As you may now, some Windows Vista users have gotten the blue screen of death error message after installing iTunes 8 and then connecting either an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPod to their PCs. Thankfully, Apple's posted detailed instructions on how to resolve the situation.

Here's what Apple recommends you do:

Solution 1

1. Disconnect your iPhone or iPod from Windows Vista.
2. Uninstall iTunes and Apple Mobile Device Support
   
   • For Classic View
     1. Choose Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features.
     2. First select Apple Mobile Device Support, click Uninstall.
     3. Select iTunes, click Uninstall.
   • For Control Panel Home View
     1. Choose Start > Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program.
     2. First select Apple Mobile Device Support, click Uninstall.
     3. Select iTunes and click Uninstall.
3. Restart the computer.
4. Re-download and install the updated iTunes 8 installer from www.apple.com/itunes/download.
   Important: Do not use the iTunes8Setup or iTunes864Setup file you previously downloaded.

Solution 2

Refer to article TS1502 for additional troubleshooting steps if Windows XP or Vista computer displays a blue screen error message.

As for me, while I didn't run into this problem, I can't - for the life of me - get the new iTunes Genius function installed. iTunes 8 keeps crashing when attempting to make the transition from Step 1 (gather info about my music library) to Step 2 (sending the data up to Apple). I heard that other folks with large music libraries are running into similar issues.

Because of this, not only does the Genius function not work on my PC, it won't work on the iPhone either. As with many things iTunes, you can’t take it mobile without having on the desktop first.

Let us know if you‘ve run into a similar problem and, if so, whether you've found a workaround or, even better, a solution or not.