OK to download latest version of iTunes 10.1.1 for PC?

mavjen

I just bought 2 identical iPod shuffles to give as Christmas gifts.  My plan was to put a few songs onto the iPod shuffles so there's music already loaded.

Here's the issue: I have iTunes 8.2.1.6 on my PC laptop now and according to the shuffle, I must have iTunes 10 or above installed on my PC laptop.  I am scared to install the latest version of iTunes because when I installed the current version on my laptop, it rendered my CD/DVD drive absolutely useless (it no longer reads a disc and I can't burn anything onto a disc).  This time, before I download a newer version, I googled to see if there were any issues with iTunes 10.1.1 (the most recent version that was launched last week).  There seems to be problems, but mostly for Macs (e.g., crashing, iTunes library disappeared, cannot put songs onto your iPod from your iTunes from your computer--you have to download directly from website).

If anyone downloaded iTunes 10.1.1, has it worked properly?  Or, should I stay the hell away from downloading?

Thank you in advance.

MerRhosyn

My thoughts...

What happened when you installed iTunes 8.2.1.6 did not happen to all iTunes users who upgraded.  It wasn't a flaw with the software version, per se.  First of all, you can fix the problem with your CD/DVD drive by following these instructions: 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/982116

Sometimes software upgrades cause compatibility issues - most of them are fixable.  With that being said, I would advise on deciding whether or not you want to give your shuffles with songs pre-loaded.  If you do, download the new version.  If not, keep your current version.

Disclaimer: I have used iTunes on a Windows-based laptop for ~8 years and never had any problems upgrading upon each new release. 

mavjen

Thank you so much, MerRhosyn!  I will try to fix my CD/DVD drive with that link you posted.

shouldbworkin

I wouldn't recommend.  I can't sync my ipod now after I downloaded the new version tonight and restored my ipod. 

mavjen

Thanks for the heads up, shouldbworkin.  I am sorry to hear about what happened iwth your iPod.

An update: I tried to download iTunes 10.1.1 last night and it could not install entirely so I am stuck with iTunes 8.2.1.6 but now I get an application fail error message when it opens, which pops up twice, and it eventually opens up iTunes. Fortunately, my iPod is still working.

MerRhosyn

Can you give more info about "could not install entirely"?

There is a known issue that you may be describing:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1829

But I can't tell without knowing where it stalled.

Did you follow the general troubleshooting tips?  Perhaps no, since you still have your previous version installed - removing any installed versions of iTunes is one of the steps.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1926 

What version of Windows are you running? 

Sorry it didn't work out. 

mavjen

Thanks, MerRhosyn.  I *think* it said that it could not install QuickTime properly on my computer.  It didn't give me a specific reason why.  I have downloaded a later version of iTunes before and it installed everything without any issues (except that my CD/DVD drive stopped working).  So, it was unusual that I could not do it this time.

I have Windows Vista on my PC.  I didn't try to troubleshoot because the iPod shuffles aren't even for me, they were supposed to be a Christmas gift so I am hesitant to screw around with my computer for software that I'm not benefitting from in the long run.

I am also hesitant to troubleshoot because iTunes just released 10.1.1 on December 15th, which was only a week ago.  I'm typically leery of downloading any brand-new software, whether it's Apple or Windows, etc. that hasn't worked out the major bugs yet.