iTunes "Hanging" Windows on Exit
If you use a Windows computer to manage your iPod library then chances are good that you've run into the frustrating condition where iTunes pretty much hangs, or freezes, your XP or Vista computer when you try to exit the iTunes program.
Search the web for "itunes hangs (or freezes) windows xp exit" and you'll plenty of folks looking for answers or work-arounds for it -- including on Apples support forums. You may also notice that these complaints go back for years and that there are zero ("zip", nada, none, nothing) responses of any kind from Apple. (Like Windows users aren't used to that from Apple; LOL.)
So, OK; here's the work around -- but please, do me a favor first. Please don't post this on other forums and blogs but instead please just link over to this page. I really will appreciate it very, very much.
OK; this isn't a fix or a solution -- only Apple can do that -- but it does work better than 90% of the time. It does keep iTunes from hanging your Windows PC most of the time.
The problem appears to be caused when the iTunes program is exited it tries to resolve it's relationship with the iPod but the iPod isn't plugged into the computer. The resolution then, most times, is this:
- If your iTunes is started automatically when you plug in your iPod, then do not disconnect the iPod before you exit iTunes. Instead exit the iTunes session first, then wait 20-30 seconds before you unplug your iPod. That gives iTunes a chance to "finish up" with the iPod so it can exit fully.
- And; if you start iTunes manually and never plug in your iPod, it will exit OK. (There was no iPod connection for it to try to clean up.)
- But: If you start your iTunes manually - without the iPod plugged in - and then plug in your iPod during the session, iTunes will probably hang when you try to exit it. Exit iTunes first and then restart it "automatically" by plugging in your iPod to the computer.
- If you start iTunes manually and then plug in your iPod but then unplug the iPod before you end the iTunes session then there is some chance that it won't hang, but it's about 50/50 either way.
The best bet is to always start your iTunes software "automatically" by plugging in your iPod and then leaving your iPod in until after you have exited iTunes. OR; start your iTunes manually and never plug in your iPod during that session.
Hope this helps. Please just link over to here if it does. Thanks very much.
