Using freeware FU4WM for removing DRM from Napster music, and downgrading WMP

[omegamuff1n]

What I want to do is downgrade WMP, thus lowering the IBX to 5705, as detailed with FairUse4WM (FU4WM) fix 2. I tried that (went to WMP11 beta v.11.5705 whatever) and tried individualizing, but the button's grayed out and a little searching reveals that it must only work with 11.6000 or something (the latest version, so that method is useless).

I want to use all this with Napster, and everytime I get on that it makes me upgrade my IBX to the latest version! (correct me if I'm wrong?) only then will it download anything. I tried using mirakagi next, and my fully updated IBX is 11.6001, and it gave me this error:


Processing "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\DRM\cache\Indiv01.key"
Version: 11.0.6001.8000 ...
XML - Cert: 84 bytes, Key Storage: 1392 bytes.
DLL 1000/fff14 @ ac01000 && 101000/234ac @ ad01000
Cannot locate encrypted code chunks.
It is finished.


What's up with that? I've figured out how to downgrade my IBX, it's extremely easy now. The problem is every time I get that done, napster steps in and says I have to make it the highest version before I can download anything.

Napster doesn't support WMP plug-in and requires you to upgrade IBX to the latest version. That's why I can only recommend to use lossy DRM removal software for Napster.

[omegamuff1n]

Hm, then does it work by chance with Zune? Because I can definitely use that too.

[placebo]

we have MIDDLE OF AUGUST 2010. current download version is Napster Software v4.6.4.0. i've just downloaded a *.WMA-track (192k) from within the Napster Software.

I am on a clean Windows XP Professional SP3 installation, with Windows Media Player 10.00.00.3802, and followed all instructions of milotis FairUse4WM 1.3-fix1 (2009-01-10).

Well, the Napster plugin is hard to find and doesnt work anymore, and you dont need it. But *what* you might need to get everything going is:
DRM_reset.exe and/or CR3009.exe. I am a rather new Napster customer so it didnt harm firing both off
( go to http://napsterus.custhelp.com and search for < reset > )

After that, you will be able to re-download all *.WMA's from within the Napster Software (Forget Internet Explorer login to Napster account, also forget Windows Media Player/Center login to Napster account!). And you are assigned a new, fresh DRM-license.

To cut it short, the FairUse4WM tool still works strong for new Napster flatrate users!!! I was able to strip of the DRM-license with ease. Absolutely cool!

ref:
Napster - Behind the Digital Curtain 02Feb2011
Napster Reviews: Updated Aug 30, 2011 – Reviews are posted anonymously by employees.
Q&A: Napster ex-CEO Chris Gorog, A Note from Napster ex-CEO Chris Gorog
Napster Achieves Music Catalog Milestones: 20 Million Songs!
Napster Software Client (old) v3.8.x.x-4.6.x.x, or here
Napster Download Manager (new!)
What Happened to the Napster To Go Subscription Level?
Napster Membership Levels and Plans (*new*, since July 2011: no more Napster To Go)
DE: Flatrate Downloads und der neue Napster Flatrate Service
DE: Was ist mit der Music-Flatrate Napster To Go passiert?
DE: Napster To Go beggar subscription thru phone call

[any ANONYMOUS forum user]

Hi, for the sake of testing i have completely uninstalled WMP10 (and its Windows Media Format 10 Runtime, security update patches, etc.), a procedure called "rollback". So i was back on WMP9. Starting WMP9 failed, so i downloaded WMP11beta2 and installed it.

When you start Napster software it updates itself as expected. Then i downloaded an album and unDRMed it. The ibix version is:
11.0.5497.6285

In other words, updating my whole system to WMP11beta2 didnt harm the un'DRMing setup.

[any ANONYMOUS forum user]

Best Buy, the current owner of NAPSTER, is selling Napster to Rhapsody in November 2011. Once Rhapsody has bought Napster, they are likely to make the Napster company (staff, servers, software client, websites, and the brand name itself) vanish in an effort to reduce the "visible" competition. Extinguishing competition (or competitive brand names) by acquisition is very common in the industry, e.g. see the consolidation in the hard disk drive manufacturing industries (Maxtor, Samsung, ..). Current Napster subscribers will be transferred to the Rhapsody homepage to continue their subscription there.

While it is still possible (October 2011, ..) to sign up for Unlimited Subscription Downloads (192kbps *.WMA's, so-called "Napster To Go") and undrm them with FairUse4WM, in future the Napster client (napster.exe) will stop working and you must install the Rhapsody client (160kbps *.WMA's) instead.

Napster used to be the #1 competitor in the USA. Well, this is going to be the past. And i bet that Napster fans wont like/appreciate it.

Jon Irwin?? --- booohhh!!!!

ref: News Release - BBY.com - Rhapsody to Acquire Napster / SEATTLE, October 3, 2011

[any ANONYMOUS forum user]

Originally Posted by any ANONYMOUS forum user

While it is still possible (October 2011, ..) to sign up for Unlimited Subscription Downloads (192kbps *.WMA's, so-called "Napster To Go") and undrm them with FairUse4WM, in future the Napster client (napster.exe) will stop working and you must install the Rhapsody client (160kbps *.WMA's) instead.

Many legal customers of Napster will eventually lose their legally purchased music, since Napster client will not be supported most probably. It has happened to most customers after the service acquisition. Remove DRM as soon as possible, so you won't sorry about lost music.

[placebo]

Originally Posted by any ANONYMOUS forum user

since Napster client will not be supported most probably

Correct. It is easy for the new owner (Rhapsody, Inc.) to make the napster.exe software stop working. This has happened to other (old) companies/software clients too, see Thumbplay Music software client.