Quicktime takes a lot of time to open after last Quicktime or iTunes update

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Level 1

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Quicktime takes a lot of time to open after last Quicktime or iTunes update

I have actually no big problems, but its a bit annoying that Quicktime Player takes a lot of time (maybe twice as before) for opening a Quicktime file (mp3 or video file, it doesnt matter).. I think this situation arised after the last Quicktime update or the update before this I dont know for sure. I think the last Quicktime update.. I am using the latest Quicktime which is 7.6 and its Tiger (10.4.11). When Quicktime Player is not opened, and its getting opened for the first time by clicking for instance on a mp3 file, it takes more then 10 seconds to open up, when I click the file Quicktime Player bounces normally as always but then the spinning rainbow beachball is shown for more then 10 seconds before the player window appears. There is no delay when I go open a mp3 from another mp3. The delay occurs only when Quicktime Player is not opened yet (quit/closed) and you click on a Quicktime file then the delay happens during the opening of the player.. Sometimes it doesnt even open the file I clicked, but only Quicktime Player so I have to click the same file again..

What I tried is :
deleted all Quicktime player preference files.. Didnt help
removed all plugins from the Quicktime library.. Didnt help either

What could the problem possibly be? What can I do to recover it except for installing my system all over again? Will Apple fix this problem with the next update?

PS: I dont exclude that the latest iTunes update (8.1) can be a cause of this problem. Do you know if the iTunes update also changed/updated something regards Quicktime (Player)?

iBook G3 700 Mhz, Mac OS X (10.4.11), Quicktime 7.6 (Tiger 10.4.11)

Posted on Mar 14, 2009 2:36 PM

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Answer 1

CMCSK

Level 6

11,452 points

Mar 14, 2009 5:03 PM in response to xcuneytx

System Preferences/Quicktime/Browser
Click the Empty Download Cache button to see if that speeds up opening Quicktime.

Will Apple fix this problem with the next update?

Not allowed to speculate in these forums. Besides, since this is a user to user message board, none of us know what Apple will or will not do until it happens.

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Answer 2

xcuneytx Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 15, 2009 3:36 AM in response to CMCSK

I already tried that, besides I turned of the option to save/cache the movies in the browser.. Also my problem has nothing to do with the browser, but its the standalone Quicktime Player. 😉

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Answer 3

CMCSK

Level 6

11,452 points

Mar 15, 2009 4:50 PM in response to xcuneytx

Do an archive & install.

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Answer 4

xcuneytx Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 20, 2009 2:43 AM in response to CMCSK

I already wrote in the openingspost that is not an option for me.

Thats an extreme measure, I have a lot of apps, and third party software, I dont have time to do an archive & install just because some software-update from Apple made my Quicktime Player startup twice as slow..

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Answer 5

Klaus1

Level 9

52,879 points

Mar 20, 2009 6:51 AM in response to xcuneytx

Why is an Archive & Install not an option for you? It does NOT delete your applications or your settings, and is NOT the same as an Erase & Install which does.

In my opinion it will be the only way to get your old G3 working properly again.

How to Archive & Install:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120

This document explains how to correctly reinstall a prior version of Mac OS X in the event that other troubleshooting does not resolve an issue:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25404

BUT: Don't install older versions of Mac OS than what comes with your computer:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2186?viewlocale=en_US

Will Apple fix this problem with the next update?

For 99.9% of users there is no problem to fix.

But before doing your archive and install, when did you last perform a bit of maintenance?

Repairing permissions is important, and should always be carried out both before and after any software installation or update.

Go to Disk Utility (this is in your Utilities Folder in your Application folder) and click on the icon of your hard disk (not the one with all the numbers).

In First Aid, click on Repair Permissions.

This only takes a minute or two in Tiger, but much longer in Leopard.

Background information here:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25751

and here:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302672

An article on troubleshooting Permissions can be found here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2963

By the way, you can ignore any messages about SUID or ACL file permissions, as explained here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1448?viewlocale=en_US

If you were having any serious problems with your Mac you might as well complete the exercise by repairing your hard disk as well. You cannot do this from the same start-up disk. Reboot from your install disk (holding down the C key). Once it opens, select your language, and then go to Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. Select your hard disk as before and click Repair.

Once that is complete reboot again from your usual start-up disk.

More useful reading here:

Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1417?viewlocale=en_US

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Answer 6

spon

Level 1

0 points

Mar 22, 2009 7:45 AM in response to xcuneytx

hi xcuneytx
Sorry no advice to offer ,but I have been experiencing the same effect recently,so you are not alone. I spoke to Apple who said they haven't heard of this problem, and gave the stock ,re-install qt etc which had no effect.One can only hope this "unique" problem will magically resolve itself with an update!.I run pro music apps so I'm rather curious to discover what, if any changes are taking place.

good luck

T

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Answer 7

May 3, 2009 1:57 PM in response to spon

Yes, I have this happening to me as well. It's funny complaining about something taking 10 or 20 seconds to open, but it is a little annoying.

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