IPod Syncing Automatically/iTunes Opening when iPod Connects

Question

Good morning:
I am at my wits end, so maybe some of the experts here can solve my problem.
My touch is automatically launching iTunes, even though I do not have the launch iTunes box checked on my iPod.
This is where it gets interesting. I just plug it in to charge, it automatically launches iTunes, and then iTunes automatically syncs the iPod.
Of course, I also have "Prevent iPods, iPhones and iPads from syncing automatically" checked in Preferences. iTunes seems to ignore this, and syncs anyway.
The fun part begins right when it begins to sync. Since I like to have a firewall and antivirus software running (which is apparently not compatible with good syncing), my iPod promptly fails to sync, and then iTunes tells me it cannot recognize the device.
So, I then have to disable my firewall and antivirus, restore, run the backup and then manually manage all my music again, plus anything I downloaded before running the next backup because (get this) the second I plug in the iPod, iTunes loads and attempts to sync, which, of course, fails, and so I never get the next backup in.
And I know what you are thinking, just disable the firewall and antivirus before plugging in the iPod. Yea, sometimes I do that and sometimes I forget. Ever forget to do something? Happens to me with frequency.
I have tried un-checking the Prevent box, closing iTunes, opening iTunes, re-checking the Prevent box. Doesn't work; iTunes still automatically opens and then automatically syncs.
iTunes, on occasion, will sync when I close iTunes before ejecting the iPod. Which is always fun if I've gone ahead and re-activated my firewall and antivirus, because I get to start all over again. I'm becoming quite the restore professional.
Why? Any solutions?
My iTunes version is 10.0.1.22, iPod is a 3rd Gen Touch with the current OS version (constantly restoring does that), I'm running Vista, I'm currently standing and my sign is Aries. I'm not sure which of those will be helpful, but I'm trying to cover all the bases.
Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Welcome to the discussions,
try this to stop autolaunch: connect your ipod, uncheck the autosync option in iTunes/Settings/Devices,
then check the summary pane if the autolauch option is selected. In your case you should now see the selection mark, this one is not visible if you selected to prevent any device from syncing in the settings.
Deselect the autolaunch option in the summary pane and change the settings for autosync again in iTunes/Settings/Devices. Now you should be able to connect without any sync process starting.
To prevent automatic syncing one time, without changing settings: Open iTunes, connect iPod touch to your computer, then press and hold Command-Option (on a Mac) or Shift-Control (on a PC) until you see iPod touch appear in the sidebar.