In February, I bought an iphone 3GS, 32 gig. Installed itunes onto my main computer, and found it basically took over, and ran it's software all the time. Removed it. Then installed on a Shuttle ST61G4, a secondary unit that I use basically as a spare. It was running XP SP2. The phone was running version 3.1.3, itunes was 9.0.3.15. Of course, it set itself to update itself, and I left it like that, because apple's reputation for having things that worked seemed good at the time.
About a month ago, the Shuttle started to load pages very slow, in comparison to the two other computers on my network. I tried a few things, nothing seemed to work. But I didn't care much, I could use the other computers to surf the net. Then, last week, I came home, plugged the iphone into it's dock, and no synch. Itunes didn't recognize the phone at all. I was a bit confused; I hadn't changed anything on the computer, virus scans showed nothing. I had 'upgraded' the computer to XP service pack 3 a few weeks ago, but that hadn't seemed to do anything.
This weekend, I reinstalled XP. Then installed SP3. Then installed Itunes 9.2. Now, it would recognize the phone once, lock up, and from then on not see the phone again at all, unless I rebooted the computer, and then the same routine would repeat. In fact, whenever I started itunes, it would run very slow, then lock up eventually, and there was no way to turn it off; task manager couldn't stop it. I would have to hard reset.
Considering that all I had on the unit was XP, the service pack, and itunes, I knew there was something wrong with that combination, even though their website says it requires exactly that set of software.
So last night, I disconnect the ethernet, and reinstall XP with SP2. Then use Itunes 9.0.3.15, making sure to un-check the 'check for updates automatically' box in the software option during the installation. Lo and behold, it works. Every time.
BUT....itunes decided on it's own to recheck the 'check for updates automatically' box after the software was installed. I had to un-check it again.
At this point, I have to carefully check that box each time I start the software. I'm guessing if it updates itself, I'm going through this nightmare all over again.

 

Very odd. We've got 3 iphones (1 3G, and 2 3GS) and itunes installed on every computer in the house. They are running XP, vista, and Windows 7. Havn't had any issues.... Maybe try windows 7?

 

Belongs in OT

 

I have the firewall configured to flag and block rogue attempts at updating like this. The firewall ID's the calling process, which means I can chase back to the source and kill it and its bastard children. If your firewall isn't giving you this level of protection, you may consider shopping for something a little more robust. If (really "when") you end up with an unintentional virus or trojan, the alarm flag from the firewall is often the first warning that something's wrong. The 'new' application often contacts its mother ship for more code and instructions, or starts sending out stuff from your computer that you don't necessarily want to allow. At least you have a warning that somethings happening; it's still up to you to do something about it.

 

Ya think? IBTL...

 

I put it here so everyone would catch it. In the Iphone forums, I'm not the only one with this problem. Dr Bob, I usually turn off any automatic updates to software, as well as anything that reports back the the 'mother ship'. But I thought apple was pretty solid. Guess again, huh? Yup. Everything's turned off now. I'll buy Win 7 when XP doesn't work anymore. Hate handing money over to Gates because of planned obsolescence. Is Win 7 actually new code, or just more recycled win 2000 code with a new shell (which of course is Win NT at it's heart)? Mostly more of the same, I'll bet; like XP and Vista (there was nothing wrong with 2000 other than the name, and that they needed to sell more software so they came up with a 'new' OS). I've heard it's nothing new under the sun, just a new name, and so many more patches to the code, it has to ship on a dvd.

 

iTunes 9.2 works fine on my Mac, as does everything else! I've also never had a problem with iTunes on any XP machine, but if was going to point a finger at your problem it would be at Windows every time.

None of the Apple software, including MAC OS X, automatically updates itself like Windows does. You will always get a notice that a new version is available and you can choose whether to install it or not.

Of to OT with you, now beat it!