The Folder Path "My Documents contains an Invalid Character"

It sounds possible that the registry settings for your special folder have a problem.

Take a look at this article:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1866

It describes how to use a utility called TweakUI to correct the registry setting for the My Music folder.

I suggest you use it to check the settings for My Documents, My Music and My Pictures.

Maybe that will help.

Since you say you have been editing your registry it sounds as though some registry setting pointing you your document folder has gone wrong.


Also do you have any unusual characters in your account name so there is something funny about the path to My documents.

Something you could try although you may not regard it as a solution is to create a new account and try using iTunes from there.

If the same problem occurs in another account, it suggests the message is misleading and the problem is not with My Documents itself.

That is unless you have changed the path c:\Documents and Settings which is common to all accounts.

It sounds as though there is a registry key set with corrupt information somewhere that you haven't found yet.

Something you could try is a complete removal of iTunes according to the following method. I have also included instructions for installer clean up which you should do if one of the uninstalls fails. I am guessing that the iTunes uninstall might fail with a similar message.

== uninstall with cleanup ==
Download a fresh copy of iTunes and the stand alone version of Quicktime

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/win.html
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

Download and install Microsoft Installer cleanup utility, there are instructions on the page as well as the download. Note that what you download is the installer not the program – you have to run it to install the program

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301/

Now use the following method to remove iTunes and its components:
XP
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1925

Vista
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1923


If you hit a problem with one of the uninstalls don't worry, carry on with the deleting of files and folders as directed in the method.

When you get to deleting Quicktime files in the system32 folder as advised in the method, you can delete and file or folder called Quicktime.

Restart your PC.

Run the Microsoft Installer Cleanup Utility. (Start > All Programs > Windows Install Clean Up)

Remove any references you find to the programs you removed - strictly speaking you only need to worry about those programs where the uninstall failed.

restart your PC

Install the stand alone Quicktime and check that it works.

If it does, install iTunes.

===

Did you use the Microsoft Installer cleanup utility on the programs that failed to uninstall?

If uninstalling iTunes gives the error, then you need to use the Installer cleanup utility to remove any entries for iTunes that you find using the cleanup utility. Also delete the files and folders indicated in the Apple method.

You must run the Microsoft Installer cleanup utility.

Download the installer file and run it. This will install the program. It should appear in All Programs as Windows Install Clean up.

I can not give you instructions for editing the registry.