Apple guru help needed. Sorry for boring most people ...

[blamebrampton]

But I need help, as I can't bring myself to type out any more track listings.

Is anyone out there an iTunes specialist? Or perhaps it is a broader Apple thing ... My iTunes crashes whenever I try to have it and my internet connection open at the same time. Offline it is stable and happy and will manually sync and upload CDs that I type the track listings in for to its heart's content. But open an internet connection, and it goes down like Draco Malfoy in a PWP.

I went to visit the Genius Bar with my problem, they told me it was because I used an old version of iTunes and should update. I did, I copied the tracks back from my iPod onto my MacBook and then back to the iPod with the new iTunes on it, too (SO time-consuming), and all was well for about three weeks. Then, back to the crashing.

And yes, I have gone to look for help on sundry Apple sites and even found one that could work, were it not for the fact that iTunes will not work while the internet connection is open, since its first step was: connect to the iTunes Store ...

The reason I suspect it could be a broader issue than my iTunes only is that Gmail in Firefox crashes whenever I attempt to attach anything to an email. While my other webmail is fine. If I was an actual geek rather than just a fan of the geekerati, I would be able to tell you if there were similar pathways used by both processes. As it is, I know there are two things that make me say 'Argh fuckit!'

I accept that I will probably be off for another happy half hour chatting with the very sweet but not quite as helpful as they think they are kids at the Genius Bar, but if anyone out there knows a cunning fix, I would love to hear from you.

Thanks!

Comments

[vaysh11.livejournal.com]

What version of Mac OS X are you using? Which Firefox version? If you're working with an older version of Mac OS (10.3.9. and below), perhaps the problem is with the newer Firefox version.

[mific.livejournal.com]

All I can think of is to try iTunes with Safari instead of Firefox, since they're both original Apple products. And make sure you've got the latest versions of iTunes and Safari, I guess. It sounds bloody irritating.
There's a programme that sucks your tracks off an iPod quite easily BTW so you can fill up a new iTunes and reload them - I've done it twice. Can tell you what it is if you want.

ETA: oops - ignore that 1st bit, having read the thread properly, I see you've tried the safari idea. Baffling. Dunno - maybe deinstall iTunes completely and reload the latest version, instead of just doing an update?

[winterthunder.livejournal.com]

*totally agrees on the not-so-helpful kids at the Genius Bar*

*wishes she could add something more substantial*

[incapricious.livejournal.com]

A few years ago, I had an issue with uploading files, where I would lose my Internet connection whenever I uploaded anything (via a gmail attachment or whatever). It turned out to be either our wireless router or a switch (a network component) that was dying or damaged or something. Once we replaced that, the problem stopped.

I have no idea if that us related to your problem, but I thought I would mention it just in case!

[libby-drew.livejournal.com]

It's what you get for running firefox.

I have no words of advice. But I'm crying real crocodile tears that you can't bathe in the awesomeness that is the itunes store.

[hitsuzen-hime.livejournal.com]

Brammers,

My BFF from Highschool is an Apple software specialist and Genius (several ranks above the nice little fluffy bunnies at the Genius bar) and I've emailed him with your problem, he'll probably get back to me this morning, I'll let you know if he's got any bright ideas. Good luck with the Genius bars, in the meantime, what are your system specifications on your MacBook?

[potteresque_ire]

So you're still using Tiger, right?

Mmm, I'd say, one simple thing is to clear the clutter in your cache and see whether that helps; it could be something in there.

Try the Tiger Cache Cleaner, maybe? I like that a lot. Just find it on the web and I don't think you have to pay for it, really, although the price is listed. Just close the registration code box when it pops up. :)

I'd try the simplest cleanup option in there first; the more aggressive ones may require you to reinstall a whole lot of stuff. You can set up an automatic run everytime you restart the computer—this is a short script that takes less than 15sec after boot up, and your computer will love you for it :)

ETA: I mix up two things—cache clean up is always easy and takes 10-15 sec at most, but you can also get the program to try to do the maintenance & optimize functions (repair permissions etc) and that will take much longer; but doing the maintenance stuff may help you also, I think :)

[angela-snape.livejournal.com]

I suspect it's a broader issue if FF is also affected... wish I could help!

[uminohikari.livejournal.com]

Will the gmail also crash in safari?

Hmm, it sounds like an internet problem though, if multiple programs are crashing.. Do you have other computers connected in the same way to the internet? Can you try if itunes/ff will crash on that computer too?

[deensey.livejournal.com]

UPgrade to leopard.

See me for details.