I ripped some of my music CDs files, using Windows Media Player, to my computer (XP operating system)in MP3 format for downloading into my MP3 player; it worked fine. But when I put the MP3 files into my portable flash drive to transfer them into my other computer (also XP operating system)at my vacation home, the transferred files would not play in the vacation-computer. The Windows Media Player popped up a dialogue box that said a license was needed. Can anybody explain why and how the files play well on one computer, but not on another? IRA

Most likely because MS is in bed with the RIAA & MPAA. I'm guessing WMP added the DRM protection that caused your problem. I don't use WMP to rip my CDs and have never had that problem. I would suggest another application for ripping. I use ExactAudioCopy. It is a bit of a chore to set it up correctly the first time. But it creates the best quality MP3s, IMHO. Michael J

Hazzard a guess - vacation home PC has to be on the internet to download current licenses.

Right, but he ripped these MP3s himself. He shouldn't need a license. It's probably only because he used WMP that those files now include DRM. Michael J

i think it might be the mp3 player is it a cheap one from virgin? i had one and it would only allow media to be transfered through media player to work. said it was something about a licence. stupid thing is i could get any music from any where legal or not transfer them on with wmp and it would be happy. in future sat away from windows media player. i say use winamp and for ripping use cdex all text needs typos. There there for the reader to find,to distract them from the total lack of content. google it! wasnt the answer to the question i asked so dont be dense and give me that reply!

I thank all of you responders for your input. I am curious, though, as to the technical explanation for why and how 2 similar computers would react differently when playing the same file. Gratefully, Ira

Again, my gess is that WMP is implementing some sort of DRM that restricts the usage of the MP3 files. DRM can restrict many different thing such as restrict the number of times a file can be burned to a disc or copied to a device or computer. The reason the files could act differently on different machines is that the DRM is restricting the number of devices the files can be transferred to. Also, WMP on the machine that ripped the CDs would have created a license for those MP3s on that machine, whereas the machine in your other location would not have those licenses. Again, this is all just speculation, but the fact that you used WMP makes me think it is a DRM issue. I might give it a try tonight to see if I can replicate. Michael J