Updated ITunes and now it won't coonect to the internet

Question

Please help..... I updated my ITunes on my computer on Saturday and ever since I get an error message saying that "ITUNES COULD NOT CONNECT TO THE MUSIC STORE. THE NETWORK CONNECTION WAS REFUSED. MAKE SURE YOUR NETWORK SETTINGS ARE CORRECT AND YOUR NETWORK CONNECTION IS ACTIVE, THEN TRY AGAIN."
Everything else on my computer works fine, including the internet and nothing has changed. What can I do?????
THNX!!!!
Dell   Windows XP  

Answer 1

OK -- I'm back. I am the original poster on this thread.
In brief ---the status is "No Change". Note that technically I can connect to iTunes via the Internet, but it's useless -- I can't buy anything.
Since my last posting I have uninstalled iTunes version 6.0.4.2. After the uninstall I re-booted and verified that it was truly gone. Note however, my library of downloaded music remained OK. That was a relief.
I installed the prior version, and subsequently found the same problem. To summarize, iTunes works in all respects, except for the ability to purchase music from iTunes. In fact, the performance is fine -- it's as fast as ever, which is actualy kind of slow, but still bearable.
I've given my Registry a thorough scrubbing (I'm very compter literate), all to no avail.
I also ran an interesting test -- On one attempt to purchase (the "Buy Now" button, I deliberately entered an incorrect password. iTunes IMMEDIATELY flagged it as NG, after which I entered the correct password, and iTunes seemingly started to download my purchase.
But it didn't --
My favorite error message is this one --
“Could not purchase the items in your cart.
An unknown error occurred. (-50)
There was an error in the Music Store.
Please try again later.”
Believe it or not, this error makes me laugh, even as I grit my teeth. With this messaye Apple clearly inicates that (a) the problem is their fauilt, and (b) they don't understand it any better than we do.
HERE IT IS -- Apple is in busines with iTunes to sell music, but they have an error that (a) totally blocke that capability, (b) they admit it is their fault, (c) they don;t know what to do, and (d) they screw the customer.
An UNKNOWN ERROR ? Come on, Apple -- in well written, robust software there ain't no such thing. This message just indicates that the people at iTunes are clueless about their software. Who developed it?
Another thing -- the error message tends to vary among three different messages. Is Apple tweaking the operating software trying helplessly to make it work? Seems like that is the case. Well, in a high quality software environment you DO NOT tweak the on-line system. You have an offline develoment and test environment with real software engineering tools. This is amateur stuff -- like software written by talanted, but totally inexperienced high school kids.
This has been going on since the beginning of June.
Apples promises reponses to eMails within 24 hours. No way. I have not received a single response so far.
Their web site alludes to "World Class Support" Who is kidding who? We all know this is not so, but somehow I think Apple really believes it.
Keep the replies coming. If this threaad gets big enough someone at Apple may actually read it. If it gets up to over a hundred replies PC Week of PC Magazine might find it of compelling interest.
I really want to keep using iTunes as I already have a large collection iniTunes, and I want to keey my collection in a single environment.
Just in case, I've taken my trusty 35mm camera and taken pictures on my iTunes Shopping List. That way I can go elsewhere if I need to.
Rhapsody looks positively awful, and Napster seems to have a large amoung to complaints. Stil, I'm looking.
Keep those letters coming folks. Let's build up a compelling case, right here in this thread. Tell your friends about this thread.
Thanks.