Cannot activate my iPod now that iTunes is installed
EVER since I found out that iTunes and iPod can work with .aa files, I've been trying to revive my interest in audio books. Unfortunately, my iPod will not activate, nor can I play any of the aa files I copy over to it.
Things that might be good to know in troubleshooting:
I've been a member of Audible.com for a while.. but my device broke.
The broken device has been deactivated
ALL my previously activated devices have been deactivated.
My account shows NO activated devices on it's list ( http://www.audible.com/adbl/store/deActivateEntry.jsp )
iTunes was installed BEFORE audible manager so Audible Manager will not connect to the iPod.
Is there a way to activate my iPod from iTunes?
Has anybody else had this problem trying to play .aa files on their iPod?
Again, I can get my .aa's to transfer, but they won't play and Audible Manager won't see my iPod to activate it.
?
[983 byte] By [
Inferno999] at [2007-11-9 15:16:11]
# 1 Re: Cannot activate my iPod now that iTunes is installed
activation
i'm stumped.
I think you may be onto something as far as needing to install AM first, before iTunes in order to activate the device.
And since you've already installed iTunes, can you activate iPod through iTunes? I dunno.
I would go to Audible's Live Chat and ask. I'm not even sure they'll have an immediate answer as they may not have even run into this yet. They have to research it and get back to you.
Keep us posted. I'll let u know if i come up with anything.
Podunk at 2007-11-15 17:37:24 >
# 2 Re: Cannot activate my iPod now that iTunes is installed
I don't think you need Audible Manager if you buy .aa files through the iTMS, but you most definitely need it if you have a monthly subscription or purchase outside of iTunes.
You may have to uninstall iTunes, activate the player with Audible manager, then install iTunes again.
Bill McNair
# 3 Re: Cannot activate my iPod now that iTunes is installed
Originally posted by parannoya
...
I would go to Audible's Live Chat and ask. I'm not even sure they'll have an immediate answer as they may not have even run into this yet. They have to research it and get back to you.
Keep us posted. I'll let u know if i come up with anything.
Well, ok... I guess a call or chat couldn't hurt... Calling their activation support line (1-888-283-5051)
--
Ok. Back. The guy said that, "for older iPods, you need to install a patch." He didn't say WHAT it would patch, nor did he seem to know when I asked him. I assume it's the Desktop Manager, I won't know till it works. Anyway, here's the link he gave me to try out:
http://www.audible.com/mac/install
(Funny... I told him I'm on Windows but this seems kind of Mac'ish...)
Anyway, I've gotten to Step 2, but the file it says to download and decompress is a .DMG file. ....and of course, I don't currently have a way of opening DMG files. Figures, eh? So, the search for such a utility is my next hold up.
Any ideas?
# 4 Re: Cannot activate my iPod now that iTunes is installed
Bill,
If you buy Audible files through iTunes, the files are actuallu AAC, (just like the iTunes music store files), not the .aa format that you download from the Audible.com site. So if you download them from iTunes, you are covered under your iTunes activation.
The problem here is how to activate your iPod for your account at Audible.com once you have iTunes installed, since AudibleManager is no longer accessible once iTunes is installed.
Podunk at 2007-11-15 17:40:24 >
# 5 Re: Cannot activate my iPod now that iTunes is installed
[i]--
Ok. Back. The guy said that, "for older iPods, you need to install a patch." He didn't say WHAT it would patch, nor did he even seem to know, but he gave me a link to try out:
http://www.audible.com/mac/install [/B]
well, that link looks like its for getting your Otis player to work on a MAC, so it doesn't look like much help. I think u might need to try again.
Podunk at 2007-11-15 17:41:23 >
# 6 Re: Cannot activate my iPod now that iTunes is installed
Originally posted by parannoya
well, that link looks like its for getting your Otis player to work on a MAC, so it doesn't look like much help. I think u might need to try again.
NOTE -- I've edited the post that you quoted so additional information is availible.
OK, I did happen to bring that very thing up with him (it seems rather Otis and Mac related, rather than iPod and Windows related) but he SWORE that this is what I needed for the old, 1g iPods.
As I've updated in my last post, I'm attempting this but am stuck on step 2 as I don't have an opener for DMG archives. Any ideas?
And yes, to those who posted above -- Audible books PURCHASED THROUGH iTUNES work fine -- the iTunes activation does cover these. Unfortunately, the iPod still needs to be activated to play .aa files copied over to the iPod.
# 7 Re: Cannot activate my iPod now that iTunes is installed
I don't know what a .dmg file is and Windows can't open it on mine either. Which leads me back to my first conclusion that the link applies for MACs only. Any of you MAC folks know what the heck a .dmg file is??
Podunk at 2007-11-15 17:43:28 >
# 8 Re: Cannot activate my iPod now that iTunes is installed
Inferno,
I was reading the iTunes help to see how it deals with activation, deactivation.
With the AAC files from the iTunes store, the activation is automatic when you download the file and transfer to your iPod.
You don't have to go through the manual activation process like you do with AudibleManager.
So if import your Audible .aa file into iTunes, and then transfer it to your iPod, maybe iTunes will also activate the iPod for Audible files automatically?
Might be worth a shot.
Podunk at 2007-11-15 17:44:31 >
# 9 Re: Cannot activate my iPod now that iTunes is installed
Yep. It's a Disk iMaGe file. When loaded, the contents of the file shows up on your desktop as a separate drive. You need to call back and get another tech or try the live chat - the file he's pointing you to (which is inside the .dmg file) is a plug-in for the Mac version of iTunes. I can't see how it could possible work on your Windows machine. You probably got a tech who has a script to follow - and the word "iTunes" triggers certain set solutions. The Windows version of iTunes is so new that all the techs may not be trained in it yet.
At least, that's my optimistic take on the subject.
Does this help?
...SuBethJimBob
# 10 Re: Cannot activate my iPod now that iTunes is installed
SBJB,
thanks for clarifying the .dmg file for MAC. I think you're right to. This is probably an issue that hasn't come up often yet.
Podunk at 2007-11-15 17:46:29 >
# 11 Re: Cannot activate my iPod now that iTunes is installed
Originally posted by parannoya
Inferno,...
With the AAC files from the iTunes store, the activation is automatic when you download the file and transfer to your iPod.
...So if import your Audible .aa file into iTunes, and then transfer it to your iPod, maybe iTunes will also activate the iPod for Audible files automatically?
I appreciate your (and everybody's) help with this.
Unfortunately, as I've tried to iterate before, transferring .aa files FROM iTunes TO the iPod does not seem to activate the iPod and/or allow the files to be played. However, transferring .acc audio book files from iTunes to the iPod activates the iPod for iTunes just fine
In short:
.aa --> iTunes = OK (imports and plays fine in iTunes)
.aac --> iTunes = OK (Purchase and play fine in iTunes)
.aac --> iPod = OK (copies to and plays fine on iPod)
.aa --> iPod = BAD (copies fine but WILL NOT PLAY on iPod
The problem is that the iPod will not activate (more specifically, the Audible Manager software will not "see" the iPod because iTunes prevents it from doing so.
"Installing iTunes for Windows disables 3rd party software (like Audible Manager) from connecting and transferring to the iPod. You are expected you to use iTunes for transferring content to your iPod" - http://www.audible.com/iPod/FAQ.html
So, I guess the problem is on Apple's shoulders -- how are we expected to activate our iPods for now on?
# 12 Re: Cannot activate my iPod now that iTunes is installed
I've submitted this question to Audible for help. I expect we'll have an answer shortly.
Meanwhile, rather than banging your head, if I were you and I wanted a book, I would just buy it at the iTunes store since we know that will work.
Podunk at 2007-11-15 17:48:36 >
# 13 Re: Cannot activate my iPod now that iTunes is installed
Inferno,
Here is one solution.
a) uninstall iTunes and AM
b) Go to C:/Programs/Audible and delete the Audible folder.
WARNING: If you store your audible files (.aa) in a subfolder in the Audible folder, you will need to remove them first or they will get deleted.
c) Empty Recycle Bin and restart your computer.
d) install AM first and activate your iPod.
e) install iTunes.
after that, you should be able to import your Audible (.aa) files into iTunes, and transfer them to your iPod.
Good luck.
Podunk at 2007-11-15 17:49:39 >
# 14 Re: Cannot activate my iPod now that iTunes is installed
parannoya,
I'm having the same problem as Inferno and tried your suggestions... no luck. Also tried the # provided but as I suspected, their hours aren't conducive to my hours. Please let me know if you have any other suggestions, because I'm getting kind of close to throwing in the towel on Audible.
Thanks.
Carney at 2007-11-15 17:50:34 >
# 15 Re: Cannot activate my iPod now that iTunes is installed
Carney,
Do you mean you did the uninstall / reinstall I advised in post 164 and you weren't able to get it to work?
I should have also specified, after you do uninstall everything, empty the recycle bin and restart the computer.
(I will add that to the description above)
I can't imagine this won't work since you would basically be in the same state as starting from scratch. Unfortunately, I will not be able to spend any time on it myself this week. But if someone doesn't figure it out soon, I'll get to the bottom of it next week.
Podunk at 2007-11-15 17:51:38 >
# 16 Re: Cannot activate my iPod now that iTunes is installed
I have no idea if iTunes is the problem, but I did have iTunes installed on XP prior to installing AM, and audible will not recognize my ipod while it is mounted and my syncing software (ephpod) can recognize it.
To recap my steps, I uninstalled iTunes, uninstalled AM, deleted folder, reinstalled AM and tried... no luck. Then I uninstalled AM again (couldn't delete entire folder this time b/c it wouldn't let me move my audible files anymore) and rebooted, re-installed... still no luck.
I didn't try emptying the recycle bin, but I can try that next. No worries if you're busy. I appreciate your taking the time to answer the first question.
I may try to reach audible earlier tonight to see if they have any other suggestion, but I don't think I'm going to expend much energy on this. I'd like to get it working because it'll annoy me to never figure out what the problem was, but right now, I'm really thinking I can live without Audible's service. I appreciate their system, but their protection mechanisms (which I understand are necessary) are frustrating to the point where I'd rather continue buying $50 CDs that I can rip and put on whatever device I want without having to worry about activation failures.
Carney at 2007-11-15 17:52:41 >
# 17 Re: Cannot activate my iPod now that iTunes is installed
Carney,
The one key point here is that in deleting the Audible folder, you delete the iPod plug in that was asscociated with AM.
Also since, iTunes locks it out, after you uninstall iTunes, I would delete everything in the iTunes program folder before re-installing AudibleManager. (C: /Program/iTunes). Just make sure you don't have your music stored in that folder, which you probably don't.
I have used Audible for 3 years, and the DRM has been totally seamless and invisible.
Fortunately, for me I installed iTunes over the top of AM the first time, so it all went of w/o a hitch.
If you can't get it working and get tired of trying, I wouldn't pull your hair out. Just wait a week or so and the answer will be here. :)
Podunk at 2007-11-15 17:53:38 >
# 18 Re: Cannot activate my iPod now that iTunes is installed
All you have to do is download the files like normal with Audible Manager, then add those files to your iTunes Library, it will ask you to activate that device to listen to the songs, then you just synch your iPod, and your books are on your iPod!
# 19 Re: Cannot activate my iPod now that iTunes is installed
There is a Mac solution:
http://audible.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/audible.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_sid=Am7QK6Yg&p_lva=832&p_faqid=832&p_created=1026936888&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9ncmlkc29ydD0mcF9yb3dfY250PTE4J nBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9aVR1bmVzICZwX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPTM mcF9wcm9kX2x2bDE9MjQxJnBfY2F0X2x2bDE9fmFueX4mcF9jY XRfbHZsMj1_YW55fiZwX3NvcnRfYnk9ZGZsdCZwX3BhZ2U9MQ* *&p_li=
But none yet for windows.
Also note:
http://audible.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/audible.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_sid=Am7QK6Yg&p_lva=832&p_faqid=853&p_created=1028902015&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9ncmlkc29ydD0mcF9yb3dfY250PTE4J nBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9aVR1bmVzICZwX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPTM mcF9wcm9kX2x2bDE9MjQxJnBfY2F0X2x2bDE9fmFueX4mcF9jY XRfbHZsMj1_YW55fiZwX3NvcnRfYnk9ZGZsdCZwX3BhZ2U9MQ* *&p_li=
