<< Monte Carlo | Home | Messed Up Site Template >>

iTunes for Windows - GEARSecurity Service Won't Start

This is something that I think should go in the user-written FAQ area for iTunes on the Apple site, but they don't have one for iTunes for Windows, so I'll just post it here.

Problem: The GEARSecurity service won't start up automatically. This can result in the inability to read/rip CDs as well as the ability to burn a CD in iTunes for Windows. You may get a popup window when you start iTunes for Windows that says something like "You have no compatible hardware for CD reading/burning" or "The iTunes service for importing and burning CDs and DVDs has not been started. Please restart the service to enable burning and importing."

Solution: One of two things could be going wrong here. First, check to make sure the service called "GEARSecurity" is set to "Automatic" startup. You can do that by right-clicking the "My Computer" icon, selecting "Manage" from the options, and selecting "Services" from the tree on the left-hand side. In the service listing, find "GEARSecurity" and make sure it's set to "Automatic." Chances are it is.

The other thing could be that iTunes for Windows 4.1.1 distributes an old version of the GEARSecurity service that doesn't work quite right. You may need to download and install the latest GEAR driver set. That's what fixed my problem, but I'll be damned if I didn't have to search deep in the forums to find it.

If it still doesn't work, you're hosed.

posted on Wednesday, November 05, 2003 4:55 PM | Filed Under [ Media GeekSpeak ]

Comments

Gravatar # Re: iTunes for Windows - GEARSecurity Service Won't Start
by suzanne at 12/15/2003 8:05 AM
I have exactly the same problem, although gearsecurity does start but it clashes with something in my computer, therefore itunes doesn't load.
When removed from automatic setup itunes doesn't import or burn cd's...

So I should download the latest Gear driver set?
thanks
Gravatar # Re: iTunes for Windows - GEARSecurity Service Won't Start
by Travis at 12/15/2003 10:14 AM
I think it's always a good idea to have the latest drivers no matter what you're working with. New drivers usually remedy problems like I had, or conflicts, or any other number of things. The only reason not to get the latest version would be if you already know that it causes problems - but since you're having problems, there's no reason not to get the latest.
Gravatar # Re: iTunes for Windows - GEARSecurity Service Won't Start
by Che at 1/18/2004 2:14 PM
Thanks for the advice. My GEARSecurity was set to start manually, which would be the correct setting if iTunes worked properly.

I've changed that setting, but a better solution would be for Apple to rewrite its software so it starts the processes it needs manually. I don't like to have 10,000 processes start up every time I start my computer. I don't know about Macs, but that's not the way to get a PC to run quickly and reliably. IMHO, competently written PC software should be able to start needed processes that are set to manual start, not automatic.
Comments have been closed on this topic.