iTunes 7.3 (#3): Downgrading to iTunes 7.2; Deleting and restoring the library for -50 errors; more
Fixes for -50 errors, and how to go back to the older version.
Downgrading to iTunes 7.2 For many serious issues with iTunes 7.3, the only viable fix is reversion to iTunes 7.2. Unfortunately, Apple does not maintain old versions of iTunes. As such, if you did not keep a copy of the iTunes 7.2 installer (as described here), your options are limited. Fortunately, OldApps has a mirrored copy of iTunes 7.2 available for download.
In order to downgrade to iTunes 7.2, follow these steps:
Deleting and restoring the library for -50 errors We previously reported that ome users are experiencing an issue after updating to iTunes 7.3 where they receive the error message:1. Delete the following files:
- The iTunes 7.3 application (located in /Applications)
- com.apple.iTunes.plist (from ~/Library/Preferences)
- iTunes.pkg (from /Library/Receipts)
- iTunesX.pkg (from /Library/Receipts)
2. Download and install iTunes 7.2
- "The iTunes Library cannot be saved. An unknown error has occurred (-50)"
when launching the new version. The error usually occurs during the "Updating iTunes Library" process. We noted that users may want to try re-creating the iTunes Library via the instructions in this Apple Knowledge Base article, or seeking out potentially problematic files in the ~/Music/iTunes Music/ folder.
It now appears that a full library deletion and restore may be required to eliminate this error:
- Quit iTunes
- Backup your iTunes library (the folder ~/Music/iTunes) to a separate location (can be on the same volume)
- Delete the entire original ~/Music/iTunes folder
- Launch iTunes and choose Import from the FIle menu
- Select the backed up ~/Music/iTunes as a source folder
- Restore any deleted preferences
Another fix for some -50 errors from Apple Apple has posted a Knowledge Base article (#305803) detailing a fix for another type of -50 errors -- the kind that occurs when attempting to authorize music purchased from the iTunes Store.Apple instructs the user to delete the file NetworkInterfaces.plist from /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration, then restart.
Cover art cannot be browsed MacFixIt reader John Clark reports an issue where album cover art cannot be browsed under iTunes 7.3. He writes:
"I've been receiving the message 'iTunes is unable to browse album covers on this computer' after updating. When I look at the list view, most cover art is there. Most frustrating, I have over 11,000 items in my library. Solution seems to be to downgrade to v7.2 until Apple has a fix."
Success with disabling APE for crashes on launch As reported yesterday, excluding iTunes from APE's (Unsanity's Application Enhancer) effective list can resolve some serious issues with iTunes, including an inability to launch. This is accomplished via the following process:
- Open System Preferences
- Click on the Application Enhancer Preference Pane located in the "Other" section.
- Select Application Enhancer at the top of the haxie list.
- Once selected, there will be a tab entitled "Master Exclude List" - select the "Master Exclude List" tab.
- Use the plus ( ) sign at the bottom of the window to open a navigation window. Navigate to iTunes, which located in /Applications. Select iTunes to add it to the Master Exclude List.
Failing the above steps, try uninstalling APE completely by re-downloading the Application Enhancer installer, then launching it and selecting the "Uninstall" option.
One reader writes:
"I tried removing iTunes by removing the application itself, the receipt packages, and anything related to iTunes on my computer. After multiple installs of 7.3, I almost gave up. The only way I could get iTunes to launch was by excluding iTunes in the APE control panel.
Another reader writes (ShapeShifter is a haxie that runs under APE):
"In regards to getting iTunes 7.3 to launch, all I had to do was exclude it from ShapeShifter. It appears the theming software was interfering somehow. What's interesting is that after I'd successfully launched iTunes with ShapeShifter turned off, I then quit the program, removed it from ShapeShifter's exclude list, and successfully launched it. It looks like the only place that ShapeShifter was interfering was with the EULA that you have to agree to every time you install a new version of iTunes."
Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.
Previous coverage:
- iTunes 7.3 (#2): Fails to launch (-50 errors), fixes; Display bug in podcasts; more
- iTunes 7.3 released: adds iPhone support, Apple TV features; -50 errors (cannot save library) at launch
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