Operating system fault

[rayh]

I have been successfully using itunes on my PC to load music on to my ipod. I then started to get an error message when I try to open itunes. It reads " itunes cannot run because because some of its required files are missing. Reinstall itunes." Having reinstalled itunes several times without success I contacted Apple. They gave me several procedures to follow, none of which cured the problem. They concluded the fault must be with the operating system. When I purchased the PC it was loaded with Windows XP Professional, but I guess it must be a pirated copy as I have no disc with it. I am looking to purchase Windows XP home edition to correct the problem as I don't appear to have the right spec PC to run Windows Vista. There are two questions that I would like advice on. Firstly, would installing the Windows Home Edition disc successfully overwrite the existing XP Professional operating system. Secondly, will it result in me losing all my existing music and photo's that are currently stored on my PC. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[dahlarbear]

1.  Is "itunes" the only program you're having trouble with on your PC?  If so, I would recommend that you continue to work towards a resolution of that issue rather than reinstalling Windows XP.

2.  Did you uninstall "itunes" and then reboot once or twice before attempting to reinstall it.  Were there any error messages when you uninstalled it and what was the "exact" message?

3.  File System.  Check the integrity of your Window XP file system and the surface of the disk that it occupies.

4.  Defrag your file system.

5.

Having reinstalled itunes several times without success I contacted Apple. They gave me several procedures to follow, none of which cured the problem. They concluded the fault must be with the operating system.

Sure... Just blame your competitor's operating system...  Give me a break...

[rayh]

The error message reads exactly as I have typed it. I dont appear to have any other issuse with the PC. I have rebooted the Pc after removing itunes several times, I have even created a new itunes account from scratch as suggested by Apple, but none of this has worked. Have spoked with numerous Apple support techs (at considerable expense) to eventually be told that it must be the Windows operating system causing the error.

[Computer CPR]

Is this a custom made computer? 
Are you able to run windows updates? 

It would be a cryin' shame to downgrade a perfectly good XP Pro machine.

Right after trying to launch iTunes go to Start...run and type in eventvwr.msc and look at the top of the "system" and "application" logs for any errors related to iTunes that might give you a more in depth idea.