Question about copy protection on music

Primroselite · Apr 16, 2015

I have some older CDs (early oughts) that I'm pretty sure I used to copy to mix discs for the car without any problem. I used XP & WMP at the time. I have been able to copy songs to my Windows 7 music file, but when I try to move them to my Sony Walkman some of them won't go.
I'm confused on several issues regarding my music files, but for now I would like to ask just one question: If I connect to the internet and download album & track info from an older CD, am I also downloading copy-protecting software that prevents me from moving it to another device?
Thanks,
P'lite

Sony Vaio
Windows 7 Home Pro

Anon-9aee479f8f · Apr 16, 2015

Someone here probably knows more than I do about music files but I can tell you that WMP started not allowing some CDs to be copied to a new CD some time back. I own a lot of older CDs that in the past I have copied to play in my car, just for myself, and now they won't copy. So it is not just you but a WMP issue and probably copy right issues.

plodr · Apr 16, 2015

Is the Sony Walkman you are referring to an mp3 player rather than the original cassette tape player I'm familiar with?

Sony might have its own DRM scheme. (I don't trust Sony with things digital; analog was fine).

When you open the CDs what is the extension on the songs? If it is not mp3, that might be part of the problem.

Here's what I do.
1. Load a CD but turn off playing it.
2. Fire up FreeRIP which finds the tracks.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/freerip.html
Bundleware The older versions were not. So look closely as you install it so you do not get toolbars and other nonsense you neither want nor need.
3. Select the tracks I want to rip as mp3 files.
4. Move the mp3s from the computer to my Clip+ mp3 player using Windows Explorer.

Note: I have not used FreeRIP in Win 7. I've used it in Windows 2K and XP. It is on my to-do list to try it on my Win 7 computer.

Eldon · Apr 17, 2015

plodr said: ↑

Note: I have not used FreeRIP in Win 7. I've used it in Windows 2K and XP. It is on my to-do list to try it on my Win 7 computer.
Click to expand...

Works fine in Windows 7.

Primroselite · Apr 17, 2015

Thanks for your replies. They were helpful. I'll give the Freerip a try.
Yes, the walkman is a digital player. I thought it would be less hassle than my ipod. I was wrong. Had a "duh" moment when I realized that Sony sells music as well as devices, so my needs/wants aren't part of the picture. Maybe this explains your distrust re digital.
"I can tell you that WMP started not allowing some CDs to be copied to a new CD some time back" I had a sneaking suspicion that WMP was part of the problem - sorry to see that confirmed.

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Question about copy protection on music

Primroselite Private E-2

Anon-9aee479f8f Anonymized

plodr MajorGeek Super Extraordinaire Moderator Staff Member

Eldon Major Geek Extraordinaire

Primroselite Private E-2