The battle between Rhapsody and SanDisk support might be reminiscent of watching a tennis match. The real culprit is more elusive.
It’s Microsoft. More specifically, the DRM platform.
First and foremost, let’s get a few little details out of the way. Just confirming: the Rhapsody Channels icon is still available on your device? If not, this is a separate issue.
The key point to remember is that we are dealing with the Janus DRM system (WMDRM-PD). As you have a new computer, the licenses for those Rhapsody tracks were built using the old one, yes? The Rhapsody client will try renewing them, but cannot, as the licenses are based upon the server, your authorized PC, then the authorized device.
Though you can have three PCs authorized per account using Rhapsody, a track transferred on one of those PCs can only be renewed using the same PC that made the initial track transfer. I have tested the new R4 client, in hopes that it might have some cool code that will automate the licensing process, but it isn’t in the cards.
I was hoiping that the client would figure out that the tracks were transferred using a second authorized PC, then it could rebuild the leaf licenses, or ask if you’d like to retransfer a fresh copy using the second PC. Well, one can always hope.
The client will not be happy with the Channels playlists if they were transferred on a second PC or account.
I see that the client looks like everything is fine, which may be why Rhapsody support may state that the problem must be on SanDisk’s end. The issue is the integrated leaf licenses in your tracks.
As long as you have the Rhapsody Channels icon in your main menu, this part of the equation is OK. What you’ll need to do is erase the Rhapsody content from the device using the Format function available via Settings > System Settings > Format. Note that this will erase all media from the device. It also may clear the Channels icon from the display. Fear not.
With a cleared Fuze, open the Rhapsody client on your new Win7 PC. Plug in the Fuze, and it will pop up in the Sources pane. Right click on the Fuze and Authorize it in Rhapsody.
Go to the Radio button on the right (someone thought it cool to rename the tabs this go-around), and choose your desired channels, or the My Channels tab in the sources pane,below the Music Guide. Add your Channels back to the Sansa (Channels tab under the device).
As long as you synchronize with the same host PC, all should be well again.
Bob :smileyvery-happy:
