Reinstalled Windows on my laptop; now iTunes claims it's a new computer

[AviationFan]

My "other" computer (a DELL Latitude laptop) that my wife uses mostly had become infected with malware to the point where a fresh reinstall of Windows XP seemed the only way back to a regular operation. Now that that's done, I copied the backed-up iTunes files back into my wife's iTunes directory (C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\My Documents\My Music\iTunes). So far, so good, the computer seems happy again, but when I try to play any of her music (purchased from the iTunes store), iTunes claims that the songs are not authorized for playback on our computer.

Now, I understand that there is a limit to five computers that can be allowed to play back each song, but I'd be a little surprised if a re-installed OS counts as a new computer. Is this what I am seeing, or what is going on?

Sorry if this is a FAQ; I spent about ten minutes with the search feature without any luck (I am not a regular in the iTunes forum).

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

- Martin

[swiftaw]

Apple always suggests that you de-authorize a computer before you reinstall the OS. Yes, by reinstalling the OS you have effectively created a new computer.

[roland.g]

Originally Posted by AviationFan

My "other" computer (a DELL Latitude laptop) that my wife uses mostly had become infected with malware to the point where a fresh reinstall of Windows XP seemed the only way back to a regular operation. Now that that's done, I copied the backed-up iTunes files back into my wife's iTunes directory (C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\My Documents\My Music\iTunes). So far, so good, the computer seems happy again, but when I try to play any of her music (purchased from the iTunes store), iTunes claims that the songs are not authorized for playback on our computer.

Now, I understand that there is a limit to five computers that can be allowed to play back each song, but I'd be a little surprised if a re-installed OS counts as a new computer. Is this what I am seeing, or what is going on?

Sorry if this is a FAQ; I spent about ten minutes with the search feature without any luck (I am not a regular in the iTunes forum).

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

- Martin

When you are going to wipe a drive you must go into iTunes an deauthorize computer, other wise it thinks it is an additional computer when you go to reauthorize it after. Since you didn't do this, go and sign in through iTunes into the iTunes account and deauthorize all computers. Then you can reauthorize it and it will be the only one. If you had authorized others (up to your 5), they will subsequently need to be reauthorized as well.

[ftaok]

Originally Posted by roland.g

Since you didn't do this, go and sign in through iTunes into the iTunes account and deauthorize all computers. Then you can reauthorize it and it will be the only one. If you had authorized others (up to your 5), they will subsequently need to be reauthorized as well.

Unless Apple has changed it, the "Deauthorize All Computers" command won't show up until the user has authorized all 5 accounts. And even then, you can only use this once during a calendar year.

If the original poster still has several remaining authorizations, then it doesn't really matter until she/he gets to 5.

ft

[micsaund]

Yep, reinstalling causes a "new computer" trigger. I guess that Apple is not hashing just the hardware, but also some aspect of the OS, so when you re-install, the algorithm generates a new hash, which appears to be a new machine. It's pretty lame IMO, and like you, I found it out the hard way *after* formatted my machine and it's too late to de-authorize.

Like others have said, though, once you get 5 machines authorized, a button will appear in the My Account in iTunes which lets you wipe all five machines and start fresh.

Mike

[siurpeeman]

Originally Posted by roland.g

When you are going to wipe a drive you must go into iTunes an deauthorize computer, other wise it thinks it is an additional computer when you go to reauthorize it after. Since you didn't do this, go and sign in through iTunes into the iTunes account and deauthorize all computers. Then you can reauthorize it and it will be the only one. If you had authorized others (up to your 5), they will subsequently need to be reauthorized as well.

when you deauthorize all five, the deauthorized computers will still play the purchased content. this is something apple doesn't want you to know.

[wellslogan]

Jeez, didn't realize this was the case until I had reinstalled Windows 4 times, then installed windows 7 beta, and that was it. Now I'm stuck with two videos I can't watch until I reset the authorizations, which I can't do until March 18th. Ugh.

[11800506]

And this is why DRM sucks