QuickTime 7.1.1 (#3): Continuing problems with third-party apps; Reverting to an earlier version of QuickTime

Continuing problems with Cleaner Several readers report persistent problems with Autodesk's Cleaner that were spawned by QuickTime 7.1 and remain unresolved in version 7.1.1

MacFixIt reader Mark Block writes:

"QuickTime 7.1 broke the ability of Discreet (now Autodesk) Cleaner 6.x to process audio when making MPEG-1 files (the video comes out fine). I updated to QquickTime 7.1.1 to see if anything had changed. The answer is, yes. It's worse: Cleaner has trouble with lots of audio. I've tried making simple Quicktimes using the reliable Sorenson 3 codec with several different audio encoding choices such as IMA 4:1 with no success. I'm now back to running Cleaner 5 in Classic. Sorenson Squeeze still works, but the MPEG-1 video files it produces are very poor no matter what the setting -- not useful on a professional level.

If you are experiencing a similar issue, please let us know.

Freeverse game issues Readers also note that several games from Freeverse will not run properly with either QuickTime 7.1 or 7.1.1.

One reader writes:

"I also note that many Freeverse games won't run under 7.1 or 7.1.1. Tech Support at Freeverse responded quickly to my inquiry: "We're working on this as fast as we can, and as of this very second I don't have any real news. But keep checking back on our website because this thing is driving us nuts and no one wants it fixed faster than us."

Lossless recording in Toast It appears that QuickTime 7.1.1 also breaks Apple Lossless recording with Toast.

If you are experiencing a similar issue, please let us know.

Reminder: Check for problematic plugs-ins if movies will not play Several readers continue to report an issue where embedded media on Web sites will not playback properly under QuickTime 7.1 and 7.1.1.

As noted in our QuickTime 7.1 special report, if you are having problems viewing QuickTime media embedded in Web pages (you might see an error message indicating 'No Picture'), look in the /Library/Internet Plug-Ins directory (this is the Library folder at the root level of your hard drive, not the one inside your home user directory). Try removing the following files from that directory:

• QuickTime Plugin.webplugin
• VLC Plugin.plugin

Reverting to an earlier version of QuickTime If you are experiencing insoluble, serious issues with QuickTime 7.1.1, try reverting to an earlier version of the software.

This can be accomplished via the following process; adapted from our tutorial on reverting to a previous iteration of Mac OS X. Note, however, that reverting your system will remove any refinements brought by the update and leave your system open to potential vulnerabilities.

First, make a backup of your current Mac OS X installation with the Security Update applied, problematic as it may be. If there is an issue along the way, your valuable data will be safely intact in its current form.

Next, you'll need to perform an Archive and Install process to remove all of the Security Update's (and potentially problem-causing) components, and replace them with the components of a fresh copy provided by the Mac OS X disc that shipped with your system, or a retail Mac OS X disc. Unfortunately, this means you will lose some system settings and some or all third-party system add-ons.

To begin the process, insert your Mac OS X CD or DVD, as indicated above. Restart your machine and hold down the "C" key to boot from the newly inserted disc. Follow the on-screen instructions, and after accepting the license agreement, click "Options." Select "Archive and Install," and check the "Preserve User and Network Settings" option if you'd like to do so.

After the installation process is complete, you will be left with an earlier Mac OS X system that (hopefully) does not suffer from the problems generated by QuickTime 7.1 or 7.1.1. Use Software Update or Apple's download page to download the updates that brings your system to a state directly prior to QuickTime 7.1 -- in this case, QuickTime 7.0.4.

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage:

• QuickTime 7.1.1 (#2): Still no dynamic scaling of video; Pro key purchase message; more
• Apple releases QuickTime 7.1.1

Resources