iTunes 7.0.2 Special Report: Crashes/quits while library is updating -- fixes

Several users have reported an issue where iTunes 7.0.2 suddenly quits or freezes when it is attempting to update the music library (usually upon the first launch of iTunes 7.0.2)

One MacFixIt reader writes:

"I'm running Mac OS X 10.4.8 on a G5 Dual 2.5 GHz. I used Software Update to update from iTunes 7.0.1 to 7.0.2. During the update, iTunes tried to update the iTunes Library. About 3/4 through the process, iTunes crashed. Each time I re-launch iTunes, the same thing happens consistently. [...]  At this point, iTunes is totally non-functional for me."

In the past, this issue has been caused by problematic music files, or items with filenames that are extremely long. Try browsing through your iTunes music library (~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music) for items with long names, remove them, then re-attempt launching iTunes 7.0.2

Failing that, navigate to the ~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music folder and move all the folders therein to another location (a new folder on the Desktop) for example. Now launch iTunes and make sure that the crash does not occur. Next, move the individual music folders folders back into ~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music in groups (i.e. a few folders at a time) and attempt to launch iTunes 7.0.2 after each. You should eventually experience the crash again, and you can then pinpoint the problematic music/podcast files and remove them permanently.

Index:

• Album by artist and year do work with iPod
• Audio distortion
• Crashes/quits while library is updating -- fixes
• Installation problems -- fix
• Language/country erroneously switched
• Long playlists, problems
• Playback problems (songs, videos will not play)
• Permissions changes in this release: Explanation
• Re-launches (uncontrollable)
• Podcasts stored on iPods not displayed properly in iTunes
• Release notes
• Reverting (downgrading) to iTunes 6.0.5
• Screen re-draw problems
• Slow podcast, media downloads
• Video stuttering: pauses, skips, etc.
• Volume Logic still incompatible

Resources