iTunes not running. (iTunes.exe not in processes)

Question

Level 1

0 points

iTunes not running. (iTunes.exe not in processes)

I recently reformatted my hard drive. I reinstalled iTunes, and it ran as expected. This afternoon, it suddenly stopped. Now, after double clicking the shortcut (or going straight to the program file), I just get a quick hourglass. Nothing follows.

I've checked the system processes, and itunes.exe isn't present. For what it's worth, iPodService.exe, AppleMobileDeviceService.exe, and iTunesHelper.exe are all running.

I've uninstalled (via Add/Remove as well as the iTunes installer file) five or six times now. I've also tried manually removing remaining program files and Quicktime system32 dll files. Still no luck.

I have ESET NOD32 running but nothing otherwise. Disabling it changes nothing.

I appreciate you checking this out. Thank you for any efforts.

Dell 4700 Dimension, Windows XP Pro

Posted on May 14, 2009 8:12 PM

Reply

Answer 1

May 14, 2009 10:17 PM in response to Sciolaro

I've had a really similar issue lately. About a week ago my iTunes stopped opening for me. I'd click on the icon on the start bar, the desktop, etc to no avail. It simply wouldn't open. I wouldn't get an error message or anything, just one of those blue loading circles for a second or two and then nothing. After trying the obvious (restarting my computer), I tried again, with the same results.

I decided I'd simply uninstall iTunes/Quicktime and reinstall them. They uninstalled fine according to Vista, but now when I try to reinstall iTunes I get ones of these messages during installation: http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/1282/issue.jpg

Reply

Answer 2

May 14, 2009 10:44 PM in response to Sciolaro

You can uninstall iTunes using the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility found here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

If the Bonjour Service does not stop, you can manually try to stop it within the Services management console, and then try to reinstall it. For XP: *Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services* For Vista: click Start then type services.msc in the search field.

Note: You must have admin rights in order to access services in Vista.

Lk.

Reply

Answer 3

Sciolaro Author

Level 1

0 points

May 15, 2009 1:57 AM in response to LaustKause

Thanks for the Windows Installer Clean Up, LaustKause. Still no luck though. I've gone through a series of uninstalls with it, and no later iTunes install will run.

This is so strange, as iTunes worked perfectly well a matter of hours ago.

Reply

Answer 4

May 15, 2009 7:48 AM in response to Sciolaro

To Cactus: if you have McAfee installed, http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1609

Sciolaro, have you tried the steps outlined in this article: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1421 I have seen something there in regards to ESET that you could try first before the other suggestions.

Reply

Answer 5

Katrina S.

Level 7

24,131 points

May 15, 2009 8:39 AM in response to Sciolaro

Another thing that might isolate the cause is using MSCONFIG, mentione in the article link LostKlause posted.

+Conflicting Processes+
+Sometimes other programs and start-up items can conflict with iTunes, look at the following article to troubleshoot such conflicts:+

+Using MSCONFIG to troubleshoot conflicts in Windows+

Reply

Answer 6

May 15, 2009 9:10 AM in response to Katrina S.

Nice addition but...

Katrina S. wrote:
... LostKlause ...

Ouch 😟 !

Reply

Answer 7

Katrina S.

Level 7

24,131 points

May 15, 2009 10:10 AM in response to LaustKause

I do apologize on mangling your handle, LaustKause!

Reply

Answer 8

Sciolaro Author

Level 1

0 points

May 15, 2009 11:19 AM in response to LaustKause

I made the suggested ESET exceptions and adds, but still no luck. I also don't think it's ESET related because iTunes won't run even if ESET is totally disabled.

I also tried the .bat file fix, but nothing there either.

Grr.

Reply

Answer 9

May 15, 2009 12:11 PM in response to Sciolaro

Have you tried to open iTunes directly using the itunes.exe file in *Program Files > iTunes*? If that works just create another shortcut.

Another suggestion is to add the file to Windows DEP exclusion list. Right-click *My Computer > Properties*, select the Advanced tab then click Settings in the Performance area. Under the *Data Execution Prevention* tab, select *Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select*, click Add browse to the iTunes.exe. Restart your computer and then try to access it.

Reply

Answer 10

Sciolaro Author

Level 1

0 points

May 15, 2009 5:19 PM in response to LaustKause

Thanks for those. Unfortunately still nothing. Neither opens or runs iTunes(.exe). The helpers and services are running, but that's it.

I'm thinking about trying an old version. I may suffer the same problem, but I guess it's worth a shot to have iPod and iTunes access again.

Reply

Answer 11

Katrina S.

Level 7

24,131 points

May 15, 2009 7:12 PM in response to Sciolaro

Does itunes.exe even flash in the Processes tab?

Here is an older post from forum regular, polydorus. Maybe the stuff about registering cryptographic dlls or making sure the smart card service is installed will help, even though itunes.exe is not persistent in task manager.

And the malware scan from Kaspersky isn't a bad idea, either.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8154549

Reply

Answer 12

Sciolaro Author

Level 1

0 points

May 15, 2009 8:54 PM in response to Katrina S.

I am yet to see iTunes.exe active in the processes, but I will definitely check that out. Thanks.

I just reformatted, so I doubt I have any malware. I'll check Kapersky anyway.

The value of having all of my music back without having to deal with another reformat is great.

Reply

Answer 13

Sciolaro Author

Level 1

0 points

May 17, 2009 12:19 AM in response to Sciolaro

OK, Problem solved. I think the problem was not in iTunes but Quicktime. I had never opened or used Quicktime. iTunes worked shortly after I did.

Thank you to all.

Reply

Answer 14

Alynne

Level 1

0 points

Jun 24, 2009 5:52 PM in response to Sciolaro

I'm having the same problem right now. My computer says that it is the DEP that is preventing it from opening, but I changed the DEP settings so it doesn't close itunes off, and it is still not working. What did you do with quicktime to get it to work? I have quicktime on my computer, and it acts up a lot.

Reply