10.6.7 update sparks iTunes bug on new MacBook Airs
updated 05:15 pm EDT, Tue March 22, 2011
Problem may have two solutions already
An interesting thread in Apple's support forums details an issue -- and two possible fixes -- for current-model MacBook Air owners who experience an unusual bug with iTunes after upgrading to OS X 10.6.7. After upgrading, new MacBook Air owners report that iTunes will cause a "hard freeze" a few seconds after opening, requiring a forced shutdown. All other programs work normally.
The issue seems to affect only those users who own the current model -- officially called "late 2010" MacBook Airs -- and have upgraded to 10.6.7 (and are running iTunes 10.2.1, the current version). After a number of reports, two possible "fixes" have emerged. The first one, which seems to work for most owners, is the simplest: after the freeze and a forced shutdown has occurred, restart the MacBook Air normally but do not launch iTunes, then shut down the machine normally and restart. This second, manual shutdown seems to have fixed the problem for a number of users.
A second method in case the first one doesn't work involves locating and deleting the file "iTunes Library Genius.itdb," which is located in a user's home folder inside the iTunes folder, which is itself inside the Music folder (or ~/Music/iTunes). The user then launches iTunes but immediately quits it, and then launches again closing the sidebar. The action forces the Genius function to rebuild its database, which appears to resolve the issue.
Like most other Apple programs, iTunes has a "Provide Feedback" function as the third item of its application menu. Users can use this to report issues such as this one to the iTunes engineering team. Developers and other ADC members can also report the issue through their own channels.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Thank you so much
I was just checking my rss feeds and came across this article. I have a late macbook air. I decided to open itunes and it froze completely. Actually froze my whole computer. Couldn't even do a force shutdown of itunes. Had to hold power button and reboot. The fix that worked was deleting the genius file then open itunes and quitting then opening back up. It worked.
Would of been pulling my hair out trying to figure it out if you didn't post this.
Thank you.