Do you mean cracks it like the step by step instructions in this thread?

This is done on all new RCA releases. They aren't the only band doing this.

hmmm, i held down the SHIFT key on my PC, and i was able to rip the first disc into iTunes just fine (I didn't try without the SHIFT key). I'm listening to the songs to make sure they're ok, but i'm over halfway through, and they've all been fine so far.

we'll see how disc 2 goes.

I thought you just said the shift key trick no longer works with this generation of MediaMax?

That is not the droid you are looking for.

yeah, SHIFT trick worked for me on both discs, and they're now in iTunes.

like i said, i didn't try to put the disc in without holding the shift key. maybe i just had a disc that wasn't properly protected.

OK, I post this each time, but people are still complaining.

1. Turn off Auto-Run on all your CD/DVD drives.
2. Turn off computer.
3. Open drive with paperclip (slide it into small hole).
4. Boot up computer.
5. Rip using EAC (www.exactaudiocopy.de).

"Copy-protection" is SOFTWARE that installs on your computer. If you have Auto-Run disabled, this will never be a problem.

From what I've read, the instructions I posted may not work with this version of mediamax.

I didn't check myself as holding shift worked fine for me.

Ugh, this process has got me really irked. If I have to deal with this issue on future releases it's just going to veer me more towards downloading...even though i'd prefer to buy the cd's and support the artists.

There's no "process" -- just don't let it auto-run/auto-install software on your PC and use a ripper/extractor like Exact Audio Copy (which is now extremely stable and easy to use) and you won't have any isssues.

This is the exact reason i haven't bought the latest Beastie Boys effort.

I only make a CD-R copy of an album if its one that will get played alot...or i like to take it in the car alot. It's best to lose a cheap CD-R than my $10 music investment.

I know its easy to avoid this anti-piracy BS, but really...i shouldn't have to do a bunch of shit to make a backup copy of my CD.

But there is a process. How can you say there is no process when there have been posts with step-by-step instructions on how to de-activate the driver? As a side note, those instructions didn't seem to work for me. Further, you even explain how we should shut off our computers, open the drive with a paperclip, and then use a different extractor to make an MP3 copy.

Yeah, so it isn't always a huge pain, but it definitely isn't as simple as letting Windows Media Player rip the music.

Strange I bought the most recent Beastie Boys album and it wasn't copy protected. It had some multmedia crap on it, but you could easily rip the songs to MP3.

Good thing I opted to download this via Itunes (as I did with NIN). Unlike a lot of people, I have no interest for CD's anymore. The only thing I use is my Ipod. My car has a built in ipod attachment and if I'm in another car I have no problem breaking out a mix CD.

This seems to be missing several steps, because at this point you are either attempting to rip a CD with your drive door open or an empty drive door since it would have retracted at bootup.

Really....I was under the impression that it was copy protected.

I had no problem ripping it.

I've got a lot of respect for Dave and the Gang but blocking mp3 content to iPods (I own one) and the like is total BS; blame it on the record company - RCA. Simply put - NTAC - No Talent A#@ Clowns.

Simple solution:
Download CDex it's free!
Rip the copy protected CD's to WAV files.
Convert the waves to mp3's (I converted to mp3 after adding wav files in iTunes).
All is good after all!

I've had AUTORUN disabled for CDs in my PCs setup for quite some time so I was never prompted to agree to anything after loading the discs. After reading the copy guard warning sticker on the jewel case I just proceeded to use CDex right off the bat. V-Revolver has the same BS. Can't say whether iTunes would have ripped the discs without problem or not but I just went to Plan B to eliminate any unnecessary frustration.

If they really didn't want us to rip - this copy protection stuff would be a lot harder to get around - so just laugh 'cause they (NTAC's) are in the final analysis only an annoyance not a road block.

Get On It!

Pistons Rule!

DDH - Colorado

Hmm...I bought the CD and had no problems importing them to iTunes and my iPod. How unusual.

I was pretty upset when I foudn this as well, this is what I was eventually able to do
1. Download the songs off the CD, if you go to the Enhanced part of the Cd, you can download them as a protected .wma
2. Burn the protected .wmas as a music cd with Real Player
3. Import burned CD into iTunes

Pretty bogus that I had to go through this, next time I feel like paying a Cd I guess I'll just get it from iTunes

I don't think a lot of people here have even read what has been written. The SHIFT trick DOES work with the new Foo album; I know, because I tried to back it up once the first way to no avail (skipping sound), and then uninstalled the MediaMax service, held shift when reinserting the album, and it worked perfectly. You must uninstall the driver, because it will install behind your back even if you've only put the CD in your drive once, and even if you have not clicked I Agree.

Simple enough. If you need instructions on how to stop the service and get rid of it, go here: http://www.cs.princeton.edu/~jhalderm/cd3/

Cheers.

You must hold the shift key the FIRST time you put the disc in and every time thereafter. If the autorun has already installed on your computer, the shift key trick will not do you any good.

Also, with the new DMB cd the CD had this, but the DualDisc did not. Probably the same with this release.

__________

This thread had a pretty good run for one that was almost certain to go outside the boundaries of what is on-topic for Music Talk. Any further software/hardware issues can be raised in Tech Talk. Please first do a search to see whether they've already been covered there.

Further discussion of the album is welcome in the thread: some info on FOO FIGHTERS upcoming [double] album.

Thanks to all for their understanding and co-operation. [Benedict]