Hardware 2.0

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Is iTunes 8 causing BSODs on your Vista system?

By Adrian Kingsley-Hughes | September 10, 2008, 8:55am PDT

Summary: I’m getting sporadic reports that Apple’s latest iTunes 8 media applications is causing Vista systems to experience BSODs (Blue Screens of Death).

[UPDATE #1: Has iTunes 8 made your CD/DVD drive disappear? Check out this post.]
[UPDATE #2: Possible fix for the iTunes 8 BSOD under Vista here.]

I’m getting sporadic reports that Apple’s latest iTunes 8 media applications is causing Vista systems to experience BSODs (Blue Screens of Death).

I’ve tried replicating a BSOD on both Vista 32-bit and Vista 64-bit using iTunes 8 but so far the program seems rock solid (albeit slower than iTunes 7.7). According to Apple’s support forum the crash is linked to the usbaapl.sys/usbaapl64.sys driver. The fact that this crash doesn’t happen on all systems seem to indicate that there’s another factor involved.

Poll

Have you had any iTunes 8 related BSODs on Vista?

If iTunes 8 is making your system BSOD then I’d be interested in learning a little more about the configuration of your system to see if I can replicate the crash.

[UPDATE: Ed Bott has an idea as to what's going on here.]

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Topics

BSOD, Microsoft Windows Vista, Apple iTunes, Microsoft Windows Vista (Longhorn), Digital Music, Digital Media, Operating Systems, Microsoft Windows, Software, Personal Technology, Consumer Electronics, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is an internationally published technology author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology.

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RE: Is iTunes 8 causing BSODs on your Vista system?

AlFig Updated - 15th Dec 2008

I just did an iTunes/Quicktime update on my Vista 32 home premium and BSoD!!! Vista was able to repair itself and now iTunes is complaining that it can't start because of a problem with quicktime, which has led me to conclude that Apple is indeed the culprit here. What's the best way to restire iTunes functionality without trasking the rest of my system? Thanks,
Al

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No BSOD but ITF

rhonin 10th Sep 2008

ITF - It Takes Forever to load anything now in iT8.
Phone syncs okay, but feels like iTunes is running in
molasses.....

When I open iTunes, I will get a time out error from
the iTunes store site most times....

Version 7, that ran fast compared to this snail.

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That's okay, Apple will still provide security patches for 7

NonZealot Updated - 10th Sep 2008

Oh... wait... they won't.

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I said no but...

deowll 10th Sep 2008

I've never installed that piece of software. I don't use the still working mp3 players I own other than my computers which act as my sound system.

When I'm out and about I need to be aware of what is going on around me.

If I get anothor MP3 player it will have FM.

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Re: I said no but

harrisharris 11th Sep 2008

If I get anothor MP3 player it will have FM.

If I get an iPod, wait, I probably won't.... It would need to a little bit more compatible with Media Player outside of iTunes on my Windows machine. (Linux's Rhythmbox seems to work quite well with an iPod, by the way).

iTunes is nothing more than a cash-cow for Apple from people who don't know any other option. It's an ingenious marketing method, but realistically it's like the monopoly that never was.

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Nope..

JT82 10th Sep 2008

then again my Vista machine is free of any Apple's "malware" happy

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i'm with you there is no apple crapware on my computer

SO.CAL Guy 10th Sep 2008

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Too bad it's not also...

chaiguy1337 10th Sep 2008

...free of Microsoft's. wink

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damned trolls

Paul Fletcher 10th Sep 2008

and what is better - Apple killing your system or using Linux without the apps you want???

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Wine Much?

CTRLurself 10th Sep 2008

wine's first official release is out and if you run Ubuntu just do "sudo apt-get update" "sudo apt-get upgrade" and install the latest version in package manager.

Runs everything i've tried (mostly software more than 6 months old), office 2003, Warcraft 3, World of Warcraft, CSS, COD4, the list goes on.

Windows is quickly becoming obsolete

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As usual...

Spiritusindomit@... 10th Sep 2008

Someone who fails to understand that for most of us, simply running is not acceptable.

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Great....

Sleeper Service 10th Sep 2008

...you can run 4 year old Windows software.

Whoopee!

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Re: Wine Much

harrisharris 10th Sep 2008

First off... Windows is quicky not becoming obsolete. By which basis do you form this fact?

So you can run a good number of apps with Wine, but there's also a good number of apps that DON'T run with Wine.

And as quickly as Windows does become obsolete, and everyone migrates to a UNIX platform.... I guess they'll be using a Mac, because I don't think that Joe-Blo is going to know how to SUDO his way out of a bind...

However, it seems that Windows is trumping the PC market share by 50%? or is it 60%...wow, I think the number is a bit higher than that, but I'm no fanboy. I use Ubuntu in a VM environment, as well as on a 3 year old Dell. It is great for what it is, but in no way is it going to replace my Windows Vista for the work I do...

Linux is a really cool, OS, don't get me wrong, but I think it should just stay on the server....gotta love Linux servers for hosted management....but Windows is staying on top for me on the client home front.

Macs, on the other hand, seem really cool, but I don't really have a need for one at the time.... I need my Windows computer for the work I do...and I'm sure a lot of other people do as well. Realistically, it could be the desktop Linux that is about to go extinct?

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Lets follow this bizarre logic...

Cayble 10th Sep 2008

Because Linux can use wine to run Windows programs...Windows is quickly becoming obsolete...obsolete programs do not sell after a period of time, so eventually Windows being obsolete will stop selling, and then...what?

Where are you going to get new Windows based programs to run on Wine? Are you saying once Windows is dead that the software producers will just continue making their software only for Linux??? That makes no sense; they could simply do that now if there was a reason to do so, Linux being open source it would be dead easy.

Your weird statement implies that all that keeps Windows afloat is that most software only runs on Windows so you can run Windows out of business by making Windows based programs run on Linux then everyone will dive off Windows and the software manufacturers will have no choice but to go to Linux.

That would be one of the most bizarre twists of fate in corporate history.

uch much much easier and faster way to make Windows obsolete. Make Linux as push button easy to use as Windows. That should be task one for Linux developers. Then have Wine capability built in and you have a real problem for Windows.

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Windows is quickly becoming obsolete?

deowll 10th Sep 2008

At the rate it's becoming obsolete we'll all be dead first however I may give wine a try. I'm basicly messing around with the ubuntu system trying to learn a few new tricks and I have an install disk. I can always start over.

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Re: Windows is quickly becoming obsolete

harrisharris 11th Sep 2008

Sorry to double post here...

Runs everything i've tried (mostly software more than 6 months old), office 2003, Warcraft 3, World of Warcraft, CSS, COD4, the list goes on.

Windows is quickly becoming obsolete

Your software is quickly becoming obselete as well...

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Just say 'no' to computers.

harrisharris 10th Sep 2008

We're all doomed...

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Well...

tikigawd 10th Sep 2008

since my computer runs beautifully with Microsoft's "crap" on it I'll definitely stick with it, instead of Apple's BSOD-inducing wonder-ware

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Message has been deleted.

systemx Updated - 11th Sep 2008

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RE: Is iTunes 8 causing BSODs on your Vista system?

Volneynk 10th Sep 2008

I loaded iTunes 8 on my HP laptop running Vista and it BSOD the first time I plugged in my iPod Nano. This was the first BSOD I have seen on my Vista Laptop and it seems to be related to the usbaapl64.sys driver. iTunes 7.7 worked fine. Apple really needs to fix this problem besides just having us uninstall anything HP USB related. I have more USB devices than just the Ipod!

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The final fix....

MGP2 10th Sep 2008

format c:

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iTunes aint done untill

GuidingLight 10th Sep 2008

Vista won't run wink

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RE: The final fix....

fatman65535 10th Sep 2008

You forgot the most important part:

Insert Linux Live CD, boot it, and wipe Vistaster off he face of that hard drive!!!

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Multiple exclamation marks.

Sleeper Service 10th Sep 2008

A sure sign of a diseased mind.

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Re: Final fix

harrisharris 10th Sep 2008

You disgrace the sudo cause.

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RE: Is iTunes 8 causing BSODs on your Vista system?

jwoods@... 10th Sep 2008

Same thing, HP laptop running Vista.

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Good to know. I'll wait to upgrade.

BillDem 10th Sep 2008

Thanks for the information. iTunes is already too damn slow. I'll avoid it.

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I agree... Wait for now.

aeriden 10th Sep 2008

iTunes 7.7 is already too slow on my dual core, Vista x64, 4GB
notebook. Ideally, it would be faster (stop making it look like Mac
software on Windows). But it should not be slower.

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Re: Second that

harrisharris 10th Sep 2008

What works for Apple OS works for Apple OS. By trying to imitate (i.e. skin) their OS into their Windows programs either means that the skin sucks, or the application sucks. Or both?

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No...because I don't use Vista...

techboy_z 10th Sep 2008

But...I run XP, and I was notified by iTunes for an update the other day...and I clicked Ok to go ahead with it. I did have exceptions thrown by the installer/updater, when it got to the finish/cleanup stage and I said, no, don't restart my PC now...I'll do it later. So something was not quite right with it on XP either.

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Nice to see...

JT82 10th Sep 2008

that you are one of the dinosaurs hanging on to a dying OS happy

Vista isnt as bad as you think..and when you decide to upgrade your hardware - maybe join us with the current OS.

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What says he's hanging on to XP?

ye Updated - 10th Sep 2008

Perhaps he's happy with his system the way it is and doesn't feel the need to upgrade. Not everyone continuing to use XP is doing so because they dislike Vista (maybe he does but I didn't get that from his post). Some feel there's no reason to upgrade so they're staying with what they have. And they're wise to do so, IMO.

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You mean XP.. Absolutely Nothing.

JT82 10th Sep 2008

It was more anecdoatal then anything, but which is why I put in there when he upgrades his hardware. True his setup may be fitting the bill - but when it dies... Vista is worth moving to for the security enhancements alone - now if Adobe released a 64-bit version of flash - Id be all set! (DEP doesnt run on 32bit versions of IE, however I think MS is changing this for IE8)

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You are correct about XP. I have changed it.

ye 10th Sep 2008

As for his avoiding Vista I did not see anything in his post to suggest he was opposed to Vista so I'm not sure how you infered he is.

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XP

nimrod666 10th Sep 2008

He would do well to stay with XP. It is more secure than Vista. I bought a new laptop, Dell, and in two months I have already had to remave one virus and two trojans and never had a problem with XP for years and doing the exact same thing. All that changed was the OS. I am upgrading my laptop to XP. It is true that Vista is not as bad as I heard, it is much worse.

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Then its operator error...

JT82 11th Sep 2008

not a Vista problem..

"..in two months I have already had to remave one virus and two trojans.."

That would be pure operator error. I have been running Vista for well over a year (on the same software load mind you) and have never had a problem with viruses, trojans, or the like. I run updated anti-virus software (AVG free actually) and i kept UAC enabled.

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Perhaps

tikigawd 16th Sep 2008

you should stop trying to get free software from torrent sites for Vista.

Those keygens are nasty virus and trojan vectors

shocked

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Hanging on to XP - give me a reason to go to Vista

gdwojo@... 10th Sep 2008

Main business software not ported to Vista -
XP runs faster than Vista on the same platform
XP requires less resources - memory/processor/graphics
Vista still has significant security flaws -
XP - as it sits on my 35 computers right now is free,
I can't begin to make a business case justification for migrating - especially when something is solid and stable, and works just fine - why become a zealot and migrate because it is the latest and greatest.
Leading edge, sure - bleeding edge - not for me.

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Xp faster

tikigawd 16th Sep 2008

XP runs faster than Vista on the same platform

I'm not too sure about this.

Have you tried it?

I have both installed on the same computer and Vista is snappier. Granted, that depends on WHAT hardware you have. If you have older systems Vista will probably not work well.

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Dinosaurs?

techboy_z 10th Sep 2008

About 2% of corporate PCs are on Vista. My preference is a side-topic here though. The post was about bugs in iTunes. My comment was to add that iTunes problems were *not* isolated to Vista...you advanced adopters could actually interpret that as a positive statement for Vista?...if you read it correctly.

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Uh...

Sleeper Service 10th Sep 2008

..it's actually 9% and rising.

Carry on.

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Dinosaurs? ...maybe your just snooty.

6T9ura$$0ff 10th Sep 2008

There are thousands of small businesses with small numbers of employees who can't afford to upgrade on Microsoft's time table...That doesn't make them dinosaurs, just reasonable business people. Those who look down on people who are on a limited budget however are far from the oposite of dinosaurs...they're morons.

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XP too

dragonlen@... 11th Sep 2008

Tried to update my ITunes to the new version and had the same installer problem claims the signature is phony or incorrect or something I just wasn't paying attention! Damn.

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BSOD on XP twice

bobbatchelor 11th Sep 2008

I tried to do a new install of itunes twice and got the BSOD each time. Something is wrong with this program. Hey, itunes; let us know when you are really ready.

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This is pretty blatant sabotage

NonZealot 10th Sep 2008

Apple's ads suggest that Vista is unstable and crashes all the time which simply can't be further from the truth. How does apple deal with this? Well, if Vista won't crash on it's own, start releasing drivers that make the ads true. Disgusting Apple, truly disgusting.

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Naw, it is over extented...

TripleII-21189418044173169409978279405827 10th Sep 2008

Apple has dramatically over extended it's ability to code properly. They are spread way too thin, and you can see it in multiple cases of their recent offerings. I think Apple needs to regroup, slow down, and get back to decent quality. Isn't it still true that any any given time 1% (it rolls from user to user) can't sync with MobileMe, etc?

One item though, any app that can bring the OS down highlights a flaw in the underlying OS. It really should not happen. MS needs to see what they missed if a user application brings the OS down.

TripleII

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It's not a "user application", it's hardware access

KTLA 10th Sep 2008

A driver with hardware access is causing the BSOD, not a user application. (to use the technical term) When Apple requires their users to click the "I give permission..." button, and installs drivers, it's all Apple from that point on as far as the driver stability.

What major OS on the market is currently protected from drivers that have hardware access? (i.e. bypassing the OS) I'm not aware that any are, but then you do learn something new every day.

Or are you just saying that this highlights a flaw in the current generation of operating systems?

You are corect on Apple coding. They make fantastic hardware, but releasing software is just not their thing, and it shows. They should purchase a software outfit with a solid track record of releasing quality software, or at least partner up with them.

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Understood.

TripleII-21189418044173169409978279405827 10th Sep 2008

I don't know the root cause, but if it is a third party driver that is showing Apple's current trend to mediocre software, I agree. Do we know if it is the hardware driver yet or the application?

TripleII

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usbaapl64.sys

KTLA 10th Sep 2008

The article refers to the Apple support forums talking about usbaapl64.sys being at fault, and as Apple designs the hardware that sits at both ends of that driver, it seems very likely that Apple software is at fault. They just aren't good at software, they seem to think it's an afterthought once you've designed great hardware. (Which they do.)

Almost all of the BSODs on Windows that I've experienced since WinXP SP1 came out (man, when was THAT?) have been driver-related, and those are 99% third party. Windows OS components and functions crash like any other, but the BSOD is now essentially the exclusive realm of the third party hardware manufacturer. (Or first party, in the case of OS X on a Mac.)

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100% TRUE

Kiltedbear 10th Sep 2008

Reports say that 50% of ALL early Vista BSOD were from bad NVIDIA graphics drivers. Eww. Yet Vista and MS got the blame.

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Here's a big surprise:

Mac Hosehead 10th Sep 2008

iTunes always seems to work better on Mac OS. Disgusting? Somehow, I doubt you own an iPod anyway. I am always distrustful of a new version of any software.