DeKALB | Students looking to upgrade to iTunes 7 may want to wait, after reports say the new software can damage iPods and PCs.

Upon upgrading, the first thing users notice is a new interface. Not only does it sport a toned-down color scheme, but it also has relocated menus and commands. After five years of relative continuity between releases, reaction has been mixed.

“I tried it, and I didn’t really like it,” said Tim Kupp, a sophomore business administration major. “It’s seems like instead of evolving, it’s completely changed.”

Unfortunately for iPod owners, the new iTunes problems are not just skin deep.

“When I try to select one of the menus in iTunes 7, the computer crashes and restarts,” said iTunes user Kelly Turner in a post on Apple’s help forum. A quick search reveals more than 100 complaints ranging from songs skipping to computers completely locking up. While the problems seem to be affecting only a small percentage of iPod owners nationwide, users are at risk just by connecting their iPod to a computer with iTunes 7.

Should a computer become affected by these iTunes 7 bugs, finding a solution can be time consuming. Some suggestions offered by Apple recommend uninstalling then reinstalling iTunes and QuickTime applications, while other users have had to reinstall older versions of the iTunes software. Apple has already released a repaired version of iTunes 7, but some users are still experiencing problems.

Despite these setbacks, the continuing complaints on Apple’s forums indicate how badly iPod owners want to experience the new features iTunes 7 has to offer.

On Sept. 12, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs announced iTunes 7 as “the biggest single enhancement” to iTunes since its inception. The redesigned program now offers seamless playback between songs, the ability to search for music by album art and the addition of full-length movies.

Tom Scherschel is a Campus Reporter for the Northern Star.