itunes problem....techies can you help

[Rock'n Robin]

we are having a problem with itunes. DD#1 and I both have ipods. She was listening to itunes today on the computer and when it said "do you want to download the latest version" she did. Then when itunes came up it would not play songs--the list comes up, and the play button, but it does not play.
We restored the system to yesterday but it did not help.
Here is my question. If we reload the itunes disc, will we lose all of the music we have now? Or is there something else we should try.
Thanks,
Robin M.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Just adding two other issues:
1) when I got "would you like to update" and click yes, I downloaded the ipod updater--but next time I open itunes, it says "would you like to update..." same thing. So I'm not updating.
2) when I click the songs in "my music" (where I backed up all of my songs) they don't play either, since my default player is itunes! Any way to change my default player there to something else?
Robin M.

 

[Mr. Silly]

From your comments, it sounds like you are running Windows, if you are on a Mac, let me know. First thing to do is make a backup of your music. Here is a tutorial on backing that up:

http://www.uneasysilence.com/how-to-backup-your-windows-itunes/

Once you have a backup then you can do whatever you want/need to and know that you cannot lose your music.

Since it is Windows, I would try blowing away the iTunes pref file, and if that doesn't cover it then do the old uninstall then reinstall. To do that you double-click on 'Control Panel'. Open 'Add or Remove Programs'. Then you select and uninstall 'iTunes'. Then reinstall from your CD. If your music is missing, I think you can choose File->Import, or File->Add To Library and select the music library that you backed up to pull it in (note that I have not tested this).

Since I am not a Windows person (all my work and home computers are Macs), I'd suggest going to Apple's discussion forums and posting this question in their iTunes forum, since there will be people who are more familiar with the software and how to troubleshoot it there:

http://discussions.apple.com/index.jspa

If you start messing around with iTunes, make sure not to plug the iPod in until you have everything working again.

Obligatory backup comments: You should really make a backup of your music and anything else you care about, since when your hard drive takes a dive you will lose your data. It is not a question of if, but when. Hard drive models are rated for the average number of hours they are expected to last before failing in some way. That number is usually fairly high, but no drive is immortal.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Thanks. I am going to try that soon. What I think DD did was when the quicktime download came up with the update, she canceled out (she didn't want quicktime ) and I think that ruined the whole thing. When I try to run quicktime it says it was "canceled in an unusual manner". Also, when I tried to download it, it went to the ipod updater I already have.
The one suggestion on the itunes site about the compatibility thing was not the answer to my particular problem.
DH is furious mad about my computer time right now so I have to block out some time when he is gone for a while!
Robin M.

 

[Mr. Silly]

It sounds like your QuickTime install is hosed. You can get the standalone QuickTime installer (no iTunes) here:

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/standalone.html

I think that that might be what you need to fix it.

 

[tmt martins]

I would just try a system restore point from before DD did the download it may save you lots of time.