Error Message (-208) -- Cannot play purchased music

Cross-posted from another thread.. This *WORKS*:

After having checked my other computer for what files had been altered or created this last day (during thich i had successfully authorized it for playback in preview and for purchased music) i found the file "SC Info.sidb" under "X:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\SC Info". This appears to hold your authorization keys or some other magic stuff. By deleting this files parent folder, iTunes was forced into asking me to authorize this computer again for playback, with the difference this time that there were some other options on the authorization dialog, just like there should be when for the first time authorizing a computer to play protected iTunes content. When I then entered my information as always and was expecting to see the same -208 error, i was instead greeted with sweet opera that I had been longing to listen to.

A minute or so later, I found this article on the net:
http://nslog.com/archives/2003/05/02/authorizingitunes_scinfo.php

It describes the same problem, but for users of macs, but the same principle applies to windows machines. The only thing fifferent is the paths to the key database. "I:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\SC Info"

Try the same procedure and hopefully your iTunes copy should work again. Just remember to make sure all iTunes related processes are shut down first before trying this. It might not matter, but that is what I did.

GOOD JOB!

Two days of back and forth messages with Apple support, making me uninstall/reinstall and THEN telling me that I have a Windows system problem and need to reinstall Windows.

I tried your solution and it worked perfectly!

I'm upset with Apple at the moment =/

Thanks for the help, it worked! I spent about an hour looking for a solution before landing here. C'mon Apple, this is not cool!

How rediculous is this? There obviously is a problem with the upgrade of iTunes. I had to uninstall and reinstall after the upgrade and I'm even having problems with my iPod too. Not Cool!

Took me an hour to find the solution to this. Well done to whoever figured it out and thanks for posting the information so that we don't all pull our hair out talking to Apple Customer support staff. Hopefully after this thread they won't be so ignorant to suggest its our fault, the next time someone has this problem.

Thanks. This was driving me nuts and I would never have figured it out. Great job!

Thank you as well! I was baffled by the problem, but this solution was simple enough!

Why did Apple send me some canned response about authorization to email regarding -208? Stupid iTunes video crap...who wants to watch video on a 2.5 inch screen anyway?!

I spent 2 1/2 hours on the phone today with an Apple tech who was very nice and knew what he was doing but couldn't solve this problem. This fix worked for me and I've let the Apple tech know about it. He said he hadn't seen any cases yet other then mine.

Thanks for this fix.

Brian Kushner

Thanks. Great help help. Thank god for users like you.

What's unforgiveable is not that this flaw exists in the update, but that Apple still has not posted a FAQ/fix page on the Support site. Or at least not one that can be found. The company has definitely become all product and no service.

I have this problem, but can't find the SC Info file by drilling down or by searching. I'm running XP as well. Any other suggestions for resolving the -208?

Found it, turned off the hidden file search option and there it was. Deleted it and it worked fine. Thanks all. I can't believe they don't have this posted on the Apple site in the support area. Also, 72 hours to get an email back from support? Geez, pretty lame.

I'm going out of my mind trying to find the folder.
Is this (-208) error common?

You probably did the same thing I did. When you go to search, click on "more advanced options" and makes sure you have "search hidden files and folders" checked. It should find the file then.

Bud

Fixed my problem also. This the second time this week. Apple can kiss my......The yes men caused this half baked potatoe to be released. Gee even spelled it like Dan Qyale (Spelled his wrong too).