Apple asks iTunes users to wait before updating to Vista

 

Every new operating system, no matter the vendor, will always have quirks. Most often, those quirks come in the form of driver issues. The inability to run certain programs or applications on the new system until a patch is released. This is the situation currently with users of Apple's iTunes on the recently released Windows Vista.

Apple is aware of several issues, most of them minor, that stem from drivers and codec's in iTunes 7.0.2. The problems reported result in the loss of the ability to play video files ordered and downloaded from the iTunes store, address, and contact synchronization.  Another issue is the loss of the calendar functions, and a seriously slowed down runtime. Most users are complaining of the slow systems, and program response than the other two on several forums and public support groups. One other issue Apple reports is corruption of an iPod if it is plodded into a system running Vista.

Apple said not all Vista systems are affected, but asks users not to upgrade to Vista until they release a patch for iTunes that corrects these bugs. The patch from Apple is still a few weeks off. They have provided some advice and created a repair tool for users to download. This tool will fix some of the permission issues, but Apple maintains the best fix is to wait until iTunes is patched before the update to Vista.

The nature of the DRM used in iTunes, and the complex nature of drivers, and kernel patching inside Vista, makes this issue a serious one for users who simply can't live without their iPod or the iTunes store. Apple's iTunes is the largest online retailer of DRM media, and has several million members worldwide. Users of iTunes will get an auto update notice when the patch to correct issues in Vista is released.

Apple has setup a website with information about issues in Vista here: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305042

Users who want the repair tool will find it here along with usage instructions:
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/itunesrepairtoolforvista10.html