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Windows Media Player won't copy purchased music to my MP3 player

Windows Media Player 9

I have purchase some music over the last 6 months online. I used the Windows Media Player to play them (which it would go and get a License first). I also copied them to my IRIVER IFP395T with no problem. Two weeks ago, I updated INCD from Nero Burn (Ahead Software); which stopped my system from booting. I had to install XP into another directory to access the drive and copy all data (including the License Backup directory) to an external hard drive (via USB). I now have my system reinstalled and copied the data back to MY Documents (exactly as it was before). I used the License Manager in WMP 9 to restore the license file (which it stated it did). I tried to copy a purchased song over to my MP3 player (which I had no problems before the reinstall) but WMP gives me AN ERROR OCCURED stating that it ..."cannot copy the file because the license or device restricts it." What the hell? Please help

Thank You

Fatal_Exception

Here is a little info that may explain this... Since you reinstalled your OS, the original license that is embedded into the file will not work with your system..

FE

Licenses can be issued from Windows Media License Service or from a client application:

• Typically, when a consumer first obtains a packaged media file, the license is acquired from a Web site running Windows Media Rights Manager. The license is issued by Windows Media License Service, which is the infrastructure containing the LicenseServer object and the ASP pages that run the license acquisition process.

• For media files that are created or transferred by applications, a Windows Media Rights Manager client running under the application creates licenses. For example, an application that extracts music clips from a CD (often called a CD ripper) creates a license at the same time it creates a media file. An application that transfers a packaged media file to a portable device also transfers a license to the device. These applications use the Microsoft Windows Media Audio Software Development Kit (SDK) or the Microsoft Windows Media Format SDK to work with packaged media.

Once a license is issued, it is bound to the computer and only works on the computer to which it was issued. For example, a consumer can e-mail a packaged media file to a friend; however, the license cannot be shared in this way. When the friend tries to play the media file, the license acquisition process begins and the friend must acquire his or her own license before playing the media file.

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Fatal_Exception

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Jim Poole

ASKER

Thanks for the quick response.

Now I'm troubled though.
Does this mean that I can no longer do anything with my downloaded music except play them on my PC (as long as I have the backup licenses?) It seems rather asinine to assume that no hard drive will never fail and supply no recourse such an event. I understand the protection issue - copying files to another PC and all but that protects too much the rights of the music rather than the person who spent the money for the music. What does the industry propose a person do in the event hardware fails yet good data is backed up? They cannot compare it to a CD gone bad over time. Hell, I can make a backup of the CD and burn it again with no issue (as it stands thus far). Am I suppose to re-purchase the songs again?
What are my options?

Thanks

Fatal_Exception

All good questions. I think as the industry evolves, it will get better. I use a program called CDEX to rip my music to and from MP3's... You might try that and see if it will rip your music. Let me see if I can find a dnload site.... go for the stable release, not the beta..

http://cdexos.sourceforge.net/downloads.php

Fatal_Exception

Thanks.

FE