HELP! iTunes is encountering errors when I plug in my iPod

For a few months now I have been unable to sync my iPod due to the fact that when I plug it in it says that "iTunes has encountered a problem and needs to close", I've sent an error report numerous times but, as you know, that doesn't help.

Let's try checking on your Application event log to see if that tells us more about the crashes.

Right-click My Computer and select "Manage". Click "Event Viewer". Click "Application".

Doubleclick any error or warning events that appear at about the same time as the iPod-plugging-in-incidents. Do they all seem to be saying much the same thing?

If so, note down the *Source, Category, Event ID* and Description of a typical error or warning event of that type, and post back with those details.

"Faulting application itunes.exe, version 9.0.2.25, faulting module quicktime.qts, version 7.65.17.80, fault address 0x00909a47."

Hmmmm. If we take it at its word, it's an issue with your QuickTime. I'm not convinced that that's the fundamental cause of your issue here, Zypo, but we should probably first try swapping out your QuickTime just in case.

Download and save a fresh copy of the "standalone" QuickTime installer to your hard drive (don't run the install on line). Get the version that doesn't mention iTunes:

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

Quit iTunes if you have it open. (ITunes uses QuickTime, and if iTunes is open, it'll interfere with the uninstall.)

Now head into your Add or Remove Programs control panel. Uninstall QuickTime.

Next, we'll clear away any leftover QuickTime program files or folders.

(1) In "My Computer" open "Local Disk (C:)" or whichever drive your program files are installed on.
(2) Open the "Program files" folder.
(3) Right-click on the QuickTime folder (if it still exists) and select "Delete".
(4) Go back into "Local Disk (C:)" or whichever drive your program files are installed on.
(5) Open the "Windows" folder.
(6) Open the "system32" folder.
(7) Check for the presence of a QuickTime and a QuickTimeVR file. If either file still exists, delete each of them.

Empty the Recycle Bin and restart the PC. Now reinstall QuickTime by doubleclicking the QuickTimeInstaller.exe file you downloaded earlier.

Does the install go through okay? If so, try launching iTunes and plugging in the ipod again.

Still crashing, or does it work better this time?

Hmmmmm.

Do you have any pop-up blockers running? (either in your Web browser, your security software or in other utilities? If so, try turning all of those off. Are you able to get the download to go through properly now?

Okay. Let's check to see if this is a systemwide thing or if it is associated with a specific user account on the PC.

Head into your User accounts control panel and create a new user account *with full administrative rights.*

Log out of the old account and log in to the new account. *(Do not use Fast User Switching to move between the two accounts.)*

Now launch iTunes in the new account. The setup assistant will run. Don't add any music files. Eventually you'll get to a blank library screen.

Now go "Edit > Preferences". Click the "Devices" tab. Make sure that "Prevent iPods and iPhones from syncing automatically" is checked. OK out of the tab.

Now connect the iPod ... do you still get the crash? If not, *do not associate the iPod with the blank library if you are asked to do so.*

Still nothing, I'm afraid. =[

Do you mean that it's crashing in the other user account Zypo? Or do you mean something else?

Systemwide issue, then. That eliminates a lot of possibilities.

Do you have access to a different iPod USB cable?

If so, do you get the the crash if you use a different USB cable for the connection?

How about if you connect to a different PC? (be sure not to associate the iPod to the different PC's iTunes library if you don't crash iTunes on the other PC.)

Sounds a good plan, Zypo. My suspicion here (given that it's a systemwide issue, the cable is fine, and other ipods have no trouble on the PC) is that there's an issue with the iPod itself. Checking to see if it behaves strangely on another PC (or possibly a Mac) would be the next step towards confirming that.