Well, it would appear that the latest update to iTunes (e.g. version 7.7.1) is most likely the singular culprit causing the “Unknown Error -3256″ when connecting to the iTunes store.
Since allowing the Software Update to bring my copy of iTunes to version 7.7.1, I have encountered this error just about everyday while updating my favorite podcasts. No word from Apple, from what I know, as to a remedy – or even better, a patch – for this annoying problem. Sure, rebooting your Mac might temporarily solve the problem, but I’m growing less tolerant and even less sure of this workaround, if you can even call it one.
Today, I did what I thought I would never have to do on my Mac – I restored iTunes to a previous version (7.6.2 to be exact). I immediately restored my iTunes library, resubscribed to my favorite podcasts and then proceeded to download two podcasts. Surprisingly, the “Unknown Error -3256″ did not appear, as it had this morning using the cursed version 7.7.1. Of course, all of this is conjecture on my part, and based entirely on my experiences and mine alone.
I’ve also begun to wonder if version 7.7.1 was at the center of my internet radio stream shutting off almost every night. I would normally select the internet radio stream to put some enjoyable new age music into my bedroom, and I would wake each morning to the sounds of either nothing or new age music playing from a new age playlist rather than the IR stream. I never had this problem while running iTunes off my Windows XP machine and streaming to my AirPort Express. You just gotta wonder about this too.
If you’re looking for old versions of iTunes they can be found at:
For Mac: http://www.oldapps.com/download_iTunes_mac.php
For Windows: http://www.oldapps.com/itunes.htm
Tags: iTunes, Unknown Error 3256, Rollback
