WMA problem, won't burn to audio on host computer

2004-01-28 03:12:49

My girlfriend has her CD collection encoded in .wma using Windows Media Player 8. And of course she had the DRM copy protection enabled.

Then I came along and amongst other things I upgraded the WMP to version 9 and installed Nero 6 and some audio plug-ins for it in an attempt to bring her computer up-to-date (and to show off really).

Now, she tried burning an audio CD with Nero and it refused to write the protected WMA files. Pretty strange as she definitely has the licences on her computer as the files were encoded there.

Apparently she used to be able to burn them using WMP 8.
However WMP 9 doesn't burn them, as it uses "Nero Fast CD-Burning Plug-in" which fires up Nero to do the burning...

Tried uninstalling Nero, but then WMP was left without a Burn-To-CD option.

Any suggestions?

WMA problem, won't burn to audio on host computer

Reply #1 – 2004-01-28 04:47:07

Before going any further, backup her DRM licenses!  Then giver her a good lecture on the evils of DRM.  (Although she's probably figured that out by now!)

As for the nero plugin part...  I remember seeing on wmplugins.com a nero burning plugin.  If you check it, you might find out how to remove it from an existing WMP installation.  Just a guess, but it's probably a plugin that gets installed into the WMP folder, so uninstalling Nero has no effect.

If that doesn't work...  Well, are you sure she can still play them?  I was think that perhaps the upgrade to wmp9 damaged the drm and she can't even play them now.

Then try uninstalling WMP entirely from the computer, and then reinstall.  Perhaps that'll reset things.

You might also want to post the problem in the Microsoft media player forums... You'll probably get faster & better answers there.

WMA problem, won't burn to audio on host computer

Reply #2 – 2004-01-28 09:51:13

Nero Burning Plugin does not fire up if you choose Audio CD from the drop down menu in Copy to CD or Device.

WMA problem, won't burn to audio on host computer

Reply #3 – 2004-01-29 20:55:37

Thanks for your replies,

As I found out, the Nero plug-in resides on the Ahead installation location on a folder of its own. After deleting it I had the same results as when I uninstalled Nero completely i.e. no burning option. The only thing remaining on the drop down menu is Supported portable devices and drives....

No "Audio CD" there I'm afraid ~*McoreD*~. Are you possibly referring to WMP 8?

BTW uninstalling Media Player 9 is virtually impossible, unless you are able (or can afford to) use System Restore. In my case it's not possible.

I feel defeated by evil M$

<edit>Oops I almost forgot. Yes the media are perfectly playable even in WinAmp so the licences haven't been damaged.

A temp solution would be to pipe the songs into .wavs through WinAmp using the disk_writer output plug-in and the in_wm.dll from rarewares.
However this is quite a hassle and lets not forget that I must guide my gf remotely through all that...

Is there anything else you can suggest other than patience?</edit>