Posted on 04/23/2015 10:13:10 PM PDT by dayglored
iTunes users who still run Windows XP started to experience connectivity issues this week. As documented in an Apple Support Communities thread, they can’t log into the iTunes store, meaning functions like buying content, watching already purchased movies and TV shows, playing DRM-protected content, backing up, updating, and syncing all do not work.
The issue has to do with the secure connection iTunes uses to connect to the iTunes Store, meaning it doesn’t affect users until they try to log in. While the support thread in question only has some 50 replies at the time of publishing, we expect it to grow quickly as more and more users get logged out and try to log back in.
the iTunes version doesn’t matter — it’s the communication protocol that seems to have changed. Most users are on iTunes 12.1.2, and there was no update this week that could be blamed. One user even booted up an old Windows XP machine to try iTunes 11, but got the same error.
It appears that Apple changed something on Monday night or Tuesday morning and either didn’t bother testing on Windows XP or simply didn’t care it would leave XP users behind...
(Excerpt) Read more at venturebeat.com ...
If you're using XP and intend to continue, you better get used to this type of thing -- it's only gonna get worse as time goes on.
Suggestion: Upgrade to Windows 7, since from there you can get a free upgrade to Windows 10 when it appears later this year. Windows 7 licenses are pretty inexpensive online if you look around.
In my opinion, avoid Vista and Windows 8.x. Vista is in the dustbin for good reasons. And if you like XP enough that you still run it, you will likely hate Windows 8's "Metro" user interface.
Great idea, Swordmaker. Let’s show our support for the greatest Conservative forum on the Internet!
I kicked in a couple extra months’ worth of my regular monthly donation earlier tonight, so let’s see if any of our Windows FReepers are willing to up the ante!
You’re quite right that a lot of Mac users run Windows in a VM or in BootCamp (I do both on my machines). And I bet a surprisingly large number run XP.
OBTW that’s a cool logo with the apple in Windows colors. I’m totally stealing that for use on the next Windows thread that in some way involves Apple stuff. :-)
Me thinks Apple SU***!
Ping!
Windows 7 offers a very similar experience to XP.
Well, you’re entitled to your opinion. Ain’t freedom of choice wonderful? :-)
> Windows 7 offers a very similar experience to XP.
Yes, but with much improved stability and security. I’ve switched over to Win 7 entirely now, but during the transition it was pretty painless to run them side by side.
Yes, zero reason to still be running XP.
Nice logo.
Have at it. . .
> Have at it. . .
Alas, it appears the original comment with the logo was removed before I got a chance to save a copy... :-(
Check your FReepMail concerning this please... :-)
Another suggestion: if you insist on keeping Windows XP and you have DRM-protected iTunes content, before signing into the store again, burn those titles to CD/DVD and then re-import them from the burned discs. That will eliminate the DRM. (Note: I know this works for music, not sure for movies/TV)
You might be able to use the "analog hole" technique, depending on your particular gear.
Tsk tsk, DG. I’m all for keeping Win 7 around, but Win 8 CAN be configured to look and feel like Win 7, barring a few nuisances.
I contend that the Modern (nee Metro) interface is actually easier to use than the old Start menu, and I’m disappointed that MS capitulated to the market in putting it back.
Is there somewhere a published set of directions for doing that on a desktop/laptop platform? Obviously, I can get the Windows desktop, etc. etc. But even there, I spend far too much time wondering where the hell they put something I need, and guessing whether I have to drag the mouse to the left, the right, up one side, or hold my nose and fart to bring up a particular dialog, if it even still exists... It's a terrible user experience for someone who came through all the prior Windows UIs and prefers the simplicity and straightforwardness of say Win2K. I have always brain-damaged my XP and Win7 desktops back to Classic W2K look-and-feel, first thing, and everything is right there. Takes literally 5 minutes, and it's done. Is that possible with Win8? If it is, I haven't seen a list of "Change this, set that". And I've got a company full of users who would love to see that list, too.
> I contend that the Modern (nee Metro) interface is actually easier to use than the old Start menu, and I’m disappointed that MS capitulated to the market in putting it back.
I'll certainly admit that it works better for some people, no pejoratives involved. And I do think it works great on a handheld/touch platform, like a phone.
When someone says, "I hate X, I really prefer Y", I tend to comment: "Ain't freedom of choice great?" or something like that.
Win8 does not provide freedom of choice, the way their earlier UIs did. Like Apple, Microsoft took the "Our way or the highway" view. Unfortunately, Microsoft's way with Metro doesn't suit the majority of people, including myself -- when it comes to desktop/laptop use. Phones are a different matter.
However, if it floats your boat, by all means sail on! :)
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