Can't run iTunes unless ipod connected

Question

I'm running itunes version 7.3.2.6. Until recently I only used ITunes to put a few CD's onto iIpod. I now find that I can't run ITunes unless the ipod is connected. Is this normal?
If I try to run iTunes without the ipod connected I get error message "This action is only valid for products that are currently installed".
Tried upgrading to V7.5 but it won't install and I receive error message "The older version of Apple Software Update cannot be removed".
Tried uninstalling manually but no joy there.
Tried using the Windows Installer CleanUp utility but that leaves lots of files in the iTunes and QuickTime folders and some can't be deleted as they are apparently in use by another program.
Can anyone help?

Answer 1

+"The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable.+
Okay. That's consistent with the other messages.
Given that there's been a problem with both the itunes and Apple Software Update msi's, there may also be an issue with the QuickTime msi (which hasn't had the opportunity to surface yet).
So let's try the following procedure with that one.
launch Windows Installer CleanUp ("Start > All Programs > Windows Install Clean Up"), find any iTunes and/or QuickTime entries in the list of programs in CleanUp, select those entries, and click “remove”.
Next, we'll manually remove any leftover iTunes or QuickTime program files:
(1) Open Local Disk (C:) in Computer or whichever disk programs are installed on.
(2) Open the Program Files folder.
(3) Right-click the iTunes folder and select Delete and choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion.
(4) Right-click the QuickTime folder and select Delete and choose Yes when asked to confirm the deletion. (Note: This folder may have already been deleted if QuickTime was successfully removed using Add/Remove Programs earlier.)
(5) Delete the QuickTime and QuicktimeVR files located in the C:\Windows\system32\ folder. Click Continue if Windows needs confirmation or permission to continue. (Note: These files may have already been deleted if QuickTime was successfully removed using Add/Remove Programs earlier.)
(6) Right-click on the Recycle Bin and on the shortcut menu, click Empty Recycle Bin.
(7) Restart your computer.
Does an itunes install go through now?
*If things don't go well ...*
... another couple of questions:
If you get an error message when trying to remove a folder, can let us know precisely what it says? (Mention the file it cites.)
If there were no iTunes or QuickTime entries showing in CleanUp, were there any mysterious blank lines in the entries (or lines containing just version numbers, not names of software)?