Recently, I updated my iTunes to 7.6 and restarted my machine. Upon reboot, I recieved a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death).
After researching the issue, arguing with Apple, and rebooting in SafeMode, I noticed a new registry known as 'GEAR'.
iTunes version 7.6 is bundled with GEAR Software which is supposed to 'improve iTunes in Vista machines'. However, it does the exact opposite.
Should you encounter this problem, reboot in SafeMode, goto 'Start', 'Run', and type 'RegEdit'.
A new window will open that will display multiple folders. To remove GEAR from your computer's registry, do the following:
Manual Removal for 64-bit Vista 64-bit [[[WARNING: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system]] [[I cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk]]] Delete the following key from the registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\GearAspiWDM
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In the
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} key remove the
GEARAspiWDM entry in the
UpperFilters value.
Note: the entries in this value are double byte.
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In the
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{6D807884-7D21-11CF-801C-08002BE10318} key remove the
GEARAspiWDM entry in the
UpperFilters value.
Note: the entries in this value are double byte.
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In the
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{CE5939AE-EBDE-11D0-B181-0000F8753EC4} key remove the
GEARAspiWDM entry in the
UpperFilters value.
Note: the entries in this value are double byte.
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Reboot
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Delete
GearAspi.dll (32bit) from the
Window\SysWOW64 folder
Delete
GEARAspi64.dll (64bit) from the
Windows\System32 folder
Delete GearAspiWDM.sys (64bit) from the Windows\System32\Drivers folder
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If present, delete the
Windows\System32\GEARAspi.dll value from the
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SharedDLLs registry key
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If present, delete the
Windows\SysWOW64\GEARAspi.dll value from the
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SharedDLLs registry key
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Delete the
Windows\System32\GEARAspi64.dll value from the
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SharedDLLs registry key
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Delete the
Windows\System32\Drivers\GearAspiWDM.sys value from the
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SharedDLLs registry key
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Reboot IF YOU NEED MORE HELP, EMAIL ME! simplestaple@gmail.com
I hope this solves some of your problems with this dang iTunes update....
Enjoy.
SimpleStaple