Well, here's some progress. I noticed the additional file in my Preferences directory:
com.apple.iTunesHelper.plist
Some searching, and I found this:
http://osxdaily.com/2009/09/10/ituneshelper-what-does-itunes-helper-do/
I did NOT have the iTunes Helper in my Login items (or anything else iTunes related). I can only assume this preference file is created automatically having once checked the "Sync this iPad over Wi-Fi"? (I later unchecked it, having decided not to use it). Then the Zombie iTunes issue started.
Here's what I did:
• I DELETED com.apple.iTunesHelper.plist
• Started up iTunes & checked my Preferences directory. That file didn't return.
• Connected my iPad via USB, and ran a sync
NOTE: I use BackOff (now a feature of DiskAid) to disable iPad backups while syncing, and I had this activated while syncing, since It was NOT the thing adding the iTunesHelper.plist file
http://www.digidna.net/products/diskaid/backoff
• I kept the following settings:
- Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically CHECKED
- Sync with this iPad over Wi-Fi UNCHECKED
At this point, the problem still persisted.
NEXT:
• I deleted ALL of the iTunes-related .plist files in the Preferences directory
• Reboot
• Open iTunes ( iTunes will create a new .plist file, that's normal )
• iTunes ALSO created a new 'com.apple.iTunesHelper.plist' file
• DELETED that again
• Ran through my iTunes preferences, set the ones I wanted.
• I also UNCHECKED EVERYTHING in iTunes Preferences > Store Preferences. It's basically a bunch of stuff that automatically checks for purchased/downloadable content. Anything "automatic" could be a culprit, so I kept them all unchecked.
• Reboot
NO MORE ZOMBIE ITUNES.
My conclusions:
• Whatever it was, upgrading to iOS 5.1 started it
• It was probably nothing to do with using the BackOff App, since I still have that active (Using that app does NOT create a NEW .plist file, and it does NOT create a Login item)
• It probably had something to do with the com.apple.iTunesHelper.plist file, AND the Store Preferences (constantly "looking" for downloadable content). Also, the Store Preferences settings MAY HAVE BEEN the thing creating that com.apple.iTunesHelper.plist file?
I've repeatedly opened and closed iTunes for a while now. The problem appears to be gone.
Fingers crossed.
Cheers,
elmnt