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Updated to itunes 9: now Airtunes won't connect,

I unfortunately do not recall the last version of itunes I had.... it wasn't very old though.

The only reason I updated to 9 last night was the itunes store forced me to in order to get a new episode. Anyways...

after the update, upon starting iTunes, i get this dialogue:

"The software required for communication with this ipod is not installed correctly...."

Then it asks me if I want it to repair. I say yes and it supposedly repairs it. If I restart itunes, it will say this error every single time.

I also cannot connect to my Airpor Express as a speaker output. it is listed, and when I select it, it brings up the 'connecting' dialogue which goes on FOREVER until I cancel it. ***?!?

I've uninstalled itunes, apple application support AND apple mobile device support and reinstalled itunes. I've unplugged the airport express; re-configured it using the Airport utility, updated the firmware and still I have both of these problems after all this.

WHY OH WHY did itunes make my update to download new store episodes...

Can anybody help me diagnose this?

Thanks
Ryan

Message was edited by: Ryan Brucks

Dell T7400, Windows Vista

Posted on Sep 10, 2009 9:01 PM

Reply
119 replies

Sep 11, 2009 1:13 AM in response to Ryan Brucks

This issue has arisen before when iTunes 8.0 was released. I believe in that case Apple had a patch for Airtunes within a few days. I suggest you download the latest Airport Express/Airtunes install from Apple (rather than from the cd supplied) as this will at least be more up-to-date.

Aside from that, maybe just hold up until Apple get an update out for Airtunes to support iTunes 9.

Sep 12, 2009 12:11 AM in response to Ryan Brucks

Well it turns out I had the latest airport software already, and my express is current also.

As per a suggestion in another thread, I uninstalled itunes 9 64-bit and installed the 32-bit version.

This fixed the "communication with ipods" warning on itunes startup, but I still cannot use my airport express as remote speakers. It just keeps on trying to connect.

I also tried disabling Airtunes on the Express and re-enabling it, nogo.

This is really baffling.... anybody else having this issue???

Sep 13, 2009 6:33 AM in response to Vengance

Actually it's quite helpful... the more people who confirm there is an issue the better... maybe apple will take it more seriously.

I called apple support yesterday and they tried to pin the issue on anything/everything related to my setup, didn't even give consideration to the fact there might be an itunes 9 bug. To be fair they are probably just going through all the steps first....

They suggested I disable the wireless on my Linksys WT45G since I'm only using it for wired connections, which I did to no avail. My setup goes ATT DSL modem > Linksys WT45G (PC wired to this) > Airport Extreme Base > Airport Express, only the Express is wireless (using the 3 ports on the extreme for other stuff).

They asked me to try plugging the extreme and airport in a different room as if this is somehow wireless interference. Nevermind the fact I'm currently on my wife's laptop with 8.2.1 and I can connect to the Airport Express with absolutely no problem.

Going to call them back and be adamant that this is in no way an issue with my setup, its an issue with itunes 9!

Out of curiosity, is anybody having this issue connecting their Express with ethernet instead of wireless? That's about the only thing I haven't tried yet but will today... but like I said I'm already using all 3 wired ports on the extreme.

Sep 13, 2009 11:17 AM in response to Ryan Brucks

i also upgraded to 9 yesterday (against my better judgement) and now my airtunes will connect but is very choppy. itunes is still "playing" the song but it doesn't all go to my speakers.

i had a problem with itunes after the last update and my airtunes would work sometimes but not always. i figured they'd have it fixed in 9 but i guess not. it seems to me it isn't all that tough a thing to do, you know have things work when you release them. after all this isn't M$oft.

let's get this thing fixed. i'm not going to jump thru a bunch of hoops like reinstalling my airport express & stuff like that. it didn't work last time and i doubt it will this time. i guess i'll just hook my computer straight to my receiver via the optical cable until the fix is in.

Sep 13, 2009 12:04 PM in response to Ryan Brucks

I'm having the same problem: installed iTunes 9 and now get the error message "An error occurred while connecting to the remote speaker 'AirportExpress'. The network connection failed."

With iTunes 8, I'd get a firewall error message, but Airtunes still worked. Now, nothing. (My Airport Express is 802.11g, for what it's worth.)

Obviously, Airtunes doesn't seem to be on Apple's radar anymore, which I can't figure; it's one of the best things about the Airport.

Sep 13, 2009 1:27 PM in response to Ryan Brucks

Ryan, we are also having a similar issue. We have two airport extremes, one running N and one G (one is bridged). The 3 Airport Express units for music are G units. Macbook is G and Macbook Pro and 2 AppleTVs on N

The AirTunes has been fairly intermittent since the iTunes 9 upgrade. We have no issue seeing all devices either in AirportUtility or in iTunes, however from my wife's Macbook ('g') has more issues in streaming music to the remote speakers.
Originally it was an error when attempting to connect when selecting the speaker (with error code) now we can select a remote speaker except when we play a track the following error is raised
"An error occurred in connecting to the remote speaker "Kitchen". The network connection failed.

We had a similar issue when iTunes8 was first released and Apple released some updates. (cannot recall if it was iTunes or Airport related).

Running Snow Leopard 10.6

Sep 13, 2009 1:37 PM in response to mpdajo

Just a note that the Macbook is able to stream to the AppleTV devices without an issue.
Restarted all AirportExpress units and the Airport Extreme Base Stations and still get the following errors:
An error occurred in connecting to the remote speaker "KidsRoom". The network connection failed.
An error occurred in connecting to the remote speaker "Kitchen". The network connection failed.
An error occurred in connecting to the remote speaker "Garage". The network connection failed.

Message was edited by: mpdajo

Sep 13, 2009 2:42 PM in response to Ryan Brucks

I'm experiencing exactly the same issue. My environment is as follows

- Windows Vista SP1, ITunes 9 (and also taken the Airport Utility update just incase) Hardwired to router.
- Macbook Pro, Leopard, ITunes 8.2 over 802.11n
- Macbook Pro, Snow Leopard, ITunes 9 over 802.11n

Prior to installing version 9, ITunes 8.2 on Windows was working with Airport Express over WiFi (albeit with infrequent dropouts). Took the update to ITunes 9 on Windows - now refuses to show the playback device choices (Computer, AE, Multiple Speakers etc) despite checking/unchecking discover airtunes devices, restarting Windows, soft and hard resetting AE etc.

Just to emphasis, the same AE works great against the Macbooks - before during and after all reconfiguration attempts

Interestingly discovery doesn't seem to work in Airport Utility on Windows either - though I can open it directly just fine by IP address/Password in "Configure Other..."

Evidence that its a ITunes/Windows bug seems pretty condemning to me

Sep 13, 2009 2:50 PM in response to stephbu

stephbu wrote:
I'm experiencing exactly the same issue. My environment is as follows
- Windows Vista SP1, ITunes 9 (and also taken the Airport Utility update just incase) Hardwired to router.
- Macbook Pro, Leopard, ITunes 8.2 over 802.11n
- Macbook Pro, Snow Leopard, ITunes 9 over 802.11n
....
Evidence that its a ITunes/Windows bug seems pretty condemning to me


Is the AirportExpress device an 'n' or 'g' device?
Also is the Macbook Pro under 10.6 and iTune9 working all the time with this device?

Since we are not using any Windows machines in our home and have issues with 5 Macs running 10.6 & 10.5) makes me certain that it is not limited an iTunes Windows issue.

Updated to itunes 9: now Airtunes won't connect,

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