I've lost my DRM file

[AirHalling]

I have been trying to fix a DRM error on my computer since Sept. 2nd.  Here is the chronology of events...

1.  I have Rhapsody.  On 9-2-08, I attempted to open it from my desktop.  I received the following error message:  Rhapsody has detected a problem with some of the Windows Media DRM components on your computer

2.  I was then redirected to the Microsoft support website to perform a security upgrade.  I tried but I think I'm supposed to be logged in as the administrator which I thought I was.

3.  I have been getting lots of nice replies from the Rhapsody help people.  I have listed their links:

The Windows Digital Rights Management (DRM) folder contains licenses for secure media files such as your Rhapsody tracks. Renaming the DRM folder can help you troubleshoot some Rhapsody-specific errors.

To rename the DRM folder, Please click the link below and follow the steps :

http://real.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/real.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=5633&p_created=1137091621

To update windows components, Please click the link below and follow the steps :

http://real.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/real.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=6202&p_created=1159997743

To troubleshoot Helix components, Please click the link below and follow the steps :

http://real.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/real.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=6203&p_created=1159997770

If you still face the problem, Please do a clean install of Rhapsody by clicking the link below and follow the steps :

http://real.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/real.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=4866&p_created=1109893812

so here we go....


1. After doing the steps listed to run clean install and error message came up that said, "Rhapsody DRM Cleaner Tool has encountered a problem and need to close. We are sorry for...

2. At this point I was returned to desktop. The best buy music store icon was gone so I rebooted and proceeded to download the software from www.rhapsody.com/-software.

3. So then I attempted to sign-in to Rhapsody and received the same DRM problem box. Which sent me to the Microsoft website for the security upgrade.

4. When the MS box opens I actually get two boxes, one called Security component upgrade - Microsoft Internet Explorer AND Certificate Revocation List Update - Microsoft Internet Explorer. The first box (Security component upgrade) does not have the upgrade box shaded in order to click it. The second box (certificate revocation...) does but have the update button available to click BUT when I click it I get the following message: An error was encountered during upgrade. If you are still unable to play your content... and it directs me to the microsoft support website.

5. I have tried two hours worth of fixes that don't change anything from microsoft. But of course I can't contact THEM.

6. But I noticed that at the bottom of the certificate revocation box is the message: In order to perform this upgrade you must be logged in as an administrator.

I really hope you can help me. I have been through this same loop over and over. I don't know how to log in as administrator. When I check user profiles it show me as the administrator.

Now when I start over with fixes sent by Rhapsody I don't have a DRM file.  I addition I have a new error when I log on to XP

error loading  c:\program~\myweb~\bar\1.bin\m3plugin.dll
Specified module could not be found.

[drmsucks]

AirHalling - You have my complete sympathy and I have no idea how to solve your problem; hopefully, someone else can help you.

When music was encumbered with silly, arcane, broken DRM schemes, I quit buying. Before that, I tried Real Player and got rid of it immediately because it was a virulent piece of crapware that wanted to take over my computer and spy on me.

You have a double whammy - DRM and Realnetworks (owner of Real Player and Rhapsody.) Both are a scourge of the computer public.

I wish I could help you but I can't. Sorry for the rant.

Best of luck!

[Broni]

drmsucks <------this nick says it all

[AirHalling]

Dear DRMsucks,

I know understand your moniker.  Yes DRM does suck.  I guess I was one of the blind when I got so excited to enroll in the Rhapsody service.  Who knew that $14.99 a month for unlimited music on three MP3 Players would cause me such a darn mess.  Now my I can't update my kids players anymore.  I've become mean while I try to run all the fixes...

I'm hoping someone out there has sympathy and a lot of knowledge because the dudes at Rhapsody keep sending me in the same convoluted path.

[AirHalling]

Wow Broni,  After all the reading I did of your posts I thought you would have more to say.   Believe me I've been cruising past posts hoping I would find a morsel.

[Broni]

AirHalling
I apologize for not offering any help, but I simply try to stay away form anything involving DRM. No experience=no knowledge=no help

[drmsucks]

Many smart people here - hang in there; nothing difficult is ever easy

[AirHalling]

So I am going to take a deep breath, cross my fingers, and hope someone will take mercy.  My last resort is Geek Squad since it is my Best Buy MP3 and software that put me here.  Are they any good?  I haven't been real impressed.  My computer guy closed up shop.

[Broni]

My last resort is Geek Squad

Avoid, at all cost.

[AirHalling]

That's what I was afraid of.  The cool kids are all here.  At least that's what I get from reading the post re: recycle bin.  That and I laughed so hard it brought tears to my eyes.  Wish I were crying from relief that my DRM file was fixed and not CORRUPT.

[Broni]

error loading  c:\program~\myweb~\bar\1.bin\m3plugin.dll

I don't know, if this is gonna solve your problem, but the above error indicates, that your computer was/is infected by MyWebSearch (maybe more).
I can do initial check...

Download HijackThis:
http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/security_tools/hijackthis/download
Click on Download HijackThis Installer
Post HijackTHis log.

[AirHalling]

Broni,
Before I download yet another program will you tell me if it does above and beyond the ones I already have:

Malwarebyte's Anti Malware, Ad Aware, SpyBot, and my latest addition because I was desperate, Registry Cleaner Pro.

Oh, by the way this all started when I ran one of these lovelies and quarantined some files back on Sept. 1st.

[Broni]

Malwarebytes is an excellent program.
IMHO, Ad-aware, and Spybot are tools of the past.
Registry cleaners, in general, are NOT recommended. They simply won't make your computer running better.
The only safe tool of that kind, I can recommend is CCleaner.
HijackThis is a very tiny tool, which will show me a lot of info about your computer. I MAY see something.

[AirHalling]

O.K. I'm going in now...

[AirHalling]

Broni,
What do you want to see?  The Notepad or the hijack this list.

[Broni]

Whatever is shown in Notepad.

[AirHalling]

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 10:56:25 PM, on 9/23/2008
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16705)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\KodakCCS.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\MSC\mcmscsvc.exe
c:\program files\common files\mcafee\mna\mcnasvc.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\mcafee\mcproxy\mcproxy.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcshield.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee\MPF\MPFSrv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
C:\Program Files\Creative\SBLive\Program\CTAvTray.EXE
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\America Online 8.0\aoltray.exe
C:\Program Files\Kodak\Kodak EasyShare software\bin\EasyShare.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcsysmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Rhapsody\rhaphlpr.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = :0
O2 - BHO: Yahoo! Companion BHO - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\YAHOO!\COMPANION\INSTALLS\CPN\YCOMP5_6_0_0.DLL
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: scriptproxy - {7DB2D5A0-7241-4E79-B68D-6309F01C5231} - C:\Program Files\McAfee\VirusScan\scriptsn.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\YAHOO!\COMPANION\INSTALLS\CPN\YCOMP5_6_0_0.DLL
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [igfxtray] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [igfxhkcmd] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [igfxpers] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [mcagent_exe] C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\Agent\mcagent.exe /runkey
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MySpaceIM] C:\Program Files\MySpace\IM\MySpaceIM.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RegistryCleanerProMFCT] C:\Program Files\RegistryCleanerPro\RegistryCleanerPro.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [MySpaceIM] C:\Program Files\MySpace\IM\MySpaceIM.exe (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [MySpaceIM] C:\Program Files\MySpace\IM\MySpaceIM.exe (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: America Online 8.0 Tray Icon.lnk = C:\Program Files\America Online 8.0\aoltray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: PowerReg Scheduler.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Kodak EasyShare software.lnk = C:\Program Files\Kodak\Kodak EasyShare software\bin\EasyShare.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0\bin\npjpi150.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0\bin\npjpi150.dll
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\SHDOCVW.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: PartyPoker.net - {F4430FE8-2638-42e5-B849-800749B94EED} - C:\Program Files\PartyGaming.Net\PartyPokerNet\RunPF.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: PartyPoker.net - {F4430FE8-2638-42e5-B849-800749B94EED} - C:\Program Files\PartyGaming.Net\PartyPokerNet\RunPF.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: PokerStars.net - {FA9B9510-9FCB-4ca0-818C-5D0987B47C4D} - C:\Program Files\PokerStars.NET\PokerStarsUpdate.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra button: Poker.com - {6FDD5236-C9F0-49ef-935D-385F5E21991A} - C:\Program Files\Poker.com\poker.exe (HKCU)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.mcafee.com
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99F7-4BB4-88D8-FA1D4F56A2AB} (YInstStarter Class) - http://us.dl1.yimg.com/download.yahoo.com/dl/installs/yinst20040510.cab
O16 - DPF: {406B5949-7190-4245-91A9-30A17DE16AD0} (Snapfish Activia) - http://photos.walmart.com/WalmartActivia.cab
O16 - DPF: {4F1E5B1A-2A80-42CA-8532-2D05CB959537} (MSN Photo Upload Tool) - http://by105fd.bay105.hotmail.msn.com/resources/MsnPUpld.cab
O16 - DPF: {D821DC4A-0814-435E-9820-661C543A4679} (CRLDownloadWrapper Class) - http://drmlicense.one.microsoft.com/crlupdate/en/crlocx.ocx
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Kodak Camera Connection Software (KodakCCS) - Eastman Kodak Company - C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\KodakCCS.exe
O23 - Service: LexBce Server (LexBceS) - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
O23 - Service: McAfee Services (mcmscsvc) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\MSC\mcmscsvc.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Network Agent (McNASvc) - McAfee, Inc. - c:\program files\common files\mcafee\mna\mcnasvc.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Scanner (McODS) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcods.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Proxy Service (McProxy) - McAfee, Inc. - c:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\mcafee\mcproxy\mcproxy.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Real-time Scanner (McShield) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee SystemGuards (McSysmon) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcsysmon.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Personal Firewall Service (MpfService) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files\McAfee\MPF\MPFSrv.exe
O24 - Desktop Component 0: (no name) - C:\Documents and Settings\airhalling\My Documents\My Pictures\Yosemite.jpg

--
End of file - 7536 bytes

[Broni]

I don't see anything malicious there.
Unfortunately, I don't see either anything what would trigger my attention.

[AirHalling]

Thanks Broni,  I truly appreciate the attempt.  I really think my problem comes down to not being able to update the security component from the microsoft support website.  I just can't figure out what I'm doing wrong.  I swear I'm the administrator.  O-well, I'm tired and going to bed.

If anyone has any other suggestions, please post.  I will check back at 7am CST.  Thanks.

[Broni]

not being able to update the security component

Try to create new profile: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/811151

[AirHalling]

Broni, I will try that in the morning.  Van Helsing, my cat, is messing with my typing and after reading the instructions I am too tired to begin yet another long fix.  Sorry, you may not think it long but if you saw my desk and the pile of support fixes I have printed you may have sympathy.  I will report back tomorrow.

[Broni]

No problem. Someone will be here

[AirHalling]

Well as luck would have it.  I have spent another 1.5 hours working on this issue and it appears worse.  Thank you to DRMsucks who advised me to search the Real site.  I've now upgraded to the new Real Media player.  It works just fine.  Rhapsody still gives me the DRM error message.  Guys I can NOT get my system to upgrade the security component at the microsoft website.

Broni the new user profile didn't work either.

[Broni]

I can NOT get my system to upgrade the security component

What security component are we talking about here?

[AirHalling]

To update windows components, Please click the link below and follow the steps :

http://real.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/real.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=6202&p_created=1159997743


Which sent me to the Microsoft website for the security upgrade.

When the MS box opens I actually get two boxes, one called Security component upgrade - Microsoft Internet Explorer AND Certificate Revocation List Update - Microsoft Internet Explorer. The first box (Security component upgrade) does not have the upgrade box shaded in order to click it. The second box (certificate revocation...) does but have the update button available to click BUT when I click it I get the following message: An error was encountered during upgrade. If you are still unable to play your content... and it directs me to the microsoft support website.


But I noticed that at the bottom of the certificate revocation box is the message: In order to perform this upgrade you must be logged in as an administrator.

I really hope you can help me. I have been through this same loop over and over. I don't know how to log in as administrator. When I check user profiles it show me as the administrator.

or http://support.microsoft.com/kb/919589

This topic I just listed shows me how to log in as the administrator but I don't have the password.  When I check my status in user profiles it shows me as the administrator.

[AirHalling]

I just dusted off my XP manual and looked up the info on administrator.  It says:

To log on as the Administrator
1.  In "Log on to Window," type Administrator and the password you assigned to the administrator during Setup.

I didn't set up XP.  My hard drive had crashed and I took it to a local shop for a new hard drive, memory, and an upgrade from ME to XP.  They installed XP for me oh, and they closed up shop.  So now what.

[Broni]

shows me how to log in as the administrator but I don't have the password

Did you actually try to run IE as administrator, or you're simply afraid, it'll ask you for a password, and you didn't try?

[Broni]

No, no....like this:
1.   Click Start, and then click Run.
2.   Type the following text, and then click OK.
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer
3.   Press and hold the SHIFT key, right-click the Internet Explorer icon (IEXPLORE), and then click Run as.
4.   Click The following user.
5.   In User name and Password, type the Administrator account name and the password that you want to use, and then click OK.

[AirHalling]

Dude I am so not afraid!  I'm desperate!  I'll try it again.

[AirHalling]

See my post above.  I get to that point and when I try to "Run as" administrator it says bad password.

[Broni]

What happens, if you simply go to: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=75378

[AirHalling]

Absolutely nothing.  If you scroll down to the bottom of that link it says:

For Windows XP:
   In order to use perform this upgrade, you must be logged in as an Administrator. Internet Explorer is recommended because this site depends on ActiveX technology. Do you see the Internet Explorer Info Bar as displayed in this picture?

See I keep coming back and back and back and back to this exact same spot.

[Broni]

Did you try new profile, you created last night?

[AirHalling]

I tried that and I'm sorry but I can't remember exactly what went wrong but I hit an altogether new page of your not authorized.  It kinda stung because I really thought I had found the solution.

Do I need to reinstall XP to reset the Administrator password?

[Broni]

I can't remember exactly what went wrong but I hit an altogether new page of your not authorized

With new profile? While at M$ page?

[AirHalling]

Here ya go...

You are not authorized to view this page
You do not have permission to view this directory or page using the credentials that you supplied.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please try the following:

Contact the Web site administrator if you believe you should be able to view this directory or page.
Click the Refresh button to try again with different credentials.
HTTP Error 401.1 - Unauthorized: Access is denied due to invalid credentials.
Internet Information Services (IIS)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Technical Information (for support personnel)

Go to Microsoft Product Support Services and perform a title search for the words HTTP and 401.
Open IIS Help, which is accessible in IIS Manager (inetmgr), and search for topics titled Authentication, Access Control, and About Custom Error Messages.

[Broni]

Try to lower security settings in IE. Disable firewall for a moment.

[AirHalling]

Should I lower them below medium?

[Broni]

Go ahead.

[AirHalling]

I changed my IE security setting for "Internet" as low as possible, it would only go to medium. 

Tried opening Rhapsody.  Got the error message and then was directed to the Update Security Components.  Again.  Still can't upgrade.  Get the message, "There was an error..."

    This sucks.  I want my MP3 player to work.

[AirHalling]

Auntie Em,

Hate you, Hate Kansas,
Taking the dog.

Dorothy

I'm done for the day.  I just want to say thanks to everyone.  I have posted at "Real" and have received not a singe reply.  You guys are the best I appreciate all the help.  Here's to tomorrow, a new day.  Maybe Sridhar from the Best Buy Music Store Technical Support, Level Two will have an answer.

[mcxeb52!]

DRM on mp3? Use tunebite. It gets rid of DRM and it does its job well, I tried it before.

http://tunebite.com/en/remove_drm/index.html

[Broni]

Going to bed, too.

[AirHalling]

Hello everyone,

I may need to restart my topic.  I took the advice of the person that recommended I try TuneBite.  So I downloaded it and when I attempted to install I got a new error message.   

"Windows Installer Service could not be accessed.  This can occur if you are running Windows in safe mode (which I'm not), or if the Windows Installer is not correctly installed.  Contact your support personnel for assistance."

Well support personnel,  , now what?  I was able to download the program that Broni recommended a few days ago with not problem so I know installer is fine.  But this program does involve DRM so?!

[Broni]

Get Dial-a-fix:  http://wiki.lunarsoft.net/wiki/Dial-a-fix#Mirrors.2Fdownload_locations.2C_and_articles
Checkmark all sections, and click GO.
Restart computer.

[AirHalling]

Well I am nowhere closer to getting Rhapsody to run than when I began.  Broni, your patch helped though, installer is working fine now.  I then installed "Tunebite" and it didn't make a difference.  I also got in contact with the technician who installed XP for me.  He said that he doesn't put a password in for the administrator when he sets up XP.  So I don't know WHERE that leaves me.

The 2nd level technician at Rhapsody is recommending things I did weeks ago.  So I will am stopping my post with this phenomenal forum and going to try through Rhapsody and the Real forum (thank-you to DRMsucks for that avenue) and if all else fails take it into the techie on Wednesday.  I would re-install XP myself but that seems like the final resort and the techie can do that since he will be getting paid.  Posting here made me feel smarter.  I've always felt like I had was out of the technological loop and this just proves I've got some reading to do.  It's been awhile (say 14 years) since I was even in the know.  When I find out what went wrong I will be sure to let you all know since it just may help someone else down the road.

Honored to have had all your help and input.

Hoping to make my kids and hubbie happy with functional MP3 players,
AirHalling

[Broni]

I'm glad, we fixed something.
Keep us posted.

[drmsucks]

Best of luck, Airhalling.

[mcxeb52!]

Tunebite is the paid program that allows you to remove DRM from music protected by DRM. That's what it does. So by using tunebite to process the DRM music,  you can put the music onto any device supporting only DRM free music.

[AirHalling]

I'm well aware of Tunebite's capability and its core function.  My hope was that by installing the program it would overwrite my systems DRM files and make things "healthy."  Clearly I was wrong.

It appears even "RealNetworks Technical Support, Tier 2 Escalation Department" are unable to give me a resolution.  Their response was:  It clearly indicates that some of the registry files been corrupted in your computer and this is the reason, you are still prompted to enter the username and the password, even if you have signed into Adminstrator account. I am sure that Windows DRM will be available even if Rhapsody has not been installed. In this case, please contact the System Manufacturer to assist further.

Ah the sweet smell of pass the buck. 

Well still nowhere near an answer as to how or why my DRM files are corrupt or gone.