r3dux.org

Just noting this for future reference, but I finally got iTunes working properly on a Windows PC that would at random:
- transfer some songs to iPod Touch devices successfully,
- transfer some other songs, then crash, then the device reports no music on it, or
- corrupt the device so badly it needed fresh firmware restored.

And the the culprit turned out to be…. Zone Alarm. No kidding. Turn off Zone Alarm and everything worked instantly.

iTunes is still a god-awful PoS though, but at least it’ll now transfer music and apps. If you’re getting “app could not be installed because it is not signed” issues with iTunes, and you’re installing legit apps, chances are that turning off Zone Alarm will fix it right up. Amazing.

Think 25% CPU usage is unacceptable for a software firewall? You’d be right.

Steps to fix:
- Ctrl + Shift + Right Click on Zone Alarm icon in the system tray and select Set debug level from the pop-up menu
- Set Debug Level to Off by clicking the appropriate radio button in the Set debug level window
- Click [OK]
- Restart Zone Alarm (i.e. quit then restart it)

Works on:
ZoneAlarm version:9.1.007.002
TrueVector version:9.1.007.002

Feel free to delete the stupendous amount of logging dirge left behind by Zone Alarm’s “writing phase” in C:\Windows\Internet Logs while you’re at it.