Closing Down the iTunes-Related Services in Windows

If the restart doesn't clear up matters in Windows, open Task Manager and close the iTunesHelper.exe, AppleMobileDeviceService.exe, and iPodService.exe processes.

Follow these steps:

1. Right-click the clock in the notification area, and then click Start Task Manager on the context menu. Windows Task Manager opens.
2. Click the Processes tab to display its contents. At first, the Processes tab discreetly displays only the processes you're running.
3. Click the Show Processes From All Users button to show the system processes and processes that other users are running. Normally, you'll have to click the Continue button in a User Account Control dialog box to proceed; Windows then selects the Show Processes From All Users check box for you.
   NOTE If you're using Windows XP, there's no Show Processes From All Users button. You just need to select the Show Process From All Users check box.
4. Click the iTunesHelper.exe process, and then click the End Process button. Windows Task Manager double-checks that you want to end the process.
5. Click the End Process button to end the process.
6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 for the AppleMobileDeviceService.exe process and the iPodService.exe process.
7. Choose File | Exit to close Windows Task Manager.

Once you've stopped these services, restart Windows, and then launch iTunes. See if it can now recognize the iPad or iPhone.

Restarting the Apple Mobile Device Service on Windows

If you're still stuck after the previous steps, you may need to restart the Apple Mobile Device Service. Follow these steps:

1. Close iTunes. For example, choose File | Exit.
2. Disconnect the iPad or iPhone from the PC.
3. Click the Start button to open the Start menu.
4. In the Search box, type services.msc, and then press ENTER. Windows launches the Services program.
   NOTE: In Windows XP, choose Start | Run, type services.msc in the Run dialog box, and then press ENTER.
5. In the list of services in the Services window, click the Apple Mobile Device service.
6. In the column to the left of the list of services, click the Stop The Service link. Windows stops the service.
7. Click the Restart The Service link to restart the service.
   NOTE While you have the Services program open, make sure that the Startup Type column shows Automatic for the Apple Mobile Device Service. If not, double-click the service to display its Properties dialog box, choose Automatic in the Startup Type drop-down list on the General tab, and then click the OK button.
8. Choose File | Exit to close the Services program.

Now try the iPad or iPhone again. If iTunes still can't detect the device, read the next section.