iTunes 8.1 user problems roundup
Since Apple's release of iTunes 8.1 into the wild, the Internet has seen a flurry of discussion on a variety of issues affecting the software. As a result, MacFixIt has compiled a roundup of the types of problems we've heard about from users. Please keep
Since Apple's release of iTunes 8.1 into the wild, the Internet has seen a flurry of discussion on a variety of issues affecting the software. As a result, MacFixIt has compiled a roundup of the types of problems we've heard about from users. Please keep in mind that these issues represent a broad overview of problems being reported by iTunes 8.1 users, and possible solutions to resolve those issues.
Issue: Podcasts causing iTunes to crash
Several users have been experiencing a crash of iTunes 8.1 when dealing with Podcasts (downloading and refreshing specifically).
Possible fixes
From Apple Discussions User radvas:
"It looks like it was one podcast in particular, 60 second science from Scientific American. http://feeds.feedburner.com/60SecondScienceVodcast
Not sure if it relates to SciAm or feedburner, or possibly even iTunes, but here's what I did & what I found.
1. Click 'Refresh' in the podcast library viw. iTunes crashes.
2. Right-click this podcast, cheoose Update Podcast. iTunes crashes.
3. Do the same for every other podcast I am subscribed to. iTunes doesn't crash.
4. Delete the 60 second Science Podcast. Click 'Refresh' all podcasts update and iTunes doesn't crash."
-
Correction: The actual name for the problem podcast is 60-Second Science Video.
Several users reported immediate fixes of their iTunes crashing issues after this podcast was deleted from iTunes.
This issue may not be entirely related to one podcast. If you do not subscribe to the 60-Second Science Video:
- Be sure to change your settings on Podcast Updates to Manually Update.
This will allow you to check each of your podcasts to determine if a particular feed is causing your crashes.
- If you cannot access the settings for your podcasts before iTunes crashes, Apple Support Discussions user Erin K suggests:
- Disable Airport (no internet = no downloads).
- Start iTunes
- Go to Podcasts, click Settings button on bottom
- Change "Check for New Episodes" to Manually
- Re-enable Airport
Stay Tuned for more on this issue as it develops. Apple has yet to release an official fix for the podcast situation, though many users that follow the above possible fixes have reported their systems are back up and working.
UPDATE: The webmasters at 60-Second Science Video have reported that they have fixed the issues with their podcasts. Users have reported that they have been able to resume automatic downloading and refreshing of podcasts as normal.
Issue: Permissions errors
Many users have experienced a significant amount of permissions errors after installing iTunes 8.1. While other issues regarding Apple's latest update to iTunes could be related to the permissions errors,
MacFixIt user Hal Itosis explains:
http://www.macfixitforums.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/464363/Repairing_Permissions_iTunes_8
Possible fixes
Updating to iTunes 8.1 is not necessarily required. This latest update supports the new iPod Shuffle and adds the iTunes DJ feature. If you are not currently in need of either of these functions, you can always keep iTunes at 8.0.2. However, as Apple Support Discussions user lkrupp points out:
"Every single version of OS X, iTunes, Safari ever released has been deemed to be faulty or defective by somebody. Forums like these concentrate the negative. Most of the problems users report are the result of previous corruption, bad downloads, third party add-ons, and the like. There are VERY few issues that are experienced or duplicated by the majority of users. You're happy with iTunes 8.0.2. Guess what, it was trashed too when it came out. Just go back in time on the forums and you'll see.
You have to do what you are comfortable with but please don't base your decisions on what you read here. In many cases it's the blind leading the blind. Many claims and assertions are made that cannot be verified."
This thread can be followed here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9162946
Downgrade to iTunes 8.0.2 using Time Machine. You may already be experiencing issues regarding iTunes 8.1. If that is the case, follow these steps to downgrade:
1. Use your Time Machine backup and restore iTunes 8.0.2
Note: You will also need to restore your iTunes Library file from iTunes 8.0.2.
2. When you launch iTunes 8.0.2, hold the Option key. Select the iTunes Library from iTunes 8.0.2.
Issue: iTunes Store log-in loop
Some users have been experiencing issues logging in to their iTunes Store accounts, specifically when authorization of purchased media fails to play in iTunes and continually prompts for an Apple ID and password.
Possible fixes
Read Apple KB article: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1389
Related issues
After following the instructions from the KB Article above, users still had issues updating iPhone / iPod Touch applications from the iTunes Store.
Solutions attempted
Apple Support Discussions user Rookie X:
"Well, at least I am not the only one stuck in this login query loop. That is SOOO frustrating. I have tried everything I could think of, from de-/reauthorizing my mac, loggin in and out, deleting that SC Folder to doing all this with an admin account, restarting and so on etc. etc. etc. Nothing works."
Possible fixes
This issue may be related to your individual iTunes Store Account. Apple's support for your online accounts can be reached at: 1-800-MY-APPLE (1-800-692-7753).
Issue: Calendars not syncing properly
Several users have issues with syncing their calendars, both on Mac and PC, with their iPhones (3G and original) and iPod Touches.
Apple Support Discussions user mikefeuer:
"I never had this error with 8.0 before. I synced twice, and get:
"iTunes could not sync calendars to the iphone 'Michael's iPhone' because an error occurred when sending data from the iPhone."
iTunes has never been set to sync calendars and as mentioned I never got this error prior to ver 8.1 Thank you"
Apple Support Discussions user stephen337 agrees:
"I have this error too, so far I have tried:
Restarting iPhone
Resetting synch information
deleting all calendar entries on iPhone
Still getting the problem. I don't have a calendar application and in my iPhone 'info' tab it says 'no calendar application found' "
To Follow the entire thread on this issue: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1938139&tstart=0
Possible fixes
Read the Apple KB article: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2654?viewlocale=en_US
Many issues regarding syncing (especially the calendars) are related to bad information on one entry. Although extremely tedious, isolating and deleting that event will solve the issue.
1. If you have more than one calendar you are trying to sync:
First try manually syncing one calendar at a time. This will isolate which calendar has the issue.
Once you know which calendar is causing the issue:
1. Make a new calendar with the name "Test" (you can change this later, of course).
2. Add your events from the corrupt calendar one by one, syncing after each addition. That will isolate which event was causing the issues.
3. Take note of anything abnormal about that event for future references (or to send to Apple for bug reporting).
"I just upgraded to iTunes 8.1 and experienced the same error with my iPod Touch. I went to the Info tab for my Touch, deselected Sync iCal Calendars, performed a Sync and was presented with a dialog box to allow changes from the Touch calendar. After a successful sync, I selected the Sync iCal Calendars again and performed a second sync and the entire sync successfully completed."
Several users reported this fix:
1. Uncheck the Sync Calendars box from your iPhone / iPod Touch preferences.
2. Apply the changes and Sync your device.
3. If you don't receive any sync errors at that point, check the box to sync your calendars again.
4. Apply the changes and Sync your device.
Note: This solution appears to work across platforms.
Update: Also try doing the above steps with the Sync Contacts option.
Also, from Apple Support Discussion user Quyugu:
"Instead of unchecking/checking the Address Book and Calendar options in the 'Info' tab, I did the following.
1. Unchecked the 'Automatically sync when this iPhone is connected' box in the Summary tab
2. Manually synced the iphone (clicked the 'Sync' button on the lower right of the screen)
3. Prayed to the Unknowing iPhone Gods as I watched everything appear to work.
4. Re-Checked the 'Automatically sync when...' button.
5. Synced again.
6. Screamed 'like a little girl' that it worked! Drank a cold-one in celebration--soda of course."
Issue: Using iTunes music in iDVD / iMovie
Users have experienced issues regarding the use of their iTunes music (specifically purchased music) in iDVD and iMovie projects.
MacFixIt user Doug Marti writes:
"Since installation of iTunes 8.1 I am having problems inserting music from iTunes to IMovie HD and iDVD. An error message pops up saying the computer is not authorized to play this content. Another window pops up for authorization, and after typing in my password it reads that the computer is authorized to play the music. Still won't allow me to use the music. This occurs on some iTunes purchased music as well as some music imported from my CD collection. Also in the Media windows on IMovie HD and iDVD the files appear with locks on them."
While this issue does not appear to be widespread with iTunes 8.1 users, it was an issue in previous versions. This was widely regarded to be an odd bug (definitely one worth reporting to Apple) that affected a minimal amount of users.
Possible fixes
The first step with many software bugs is to perform a software updates. Without the latest software for your entire machine (especially if you have downloaded a new program), bugs can pop up.
Keep in mind that with each major iTunes release there is generally a QuickTime release to support it. Be sure you have the latest QuickTime version: www.apple.com/quicktime/download
Possible work-arounds
Keep in mind that work-arounds are not intended to be a solution to the issue, but rather a way of getting your work done until the issue is resolved:
While unlikely, the issue with iTunes music not being authorized to play in iMovie projects may be relate to DRM restrictions placed on purchased music from the iTunes store. You can:
1. Simply burn the tracks you wish to have in your project onto a CD and reimport them into iTunes.
2. Import the track into GarageBand, trim a second or two from the beginning or end of the song, and export the track back to iTunes or directly into your iMovie project (when saved as an iLife preview).
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