Napster + Winamp *confirmed*

[thereaderrabbit]

I was just wondering if anyone else uses a combination of Winamp + Napster and was seeing the troubles I see...

When I fired up Napster today something was strange. I couldn't add music to my play lists or download tracks (as wma files). Later when I tried Winamp, I couldn't play any wma files on my computer- even the ones I've had for a long time, but the mp3 format still plays. I know that the wma feature was working like always just a few days ago on Winamp.

Yes, I need to try reinstalling Winamp at some point, but I have a sneaky suspicion that my troubles with Napster and Winamp are very much related.

Anyone else seen em?

-Reader

 

[AnyMal]

I believe there was a vulnerability discovered in Napster which allowed Winamp users to strip away copy protection from their secure WMA files. Search news archives for more info.

Here is some info
More from News.com

 

[imported_jediknight]

Yes, I've seen this. Nullsoft crippled their player, so that now you cannot use output plugins on wma files (even non-protected ones)..
You need to "upgrade" (I use the term loosely) to 5.08e in order to play protected .wma files now (with the restrictions above)..

Pretty ass backward, IMO..

 

[thereaderrabbit]

Thanks for the input.

Here is what I don't get (or like)- I was able to use my version of WinAmp to listen to wma files just a few days ago. This means either my version of WinAmp has neutered itself or Napster broke it. Either which way- I'm quite bothered... Or perhaps Windows changed something with a WinXP security patch, but what I like least is not knowing what caused the change. My officemate hasn?t see this on his system yet, but he's running one very strict firewall.

I'm going too check out my PC when I get home tonight just to make sure this wasn't a fluke.

-Reader

 

[AnyMal]

If system restore is enabled on your XP (it is by default) run it to go back a week or so and see if it makes a difference. If it works, turn off any auto updating features in both Napster and Winamp.

 

[thereaderrabbit]

Ah, an OS type thing. Now I feel a little less violated.

The next time Winamp checked its certificate on the server, it was told it was expired, and it refused to play protected WMA songs.

If you didn?t want to upgrade Winamp, you wouldn?t be able to listen to protected WMA tracks with it.

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