iTunes: Deauthorize old PC w/o the old PC?

[keaide]

How can I deauthorize my old PC without having access to it?

My new (firrst) iMac has finally arrived, and after I authorized it in iTunes, it says that I have 2 computers authorized now. The Windows system on my old PC has been reinstalled, so there's no chance to deauthorize this PC from this PC any more.

it seems that you will have a "deauthorize all" menu option when you have authoized 5 computers, but isn't there a way to just deauthorize the old PC?

 

[AdeFowler]

Just deauthorise all, then authorise the Mac. (unless I'm misunderstanding).

 

[keaide]

I understand from some other threads that I only get the "deauthorize all" menu after I have authorized 5 computers. Right now, there's only a "Deauthorize this computer" option...

 

[AdeFowler]

ah, in that case you're stuck. Should you reach the point where you need to authorise a 5th computer, you'll then be able to deauthorise the 4 plus the old PC. How puzzling it all is

 

[KeithJenner]

I may be wrong, but I think you can get iTunes support to de-authorise all for you by giving them a call. I'm sure I ended up doing that once.

I also think there may be a restriction for the number of times you can de-authorise all, so if you know there isn't a security issue here (i.e. you say you have re-installed windows) then you may be as well to leave it.

 

[AdeFowler]

I'm told that emailing Apple support might help.

http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/

 

[JamesMB]

Here is another link that might help.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/913224/

 

[slowtraveler]

I had the same problem recently--retired an old PC and re-installed a fresh copy of Windows XP without first remembering to deauthorize it.

I was able to re-install iTunes on that PC, then login to the store and deauthorize the machine without a hitch. I believe iTunes authorization may actually be hooked to the hardware identity of the machine (MAC address perhaps?), which survives the installation of a new OS.

 

[keaide]

Thanks for all your answers. The link to the Apple support page reveals the following:

To deauthorize a computer

1. Open iTunes.
2. Choose Store > Deauthorize Computer (In earlier versions of iTunes, access this option from the Advanced menu).
3. Select "Deauthorize Computer for Apple Account" and enter your Apple ID and password.

Make sure you deauthorize your computer before you upgrade your RAM, hard disk or other system components, or reinstall Windows. If you do not deauthorize your computer before you upgrade these components, one computer may use multiple authorizations.
To deauthorize all computers associated with your account

If you find you have reached 5 authorizations, you can reset your authorization count by clicking Deauthorize All in the Account Information screen.

1. Click iTunes Store in the menu on the left side of iTunes.
2. If you're not signed in to the store, click the Account button, then enter your account name and password.
3. Click the Account button again (your ID appears on the button), enter your password, and then click View Account.
4. In the Account Information window, click Deauthorize All.

Note: You may only use this feature once per year. The Deauthorize All button will not appear if you have fewer than 5 authorized computers, or if you have used this option within the last 12 months. If you need assistance on using this feature, please contact the iTunes Store support via email (http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/ww/).

Not sure if slowtraveler's idea might work. It will take several months before I can get my hands on that machine again, and it runs Linux now. Not sure if WINE supports iTunes (by then).

I think I will consult Apple support to see if they can deauthorize just the old computer. If not, then... well I don't think I will authorize too many machines in parallel, so there might still be some buffer.

BTW: Would and iPad occupy one authorization? Or is that "free"?

 

[srl7741]

The iPad would not apply and does not count.

 

[DirtySocks85]

I have fairly extensive experience with this exact problem. I emailed Apple support (through a help ticket on their support site), and they were able to deauthorize all of my devices so I could start fresh. Apple will allow you to do this once every 12 months.

 

[hfg]

Does anyone know if there is any provision with Apple for authorizing more than 5 computers? Even at additional cost?

Within my family there are 7 machines which may want to play iTunes content at one time or another. The actual music files are stored on a central server. Moving the authorizations around to maintain only 5 active authorizations is difficult without using the "de-authorize all" option, but the "once per year" restriction prevents me from using that option as a routine solution.

I suppose one possible option would be to convert the protected content files to basic MP3 files which don't have a restriction, but I hesitate to do that due to quality degradation.

-howard

 

[JamesMB]

Does anyone know if there is any provision with Apple for authorizing more than 5 computers? Even at additional cost?

I doubt that you are gonna get Apple to budge from the 5 computer, or the once a year restrictions. I'm sure you know that it has to do with Apple's desire to help fight/prevent copyright infringement.