"iPodService.exe" Fails Register During Install & Fails to Start

Last night, I downloaded and installed iTunes 10 on my Windows XP SP3 laptop as an upgrade from 9.2 using the 'Update' utility that is installed on the 'Start' menu.

During the installation, I saw the "iPodService.exe" executable failed to register itself correctly and also the 'iPod Service' service failed to start, I checked the 'Application' event log on the laptop and I found that the following events are being logged;

Source: Application Error
Event ID: 1000

Faulting application iPodService.exe, version 10.0.0.68, faulting module ntdll.dll, version 5.1.2600.5755, fault address 0x0001b21a.

and

Event Type: Error
Event Source: MsiInstaller
Event ID: 11920
Product: iTunes -- Error 1920. Service 'iPod Service' (iPod Service) failed to start. Verify that you have sufficient privileges to start system services.

I use an account this is a local Administrator, so that I know that the have the required permissions. I have gone through the steps of rebooting, uninstalling iTunes, rebooting and then re-installing iTunes - but each time, I try the process if fails again. I have also downloaded the standalone installer, but not joy.

I also find that these events are logged when ever I start iTunes.

Has anybody experienced these?

I installed iTunes 10 on my MacBook at the weekend and its a dream to use, it just seems to be a Windows-related issue.

Many thanks in advance,

Mac Book Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.4), iTunes 9.2, iPod Touch 2G - iOS 4.0

Posted on Sep 6, 2010 3:37 PM

Reply
31 replies

Sep 6, 2010 8:14 PM in response to NeilHobbs

I had the same issue and I figured it will be a while before Apple will fix this problem. Follow the below to return to v9.2.1.4.
1) Completely uninstall the current version
a) Go to iTunes update and download all the current install files
b) Run each file and select uninstall (uninstall order below)
1. Device Support
2. Application Support
3. QuickTime
4. iTunes
c) Remove all iTunes directories
1. "C:\Program Files\iTunes\"
2. "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\"
3. DO NOT remove any directories in the user profile.
d) Run a registry cleaning application like CCleaner
e) Restart
f) Download the 9.2.1.4 version from "http://www.downloadatoz.com/pda-mobile_directory/itunes/"
g) Install iTunes 9.2.1.4
h) Restore the previous version of the .itl file
1. In windows explorer go to "C:\Documents and Settings\<profile>\My Documents\My Music\iTunes"
2. Rename the "iTunes Library.itl" file to "iTunes Library_old.itl"
3. Take the most recent .itl file from the "\Previous iTunes Libraries" directory and copy it to the "C:\Documents and Settings\<profile>\My Documents\My Music\iTunes" directory
4. Rename the copied file to "iTunes Library.itl"

Your iPodService should be started and iTunes will open up and work as it did before the update.

Apple needs a process to restore to a previous version when they come out with a defective update like this one.

Sep 7, 2010 10:45 AM in response to NeilHobbs

I have the same problem. Windows XP SP3 all updates installed. not working with same error message. I have a macbook which installed without any problems.

On some old message boards I saw some suggestions to deselect startup applications and non Microsoft Services from msconfig. tried that and it didn't work. did a full uninstall and reinstall of all apple software - didn't work either.

Arguably no one should be using XP anymore(!) but my work forces me to use it... so no choice there... please fix asap!

Sep 9, 2010 9:19 AM in response to NeilHobbs

Thanks for filing the error and thanks for the "roll-back" solution.
I have exactely the same issue.
I encounter it while intalling the iOS 4.2.
The iPod stays in Recovery Mode.
No Funktion any more!
And finding my self now without my loved iPod.

I am going to roll back to 9.2 - what a pitty.
APPLE - please fix this Bug!

Now I am thinking about to keep sticking a bit longer on old versions,
and not updating so quickely. 😉

bye
DerJ

Sep 9, 2010 3:35 PM in response to pcoats

All you really need to do is revert back to the v9 of the ipod service.
You can runh v10 of iTunes with v9 of the ipod service.

Morgane's solution (separate message thread) worked for me except I had to reboot after uninstalling v10.
I tried installing v9 without rebooting but got the same ipodservice error. It was because the ipod service was marked for deletion but not deleted.
Once I rebooted, I was able to install v9 and the rest of the steps.

Here are the steps I used:
1. Uninstall iTunes 10 and other Apple software
- Apple Application Support
- Apple Mobile Device Support
- Apple Software Update
- Bonjour
- iTunes
- QuickTime
2. Download iTunes v9
3. Reboot (I had to do this)
4. Install iTunes v9 (don't start it when asked because libraries are v10 now)
5. Copy the folder "Program Files\iPod" to your desktop or some other temp directory.
6. Install iTunes v10 ("ignore" errors related to iPodService.exe & don't start iTunes).
7. Delete (or rename) "Program Files\iPod"
8. Copy back the folder created in step 5 back to "Program Files\iPod"

iTunes will now use the old iPodService.exe.

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"iPodService.exe" Fails Register During Install & Fails to Start

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