Q: Itunes randomly pauses songs

Aibak,

Have you tried playing the songs using another application, such as Quicktime?

Is your iTunes library stored on your Mac's hard drive or is it on an external?

~Lyssa

hi Aibak,

check your applications > utilities folder if you have the QuickTime player 7 installed - unless you specifically opt for it, the regular OS X Snow Leopard install will not include it.

if it's not installed, download it from here: http://support.apple.com/kb/dl923.

does that improve things ?

JGG

hi Peter,

you might also want to give installing QT7 a try if it isn't in your utilities folder.

JGG

Jolly Giant wrote:
hi Peter,

you might also want to give installing QT7 a try if it isn't in your utilities folder.

JGG

Thanks JGG,

I didn't have QT7 so I installed it. Played a movie from iTunes and had 2 freezes within 4 minutes. One freeze during full screen play back, and one out of full screen. Noticed on the second freeze that the scrubber window was not advancing. However after a 15 sec freeze the movie jumped ahead and continued playing.

I need to determine what iTunes and other video programs would have in common regarding system resource use. I say that since I did experience a freeze (using another player) playing an avi file. In that regards, would QT (or its codecs) have any bearing in the program playing an avi file?

I am going to try a number of other things including removing some software I installed after the reinstall of the operating system. I am going to remove additional players I added such as VLC, NicePlayer and also Perian. I'm wondering if any of those programs added codecs which may be causing issues.

As for me posting my experience I want to make sure I'm not hijacking Aibak's post since his problem could be caused by something completely different than mine. Hoping that if I find a solution it will also help Aibak.

Peter

Petermgr wrote:
I am going to try a number of other things including removing some software I installed after the reinstall of the operating system. I am going to remove additional players I added such as VLC, NicePlayer and also Perian. I'm wondering if any of those programs added codecs which may be causing issues.

that's a good idea, Peter. flip4mac may be another candidate. the app has been known to cause other iTunes troubles.

also look @ iTunes plug-ins and dashboard widgets.

As for me posting my experience I want to make sure I'm not hijacking Aibak's post

very considerate of you. but, let's call is brainstorming for the moment

of course, you can always start your own thread if you wish.

good luck !

JGG

. . . let's call is brainstorming for the moment

Thanks JGG, agree with the brainstorming . . .


So far today:

1) Removed other video playing software and Perian. Rebooted. Played a movie. Had a freeze a few minutes in.

2) Reinstalled the operating system from CD without using the "hold c" procedure from boot-up. This allowed retention of other installed programs and user files. Hoped that this install would replace/repair any operating system files to their original state. Did not apply online updates. Played a movie. A number of freezes occurred.

3) Backed up user files. Reinstalled the operating system from boot-up, using the "hold c" procedure. Used utilities in the install procedure to erase the entire drive for a clean install. Installed the applications CD after the reboot. Did not install updates (want to test before updating). Launched iTunes and was prompted with a request for update to a new version. Replied "No" (want to test before updating).

4) Currently restoring all user files including all iTunes content and will then test playing movies, podcasts etc.

Next steps. If freezes still occur I will apply all updates to the operating system and to iTunes. If freezes are still experienced after those updates, I will bring the Mac into service for further software and hardware tests (tentative appointment set tomorrow with local authorized service center).

Will keep you posted. Aibak, hopefully this work-flow in troubleshooting is helping you somewhat, since I believe we may be sharing the same eventual solution.

Peter

Update:

As per this last step:
4) Currently restoring all user files including all iTunes content and will then test playing movies, podcasts etc.


As mentioned I have not downloaded or applied updates to the operating system or to iTunes. The current version of iTunes is 9.0.3(15)


I have partially played about 10 different videos over the past couple of hours. I have kept the Mac busy with non-stop running of iTunes. The videos were either HD on Non, rented or purchased, all at full screens. My play times were anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes before I would stop them and play something else. I would randomly jump in and out of full screen, switch to my mail, switch to Safari, etc. I also played a movie while downloading another purchased HD movie at the same time. End result, no freezes, no pauses. While this is promising, I won't be convinced until I run more tests over the next day or so. However, as it stands I will not apply upgrades to the operating system or to iTunes. I know I should eventually apply updates, but I want to make sure the problem is classified as present, or not, without updating first. Also, being new to Mac, I'd like to find a way to create restore points in my Mac before applying any updates.

So, more testing ahead, will keep you posted.

Peter

Aibak wrote:
so you think flip4mac is causing this trouble? i have it in my system.

hi Aibak,

definitely worth a try !

uninstall the *WM Components* using the uninstaller in Applications/Flip4Mac/Flip4Mac WMV Uninstaller.pkg and see if that improves things.

JGG

Update:

Late last night the problem of freezing during playback returned. This morning I applied all new updates to both the operating system and iTunes. Problem still present.

Taking the Mac in for service.

Peter

Petermgr wrote:
Update:

Late last night the problem of freezing during playback returned. This morning I applied all new updates to both the operating system and iTunes. Problem still present.

Taking the Mac in for service.

Peter

Update:

Took the Mac in for service. Got a call an hour ago. Tech said he ran all the tests, everything looks fine. He indicated that Apple has no reports of Macs freezing. Said he can't do anything else except more testing. He will try again tomorrow.

I now regret buying a Mac. My first Mac, first time spending $2500 on one computer, in the shop within a few weeks of owning it, . . . Expensive lesson.

Are you using Shape Shifter - in the past a known bad actor with iTunes?

MJ

did you check if you have QuickTime 7 installed ? if not, use the link above to download the installer.

JGG