iTunes, Spyware and Other Horrible Shit
So. After I made that podcast that everyone's talking about, I decided that it might be a good idea to put in on my actual iPod, to see what it sounded like. So on Saturday (a little late, seeing as the podcast went public on Friday!) I plugged me iPod into me laptop, to do the auld sync-aroo, and something most unexpected happened. Nothing.
Well, I say nothing, but actually what happened was Windows Explorer opened up and showed me stuff that was on my iPod. iTunes didn't even quiver. iTunes didn't recognise my iPod in the slightest. I looked up the help files on the Apple site and it seemed to be a common problem with this new iTunes version 7.0.1. "Open 'my computer>manage'", they said, "and start the iPod service in 'services'". So I did. iTunes saw my iPod. For about a second. Then it was gone again. Rinse, repeat. Same result.
"Delete files in the 'temp' folder of Windows" was the next gem of information Apple shared with me. Did this. Tried again. Nowt. Went "aaarrrgh" and "baaastards" a few times, and then Nikki, brilliant as she is, suggested installing a previous version of iTunes. So I searched for a download of version 6.0, lashed it in, re-installed my iPod's original CD, and away I went. It worked. I had to completely re-sync all my music, photos, notes, etc, and re-create the "Matthew's iPod selection" playlist, and all that crap, but it worked. Downloaded my Podcast. Sounded ok. Bit up and down in places, but nevertheless fine. Phew. What a load of bollocks. In short, wait for version 7.0.2 or something later, and keep that version 6.0 installer you have, and your iPod CD, just in case like. And don't say I didn't warn you.
Then, worse (sigh...). I was searching for mp3's for the Lifewithouttastcast™ version 2, and some poxy bastard website fucked up my laptop with about a million (345 to be exact) different pieces of spyware. There were browser windows popping up all over the place, Norton pretty much shut itself down in protest (or got kicked to pieces by a particularily virulent virus, I'm not sure), processes were running where previously no processes were, all sorts of horrible crap. So I ran all sorts of anti-spyware programs, virus checkers, etc, but still it was all fucked to pieces. Went to bed really pissed off at about half 2 or so. Fucking FUCK.
Woke up this morning with a ridiculously horrible case of sinusitis, didn't go to work. Turned on me lappie at about midday, preparing myself for another bout of frustration. Then "bing!" went a little lightbulb in my head.
SYSTEM RESTORE! The best thing Microsoft have done with Windows, ever. Clicked "system restore>go go go fucking do it", and away it went. SORTED. Now, I still have to re-install iTunes and re-do everything I did on Saturday, but at least there's no nasty surprises fucking my head up.
I am TOTALLY getting a Macbook. Soon. As soon as I can afford it. Windows is just too much of a fucker for me to contemplate using it for too much longer.
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Comments
I hate iPods, everyone I know who has had one has had problems with them, and then you cant fix them (apparently) and they changed to iRivers and Zens and that, never looked back since!
Posted by: Babs | October 9, 2006 2:26 PM
In this case, it wasn't the actual iPod that was the problem, it was the newer version of iTunes, which probably works brilliantly with 5G iPods and 2G Nanos, but not with my 1G Nano, as it turned out.
Apple need to get their shit together so it works with Windows. And Linux even. And Everything.
Their big tagline for MAcs is "everything just 'works' with a Mac", they need to make it so that everything Apple works with everything else.
Posted by: Matt | October 9, 2006 2:40 PM
They are knobs, boycott Apple I say, nowt but trouble in my experience!!
Posted by: Babs | October 9, 2006 4:00 PM
I have to say, after all the crap I've been through with my Windows laptop in the past two days, I'm willing to try playing around with Linux just to get away from it.
But then again, I think a Macbook would be a less difficult choice. And more cooler and more shinier too.
Posted by: Matt | October 9, 2006 4:42 PM
Nooooo!!! Don't be taken in by the shiny packaging (again) you are the biggest magpie I know, apart from Conor, who has an iPod, an iRiver, a Zen, special shiny white Creative speaker dock thingy, a Mac book, and about twelveteen guitars, oh and a ridiculously large telly. It's crazy man!!
Posted by: Babs | October 10, 2006 8:33 AM
Well, he's quite clearly nuts, whereas I simply want to NOT be nuts, and get a nice black MacBook.
Posted by: Matt | October 10, 2006 9:27 AM
What's "nute"? He's not that, he is just attracted to shiny things, really, it's quite alarming at times! YOu don't NEED a Macbook do you???? So therefore you shouldn't get one thus saving money and time and everything!
Posted by: Babs | October 10, 2006 9:39 AM
Sigh... I meant 'nuts' as you well know. Anyhoo, corrected.
I need a MacBook to maintain my reasonable high levels of sanity. My Windows machine is driving me up the wall with it's constant grinding to a halt and running slowly and spyware and adware and viruses and other CRAP, so either way, I need a new something, whether it's a MacBook or not.
Posted by: Matt | October 10, 2006 10:39 AM
Why don't you just clean your lappy top thingy up like I did when that happened and now its perfectamundo ya know? It's all about cleaning maaaaaan!!
Posted by: Babs | October 10, 2006 10:41 AM
I've already cleaned it up, and backed everything up to an external drive (have you done THAT?! HUH?!), so I either need more RAM, or another machine. My SSIA is coming through in 6 months. I can afford a MacBook. I want a MacBook. I will keep my cirrent machine, strip Windows and everything else off it, and probably try to install Ubuntu Linux or something like that on it, to assuage my inner geek curiosity.
Posted by: Matt | October 10, 2006 10:52 AM
You are a NERD!!! hahaha!!! I am only joking, also, I dont have enough shite to have an external drive, kind of defeats the purpose to me. Ah well!
Posted by: Babs | October 10, 2006 11:58 AM