Can't play songs due to old Apple ID / Can't authorize music

Question

Level 1

9 points

Can't play songs due to old Apple ID / Can't authorize music

I have this really ANNOYING problem where, since I went and got a .mac account and have a new Apple ID, I can't access some songs I bought a couple years ago with my former Apple ID. ITunes keeps asking me to authorize the content, brings up a window with my old ID, I enter the password and it seems to work -- but it doesn't. Every time I try to play the song, it brings the window back up... it's an endless loops and I can't access the songs!

What is the answer, Apple? Can you not correlate older and newer Apple IDs? Why can't I authorize the music with the old ID if I remember the password? Because the account no longer exists? If that's the case, my music is literally being held hostage without any known recourse. Please advise

Blackbook 2.2 / 4GB Ram / 250GB HD, Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Apr 15, 2009 1:03 PM

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Answer 1

Jason L

Community Specialist

Apr 15, 2009 5:23 PM in response to kidbsides74

Hi kidbsides74,

Try highlighting the song in iTunes> cilck File> Get Info, check the account name and verifying you are authorizing the computer with correct account.

If the issue persists, try the general tips in this article: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1389

-Jason

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Answer 2

Apr 15, 2009 5:27 PM in response to Jason L

Hi, thanks for writing!
I have seriously 2,000 songs doing that for me(and I authorized them)....I cant imagine where I would take the time to highlight each...I just hope, hope, hope..even if there is something I gotta pay for, that I will find a solution here. Very frustrating!

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Answer 3

Jason L

Community Specialist

Apr 15, 2009 5:32 PM in response to AGrandDayOut

AGrandDayOut wrote:
Hi, thanks for writing!
I have seriously 2,000 songs doing that for me(and I authorized them)....I cant imagine where I would take the time to highlight each...I just hope, hope, hope..even if there is something I gotta pay for, that I will find a solution here. Very frustrating!

You don't have to Get Info for each song, just one of the songs that doesn't play. Verify the Account Name and authorize the computer with that AppleID.

This will authorize the computer to play all songs purchased with that Account Name.

-Jason

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Answer 4

kidbsides74 Author

Level 1

9 points

Apr 15, 2009 6:09 PM in response to Jason L

Thanks to all for the responses. I cannot authorize with the Apple ID that I purchased the music with because it no longer exists. When I got a .mac account, I guess I had to create a new account and it voided out my old iTunes account.

When I attempt to authorize with the Apple ID the music was purchased with it simply does not work no matter what I do. I've also tried authorizing with my current ID hoping the two IDs would be connected in some way -- no dice.

This seems like a GROSS oversight on Apple's part -- and I love Apple, don't get me wrong -- but how can this be? Just because my old Apple ID is dead, I can't have my songs?

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Answer 5

Apr 16, 2009 10:15 PM in response to kidbsides74

kidsbesides74 I am with you there man, I know I sound like the usual Mac poster, but yes I have been a Mac head forever and have had every iPod/iTunes since the first, but I am STUCK, I have tried all these suggestions, but I can not get the bulk of my iTunes collection, ( 2000 of over 4000) songs to play because of the same problem, It just says that this Apple ID does not exist even though I can see it right there in the >Get Info for each of these songs. I will have to call Apple directly in the morning, I just hope they don't do that thing where they say that I must be doing something wrong. Is there a limit of two Apple ID's , I now have two Apple ID's here at the house and a third at the office could that be the problem ? if so, how do I get the songs I paid for folded into my other account?

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Answer 6

Rosspan

Level 1

0 points

Apr 22, 2009 11:25 AM in response to kidbsides74

I have the same problem. Since I changed my apple ID I can not play the songs I purchased. I thought that the digital right management could handle a change of apple ID name. Waiting................. for replay from Apple support.......I hope they can answer me...................

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Answer 7

Apr 15, 2009 5:10 PM in response to kidbsides74

I have a similar problem but don't have the answer. If you receive no replies here, try writing to Apple directly - they don't answer customer enquiries here. Good luck.

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Answer 8

Apr 15, 2009 5:41 PM in response to Jason L

oh, okay. But I am talking about songs not purchased at the the itunes store..but bought "elsewhere"

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Answer 9

Rosspan

Level 1

0 points

Apr 23, 2009 11:02 PM in response to Rosspan

Well it turned out I had 2 accounts, one old that I forgot about. So I got help from Apple support an authorized my computer for that account as well.

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