Problem uninstalling/installing itunes

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Level 1

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Problem uninstalling/installing itunes

I had itunes installed but it wouldn't update to new versions from 10.3 (I think) so I uninstallaed it and tried to reinstall but got an error message.

Since then I have attempted to uninstall & reinstall numerous times following all tips regarding complete removal, windows fixit etc but no good. At the moment I'm getting the message "the installer encountered errors before itunes could be configured. Errors occured during installation. Your system has not been modified. Please run the installer agin or click finish to exit."

I've also tried running apple software update.msi on its own to no avail.

I really think I have tried any suggestions available on the web with no success.

What is causing the problem? I have no itunes and no way of loading my ipod or streaming music to my ariport express!!

Can anyone help?

Windows Vista

Posted on Apr 11, 2012 1:03 PM

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Answer 1

turingtest2

Level 10

272,707 points

Apr 11, 2012 1:10 PM in response to ronno23

Perhaps the suggestions in this thread will help.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3864446?answerId=18084700022#18084700022

tt2

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Answer 2

ronno23 Author

Level 1

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Apr 11, 2012 1:48 PM in response to turingtest2

thanks for your reply turingtest2 - I've tried this but i get message saying can't check disk when windows is in use - do you want to schedule task? (not exact wording!). when i click yes, or continue, nothing happens. what am i doing wrong?

I don't think this is it but i'll try.

I'm pretty sure the problem is with apple software update. I'm uninstalling all software again ( as instructed here http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1925) to try once more - the apple software update won't uninstall with windows program uninstall - i have to use ccleaner to uninstall.

any clues here?

thanks

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

272,707 points

Apr 11, 2012 1:57 PM in response to ronno23

The disk check should occur next time you restart Windows, but it was really the post on removing the iTunes installer so you can start over that I was pointing you at. b noir is our resident expert on Windows installer issues and can probably narrow down the line of attack. I shall try to grab his attention for you.

tt2

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Answer 4

b noir

Level 9

72,324 points

Apr 11, 2012 2:19 PM in response to ronno23

the apple software update won't uninstall with windows program uninstall

What error message do you get when trying to uninstall Apple Software Update? (Precise text, please.)

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Answer 5

ronno23 Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 12, 2012 3:22 AM in response to b noir

Hi B noir, thanks for reply.

I started removing software again before i got your reply. I have now uninstalled all apple software & folders/files from my laptop as per above instructions. I had to use windows fixit utility to remove apple software update as neither windows program uninstall or ccleaner would work. I'm not sure of the exact message, but it would start uninstalling and then the progress bar would just roll back! i don't actually think it gave me any error message but i'm not sure about that.

Turingtest2 - The disk check did indeed run once i turned off and back on my laptop - i thought it would run after a restart but not so! you can probably guess my level of knowledge on these matters!! it ran overnight - didn't give me any indication of problems or otherwise??

so what should i do now? will i try a full itunes install again? try install just apple software update?

i've been at this stage before and the itunes install proceeds to a certain point and rolls back at 'installing modules' or something like that. the ni have all my bonjour, apple software update folders & files etc back but still no itune!

thanks again for help.....

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Answer 6

turingtest2

Level 10

272,707 points

Apr 12, 2012 4:02 AM in response to ronno23

Try to install again, watching carefully so you can record any error messages or the stage things are at if and when the install starts to roll back. If you are using a regular/power user account it may help to switch to an Administrator account before attempting the install.

Good news on the drive front, doesn't hurt to check one in a while. b noir has you covered for the rest. Good luck.

tt2

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Answer 7

b noir

Level 9

72,324 points

Apr 12, 2012 3:54 AM in response to ronno23

try install just apple software update?

Yeah ... it may not go in, but a standalone AppleSoftwareUpdate.msi install might at least give us a bit more info about what's going on with that.

Download and save a copy of the iTunesSetup.exe (or iTunes64setup.exe) installer file to your hard drive:

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

Download and install the free trial version of WinRAR:

http://www.rarlab.com/

Right-click the iTunesSetup.exe, and select "Extract to iTunesSetup". WinRAR will expand the contents of the file into a folder called "iTunesSetup".

Go into the folder and doubleclick the AppleSoftwareUpdate.msi to do a standalone ASU install.

(If it offers you the choice to remove or repair, choose "Remove", and if the uninstall goes through successfully, see if you can reinstall by doubleclicking the AppleSoftwareUpdate.msi again.)

Does it install (or uninstall and then reinstall) properly for you? If not, what error message do you get? (Precise text, please.)

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Answer 8

ronno23 Author

Level 1

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Apr 12, 2012 4:23 AM in response to b noir

ok so i tried that and same as before it started installing, went just past the 'registering modules' bit and then rolled back and showed the following message -

not much to go on?

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Answer 9

b noir

Level 9

72,324 points

Apr 12, 2012 12:45 PM in response to ronno23

It's trying it's hardest to be cryptic.

Could you walk us through what happened when you tried to install and use CleanUp? (There's a class of problems out there that can affect both ASU and CleanUp, so trying to work out if one of those might be afoot.)

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Answer 10

ronno23 Author

Level 1

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Apr 13, 2012 4:17 AM in response to b noir

Hi B noir,

Just getting back to this now.

I'm not sure what you mean - do you mean the windows fixit cleanup utility? Basically ASU was installed, or partially installed from my last attempted itunes install, and this would not uninstall either through windows program remove, or using ccleaner (not sure if this software is recommended??). I then tried the cleanup utility, or whatever its referred to, and this removed ASU completely apart from some folders which were still in existence on hard drive. I also removed these.

Not sure if its relevant but ASU is still listed in my startup menu, but if i click on it i get a message saying "This action is only valid for products that are currently installed".

The itunes installer, if i run it in full, seemed to go as far as the 'registering modules' bit and then start rolling back. I think i read of this error elsewhere but the suggested fix didn't seem to work. I can't recall what it was just now.........

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Answer 11

whatheck

Level 5

4,131 points

Apr 13, 2012 9:35 AM in response to ronno23

Heres something to try before b noir gets back to ya.

Delete those Apple Software Update folders that are still on the hard drive (C:\Program Files\Apple Software Update), Run the AppleSoftwareUpdate.msi again and choose the repair option, then run it again and choose the remove option. If that works, you should be able download and run the latest iTunesSetup installer.

If you see any error messages, just reply with the exact message.

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Answer 12

ronno23 Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 13, 2012 1:33 PM in response to whatheck

hi whatheck, thanks for reply.

i deleted these folders completely and then tried as you said. If i right click the ASU.msi file it gives me options to install, repair or uninstall. If i choose either of the last two i get the "This action is only valid for products that are currently installed" message. And if i try to install.... well you know that one by now!!

i'm still stuck??.......

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Answer 13

b noir

Level 9

72,324 points

Apr 13, 2012 2:00 PM in response to ronno23

I'm not sure what you mean - do you mean the windows fixit cleanup utility?

Now you're confusing me. I can't tell if you're talking about the Microsoft Fixit for problems with program installation, or the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility.

So, let's try walking you through the the use of the Windows Installer CleanUp utility to remove ASU, just in case you never did that.

Download the Windows Installer CleanUp utility from the following page (use one of the links under the "DOWNLOAD LOCATIONS" thingy on the Major Geeks page):

http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4459

To install the utility, doubleclick the msicuu2.exe file you downloaded.

Now run the utility ("Start > All Programs > Windows Install Clean Up"). In the list of programs that appears in CleanUp, select any Apple Software Update entries and click "Remove", as per the following screenshot: