iTunes 4.9 (#2): MP3s/AACs treated as QuickTime files; Old help version; "This computer is not authorized..."; more
iTunes 4.9 (#2): MP3s/AACs treated as QuickTime files; Old help version; "This computer is not authorized..."; more
MP3s/AACs being treated as QuickTime files A number of readers have reported that some MP3 or AAC audio files are now being interpreted as QuickTime movie files in iTunes 4.9, causing some strange issues.
MacFixIt reader Benn writes:
"In the new version of iTunes, several of my mp3s now say 'Album Artwork Not Modifiable' (even ones that I've already add artwork to) and when I get into on them, the Kind says 'QuickTime Movie file.' They are definitely MP3s though."
Another reader corroborates:
"After updating to 4.9, I was surprised that an MP3 audio interview I had downloaded from a major international site a few weeks ago and needed to review suddenly played from my computer instead of my stereo. Looking at the info from within iTunes, it's now identified as a Quicktime movie file which it's certainly not. Outside of iTunes it's an MP3 audio file. Also, it won't move to my iPod. Needless to say, this is a major annoyance since I had intended to continue listening to it that way. I'm looking for a way to revert to 4.8."
Old version of help included, possible solution [UPDATED] For some users, the newly installed iTunes 4.9 help file does not properly display after installing the new update.
One reader writes:
"When you click on 'What's New in iTunes' you get 'What's New in iTunes 4.8.'
"A call to Apple revealed that tech support was seeing the same thing on their Macs. This leaves Mac users pretty much on their own to puzzle out how the new podcast features of iTunes 4.9 work. A search on 'podcast' returns 'no matching help topics were found.' Fortunately, it's fairly intuitive."
Thomas Santee adds "After updating to iTunes 4.9 I selected Help to read what's new. The front window opened but most of the links didn't do anything. So I clicked the house button on the Help bar (for home) and then the links worked. However, clicking 'What's New?' got me the description of what's new in iTunes 4.8, not 4.9."
For those who need help setting up or downloading podcasts, MacFixIt reader Dave Taylor has created a brief instructional guide with screenshots describing the process.
UPDATE: In some cases, this issue can be resolved through the deletion of four specific files -- three .plist files and one cache folder -- associated with Apple's Help Viewer.
Close Help Viewer, and drag the the following files, located in ~/Library/Preferences/
- com.apple.help.plist
- com.apple.helpui.plist
- com.apple.helpviewer.plist
and the following folder, located in ~/Library/Caches
- com.apple.helpui
to the Trash. Re-launch Help Viewer and check for persistence of the bug.
Since the problem does not occur for all users, it appears that one of these files may become corrupt prior to or during installation of iTunes 4.9.
"This computer is not authorized..." to play podcasts Several users are receiving the error message "This Computer Is Not Authorized To Play..." when attempting to play downloaded podcasts.
MacFixIt reader Bill writes:
"Downloaded a podcast of a Mac radio show. It is listed as 'free.' It downloaded fine and I can play it on an MP3 player but iTunes will not play it. Says 'This computer is not authorized to play that song.'"
Sylvain Lemire adds:
"I just updated to iTunes 4.9. It is not connected to my iPod since I connect my iPod to my home computer. I've subscribed to inside Mac Radio and downloaded their latest weekly podcast. There is this message when I try to play it : "This computer is not authorized to play this copy of 'Inside Mac Radio Weekly'"
Pete Shoemark reports that, in his case, the bug only occurs for non-admin users:
"Not sure if this might be an isolated occurrence, but I seem to be having a problem with podcasts and multiple users. Our home Mac has separate accounts for each family member. The podcasts work fine for me (I have the Administrator account), but when I try to access them from another family member's non-administrator account I get a message telling me that I 'do not have enough access privileges for this operation'. I know that our (DSL) network connection is working, so I assume that the problem must be something to do with needing Administrator access to get the podcasts to work. If I switch between accounts, pretty much any podcast seems to work from the admin account, but nothing works from non-admin users' accounts."
Library lost Some users report losing accessibility of their iTunes library -- though the actual files still exist -- in iTunes 4.9. Allen Gown writes:
"I installed iTunes 4.9, and now my iTunes library is not being displayed. The files are there (you can see them using the Finder) but iTunes does not. Running dual processor 2GHz G5 tower."
If you are experiencing a similar issue, please let us know.
Freezes when adjusting volume A handful of readers have reported sporadic freezes under iTunes 4.9, especially when adjusting volume.
MacFixIt reader David Tryon writes:
"When I raise the menu-bar volume control iTunes freezes my computer totally. Simply cannot raise volume on menu bar volume control with iTunes 4.9 running or it will freeze my machine to where I have to pull the plug and restart."
If you are experiencing a similar issue, please drop us a line at late-breakers@macfixit.com.
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