Cannot play legally downloaded WMA files
 

Hi,

I've purchased, via Walmart downloads and MSN-Music, some song files. They all play fine in Windows Media Player, but I get an "Error" in red when I try to play them in Hoster.

Is there a way to fix this, or is it not possible to play these files anywhere else?

Thanks

Re: Cannot play legally downloaded WMA files
 

Are these Audio CD files in WMA format?

I'd like to buy one for our testing.

What is the web site URL address where you purchased them from Walmart?

Re: Cannot play legally downloaded WMA files
 

If you are in Windows Media Player (I'm in Version 10.00.00.3646), up on the right hand corner, there is an icon that has the Windows "butterfly", and a pull-down.

I've purchased one song from Wal-Mart Music Downloads ($.88 each), and about ten from MSN Music @ $.99 each to play at a party the other night, but had to play them all in Windows Media Player.

And yes, they do appear to be .WMA files... for instance, one file is called "...\Mardi Gras Mambo Cubanismo In New Orleans\05. Mardi Gras Mambo.wma"

Thanks

Re: Cannot play legally downloaded WMA files
 

I'm having the same problem. Looking for a response.

Re: Cannot play legally downloaded WMA files
 

Well, although I'm not thrilled with the fix I have, I've found a work-around for it.

If you burn the files to a CD from within the Windows Media Player, then RIP them back from the CD, they'll play. Problem is, that so far, I haven't found a way to do this and not lose all the file info that goes with them when I put them back, and have to manually rename them, etc. Done about 10 so far, and they all worked.

Re: Cannot play legally downloaded WMA files
 

The file that goes with them is your License to use the song on that computer under windows media player. once you have burned it to a cd, I believe you are no longer licensed with it on the computer.

I am not sure of this, but it is the way I understand most of these services work. they do that so you can't easily swap the files after you buy them.

Re: Cannot play legally downloaded WMA files
 

So... what does this mean legally? I purchased the song, and it's on the SAME computer that I downloaded it to (but in a different directory, for hoster access), and I have only ONE CD of it/them....??? Does anyone know?

Re: Cannot play legally downloaded WMA files
 

I have no idea. I do know that the sites are getting into protecting songs, My wife downloaded one, and it would only play on her computer on media player. Legally I wouldnt worry about it, I was just explaining the purpose of the other file. I have even seen the trading sites put those files on the computer. I don't like it myself. I am afraid they are tracking me or something.

Re: Cannot play legally downloaded WMA files
 

Is the "other file" the one that is not copyable, and something like "thumbs.db"? I've seen this file when I try to move them from the downloaded directory into the directory that I store all my CD files in on my external hard drive. If not, what is the filename? All of my music files are legal, so I'm not worried about legality issues really, just curious what happened to the law about it being legal to make one copy of a "CD" that you've purchased... does it apply here, I wonder?

Re: Cannot play legally downloaded WMA files
 

I believe this problem is linked to the length of the file extention for Hoster to find the file. I have hundreds of files bought from the likes of Napters to Music Now to iTunes to MSN, and some of all of them will play in Hoster, while many of them will not. There are some previous post about this problem and how to rename the files to be Hoster friendly.

Re: Cannot play legally downloaded WMA files
 

I think Sparks is correct. Try putting the files in a folder called C:\Songs or something like that, and then see if they will play. I think there is a Limit of 256 characters, for the Folder names and the Filename. So if you have it in some long folder such as C:\Documents and Settings\Bryan\My documents\My Music\Alan Jackson\Where were you when the world stopped turning.wma. Then you would have a problem, as we have looked into this, but this seems to be where the problem lies.