Issues with itunes 10.5 on Windows 7 (32 Bit) When Trying to sync iphone 4S or older

Question

I see a lot of people out there, specifically windows OS owners (xp all the way to 7), having issues with iTunes 10.5.  Here are the following issues I've encountered (some may only have one problem, others my have a combo pack of problems).
1. iphone 4S or older won't sync or backup
2. iTunes store won't open
The issue I found after using the diagnostics tool in iTunes (which is useless in identify scripting issues or major communication issues), reviewing the windows event log, and reinstalling all apple software and components, was the fact that my spyware and anti virus software was causing a communication error within apple's software.  I use spyware doctor with anti virus.  I had to uninstall spyware doctor in order for iTunes 10.5 to work.  After that, everything worked well and I did a clean install of spyware doctor.
If the issue still persists, you might have to reset your internet protocol (TCP/IP).  You have to run a command prompt as an administrator and enter the following: netsh winsock reset
Visit this Microsoft link for more info about resetting your IP:  support.microsoft.com/kb/299357    
Finally words:  Apple, like all other software companies, continually encounter software glitches and issues because they don't test products correctly before bringing them to market- this has been a reoccurring theme for the last 2-3 years.  The most important aspect of using any software should be functionality, efficiency, ease of use, and above all "A Positive End User Experience."  Wasn't that Steve Job's mantra?  We can all hope that Apple embraces his philosophy and vision for the many years to come.  This, above all, is not a great start for Apple moving forward without their true inspirational leader. 

Answer 1

Here is what worked for me for both 10.5 and 10.5.1 after hours of frustration with Itunes stopping and shutting down in the middle of a sync or tranferring Apps downloaded on my Ipad2 or Iphone 4:
Start iTunes in iTunes Safe Mode:
1.  hold down the Shift and Control key together and click to start iTunes.
2.  when you see the iTunes icon in the task bar, click on it.
3.  you will get a box that says "iTunes is running in safe mode.  Visual plug-ins you have installed have been termporarily disabled."   [I don't know what plug-ins I installed but you should clearly see that these so-called visual plug-ins are likely the cause of your issues];
4. click Continue to open iTunes.
You could already have your device connected to your computer or do it after opening iTunes in its safe mode.
Now press your sync button and everything should work fine.
I also disabled Genius in iTunes preferences but I'm not sure if this is one of the issues causing these types of problems.
I hope this works.  This may be the workaround for all of us Windows 7 64-bit folks.