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absmiths · Jun 8, 2004, 10:09 AM

I know this isn't exactly the right place, but has anyone else had MAJOR problems with iTunes on Windows? I get things like once I open iTunes for the first time all system widgets get screwed up, like window title bars, tool bars, buttons - they all cease drawing and become either solid black or garbage. I think this is due to the patching of the drawing routines to get that genuine brushed metal look.

Also, after opening it once (if it ever opens) I can never open it again until reboot. BUT, it works from a terminal services session.

??

I have uninstalled and reinstalled the beast many times and get the exact same result (BTW, this is Win 2K Server, SP4). Maybe I should format my hard drive and reinstall windows (after cleaning all the pins on the CPU and re-soldering my mother board, etc).

It is hard to recommend this to other PC users when I have so much trouble with it.

ryju · Jun 8, 2004, 10:11 AM

I've never had such problems you speak of, nor do I have any suggestions. Sorry

zen jihad · Jun 8, 2004, 10:22 AM

Sorry, not had those problems so far. The only gripe I do have is speed, it's just kinda laggy in places.

jokell82 · Jun 8, 2004, 10:28 AM

Originally posted by absmiths:
I know this isn't exactly the right place, but has anyone else had MAJOR problems with iTunes on Windows? I get things like once I open iTunes for the first time all system widgets get screwed up, like window title bars, tool bars, buttons - they all cease drawing and become either solid black or garbage. I think this is due to the patching of the drawing routines to get that genuine brushed metal look.

Honestly I don't think this is possible. Does Quicktime for windows do the same thing? Because they use the same technique to get the metal interface.

My bet is that you have a serious flaw with Windows.

Angus_D · Jun 8, 2004, 11:01 AM

iTunes for Windows won't patch the system to draw metal widgets. It just won't use the system widgets at all (which is far more common on Windows anyway). As others have said, it seems that you're the only one experiencing this, so there's obviously something screwy with your setup anyway.

hmurchison2001 · Jun 8, 2004, 11:06 AM

Another iTunes Window 4.5 user with no problems.

Fix your sheeit before complaining about iTunes.

Randman · Jun 8, 2004, 11:18 AM

I think it's Windows that sucks, not iTunes.

absmiths · Jun 8, 2004, 01:40 PM

Originally posted by hmurchison2001:
Another iTunes Window 4.5 user with no problems.

Fix your sheeit before complaining about iTunes.

iTunes is the problem. Uninstall iTunes - all is well. Reinstall iTunes - crap. I have used it on two completely different systems - Win 2K pro and server - and had the same results. More than likely there is a component that I am using in Windows (like TS) which is not a tested configuration.

It also seems probable that iTunes is affecting the system drawing routines, since when I first launch iTunes all title bars, in all applications, stop being drawn. When I force iTunes to quit, and kill all of it's processes, the UI goes back to normal.

Oh, well. I have uninstalled it and will have to resort to MP3s on Windows.

absmiths · Jun 8, 2004, 01:41 PM

Originally posted by Randman:
I think it's Windows that sucks, not iTunes.

Windows sucks as well, but this is definitely a case of bad Apple engineering.

absmiths · Jun 8, 2004, 01:46 PM

Originally posted by Angus_D:
iTunes for Windows won't patch the system to draw metal widgets. It just won't use the system widgets at all (which is far more common on Windows anyway). As others have said, it seems that you're the only one experiencing this, so there's obviously something screwy with your setup anyway.

In our elite group of 7, yes I am the only one. But considering that I am using a mainstream computer (Compaq), with a brand new install of a well-supported OS in a very common configuration, it seems unlikely that I am the only Windows iTunes user to experience this. As I said, I will just not use it.

absmiths · Jun 8, 2004, 02:31 PM

I have a little more information, now. I completely cleaned my system of iTunes, including the registry. I found a bunch of iTunes entries in there which corresponded to at least two different installations I had done - on the C: and F: drives.

I reinstalled with a fresh copy downloaded from Apple and now at least I can open it consistently. However, as soon as iTunes opens, IE windows suddenly look like their data structures get corrupted - title bars draw garbage, content won't draw, menus don't drop down, etc. When I close iTunes, the process goes to 100% CPU for about 20 seconds, then goes away. After the process dies, everything returns to normal.

Weird.

mitchell_pgh · Jun 8, 2004, 02:56 PM

Most of my PC friends say it's �right... but nothing to write home about.

Maflynn · Jun 8, 2004, 06:45 PM

Another Windows sucks but not iTunes user here.

Mike

Michel_80 · Jun 8, 2004, 07:21 PM

Installed it on about twenty pc laptops with no problems. 2k and xp.

Absmiths, when you iTunes problem happens, press "print screen" button and then open Paint and paste the screenshot into that. That way we could see more clearly and help you solve this problem.

Regards

Chuckit · Jun 8, 2004, 07:40 PM

Originally posted by absmiths:
Windows sucks as well, but this is definitely a case of bad Apple engineering.

I've never heard of this happening elsewhere. I find it hard to accuse Apple of bad engineering because the program fails to work properly for one person somewhere in the world with Lord-knows-how-many other factors involved.

absmiths · Jun 9, 2004, 10:44 AM

Originally posted by Michel_80:
Installed it on about twenty pc laptops with no problems. 2k and xp.

Absmiths, when you iTunes problem happens, press "print screen" button and then open Paint and paste the screenshot into that. That way we could see more clearly and help you solve this problem.

Regards

I appreciate the offer, but I think I am going to just give up. Like someone else said, too many factors and I don't need iTunes on my PC that badly.

absmiths · Jun 9, 2004, 10:44 AM

Originally posted by Michel_80:
Installed it on about twenty pc laptops with no problems. 2k and xp.

Absmiths, when you iTunes problem happens, press "print screen" button and then open Paint and paste the screenshot into that. That way we could see more clearly and help you solve this problem.

Regards

absmiths · Jun 9, 2004, 10:49 AM

Something is seriously screwed up at MacNN today.

Originally posted by Chuckit:
I've never heard of this happening elsewhere. I find it hard to accuse Apple of bad engineering because the program fails to work properly for one person somewhere in the world with Lord-knows-how-many other factors involved.

The iTunes installer was a case of bad Apple engineering even though it only affected a few users . . .

Besides, iTunes on system screwed, iTunes off system fine. Seems straightforward. EVen if there is another factor, iTunes definitely contributes and it is expendable.

Maybe I should change the thread title: iTunes 4.5 for Windows sucks on my machine . . .