What happened?

[silentnight_913]

I just want to make sure I've got this right, because if what I'm thinking is correct, then dbpowerAMP is now useless unless you pay for it.

I used this program for quite some time, and loved it. It was functional, worked perfectly every time, and I've recommended it to many people. This has been one of the programs that I just can't do without.

Last night I was showing someone the site, and noticed that there was an update. So I uninstalled my older version, and installed the new one. Now, it will not let me convert music, or rip CD's as it says the update allows. Yet, it still states that it is "100% free from nags, popups...". Every time I try to use it, I get a popup asking me to register. Perhaps due to my having the program for so long beforehand, I was not even allowed the trail period. Now, not having the ability to convert to mp3 renders this program completely useless.

So now not only does the new version not work (unless I pay for it...which I won't.), but I have lost my older version. Am I misunderstanding?

Also, if anyone can point to where I can download the old (free) version again, it would be much appreciated.

[ChristinaS]

Re: What happened?

Oh, too bad you didn't read the news first. I am not aware of any old download that may still be available. I doubt it.

As you may know or should know the reason for a mandatory registration is that there is now a legal requirement of acquiring a licence in order to use the mp3 encoding codec. It's due to patent enforcement.

Apparently you may continue to use the Blade mp3 codec free of license requirements which concern Lame only. You can downlaod that from Codec Central. It's reputed not being as good as Lame, but it's free to use.


All other codecs available through dBpowerAMP continue to work, whether registered or not. The license is just for Lame mp3 as well as the exclusive features available in teh PowerPack.

If you previously had the registered PowerPack, you should have installed the new version on top of the old one without uninstalling first and that would have kept the registered status. You can still revive it if that's the case with an email to Spoon's email address given at the bottom of the forum in Contact, with all the information that applies for retrieval of the older registration.

Otherwise, is it possible you may have saved the original downloaded package from before to your folder called My Downloads? If you still have it , uninstall the later version, clean up registry keys that indicate dBpowerAMP in anyway, and install that old one again.

I am hoping I can convince you of the benefits of acquiring the registration though. It is a lifetime license and you will be able to always have the latest updates.

[Smoggy]

Re: What happened?

I am hoping I can convince you of the benefits of acquiring the registration though. It is a lifetime license and you will be able to always have the latest updates.

It's worth it!!!
$14 Bones....Thats nothing for great software!

[LtData]

Re: What happened?

Please note that the necessity to charge wasn't a choice Spoon made lightly. He was forced to make it by Thompson's lawyers demanding a lisencing fee. To compensate for this necessity, he remove Sveta from the PowerPack and lowered the price from $20 to $14.
Also, note that the program is not "useless" without the PowerPack. The only thing you are unable to do is encode to MP3 using the included LAME mp3 codec. Again, this wasn't really Spoon's choice. The only other encoding function I can think of that is not allowed without the PowerPack is WMA 2-pass VBR. You can still encode your CDs or convert your music to formats such as Ogg Vorbis, WMA (besides 2-pass VBR as mentioned above), FLAC, ape, and other formats besides LAME mp3.
Yes, you can use the old version. However, if you have used the program for a long time and recommend it to people, don't you think you have already gotten $14 of use out of it? Yes, there are other free CD rippers but you said yourself how much you love dMC. Release 11 includes many bug fixes and features that aren't in r10/r10.1 and older versions.
As for the trial not working, if you have installed the trial PowerPack (a separate install/download for r10/r10.1) before, dMC r11 will say that your trial has expired.

Also, you'll note that Winamp now includes ripping, but requires you to purchase Winamp Pro to rip to mp3. This is again due to patent issues and lisencing fees.

[neilthecellist]

Re: What happened?

And don't be fooled by WMP (Windows Media Player), the only reason Windows Media Player 10 rips to mp3 for free is because Microsoft is filthy rich, so they can sustain paying Thompson the licence fees, while allowing the consumers to rip to mp3 for free.

[Spoon]

Re: What happened?

Yes you pay microsoft through buying windows.

[neilthecellist]

Re: What happened?

Oh right I knew that....buying Windows.....(heehee)

[Smoggy]

Re: What happened?

Funny how people shell out $150+ for Flawed Microshaft software and then get all stingy over $14. :(

[neilthecellist]

Re: What happened?

hahahahaha lol BUYING windows.


Most people at my school get Windows free from the school computer technician. I got my copy from the technician too. Besides, who BUYS windows? It comes with most computer packages, and it also usually comes with a copy of WIndows in case the person needs to reformat. So, in the end, you're not buying Windows, you're probably just getting a free warez version that the computer store gave to you.

[Smoggy]

Re: What happened?

Belive me, the windows copy you get with a computer system is not free!

[neilthecellist]

Re: What happened?

for me, You're right, it's not free, because it shipped with Dell.

However, my brother got his computer for a really nice well-known computer shop in San Diego. The guy who sold it to him admitted that the copy of windows was warez downloaded. heh. My brother didn't complain, obviously, cuz the price was soooo reduced due to the fact that the copy of windows he had was spawned.

[ChristinaS]

Re: What happened?

hahahahaha lol BUYING windows.


Most people at my school get Windows free from the school computer technician. I got my copy from the technician too. Besides, who BUYS windows? It comes with most computer packages, and it also usually comes with a copy of WIndows in case the person needs to reformat. So, in the end, you're not buying Windows, you're probably just getting a free warez version that the computer store gave to you.

Maybe, but then such a store will get eventually charged. Mostly they stay within the law and buy bulk licenses for installing Windows OEM. You pay for it when you buy the Pc, don't worry. That is unless the entire computer package isn't black market.

The Windows disk you get when you buy a new computer is only valid with the license that is written on your computer - most likely it only a restore disk anyway. You won't be able to install it elsewhere without a lot of acrobatics.

The lab technician at your school is in grave danger of losing his job if he peddles pirated programs especially on the job or with school property involved, I hope he realizes this and you too. At least don't blabber about it.

[Smoggy]

Re: What happened?

watch out for the software police! :thumbdown

For people who build their own systems they have no choice but to buy it....unless....Ahem......they use a cracked copy....Which I would never do since its illegal and moraly wrong....

[ChristinaS]

Re: What happened?

Some time ago at my office we had to completely remove any software that wasn't registered to the company itself - so my copy of Quicktax, duly registered to myself, had to go. That included trialware, freeware, shareware, never mind pirated copies of anything. The rules aren't the same for companies as for individuals when it comes to this stuff.

[ChristinaS]

Re: What happened?

watch out for the software police! :thumbdown

For people who build their own systems they have no choice but to buy it....unless....Ahem......they use a cracked copy....Which I would never do since its illegal and moraly wrong....

Well, my views on this are that software makers like MS charge way too much fro the staples like WIdows and Office, thsu inviting piracy.

If I could pick up a legal copy of Windows for, say $30 and office for maybe $50 at the most, and if I could then install them on a couple of computers in my house, I'm sure nobody would get pirate copies.

But here in Canada you have to pay nearly $500 for Windows XP Pro, $400 for the home edition. Office is like $1000. The only time you get it cheaper is OEM, maybe for half the full price. Still, $200 or more is an invitation to get a pirate copy, no doubt about it.