CHUD.com Community › Forums › DVD, HOME THEATER, & GADGETS › Chewer Tech › I hate Macs. Help me.
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

I hate Macs. Help me.

post #1 of 17
12/29/09 at 2:21pm
Thread Starter 
So I bought my friend an iPod for Christmas, tried to hook it up to her Macbook. It said I needed the current version of iTunes first, so I downloaded and installed it. The problem is, when I click on the iTunes icon (either from the Applications folder or the scrolling list on the bottom of the screen), it doesn't open. The icon on the bottom of the screen briefly bounces upward, but then nothing. It's clearly running the program, because when I tried to delete it, it said iTunes was currently in use, but the actual program no longer appears on screen.

I tried re-installing iTunes. I even deleted iTunes and all the associated files, following the steps on Apple's website, before reinstalling it again, and still nothing. So, yeah, worst Christmas present ever, and I'm clueless when it comes to troubleshooting on a Mac. Anybody got any suggestions before I bite the bullet and pay to have the computer serviced?

I'll love ya forever.
Reply
post #2 of 17
12/29/09 at 2:26pm
It sounds like your friend might not have the most recent operating system (I think Leopard) to run the current version of iTunes. That's what the "bouncing up and down" thing sometimes indicates.

If she does, then I have no clue.
Reply
post #3 of 17
12/29/09 at 2:28pm
How long are you waiting from the time you click it to the time you decide to give up on it and how old is the computer? The newer versions of iTunes are fucking powerhouses and I end up having to wait a good long while for it to open on my 3-year old laptop. Hell, I stopped updating it like 3 versions ago simply for that reason. It's why my iPhone still has 3.0 firmware on it.
Reply
post #4 of 17
12/29/09 at 2:42pm
Have you tried uploading a music file and then clicking on it? That should automatically open up iTunes. Or just unplugging the hard drive?
Reply
post #5 of 17
12/29/09 at 2:42pm
Thread Starter 
I left the computer running for almost 30 minutes at one point and the program didn't start, so that's not it.

The operating system thing sounds like a likely culprit, though. How do you update that? Can you just go to Apple's website, or is it like a Windows product where you have to buy an expensive piece of software?
Reply
post #6 of 17
12/29/09 at 2:46pm
You can update elements of the OS by download (like Service Packs in Windows) but to go from one version to another (Leopard to Snow Leopard) you're gonna have to buy it. Easy to check that though - just check the sys requirements on iTunes and on the Mac, click the little Apple icon at the top of the monitor and click "About This Mac," it'll tell you what software version you have. It won't say "Snow Leopard" - it'll be numeric - 10.5.8 or what have you.
Reply
post #7 of 17
12/29/09 at 2:55pm
at least windows will usually tell you why something isn't working - mac - nothing - it just doesn't happen. very infuriating.

The only thing you can be sure of is that if you want to fix this be prepared to pay $.

My advice, don't help friends with macs. They made their choice, they can fucking live with it.
Reply
post #8 of 17
12/29/09 at 3:22pm
You're just jealous that your computer isn't as sexy as mine.
Reply
post #9 of 17
12/29/09 at 3:35pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mr_adam View Post
My advice, don't help friends with macs. They made their choice, they can fucking live with it.
Except I'm the one who broke the computer.

So if the new iTunes DOES require a brand new operating system, is there any way to download her old version of iTunes again? Or am I just completely fucked here?
Reply
post #10 of 17
12/29/09 at 3:57pm
http://mac.oldapps.com
Reply
post #11 of 17
12/29/09 at 4:22pm
Thread Starter 
Cool. Thanks, folks.
Reply
post #12 of 17
12/29/09 at 4:47pm
Also, Snow Leopard (the latest OS from Mac) is actually only $30. You won't see a huge difference from Leopard but it's not bad.

If you know what version she's running (Apple Menu and then About This Mac). 10.6 is Snow Leopard, 10.5 is Leopard and 10.4 is Tiger. Also, if you say the processor/RAM on her book (also in the About This Mac screen) you'll know if she's pushing really pushing it at all or if it's a software problem.
Reply
post #13 of 17
12/30/09 at 3:02pm
If the computer is recent enough, yeah, just spend $30 and get the Snow Leopard upgrade. If it's an older computer, that's a bigger problem - then try the link that Rath posted and hopefully that'll do the job. Because - honestly, I love Apple, but the one thing they do that's infuriating is that when a new OS comes out, they take the older ones off the market, so it's nearly impossible to find, and it costs a lot more to purchase off of Amazon or something if you do find it.

Rath's links may take care of it. But if not, and the computer's new enough, you can just spend the $30 for Snow Leopard. Make sure if you have to go to the Apple store or call tech support that you have that full OS number that's in the "About this Mac" part. Good luck!
Reply
post #14 of 17
12/31/09 at 2:42pm
I've never actually used the Genius Bar, but wouldn't bringing the iPod and laptop in there likely answer your questions without doing all this digging on your own?

http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/
Reply
post #15 of 17
12/31/09 at 11:23pm
Calling tech support and having them walk you through it is easier than bringing it in to the Apple store. Besides, you have to be careful with what they may charge you in store.
Reply
post #16 of 17
1/2/10 at 9:39pm
Thread Starter 
Updated the firmware per Rath's suggestion and everything's working again. Thanks for the help, guys.
Reply
post #17 of 17
1/3/10 at 2:21pm
Glad it worked out on the cheap and easy, Slater!
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Chewer Tech
CHUD.com Community › Forums › DVD, HOME THEATER, & GADGETS › Chewer Tech › I hate Macs. Help me.