iTunes 5.0.1 Special Report: Old version of iTunes being opened

A number of readers are experiencing an issue where an older version of iTunes that is stored elsewhere on the startup volume or another mounted drive opens when a Web link to a Podcast or iTunes Music Store location is clicked.

MacFixIt reader Don King writes:

"(I clicked on a Web-based Podcast link) and opened iTunes (as it should have). But instead of opening version 5.1 that I had installed, it opened version 4.7.1! And I lost everything in iTunes (the library and playlist). I was informed that if I wanted to listen to the podcast, I had to update to version 5.0. But I already had 5.1 installed!

"I do have a copy of 4.7.1 in a backup folder (of just in case/older programs) on my hard drive. But it's definitely not in the dock (where I access iTunes) or anywhere else that's obvious. Maybe I should have kept the copy on a CD and not on the hard drive. But honestly, that should not have mattered. My active iTunes was 5.1."

In order to work around this problem, there are several options

• Simply delete the older version of iTunes, or move it to an unmounted volume if you wish to retain it for backup purposes.
• Open the Preferences of the copy of iTunes which you desire to use. Click the "Advanced" icon, then select the "General" tab. Next to "Use iTunes for Internet music playback" click "Set."
• Make sure the new version if iTunes is located in the Applications folder. Placing it elsewhere can have dire consequences including this issue, and several others that occur during attempted updated processes.

Index:

• Release Notes, update recommendations
• Cannot burn MIDI files
• Distorted/scratchy or popping sound sound
• iPod not recognized
• iTunes refuses to quit
• iTunes will not launch
• Old version of iTunes being opened
• Problems downloading through Software Update
• Some CD drives unable to import/play tracks; slow importing
• Problems synchronizing with music files on external drives
• Some music in library missing

• See the iTunes 5.0 special report for more workarounds

Resources