Q: iTunes song preview time is cutting off.

I'm sorry to hear that this problem still continues for many. Since my post dated June 11th, I still do not have any skipping - so far!  However, I know that uninstalling each of Apple's software and reinstalling new hasn't worked for all of you and it's very frustrating. The only other thing I did around the time I did a complete uninstall/reinstall was to disable unnecessary windows services. I did a Google search on that and followed the instructions. It also helped speed up my PC. I am not saying that doing this will fix your problems but it's the only other thing I can think of that I did differently. For Windows 7, I followed the advice on this site: http://www.blackviper.com/service-configurations/black-vipers-windows-7-service- pack-1-service-configurations/

I'm only mentioning this just in case....and maybe, just maybe it might be a Windows service that's suddenly causing the problem?

Those who tried the uninstall: Did you make sure that you deleted all the Apple software one by one as stated on the Apple website, and check the programs folder to make sure it was all deleted? Perhaps there are some traces of old itunes left?  Did you make sure you did a restart after the uninstall? I did have two duplicate programs from Apple and one was marked as "old" which I had to delete using an uninstalling program.

This is driving me crazy!  Not only is the preview time short; when I purchase then download the songs to my PC, it says they are there but either NOTHING plays or only a few seconds of the purchased song plays!!  What gives???  I did the iTunes & Windows updates and still having the problem!  So frustrated!!  This has happened with the last 15 songs I've purchased in the past 2 weeks. 

I contact customer service; they make the songs available again and then it works...only the purchased songs...nothing has fixed the preview end.

The funny thing is on my iPad everything works!!  Everything was fine until 2 updates ago!!

It just keeps getting weirder. So yesterday -- I saw there was a new Itunes update. I figured I'd install it as I'd need it at some point. That also reinstalled QuickTime. So on a lark -I went back to Itunes and the preview worked. I figured it wouldn't work after I shut down last night so tried again and it's still working. I have no idea why since that isn't working for others.

Andro - Just FYI that I actually did follow your instructions. I also had Apple files in two places and made sure there was no trace of anything anywhere. I didn't use a utility though - I just deleted the "extra" files so that might have made the difference.

Anyway for those that haven't tried the most recent update -- it's fast and probably worth a try.

Hi Barbpf,

Glad that your itunes seems to be working. That was my point; to make sure that those having the problems cleared out any of the extras left over after they uninstalled itunes. Since everything I have posted works so far, I am trying to let others know that this is what seems to have worked for me. As mentioned before, the only additional thing I did was disable some unnecessary Windows 7 services. I've also updated itunes to the latest version and it's still working without skips, so far anyway. I will report back if the skipping and network errors come back.

Well ... I haven't done anything for the past 3 days and it suddenly started working this afternoon.  It didn't last night. Go figure.  Hallelujah....

I have made zero, zip, nada changes or updates of any kind to my computer since this all started weeks ago now. As of tonight, it seems to be working again. I have been previewing in a number of different genres (not that that should matter) and they all worked perfectly. Will try again over the weekend. Keeping my fingers crossed.

I contacted them about this problem as well.  It took them two weeks to respond by email to tell me it was my security software.  Mind you, they have no idea IF I have security software or WHAT TYPE I have.  They are idiots. 

They are just pathetic and they get away with this because everyone buys thier crap despite all the tech problems. They continually blame thier customers despite the fact it is always some ******** with thier updates or some other nonsense.  I'm done with them, switching to Amazon.  Screw you Apple.

I'm getting this issue on both a Windows7 64 bit machine and a Vista 32 bit machine.  The Windows7 machine started doing it out of the blue earlier this week.  I updated to the newest version of the software, but with no luck.  The Vista machine was updated with the latest version of ITunes about the 3rd week of May.

Version 10.6.3.25: Stopping randomly between 5 to 15 seconds.  Windows 7, 64bit

Version 10.6.1.7:  Plays through sometimes, sometimes crashes between 5 to 15 second.  Windows 7, 64 Bit

Version 10.6.1.7: Skiping randomly between 5 to 15 seconds. Vista 32 bit

Version 10.6.3.25: Plays all the way through.  Windows XP SP3

Same problem for me. Updated to 10.6.3.25 and the problem remains. It sounds like some have fixed it buy uninstalling and reinstalling, but that hasn't worked for everyone. I don't want to hassle with that if it might not work. So, I guess I'll wait for Apple or Microsoft to come up with a fix.

This just started happening to me tonight.  This had been going on for 3 weeks for some people?  What the ****!  Very annoying.  I have 10.6.1.7.  Not sure how new that version is.

Just updated to the newest version, still the same problem!!!

same here. Kinda pathetic with all the money and brains Apple has that they would let something like this go for so long. This along with other iTunes issues has really got me thinking lately!

Same here. Previews are only a couple of seconds and I can't listen the new Smashing Pumpkins album.

Likewise, I have the same problem.  Previews cut off anywhere from 10-15 seconds in.  Updating to iTunes 10.6.3.25 made no difference.

Heading to Amazon -

mine just started two weeks ago,it stops at 15 sec mark,and tried delete/reinstall software. I even shut down my Norton. I am a networking IT tech and every thing I tried to flush,made no difference. ITunes need to see there is a problem with 64 Bit Windows 7! Funny thing is that preview plays whole way through on my Iphone and Ipad.