manager, it shows Itunes.exe is running, but I can NOT end the process. (???) I tried the uninstall, repair, etc. and I just dont understand it.

I also tried plugging in both of my players without starting Itunes...nothing.

Any help out there on what I should do?

home built, Windows XP Pro

Posted on Jan 3, 2008 9:56 PM

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Answer 1

polydorus

Level 6

11,967 points

Jan 4, 2008 1:50 AM in response to markstanco

If I have understood you correctly, iTunes.exe persists in the Porcessess tab of task manager, but does not open and there is no error message.

This suggests something conflicting with the iTunes startup.

Some things to think about.

Some spyware can do this so run a full virus and spyware scan with upto date definitions.

This can be assocated with firewall blocking, so try briefly disabling you secutity software to see if that allows start up. I didn't see which firewall you are using.

There there are plug ins, recent sounces of trouble have been Qloud and iScrobbler.

If no luck, you can use the following article to check for software conflicts using MSConfig:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302538

Finally here is a general article on troubleshooting Freezes, for you to work through. Checking to see if the problem occurs in another account can be very useful:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302856

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Answer 2

markstanco Author

Level 1

1 points

Jan 4, 2008 9:38 AM in response to polydorus

polydorus wrote:
If I have understood you correctly, iTunes.exe persists in the Porcessess tab of task manager, but does not open and there is no error message.

This suggests something conflicting with the iTunes startup.

Some things to think about.

Some spyware can do this so run a full virus and spyware scan with upto date definitions.

This can be assocated with firewall blocking, so try briefly disabling you secutity software to see if that allows start up. I didn't see which firewall you are using.

There there are plug ins, recent sounces of trouble have been Qloud and iScrobbler.

If no luck, you can use the following article to check for software conflicts using MSConfig:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302538

Finally here is a general article on troubleshooting Freezes, for you to work through. Checking to see if the problem occurs in another account can be very useful:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302856

That is correct.. it is in the processes tab, but it will not open (or close if I try to end process)

Last night I ran a full virus scan and multiple anti-spyware software scans within safe mode. Nothing.

Firewall... just the Windows version. But nothing has changed as far as the settings go.

Qloud and iScrobbler not installed.

I will take a look tonight at your links when I get to the PC. I certainly hope this works. This is frustrating to say the least.

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Answer 3

markstanco Author

Level 1

1 points

Jan 4, 2008 7:22 PM in response to markstanco

well.... 😟

I have been working on this for over 2 hours. I have went through registry stuff, uninstalls, re-installs, etc.

I have noticed a few things..

(keep in mind when I click on say MS Outlook, it opens in less than 1 second).

If I click on Itunes, my computer freezes for about 20-30 seconds. I cant even Ctrl Alt Del.

qtime.exe (I think that is what it is called) is not found at ALL in the task manager (possibly the problem)

I did each and EVERY thing in the docs, but nothing worked. Each and every other function within Windows is functioning properly. No new software has been installed in months, and I used Itunes less than a week ago.

Here is my Hijack this! log file:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 9:14:50 PM, on 1/4/2008
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\Core\smax4pnp.exe
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\Smax4.exe
C:\Program Files\ASUS\AI Gear\GearHelp.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe
C:\Program Files\InterVideo\Disc Master 2.5\DirectCD.exe
C:\Program Files\InterVideo\Common\Bin\WinCinemaMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliType Pro\itype.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LightScribeControlPanel.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunes.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMAXPnP] C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\Core\smax4pnp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMAX] "C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\Smax4.exe" /tray
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [JMB36X IDE Setup] C:\WINDOWS\JM\JMInsIDE.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [36X Raid Configurer] C:\WINDOWS\system32\JMRaidSetup.exe boot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Launch Ai Booster] "C:\Program Files\ASUS\AI Booster\OverClk.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AsusStartupHelp] C:\Program Files\ASUS\AASP\1.00.14\AsRunHelp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Ai Gear Help] "C:\Program Files\ASUS\AI Gear\GearHelp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DIRECTCD] "C:\Program Files\InterVideo\Disc Master 2.5\DirectCD.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WINCINEMAMGR] "C:\Program Files\InterVideo\Common\Bin\WinCinemaMgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [itype] "c:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliType Pro\itype.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RoxWatchTray] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxWatchTray9.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [LightScribe Control Panel] C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LightScribeControlPanel.exe -hidden
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User 'Default user')
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Webshots Photo Search - res://C:\Program Files\Webshots\WSToolbar4IE.dll/MENUSEARCH.HTM
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe

What gives?!?!?!?!?!

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Answer 4

polydorus

Level 6

11,967 points

Jan 5, 2008 2:30 AM in response to markstanco

If you have worked through everything including MSconfig, I am afraid I am out of ideas, was the iTunes problem account specific?
Did you remove the iTunes configuration files? They can be a cause of iTunes failing to open with iTunes.exe persisting in the task manager. Preumably you also tried deleting the preference files? - that would be an account specific issue.

I am afraid I am not really competent to comment on the Hijack this output although I didn't see anything suspicious. I notice you have some Roxio sofware, that has caused problems with itunes although AFIK it has been related to optical drive issues.

Have you ever had any other security software? Even if you are not using or it has been uninstalled. Norton is notorious for leaving stuff behind which can cause problems although this has been blocking connection to the iTunes store.

When iTunes is not running, you should have iTunes Heleper.exe and iPodService.exe running. If you have the Quicktime tray icon you will also have QTTask.exe. WHen iTunes starts it only add iTunes.exe, nothing else.

A quick point that we didn't cover, does Quicktime start and work normally? iTunes requires Quickime in order to work, but usually iTunes gives an error message if Quicktime will not open, but just occasionally it doesn't.

Have you been subcribing to podcasts, problems with podcast downloading at startup can cause freezes.

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Answer 5

polydorus

Level 6

11,967 points

Jan 6, 2008 6:17 AM in response to polydorus

Hi, if you are still there and haven't found a solution, bnoir has suggested another line of enquiry that we could try.

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Answer 6

markstanco Author

Level 1

1 points

Jan 6, 2008 8:13 AM in response to polydorus

I am still here... And nothing has worked. 😟
QT works fine.
What is your other suggestion?

I have this thread subscribed so I will reply next weekend as I am about to go to the airport in a few hours....with old music on the Ipod.

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Answer 7

polydorus

Level 6

11,967 points

Jan 6, 2008 9:10 AM in response to markstanco

When you worked through the Apple article on trobleshooting iTunes, there was a bit about digital signing.

The suggestion is to look into that a little more deeply and to see if there is a problem with one of the related dlls.

WOrk through Method 4 in the following Microsoft article:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822798/

It involves unregistering and registering the dlls related to digital signing. It is important to do it accurately, if a step is left out, you could get problems.

The suggestion is that you do each line individually rather than create a batch file as suggested in the method. This is to be sure you see any error messages that arise. If there are any make a note of the exact text and get back to me. If there are no error messages, try iTunes again.

You should be able to use copy and paste into the command window to save typing the lines.

It is only Method 4 that we are intersted in.

I have subscribed to the thead so I should see your reply even if it takes a while.

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Answer 8

markstanco Author

Level 1

1 points

Jan 18, 2008 5:43 PM in response to polydorus

this is STRANGE.

My wife tried to load some card game CD on the computer...My PC locked up on the opening screen (where you hit F8 to go to safe mode).

Anyhow, I disconnected the external drive for some reason and tried again. Windows loaded as well as her CD!

Scratched my head for a second and tried to open Itunes. Bingo!

Seagate 250 Gig EHD. This is very odd, but it worked.

THANK YOU ALL for your suggestions. I appreciate it more than you will know!

Mark

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Answer 9

markstanco Author

Level 1

1 points

Jan 18, 2008 5:43 PM in response to markstanco

check everything!

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