Member Avatar for Alba Ra

Hello,

recently I had a bit of bother with a software with practically destroyed my registry. After resetting my registry to zero (using the repair files) I started reinstalling my software.

Owning an iPhone I am obliged to install iTunes (as I don't want to jailbreak my phone). Using the latest version (10.5) I installed iTunes which worked fine but it was unable to recognize my iPhone. Thinking it to be an unproper installation process, I did unstall iTunes using and tried to reinstall iTunes after that.

It didn't work. All I got was a very generic message saying that the installation encountered an error (without specifying which one) and that the system was not changed (which isn't entirely true as Bonjour seemed to be half-installed and running in the back which it didn't before). I tried it several times.

I tried to remove any registry entries containing "Apple" in its name or value (but not "Applet" ;)). The first few times I installed iTunes just like that - later I had QuickTime installed and working.

I tried to install only AppleMobileDeviceSupport.msi (as described here) but it got the same message.

Does anyone have a clue why it won't install anymore?

I have Windows XP with SP3 running, and before that problem I was using iTunes for a long time without any problem.

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Dani AI

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Short diagnostic summary and a practical path forward. After the registry reset you describe, the iTunes installer is rolling back while the Apple Mobile Device Support (AMDS) stage runs — that usually means the Windows Installer/installed-MSI state or low-level system files are damaged (not just a missing iTunes binary). As noted, an older iTunes kept AMDS present; that matches an installer/driver-stage failure rather than the phone or USB hardware. Try the sequence below before another full reinstall. (support.microsoft.com)

Cleanup + reinstall order (do these exactly, with reboots): uninstall iTunes and every Apple component, reboot, remove leftover Apple/Bonjour folders, then reinstall. Typical removal order and folder locations are documented and prevent installers from seeing partial state that causes rollbacks. Back up the registry or create a System Restore point before editing or deleting anything. (support.imazing.com)

Collect an installer log to see the real error. Run the AMDS MSI or the iTunes installer from an elevated command prompt with verbose MSI logging so you can inspect where it returns failure (search for “Return value 3” in the log). Example (run from an admin CMD):

msiexec /i "AppleMobileDeviceSupport.msi" /l*v "C:\Temp\AMDS-install.log"

The verbose log will show the failing custom action or missing dependency. Also try the Microsoft Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter to clear orphaned MSI entries before reinstalling. (support.microsoft.com)

Repair system components if installer errors persist: run SFC (sfc /scannow) to repair protected Windows files (on XP this may prompt for your install CD), re-register the Windows Installer (MSIEXEC /UNREGISTER then MSIEXEC /REGSERVER), then retry the verbose install. If driver-stage failures continue, remove any ghost “Apple Mobile Device USB Driver” entries in Device Manager before reinstalling AMDS. If none of this helps, the safest short-term workaround is the older iTunes that worked for while you pursue a deeper repair or clean OS install. (support.microsoft.com)

Member Avatar for Alba Ra

I tried many ways to get 10.5 back but no matter what I did - the Apple Mobile Device Support always gets axed.

I finally managed to install iTunes 10.4.1 and keep the Apple Mobile Device Support. I won't update iTunes anymore (as the last time I did that AMDS disappeared again).

If you run into a similar problem and need an older version of iTunes, get it here.

P.S. I'll mark this thread as solved though that hardly the case but as no one offered any ideas we should move on...

Edited by Alba Ra because: Added P.S.
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