Another "iTunes won't open!" thread. Incl. detailed description and depair!

Question

Hello guys! First of all I want to apologize for any bad/incorrect language. Not only am I frustrated, but I'm Swedish aswell.
THE PROBLEM
My problem is the same one many others seem to have. iTunes has gone from working fine, to not working at all over night. I've searched both my "local" site iPod.se and the iLounge forums without finding any solution. I assume this is the best place to find direct answers from the developers, since its their forum!
What happens is when I double click the iTunes icon (tested both via the start menu, the explorer and the desktop - all with the correct path and therefor no obvious spy/malware I hope) and the computer loads for about 5 seconds, then there's the error window. I'm using the latest iTunes/QuickTime and running a Swedish OS and I've tried both the Swedish and English install of iTunes. When I try to start it says:
"The iTunes application could not be opened. An unknown error occurred (-69)."
It says the exact same thing but in Swedish when using that language so that's not the problem for a starter.
By the way, the iPod connects without any problem to the PC, the problem's software related in this case. I can't recall any hardware/system changes being made inbetween iTunes working and not working. Just that I installed a Canon Pixma 5200R printer.
Just to clearify; The program worked fine just a few days ago. This just happend without me doing anything to the program (what I can remember, and I'm not the kind of guy who does odd things with the computer and then forgets about it)
THE NONE WORKING SOLUTIONS
I've tried many solutions, and the proper thing to do is probably to list them all. Note that the order may not be correct:
- Antivirus program (up to date Norton AntiVirus). It's been updated, run a system scan and disabled (both via msconfig and in the program. I also gave iTunes full access in the options).
- I've run ewido anti-malware, Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware after each other. I will try running them in safe mode, but I figuered this post should be posted before that anyway.
- I've uninstalled iTunes and QuickTime in varying order. Using both the iTunesSetup.exe for both and iTunes only, with QuickTimeInstaller.exe for QT alone. I also went in msconfig and allowed only these two apps to load at start-up while disabeling everything else.
- I've added a password to my Admin account (the only account on the computer) and right-clicked the iTunes icon choosing "Run as..." then entering my login/pw in the lower fields.
- I've checked out Anapod Explorer's homepage.
... and none of these points are working for me!
THE NOT TRIED SOLUTIONS
- As said, running the anti spyware softwares in safe mode (just in case the problem's malware related and the malware's blocking/hiding when running)
- Creating a new user on the computer and open iTunes from it. I just brought that solution to mind when writing this, so I figured I'm not rewriting... Although if it works, I won't call it a solution.
HELP! I NEED SOMEBODY... HELP!
As the topic implies, does any of you out there know of this problem? Any friend who solved it? Because I've got some Beatles songs that I need to transfer and I love iTunes too much, aswell being way to proud, to use any third party program just because iTunes decided to call it a day.
I'll update you directly when I've tried the solutions above, and please - post as soon as you get an idea! I probably won't go as far as formatting the C drive though.
HP d1290.se   Windows XP Pro   Service Pack 2

Answer 1

Hi dr0nt,
Thanks for the nice comment. I appreciate your patience while we look into what the issues are. So, you wanted a step by step guide and I will post about each step as much as I know, anyone else who knows anything else, feel free to jump in.
The Quicktime thing is getting botched up on some people's PC's. Somewhere along the line the file is getting broken and corrupted and many things can cause that to occur. So, for some unintsalling it and doing the install of the Quicktime Standalone patches the problem.
Norton is a huge offender in a couple arena's, but other Programs such as McAfee are also to blame. Usually they block it in one of two stages, either during the download and the file becomes corrupted or does not download at all, or it Blocks it when the user is actually trying to launch their iTunes, which is where the errorless launch occurs. Usually configuring your Norton, McAfee, or what ever program you are using will solve the launch issue. Disabling Norton, McAfee, etc will prevent those programs from actually screwing around with the download and install of iTunes and Quicktime.
MSCONFIG is good, if you have XP that is, in figuring out what it is that is blocking iTunes and Quicktime. I see you say it worked for you. (You may need to go back and configure Norton to play nice with iTunes though)
The Microsoft CleanUp utility is just a tool people use to get all those leftover Quicktime files off their PC. Sometimes people get frustrated and start downloading Quicktime over and over and over again and before you know, its all a huge mess of files everywhere. Somewhere I posted to Benglas04 (try to look it up if you can) the step by step guide to removing Quicktime. I named all the files to search for.
Sometime people have other issues and its harder to resolve. Generally its a corrupt OS or a registry problem. Other times its malware, viruses, trojans, spyware, and adware. I think pple get so frustrated with the fact that their program does not get downloaded and installed and they panic and start looking for someone to blame. Usually the problem is right under their noses. Its the long term neglect of maintaining their computer and OS. I think Computer users should attend mandatory classes in how to upkeep their computers and keep them healthy by checking for viruses, malware, defragging the harddrive, and all the other things one must do. Computers cost money and especially Windows machines, take a lot to maintain them and keep them healthy. But it is worth it in the end and you generally will run into less problems overall, ie. iTunes disasters and so forth.
So, dr0nt, I hope I was able to help you and I hope we get your iTunes on your own account up and running.