Media Usage Rights lost if new disk/computer?
Frank Slootweg
disk-crash, 'so' I bought a new system which has Vista (with WMP 11).
When trying to play some purchased WMA files, the new system says
"Downloading media usage rights..." and then hangs/fails with either a
"-2147217131:" or "-2147024809:The parameter is incorrect." message.
In the meantime I also restored the XP system, but that fails with
similar errors (at least the "-2147217131:" one, the other one is
different).
From the Microsoft document KB925705 [1] I understand that this is
caused by the "hardware ID" of the new system being different from that
of the old one.
That is already a rather silly concept - Are people *not* supposed to
upgrade their hardware/software? And that's supposed to be an advantage
for *who* exactly? - but apparently even the replacement of the disk in
the old system makes the old license fail. Hello!? We are even not
supposed to *fix* our broken hardware?
I already contacted the original supplier of the (DRM-protected) WMA
files - without success sofar - but that's besides the point. I *bought*
(the right to use/play) this stuff and now I can't because I have
changed (read: *had* to change) the 'player'? Give me a break! That
doesn't happen with normal physical media (like CDs), so why on earth
should it happen with downloaded media? And when this happens a few
years from now? Is my on-line supplier supposed to be still in business
and able and willing to help me (at no cost)?
Please, PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I am, which
means that this DRM stuff is seriously broken, not to say a total
rip-off.
And of course, *if* 'my' problem can be fixed, then I'm all ears to
hear *how*.
[1] KB925705 (<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925705>) "When you try
use Windows Media Player 11 to play a digital rights management
(DRM)-protected media file, the media may not play "
Frank Slootweg
zachd [MSFT]
You would need to have your licenses reissued from the vendor.
What Indiv Version are you according to WMP's Help:About:Technical Support
Information menu tool?
--
Speaking for myself only.
See http://zachd.com/pss/pss.html for some helpful WMP info.
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
--
"Frank Slootweg" <th...@ddress.is.invalid> wrote in message
news:5o9ogiF...@mid.individual.net...
Frank Slootweg
Thanks for your response.
> You would need to have your licenses reissued from the vendor.
Yes, that is what I was afraid of. In the mean time I did get new
licenses from the vendor (their download site was down for some time, so
that was part of the problem).
So the immediate problem has been solved, but the generic problem(s)
still exist(s):
It's unacceptable that one can not upgrade and not even repair a
system without the help of - possibly many - 'vendors' of protected
content, which may or may not be willing to 'help', which may or may not
charge for such 'help' and which may or may not be in business anymore.
Not bashing you, but bashing the DRM non-concept:
Look again at my analogy. Would we accept this kind of non-sense for
*physical* media (i.e. CDs, DVDs)? That we only can play the media on
*one* player and if that player breaks, tough luck? Of course not. So
why would we accept this non-sense for 'virtual' media like (DRM)
protected downloads?
> What Indiv Version are you according to WMP's Help:About:Technical Support
> Information menu tool?
It's probably not relevant any more, but just for the record: It's
2.9.0.1.
But now I have you 'on the line':
Next problem: After Sync-ing the two tracks to my (Victory MP-631)
MP3/WMA player (the Sync itself went fine), I can't play the tracks on
my player. When trying to play, the player says "No Authority". In the
part of the display where it normally says "MP3" or "WMA" (i.e. the
format of the file), it says "DRM", which seems reasonable. But it
doesn't play.
When I check the Properties of the files (on the player), the License
tab is 'empty' (i.e. no "License details" information) and the
"Protected" field on the Details tab says "Yes". Is that a normal
combination for a DRM protected file on a portable player? (BTW, the
player also has some license related files on it.)
On the computer side, WMP correctly shows a decreased count on the
Media Usage Rights tab. It now says "This file can be synchronized 23
more times" (was 25 times; I did the Sync two times, one without and
once with "Create folder hierarchy on device").
Of course I contacted the supplier of the player, but they have not
responded yet.
Can you shed any light on this? Thanks in advance.
zachd [MSFT]
"Frank Slootweg" <th...@ddress.is.invalid> wrote in message
> zachd [MSFT] <za...@nomailplz.online.microsoft.com> wrote:
> Not bashing you, but bashing the DRM non-concept:
It's definitely a tough and complicated arena. There aren't any easy
answers that really cover the full gamut. =\
> Look again at my analogy. Would we accept this kind of non-sense for
> *physical* media (i.e. CDs, DVDs)? That we only can play the media on
> *one* player and if that player breaks, tough luck? Of course not. So
> why would we accept this non-sense for 'virtual' media like (DRM)
> protected downloads?
Until the past ~10 years, we didn't really expect that we would have this
insane level of portability of content. We've moved on and are still
catching up at the same time. =)
>> What Indiv Version are you according to WMP's Help:About:Technical
>> Support
>> Information menu tool?
> It's probably not relevant any more, but just for the record: It's
> 2.9.0.1.
Thanks, I like to hear that. That's a good sign.
> But now I have you 'on the line':
I'm here as a friend only, FWIW. By that token I reserve the right to not
know anything useful if we switch topics. =) As if I ever know anything
useful... =)
> Next problem: After Sync-ing the two tracks to my (Victory MP-631)
> MP3/WMA player (the Sync itself went fine), I can't play the tracks on
> my player. When trying to play, the player says "No Authority". In the
> part of the display where it normally says "MP3" or "WMA" (i.e. the
> format of the file), it says "DRM", which seems reasonable. But it
> doesn't play.
> Can you shed any light on this? Thanks in advance.
Sorry, I don't know anything at all about the Victory MP-631 and have never
previously heard of it. Is it able to play other DRM'd tracks? If it's not
a Plays4Sure device, it may simply not support DRM'd files.
Frank Slootweg
>
> "Frank Slootweg" <th...@ddress.is.invalid> wrote in message
> news:5prm77F...@mid.individual.net...
>
> > But now I have you 'on the line':
>
> I'm here as a friend only, FWIW. By that token I reserve the right to not
> know anything useful if we switch topics. =) As if I ever know anything
> useful... =)
Yes, I know/realize that and you help is much appreciated.
> > Next problem: After Sync-ing the two tracks to my (Victory MP-631)
> > MP3/WMA player (the Sync itself went fine), I can't play the tracks on
> > my player. When trying to play, the player says "No Authority". In the
> > part of the display where it normally says "MP3" or "WMA" (i.e. the
> > format of the file), it says "DRM", which seems reasonable. But it
> > doesn't play.
>
> > Can you shed any light on this? Thanks in advance.
>
> Sorry, I don't know anything at all about the Victory MP-631 and have never
> previously heard of it. Is it able to play other DRM'd tracks? If it's not
> a Plays4Sure device, it may simply not support DRM'd files.
In the mean time the supplier has responded with a one-line sentence:
"The MP-631 cannot playback DRM-protected files.".
So that's rather clear. I know how to 'convert' the DRM-protected WMA
files to unprotected ones or to unprotected MP3 ones, so it's not really
a big deal. It's just an annoyance, especially because the *legitimate*
user is bugged by this DRM non-sense, but I'm just repeating myself, so
I'll (try to? :-)) shut up.
Thanks again for your responses.