Update: Using the latest iTunes 64bit with Windows 7 64bit, I had no more problems. Can’t vouch for 32 bit versions, though.

Problem:
After a first successful sync of my iPhone with iTunes on Windows 7, I rebooted my PC. Consequently, any attempt to start iTunes with my iPhone plugged in results in an error dialog:

“iTuness cannot connect to this iPhone because the required software is not installed. ….”
The message also suggests a fix – removing and re-installing iTunes using the iTunes setup package.

Real solution:

Obviously the method the error dialog suggests does not work. Instead, the following steps do:
1. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program
2. One by one remove the Apple Mobile Device, Bonjour and iTunes programs
3. Reboot the machine
4. Use the iTunes setup package to install again
5. Reboot your PC
6. Sync (finally)

Use-case: run Hadoop with localhost as your only master/slave and with a custom JVM:

echo JAVA_HOME=/home/user/jdk > ~/.bashrc
echo JAVA_HOME=/home/user/jdk > ~/.ssh/environment
sudo -i
echo PermitUserEnvironment yes >> /etc/ssh/sshd_config
service ssh restart
exit
ssh localhost ‘echo $JAVA_HOME’