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WHY IS IMPORTING FROM CD SUDDENLY SO SLOW??

When I click on the Import CD button at the bottom of the page, the titles are immediately displayed as per usual in the program and each entry is checked. But the importation used to ZOOM through whatever titles were checked. Now everything is in molasses; so slow. I removed quite a few trojans and other malware just this evening using a separate program -- should I reinstall the iTunes program to get back to speed? Any cautions about reinstalling so that I don't lose any of my music? -- I have almost 5,000 songs in my iTunes library.

I have tried to reboot to no avail. I have tried cleaning the CDs to no avail. My CD-ROM would usually finish importing all of the songs from a typical CD in about 3 minutes -- very efficient. Now the progress bar tells me that about 37 minutes remain just for one song!! In addition, once the CD begins to run in the tower, the program freezes -- hangs -- and the only way to get back to my Desktop is to ctrl altdelete. This N-E-V-E-R happened before, having just started about 2 days ago.

Can someone PLEASE help me? Could this be a virus/worm??

Thanks!

Compaq Presario, Windows XP

Posted on Mar 21, 2009 11:00 PM

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Posted on Mar 24, 2009 2:06 PM

If CD importing has gotten slow after updating to iTunes 8.1, please try this:
1. Quit iTunes.
2. Windows users: Launch iTunes while holding down the Ctrl and Shift keys on the keyboard.
Mac users: Launch iTunes while holding down the Command and Option keys on the keyboard.
You should get a notification telling you iTunes is opening in safe mode.
3. Click Continue.
4. Import a CD as you normally would.

How is the performance? Please report back here.
10 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Mar 24, 2009 2:06 PM in response to lakerfanman

If CD importing has gotten slow after updating to iTunes 8.1, please try this:
1. Quit iTunes.
2. Windows users: Launch iTunes while holding down the Ctrl and Shift keys on the keyboard.
Mac users: Launch iTunes while holding down the Command and Option keys on the keyboard.
You should get a notification telling you iTunes is opening in safe mode.
3. Click Continue.
4. Import a CD as you normally would.

How is the performance? Please report back here.

Apr 7, 2009 2:49 AM in response to HowieX

HowieX wrote:


Could you mention why the speeds are different per song?


Speeds are approximate based on how much has converted so far, and how much file is left.
Also, the complexity of the file has a large bearing on conversion time.

So too does the format type of the file, (someone else mentioned this).

Read errors require the pc to check and check again before moving on. This may have been part of your original problem. Sometimes removing the disc and cleaning can make a big difference.

Read speed varies across the disc from the hub to the edge, as the 'table of contents' file located near the hub needs to be cross-referenced regularly to locate the file contents. As the transport of the read head takes time from the centre to the edge, and this process needs to be repeated, it takes a lot longer near the edge to access a file. This is similar with a hard drive that is near full.

Apr 11, 2009 12:52 PM in response to lakerfanman

Ever since I updated to itunes 8.1.0.52, import happens at x 0.10 ! That means it's taking itunes TEN times longer to import the songs, than the songs last!
They used to import up to x 16 !
I've contacted Apple several times on this issue, and although they have responded quickly, they have never once admitted there was/is a problem or bug with the update. All they have done is suggested I re-install itunes (didn't fix the problem), update my drive(s) firmware (ditto), or start itunes in safe mode (which improved times to x 4. Why is this?)
I did try and re-install an earlier version of itunes, but then it wouldn't read the library, saying the library was from a newer install!!!
Apple did reply with a troubleshooter for itunes installing (irrelevant).
Due to the fact that so many users are having this problem, would I be paranoid in thinking maybe Apple have done this on purpose, so that we just pay for downloads from itunes store?
I'm gonna buy a Creative Zen.

Apr 11, 2009 5:12 PM in response to lakerfanman

Yes gang, I have noticed this too ever since I upgraded to iTunes 8.1 the other day. Importing is slower than usual. I'll have to try what Roy B suggested:

+"If CD importing has gotten slow after updating to iTunes 8.1, please try this:+
+1. Quit iTunes.+
+2. Windows users: Launch iTunes while holding down the Ctrl and Shift keys on the keyboard.+
+Mac users: Launch iTunes while holding down the Command and Option keys on the keyboard.+
+You should get a notification telling you iTunes is opening in safe mode.+
+3. Click Continue.+
+4. Import a CD as you normally would.+

+How is the performance? Please report back here."+

*Has anyone reported back if this has made a difference or not?*

Apr 12, 2009 6:36 PM in response to Roy B

Hi Roy. I just tried this but it didn't fix the problem. Besides, a user should be able to have iTunes check to fill in skips while running at 15x+. I use to be able to and now cannot since downloading 8.1. The change was immediate and I noticed it immediately because I am importing my collection (600+ cds). iTunes <8.1 ran like the wind; 8.1+ all of a sudden does not, with the same import settings.

WHY IS IMPORTING FROM CD SUDDENLY SO SLOW??

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