After upgrading my itunes to version 10.6 i found that it has stopped connecting to AppStore. Rest of the functionality was working fine. First thought came in my mind was Apple's website must be down. But then i noticed its still not working in my second attempt and Safari has stopped working too.
I started searching for fix on Google and found many suggestions. Someone suggested to clear proxy setting from Internet Explorer and someone suggested to disable the firewall. None of the trick worked for me.
After searching for 4-5 days i finally i managed to make my itunes & safari work.
The cause for these issues was a program that monitors the Winsock protocol for Windows conflicting with Apple software. These programs usually use a Layered Service Provider (LSP) that can help identify the particular program installed. The programs that monitor this protocol have a variety of purposes, including security software, content filtering, and optimization of network traffic.
To find the LSP:
In my case i found PC Tools under Winsock Providers tab. I just uninstalled PC Tools and removed all its registries and made sure by running Autoruns that PC Tools dlls are not loading anymore.
I started searching for fix on Google and found many suggestions. Someone suggested to clear proxy setting from Internet Explorer and someone suggested to disable the firewall. None of the trick worked for me.
After searching for 4-5 days i finally i managed to make my itunes & safari work.
The cause for these issues was a program that monitors the Winsock protocol for Windows conflicting with Apple software. These programs usually use a Layered Service Provider (LSP) that can help identify the particular program installed. The programs that monitor this protocol have a variety of purposes, including security software, content filtering, and optimization of network traffic.
To find the LSP:
- Download Autoruns for Windows from Microsoft
- Look for Autoruns.ZIP and open the compressed folder.
- After reviewing the contents and the license, drag autoruns.exe to the desktop.
- Open Autoruns.
- Click on the tab that says Winsock Providers.
- A list of items should appear. A column showing the publisher should be available.
- For items other than Bonjour, which is from Apple, check with the publisher for updates to resolve the conflict between their software and Apple software.
- If the publisher is unfamiliar to you, you may be able to use the table below to find out more information about the origin of the modifications to Windows.
Some other publishers and programs which may conflict.
| Product or Publisher | LSP Name |
| Bigfoot Networks | BfLLR over [MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IPv6]] |
| Bsecure | Bsecure over [MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]] |
| Bullguard | BGLsp over [MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]] |
| Bytemobile, Inc. | BMI over [MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]] |
| CA Internet Security | LAYERED_PROVIDER over [MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IPv6]] |
| ContentWatch / Net Nanny | CWALSPSYS CWALSP MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP] |
| Covenant Eyes | Covenant Eyes Monitoring over [MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]] |
| Dr. Web | DrWebSP.4 over [MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]] |
| Eset | NOD32 protected [MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]] |
| Fourelle Venturi | VENTURI_TP [MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]] |
| MegaUpload / MegaKey | msadmid over [MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]] |
| Netintelligence | NIHLSP over [MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]] |
| Norman/Norman Security Suite | NLF over [MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]] |
| Panda AntiVirus | PAV_LAYERED over [MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]] |
| PC Tools / Spyware Doctor | PCTOOLS over [MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]] |
| PureSight Internet Content Filter | Winsock over MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP] |
| Safe Eyes / McAfee Family Protection | Internet Content Filter over [MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]] |
| SpeedBit Video Accelerator | SBLSP over [MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]] |
| VMWare | VMCI sockets DGRAM |
| Wave / Embassy Trust Suite | Wave Systems Kerberos LSP over [MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP]] |
| XFire | Xfire_LSP MSAFD Tcpip [TCP/IP] |
Problem Solved.
Above method was taken from Apple's Knowledge Base (Here)
If you're facing following symptoms then above solution may work for you too:
- iTunes is slow to respond.
- Windows is slow to respond.
- iTunes stops responding when backing up or syncing with an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
- Some processes installed by iTunes are using up a lot of resources in the Windows Task Manager.
- Connecting an iOS device causes iTunes to quit unexpectedly.
- Safari will not load any websites.
- iTunes Store looks empty and white
