Error - Could not complete the music store request, the store may be busy .

Question

I get the error "Could not complete the music store request, the store may be busy, check your internet connection or try again later." I have uninstalled and reinstalled,Tried on and off with the firewall, tossed the prefs, tried older and latest versions. It used to work but it hasn't worked in the last few days.
  Windows XP Pro  

Answer 1

I found the problem to the iTunes Music Store connectivity. When iTunes version 6 is installed, it places a configuration / preferences file in the following location:
"C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes.pref"
This file contains several very large keys:
Preferences:129= (41,826 characters in length)
Music Store= (1,722 Characters in length)
Somewhere in these keys is stored are references to userid's, connections or other TCP/IP / internet connectivity objects that are being used when iTunes is installed. By deleting this file, these old setting appear to be cleared out.
In my case, one or more of the keys in this file appear to have been storing a property from my old dial-up ISP connection that was no longer valid for my new, Comcast cable modem connection.
Once I deleted this file, and re-started iTunes, it was as if I had never run the software before. I bypassed the option for searching for and importing .mp4's from My Music, and Itunes opened correctly, with full access to the music store. My library and playlists were intact and all is well.
Apple should re-write the protion of iTunes codes that stores anything pertaning to an internet connection that may change over time. Alternatively, iTunes should either A) Prompt for this information B) Enable user access to this parameter in a settings dialog C) Access this information dynamically at runtime.
Paul