Lately,
Apple Discussions has been a popular place for Windows users (that's right) who have downloaded and installed the new version of Apple's media player application, iTunes 8. According to many forum posters, plugging in an iPod or iPhone caused Vista to crash and then display the nightmarish "blue screen of death," in short – BSOD.
The critical error, best-known for its blue background, tagged an Apple-provided USB driver ("usbaapl.sys" in the 32-bit version of Vista, "usbaapl64.sys" in the 64-bit edition of the OS) as the culprit. Microsoft's OS identifies the respective driver as "Apple Mobile Device Support" in Vista's uninstaller.
From Apple's Support
page,
Symptoms
After installing iTunes 8 for Windows, some users may see a blue screen error message when connecting iPhone or iPod to a Windows Vista computer. In some cases, the computer may immediately restart when connecting iPhone or iPod to the computer.To fix this, Apple provided new versions of usbaapl.sys and usbaapl64.sys, swapping in older editions from a July iTunes update. The trouble, however, was that iTunes 8.0 wouldn't receive a new name, leaving Windows users in the dark as to what version they would be downloading when clicking on a ”download now” link.
Two solutions are given to Windows PC users, the second of which says they should “refer to article TS1502 for additional troubleshooting steps if Windows XP or Vista computer displays a blue screen error message.” The first solution, however, is what Windows users are really looking for. This is where Apple details the process that involves disconnecting their iPhone or iPod from Windows Vista, uninstalling iTunes and Apple Mobile Device Support, and following these exact steps:
In Classic View
1 - Choose Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features.
2 - First select Apple Mobile Device Support, click Uninstall.
3 - Select iTunes, click Uninstall.
In 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.
As soon as these tasks are completed by the user, the computer needs to be restarted. Users then have to re-download iTunes 8.0, at which point the app would already be updated by Apple. By the way, the “healthy” version of Apple's iTunes 8.0 for Windows is available right
HERE on Softpedia.
Apple also advises Windows users not to use the iTunes8Setup or iTunes864Setup file they previously downloaded, so it is best if you just delete the installer package and get on with your business.
