Posted on 12/27/2009 12:40:25 PM PST by library user
Please pardon the vanity ... just wanted to ask a question for a person who got an iPod Nano for Christmas. She can't use her iPod with her iTunes since (apparently) the newer iPods need to use SP3 (XP is her OS).
And she can't update Windows to SP3 for the following reason: she bought the computer from a local PC discount store, which has long since gone out of business, and about 3-6 months ago started getting a message that her Windows is not legit (pop-up in the lower-right corner of the screen).
She said Microsoft wants $149.99 to update to SP3. Is there any workaround? Would something like Foobar2000 or MediaMonkey or Winamp, etc. work with the newest iPods?
Of course, I think the obvious (and best) answer is for her to get genuine MS software on her PC, before anything else. However, is that the only solution? Or is there something else in the meantime to at least get some music on it?
Thanks for any tips, humor, condescension, etc.
try opening the player with realplayer or windows media.
I agree, best solution is to get a legal copy of Windows XP. But, don’t pay that much. Copies are available for around $80, maybe cheaper. They may not have SP3, but once you have a legal copy, then you can download SP3.
iPod only works with iTunes as far as I know.
And yes, it’s unfortunate that she got taken by some hucksters. Most local white-box shops are reputable but there are plenty that are not.
Oh, I forgot: she said she can’t use Windows Media Player because of her rogue software.
I don’t think I have the heart to recommend Real Player, since I hate it myself (remember the old line “Friends Don’t Let Friends Use Real Player”).
I only installed Real Player on my PC to watch Imus In the Morning (sad, isn’t it?).
I get FNC online just fine, but for FOX Business, it said I needed Real Player.
There’s plenty of Windows XP available on eBay for around $80. As always, buyer beware.
Do a backup and fresh install, you need a DVD drive.
Real SP player is da bomb, you can record youtube videos.
Thanks. I think then that she needs a whole new machine, if she upgrades to Vista or 7. The reason being is that her hard drive is pretty small (no, that’s not a euphemism) :O) and she only has 512MB RAM.
Wow, that’s still pretty pricey. Better than $150, for sure, though.
Yea...long past time. Good luck.
It’s definitely time for a new machine. For about twice what she would pay for the O/S, she can get a whole new machine with Windows 7.
The link below is for a $309 system that I set up at home and am setting up a second for my son’s school:
Compaq CQ4010F Black Desktop PC (Windows 7 Home Premium)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ONCDVK
I assume she has a monitor she likes.
Of course, you can get a lot of “Netbooks” or even a few Notebook computers for that price too.
Ubuntu would work, say goodbye to all her Windows issues.
Excellent - thanks for the link.
LOL
For about $300 she can get a netbook with a huge drive and Windows 7 on it.
If she is not a power user or needs a big screen this is a very cost solution.
She can add the big screen later in the form of a name brand 21.5” screen for less than $150 at Walmart(Dell).
Even if iTunes may not work, doesn’t the computer at least recognize it as an external drive so you can transfer music files to it using the file manager?
Maybe you should try downloading an older version of iTunes that doesn’t require sp3 and see if it will work.
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