FairUse4WM - a WM/DRM removal program

[CademiaX]

the people who use URGE will need WMP11 to even run URGE, so that wouldn't help those users, that's why i posted the fix...makes WMP11 work (which helps all users no matter what service you use, urge or not)

Well I dont use urge, I bet more ppl dont then do on here, and for those ppl I will show how this is done.

besides, VPC has to be the most time consuming way to go about it, why not just get a windows live cd.. thats how i was doing it, and I dont have to worry about moving files back and forth from VPC to my HDD.

I will be posting how to install WMP 10 on vista shorty!

[milOtis]

Maybe I am missing the point of the virtual PC, or my install is messed up. when I start up the VPC I can not access my "real" hard drive, only the "virtual" one. is this normal, or is there something I am missing here?


virtual pc is like having a virtual computer...runs on a virtual harddrive on your main harddrive. if you want access to your main computer, set up a shared folder. that's what i did on my virtual XP machine...then i also made that shared folder the direct download location of my URGE files, so i could go in, unDRM then, then access them from my main harddrive running Vista. It's a snap!

if you are talking about just being able to get your mouse out of the virtual pc windows, back onto your main desktop, just hold down the right ALT key while dragging the mouse out.

::: milOtis

[CademiaX]

Install Windows Media Player 10 on Vista 32/64-bit!

1. Boot Into SAFE MODE! (http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx?mfr=true) - This won't work if you dont!

2. Disable Application Compatibility - This won't work if you dont!

A. Click Start, type "gpedit.msc" in the Start Search bar, press enter.

B. Expand "Administrative Templates", then expand "Windows Components",
find "Application Compatibility" (2nd one under Windows Components).

C. Double click "Remove Program Compatibility Property Page", Select enable,
then click "Next Setting" at the bottom.

D. Repeat Untill all settings are enabled.

3. Download Windows Media Player 10 With auto batch installer! - Created by me! :cool:
A. Download: http://rapidshare.com/files/28846725/321.rar.html

B. Extract the archive and right click on "Install.bat", click edit. Then click
Edit > Replace, Find what: Bobby | Replace with: *Your Vista User Name!*,
click replace all, save and exit.

C. Then run the included batch file "Install.bat"! (This is all automated,
if it askes you if you want to overwrite something, then the file is being used
by another process and cant be accessed, if it does happen, exit, make sure
you are in safe mode and that no other programs are running and run the
Install.bat again)

D. Follow the WMP10 installer instructions. (If it says wmp10 is already installed,
browse to \program files (x86)\Windows Media Player\ and run wmplayer.exe, and if
that tells you file xxxx is version 10.xx, expecting version 11.xx, arrange icons by name,
select all the .inf files, right click > install, one wont work, it will tell you and the
rest will continue, after that run \program files (x86)\Windows Media Player\setup_wm.exe)

4. Security component upgrade
A. Visit (IE ONLY): http://services.wmdrm.windowsmedia.com/indivSite/en/indivit.asp

[milOtis]

Well I dont use urge, I bet more ppl dont then do on here,

wrong buddy. it's $10 a month for unlimited downloads...they don't charge by the track, there are millions of users.

FYI - A Windows Live CD??? come on, you have to reboot into Windows Live to use it, then reboot your computer to get back into your regular Windows...what a pain. Once your VPC is set up, you can save the state of the desktop, so restarting it takes about 5 seconds, and you don't have to ever leave your original desktop. You can move files back and forth freely, that is why I posted this fix, works for XP users, Vista users, and ANY music download service, not just the few that only need WMP10 instead of 11.

::: milOtis

[Itsdon]

2007-04-29 Fix for WMP11/DRM running Windows VISTA (or XP):
INCLUDES: Windows Media Player 11.0.5705.5043 + FairUse4WM 1.3(fix) + instructions

mirror links:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PNEG9F20

http://rapidshare.com/files/28495302/2007-04-29_DRM_FIX.zip.html

http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.php?cat=other&file=2007_04_29_DRM_FIX.zip

http://files-upload.com/197061/2007-04-29_DRM_FIX.zip.html


NOTE: This is intended for people running Windows Vista as their main OS. These instructions include how to set up Virtual PC within Vista, and get FairUseWM working again. All you need is a Windows XP disc.

(Tested under Home Basic/Premium, Business, and Ultimate). This ALSO works on XP...you can just run an older version of XP within Virtual PC on your updated XP host OS.

Here it is working, I installed Virtual PC yesterday, and Windows XP today, so this is 100% working and can be done by anyone using Vista. I am doing this on an intel MAC, so anyone should be able to do this.

Screenshot:
http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/7043/20070429drmfixez0.th.jpg (http://img234.imageshack.us/my.php?image=20070429drmfixez0.jpg)

::: milOtis

Microsoft says VPC 2007 won't work with Vista Premium (which I have) only Business or Ultimate. You say you've run this on Premium and Home, was there anything special you had to do to get it running or is MS lying about what versions it will install on?

[CademiaX]

wrong buddy. it's $10 a month for unlimited downloads...they don't charge by the track, there are millions of users.

FYI - A Windows Live CD??? come on, you have to reboot into Windows Live to use it, then reboot your computer to get back into your regular Windows...what a pain. Once your VPC is set up, you can save the state of the desktop, so restarting it takes about 5 seconds, and you don't have to ever leave your original desktop. You can move files back and forth freely, that is why I posted this fix, works for XP users, Vista users, and ANY music download service, not just the few that only need WMP10 instead of 11.

::: milOtis

Well, that saves me lots and TONS of resources.. and it took me about 20min to make a custom windows live cd, which btw i can boot in VPC or standalone ;) .. so win win compared to having a whole other OS virtually installed..

beside, WMP10 is working on vista with no problems, which means those versions of wmp11 that work with fairuse4wm can be installed too.. already did that btw.. works wonders :)

and Its gunna be an auto batch install like wmp10, no mess, just working software for all the music pirates out and about.

AND.. thats 2 ways we have beat M$ at the DRM game, so be happy and let ppl choose what they perfer and stop getting alll defensive about...

[Guest]

and Its gunna be an auto batch install like wmp10, no mess, just working software for all the music pirates out and about Offering help to pirates violates our forum rules. Please don't discuss that here.

[milOtis]

Well, that saves me lots and TONS of resources.. and it took me about 20min to make a custom windows live cd, which btw i can boot in VPC or standalone ;) .. so win win compared to having a whole other OS virtually installed..

beside, WMP10 is working on vista with no problems, which means those versions of wmp11 that work with fairuse4wm can be installed too.. already did that btw.. works wonders :)

and Its gunna be an auto batch install like wmp10, no mess, just working software for all the music pirates out and about.

AND.. thats 2 ways we have beat M$ at the DRM game, so be happy and let ppl choose what they perfer and stop getting alll defensive about...


so how would someone go about using your instructions, but for WMP11 if they need v11 installed instead of 10? I have the wmp11 installer...do I do all the same stuff, then just use my installer to upgrade to wmp11beta2 after?

::: milOtis

[milOtis]

CADEMIAX,

your fix doesn't work :(.....at least not in Vista Ultimate, i followed your instructions 100% accurately and in order.

you sure you have Ultimate? and final version? if you have one of the online copies, 99% of them are beta versions even though they say FINAL RTM!

look....here are the errors I got when i tried to do that INF thing you talked about (since it expected version 11.x), and NONE of them worked, not just one...and the errors when the install.bat could not overwrite files in use (because they are in use even in safe mode!)...

http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/5041/untitledmt2.th.jpg (http://img371.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitledmt2.jpg)

http://img455.imageshack.us/img455/8387/untitled2so3.th.jpg (http://img455.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled2so3.jpg)

:: milOtis

[ratmaster9]

I added a trouble shooting section for the Xarus Fair Use Instructions for those who are experiencing the basic issues with getting FairUse4WM working...

Main Page: http://www.xarus.net/index.php?act=fair_use_4_wm&page=desc

TroubleShooting: http://www.xarus.net/index.php?act=fair_use_4_wm&page=troubleshoot

Just to give everyone a heads up NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO, FAIRUSE4WM WILL NOT WORK WITH ZUNE MARKETPLACE. Someone said it works quite a while ago, and later I found after days of trial and error, that even with WMP 9, the IBX Version is 11.0.6000.6324. This is because as soon as the Zune software is loaded, if it doesn't have IBX version 11.0.6000.6324, it will automatically update it.

[CademiaX]

CADEMIAX,

your fix doesn't work :(.....at least not in Vista Ultimate, i followed your instructions 100% accurately and in order.

you sure you have Ultimate? and final version? if you have one of the online copies, 99% of them are beta versions even though they say FINAL RTM!

look....here are the errors I got when i tried to do that INF thing you talked about (since it expected version 11.x), and NONE of them worked, not just one...and the errors when the install.bat could not overwrite files in use (because they are in use even in safe mode!)...

http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/5041/untitledmt2.th.jpg (http://img371.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitledmt2.jpg)

http://img455.imageshack.us/img455/8387/untitled2so3.th.jpg (http://img455.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled2so3.jpg)

:: milOtis

are you able to delete them manually?

guess I should explain what the batch does, basicly the first part takes control of the files.. then deletes them and replaces them with the wmp10 files..

and did you also change the name in the batch file?

[milOtis]

Yes, I DID change the name in the install.bat file from "Bobby" to my user name, and did Find/Replace All.

I could not delete the files in question though. For exacmple, when i tried to delete the wmp DLL files, in safe mode, it says "You need permission to perform this action" and keeps popping up when I click "Try Again"

I have also tried changing the folder permissions, but it won't let you do that for system folders. Only stuff outside the "Windows" folder can have permissions changed in Vista Ultimate.

::: milOtis

[milOtis]

CademiaX - ok, i got yours working, and if i could use URGE with WMP10 i would be fine, but I need 11...so I have my wmp11beta2 installation folder, and i click on "setup_wm.exe" and I get this error...

http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/6476/untitledpc8.th.jpg (http://img452.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitledpc8.jpg)

it says that 10.x is more recent than 11.x! is there any way I can force an install, or have it not check for the version currently installed? is there a registry key i need to modify?

or, can you make a package for version 11 like you did for version 10? i think your package and permission changing is a good idea, i just it with version 11.0.5703 files instead of 10.0.0.

all the files in my WMP directory are 11.0.5703.x but all the files in the system32 directory in windows are your 10.0.0.x files...that is why it won't let me continue my installation of v11...how can i change the version of those files or at least fool it into thinking they are 11.x files so I can install my wmp11beta2??

::: milOtis

[CademiaX]

CademiaX - ok, i got yours working, and if i could use URGE with WMP10 i would be fine, but I need 11...so I have my wmp11beta2 installation folder, and i click on "setup_wm.exe" and I get this error...

http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/6476/untitledpc8.th.jpg (http://img452.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitledpc8.jpg)

it says that 10.x is more recent than 11.x! is there any way I can force an install, or have it not check for the version currently installed? is there a registry key i need to modify?

or, can you make a package for version 11 like you did for version 10? i think your package and permission changing is a good idea, i just it with version 11.0.5703 files instead of 10.0.0.

all the files in my WMP directory are 11.0.5703.x but all the files in the system32 directory in windows are your 10.0.0.x files...that is why it won't let me continue my installation of v11...how can i change the version of those files or at least fool it into thinking they are 11.x files so I can install my wmp11beta2??

::: milOtis

Im actaully working on this at the moment, wmp11 beta 2 is packaged different then wmp10, and it doesn support 64bit, well the installer doesnt. So its proving to be a little bit more tricky then wmp10..

glad you got that working, what was the problem?


try this, open up the install.bat file and scroll tho the bottom and remove the following lines::

xcopy sys\*.* C:\Windows\System32\
xcopy sys\*.* C:\Windows\SysWOW64\

xcopy prog\*.* "C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\"

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\setup_wm.exe"

Now, it should just delete all the wmp stuff and not copy over anything..

then try to install wmp11 beta 2.. might work

[mlarry01]

Well, I am basically screwed then as I have WMP 11.6 and am really not inclined to attempt multiple gymnastics to get this working.

Thanks to all the nice folks who are trying to have us folk who actually paid for stuff to be able to retain it on disk. it is very appreciated. I will keep checking and hoping for some sort of Vista WMP fix in the near future.

[milOtis]

CademiaX:

I will await your WMP11 package. I appreciate the hard work on it.

::: milOtis

[mysekurity]

NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO, FAIRUSE4WM WILL NOT WORK WITH ZUNE MARKETPLACE.

Sorry to tell you, but I've been running ZMP with WMP11 11.0.57 for a while now, and it's worked wonderfully. I also got my Zune shortly after it was released, installing the 1.0 software off the CD (and downloaded .57 shortly after it was released). I don't know why it isn't working for you. Have you tried using beta2?

[trudgy]

xarus worked great for me! thanks alot

[MeteorRain]

excuse me

i've tried that fu4wm package on my WinXP. all the files in program files/windows media player are of 11.0.5721.* and i deleted the drm folder and upgraded on the indivSite.

but the downloaded drm files are of 11.0.6000.* and i've tried for several times.

any idea? thanks.

[Itsdon]

Has anyone gotten Virtual PC 2007 to run under Windows Vista Premium?

[mysekurity]

but the downloaded drm files are of 11.0.6000.*

Did you download the files before or after rolling back? Did you follow the instructions to the word? What download service are you using?

[milOtis]

yes, i had a chance to test vpc2007 personally on vista premium, and it loaded just fine. i set up a windows xp vpc machine in no time. no glitches, no crashes.

::: milOtis

[mysekurity]

Anyone got a copy of FU4WM commander anymore? I reformatted my computer, and left it behind.... anyone?

[AdamI]

sorry guys, its probably been repeated 100 times now.. but i need a link that allows me to d/l fairuse updated version that is compatible with WMV 10 and 11.

i used this one previously http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.ph...29_DRM_FIX.zip from here posted by milOtis.

i had a newer version of windows media player installed, so i deleted it and re installed it with the one given in the link above.

I didnt follow all the steps in the instructions since im already running on windows XP home edition.

I just started following the instructions from step 3

Also wen i go to this link: http://services.wmdrm.windowsmedia.com/indivSite/en/indivit.asp - to individualise my comp, the upgrade button isn't 'pressable'.

does anyone know where i went wrong?

oh, haha and also... wen i start using the program fairuse4wm and try to recover the keys it says "IBX Version 11.0.6000.6324 isn't supported yet"


:helpful:

[Itsdon]

I've got a strange problem with VPC & FU4WM. I'm currently running Vista and installed VPC 2007 along with a fresh copy of WinXP MCE w/rollup 2. During the install I unchecked the "automatic updates" option and then proceeded to install Yahoo Music Unlimited. I then downloaded and played a song on both Yahoo player and WMP10. Next I tried FU4WM1.3FIX and immediately got the dreaded error message saying keys can't be found. It showed the IBX version as 11.0.6000.6324. How could that have been updated? Perhaps the Yahoo program had something to do with that?

FU4WM also reflected that "DRMCLIEN.DLL" has version 10.0.0.3646. So, I then proceeded to try (in futility) some of the options listed on this forum including individualizing my system, installing WMP11 (beta), yet nothing worked - I think I was messed up from the get-go with IBX 11.0.6 right? Any ideas where I might have gone wrong? I have no problem in redoing the VPC/WinXP install but I'd rather not end up with the same problem.

Oh, I haven't activated the WinXP install yet, that wouldn't make a difference would it?

[ybarra]

I've got a strange problem with VPC & FU4WM. I'm currently running Vista and installed VPC 2007 along with a fresh copy of WinXP MCE w/rollup 2. During the install I unchecked the "automatic updates" option and then proceeded to install Yahoo Music Unlimited. I then downloaded and played a song on both Yahoo player and WMP10. Next I tried FU4WM1.3FIX and immediately got the dreaded error message saying keys can't be found. It showed the IBX version as 11.0.6000.6324. How could that have been updated? Perhaps the Yahoo program had something to do with that?

FU4WM also reflected that "DRMCLIEN.DLL" has version 10.0.0.3646. So, I then proceeded to try (in futility) some of the options listed on this forum including individualizing my system, installing WMP11 (beta), yet nothing worked - I think I was messed up from the get-go with IBX 11.0.6 right? Any ideas where I might have gone wrong? I have no problem in redoing the VPC/WinXP install but I'd rather not end up with the same problem.

Oh, I haven't activated the WinXP install yet, that wouldn't make a difference would it?


The problem is most likely your Windows Media distributible. It is seperate from the Windows Media player. When I used my current music service, it gave me an error saying that I needed to update my Windows Media distributible to play the file and proceeded to update me to IBX 11.0.6 while leaving my Windows Media Player as Beta 2. I had to uninstall the distributible and then extracted the distributible that came with WMP beta 2 and installed only the distributible again, delete and recreate my keys, and I was back in business.

I haven't tried it yet, but I think it's theoretically possible to run the latest WMP but back out the distributible and install the beta 2 version of the distributible (i.e. extract the WMP executible and just replace the distributible .exe with an older one and install the latest WMP). As mentioned a few posts back, I also think it's possible to do the same for Vista by overwriting the newer distributible files w/ the older ones and deleting your key files and recreating them. Maybe once the Vista patch is finished, we can create an XP patch that will basically do the same w/o the hassle of the uninstall/installs. We should only be dealing w/ a handful of .dll's that handle the IBX functions.

[Itsdon]

I had to uninstall the distributible and then extracted the distributible that came with WMP beta 2 and installed only the distributible again, delete and recreate my keys, and I was back in business.

Thanks for the information - hopefully it's as simple as you make it sound. Any chance you could walk me through the procedure you described above? I expect there are a few folks here as well as myself who would appreciate a "spoon fed" How-To. :thanks:

[mysekurity]

Itsdon: check out Xarus' easy-to-read help instructions. It's a little out-of-date, and you'll probably have better luck installing 11.0.5.7 from MilOtis' recent package as opposed to WMP11 Beta 2 as recommended by Xarus, but other than that, the instructions should be the same.

I'm not sure about Y! Unlimited, but it shouldn't require you to update or anything like that....



[edit: Xarus, not Xarius.]

[mysekurity]

I didnt follow all the steps in the instructions since im already running on windows XP home edition.

Try Xarus' instructions. They're simple and easy to follow.

Also wen i go to this link: http://services.wmdrm.windowsmedia.com/indivSite/en/indivit.asp - to individualise my comp, the upgrade button isn't 'pressable'.

You have to be using Internet Explorer or else it will be greyed-out.

oh, haha and also... wen i start using the program fairuse4wm and try to recover the keys it says "IBX Version 11.0.6000.6324 isn't supported yet"
:search: You have to rollback your player, using the files from MilOtis' package. Check the instructions on Xarus.

[Itsdon]

Itsdon: check out Xarus' easy-to-read help instructions. It's a little out-of-date, and you'll probably have better luck installing 11.0.5.7 from MilOtis' recent package as opposed to WMP11 Beta 2 as recommended by Xarus, but other than that, the instructions should be the same.

I'm not sure about Y! Unlimited, but it shouldn't require you to update or anything like that....

Thanks. When I installed a fresh copy of WinXP and Yahoo Music Unlimited (and nothing else - no updates etc.) I immediately had IBX Version 11.0.6.6324, any idea how that may have occurred?

Does WinXP need to be activated right away? (This is a Vista Machine running VPC2007 & XP-MCE)

I initially ran WMP10 (installed from XP) and then installed WMP11 Beta (which I currently have) yet the IBX is 11.0.6. Do I still need to "roll back" the player? If so, to what?

I read above about replacing the "distributible" perhaps that's all I need to do - any idea how?

[mostyle]

[QUOTE=CademiaX;996665]Install Windows Media Player 10 on Vista 32/64-bit!

Has then been successful with WMP 11b2?

Also.. Given the availability of VLite and its ability to customize vista installs might there be a way to create a custom Vista DVD without wmp integrated and get a prior version to install? I tried setting up Vista in a vm box and tested the rollback techniques described here with no avail and was curious..

:thanks:

[AdamI]

Try Xarus' instructions. They're simple and easy to follow.

Where do i get the instructions from?

btw, your right about the internet explorer :) :thanks:

[ybarra]

Thanks. When I installed a fresh copy of WinXP and Yahoo Music Unlimited (and nothing else - no updates etc.) I immediately had IBX Version 11.0.6.6324, any idea how that may have occurred?

Does WinXP need to be activated right away? (This is a Vista Machine running VPC2007 & XP-MCE)

I initially ran WMP10 (installed from XP) and then installed WMP11 Beta (which I currently have) yet the IBX is 11.0.6. Do I still need to "roll back" the player? If so, to what?

I read above about replacing the "distributible" perhaps that's all I need to do - any idea how?

This is pretty simple if you think through it as well as try reading the step-by-step instructions that have been posted previously.

1) Uninstall WM Distributible. The uninstaller is USUALLY stored here: C:\WINDOWS\$NtUninstallWMFDist11$\spuninst\spuninst.exe.

2) Use something like 7-Zip or WinRAR to extract the contents of the WMP Beta 2 executible to a directory.

3) Run wmfdis11.exe (from the Beta 2 directory you just extracted).

4) Delete all of the files in your DRM directory (usually C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\DRM). Make sure you don't delete the directory...just the files in them. Also remember this will invalidate any music you have already purchased that is still DRM'd.

5) Run your usual music service and purchase and play a DRM'd file. This will recreate new IBX keys based on the Beta 2 wmfdis11.exe you just installed.

6) Run fairuse4wm and extract keys and remove DRM from music you purchased.

Obviously it would be smart to do the unDRM on some test files first from one of the DRM test sites just in case something goes wrong before you start purchasing new music.

[outsiders71]

Why go through all this trouble when you can make a Windows XP live CD, using BartPE?

[CademiaX]

So after messing with this ALOT, I have come to the conclusion that wmp11b2 will NOT work on vista 64-bit

I will how ever be testing on the 32-bit edition soon, so stay tuned!

[Jeff D]

Anyone have a link to the file renamer I thought was in this thread? Someone was asking about removing the [NO-DRM] and someone responded with a pretty cool one with selectable items for changing case, removing part/all of a string etc. I can't find it now, but I know I've downloaded it before and I loved it. And it's not oscar's

[SalSimp]

Anyone have a link to the file renamer I thought was in this thread? Someone was asking about removing the [NO-DRM] and someone responded with a pretty cool one with selectable items for changing case, removing part/all of a string etc. I can't find it now, but I know I've downloaded it before and I loved it. And it's not oscar's

This is OT, so I hope the mods don't get angry. I have been using Lupas rename for a couple years. It is freeware. Try their website at hxxp://rename.lupasfreeware.org/

It is extremely flexible, recommended.

[jakeyf]

CademiaX: I followed your instructions as best i can (i had a lot of administrator issues), but i managed to get everything to work up until i try to run wmplayer, when it says wmploc.dll is version 10.0.0.3802 and it expected 11.0.6000.6324.... any advice on what i did wrong? Is there any file i can manually replace to fix this? thanks

[di3111]

Hello CademiaX,

I've the same problem as jakeyf.
I have a german vista. I don't know if the problem depends on this. I've have done this

D. Follow the WMP10 installer instructions. (If it says wmp10 is already installed,
browse to \program files (x86)\Windows Media Player\ and run wmplayer.exe, and if
that tells you file xxxx is version 10.xx, expecting version 11.xx, arrange icons by name,
select all the .inf files, right click > install, one wont work, it will tell you and the
rest will continue, after that run \program files (x86)\Windows Media Player\setup_wm.exe)

several times but without result

could you help please

[Blind Melon]

Does the Fairuse program work for Napster protected files yet?

[mysekurity]

Blind Melon:
It's not the service that prevents FU from working. As long as the files you need to decode use PlaysForSure (Windows) DRM, and your ibx version (see other posts) is 11.0.5.xx or before, it should work. But please keep in mind this program is intended for the fair use of purchased music only (subscription content doesn't fall under this category).

[Blind Melon]

How do I find out if the files I have use PlaysForSure? Do I just try FU with it? Also, do the Napster files normally work with FU?

[mysekurity]

Sorry, yes. Napster, Urge, BuyMusic, and most other subscription/download services on the internet (save for iTunes, Zune, and unprotected sites such as eMusic) use PlaysForSure DRM. Since you use Napster, the files you have downloaded are protected via PlaysForSure, and should be decryptable using FU4WM.

Open FairUse4WM, click "extract keys", then click "next" when that has completed. Drag your file into the window and click next, and everything should work. If you receive an error message, search within this thread, as someone else has most likely already gotten it as well. (e.g. if you get "11.0.6 isn't supported yet", follow the instructions to "roll back" your Windows Media Player). Good luck.

[Blind Melon]

Alright, the weird thing is... I don't have a DRM folder in AllUsers... I did show hidden files and nothing. In the long run, I cannot hit the Upgrade button on the website... so yeah. Ionno.

[mysekurity]

You have to enable "show system files" too. And the Upgrade button only works in Internet Explorer. So if you're using Firefox or some other browser, you're SOL.

See http://www.xarus.net/index.php?act=fair_use_4_wm&page=instructions&ver=2 for instructions on how to rollback. Use WMP 11.0.57 from MilOtis May fix instead of Beta 2. If you need further help, PM me.

[CZroe]

The Xarus instructions say that Yahoo! Music does not work with FairUse4WM, but reading the last couple pages seems to indicate that it does. Unless Yahoo! Music Unlimited is different from Yahoo! Music? I thought we weren't supporting people who are using this for subscription music, so if only Yahoo! Unlimited works, then we should provide no support for it.

These are the ones the Xarus guide says do not work:
1. Vongo
2. Yahoo! Music
3. Zune Marketplace

Knowing this, which service should I commit to with the intention of using FairUse4WM? I intend to make full use of subscription music as intended, but I will also be making frequent use of the "purchase" check-box for music I like, so FairUse4WM compatability is important to me. How do the services differ here? Does one have higher-quality music? Do any sell protected lossless WMA music or at least allow me to buy a very-high bitrate version? I intend to strip any music purchased of DRM and archive it on DVD while keeping appropriate files on my PCs. One PC will sync to my MP3-format-only player while another will have only WMAs in its library (Media Center PC so that it will not sync MP3 duplicates to a compatible player) and another will have the high-quality/lossless files (my home fileserver).

I've always leaned heavily toward Napster because they were the risk-takers when it came to first supporting subscription music and it seems like they are suffering for being so progressive... as if they lost a lot of money in the initial "push" before there were many compatible players. Also, call me an idealist, but I want to prove that the name means something by lending my support (even if it has nothing to do with the original Napster)! Of course, if any other service has a significant advantage, like a significantly larger library or lossless files, I'll support competition instead by selecting them.

[mysekurity]

Xarius isn't right in a few things. I run Zune marketplace fine with Windows Media Player 11.0.57. I don't use Y!U, so I don't know if it works or not, but for me, Urge has been excellent. Its Auto-Mix feature is very cool, even if the recommendations aren't exactly suited for me (but the Mood and Style drag-and-drop option works quite well). If you like Napster, I'd say go for it. I think it's really just a matter of preference, but most of the mainstream stores encode to 192 kbps throughout the catalog, so you're not going to get much variation.

What I have heard about Yahoo! Unlimited is that it might force you to update, which is a bit of an issue. Urge doesn't force updates on you, which is, as you might imagine, a major selling point for me.

[CZroe]

Xarius isn't right in a few things. I run Zune marketplace fine with Windows Media Player 11.0.57. I don't use Y!U, so I don't know if it works or not, but for me, Urge has been excellent. Its Auto-Mix feature is very cool, even if the recommendations aren't exactly suited for me (but the Mood and Style drag-and-drop option works quite well). If you like Napster, I'd say go for it. I think it's really just a matter of preference, but most of the mainstream stores encode to 192 kbps throughout the catalog, so you're not going to get much variation.

What I have heard about Yahoo! Unlimited is that it might force you to update, which is a bit of an issue. Urge doesn't force updates on you, which is, as you might imagine, a major selling point for me.

Does the Zune Marketplace work for non-Zune users? AFAIK, it's just "URGE" for the rest of us.

[mysekurity]

Content purchased from the Zune Marketplace will play on PlaysForSure devices (and in Windows Media Player), but not the other way around. Also, due to some sort of ID tag trick (not exactly sure....), the DRM on the Zune cannot be decoded using FU4WM, despite the DRM being basically P4S (Zune is v 9.1 to P4S's 9). So yes, URGE, Y!U, Napster, Rhapsody, et al is probably your best bet for music purchasing service that you can get rid of DRM from. Or, you can go the fully legal and preferred, yet woefully underappreciated route and use non DRM'd tracks to begin with, in eMusic and others.

Just my $.02

[rblimas]

has any one found out a way to get fairuse4wm to work?

Thanks:thumbsup: