Sophtware Slump

I know this isn't a technical support forum, but I thought I'd ask you all before rolling up my sleeves and searching high and low for an answer to this question. And I suppose this all might be a side-effect of trying to use old software ...

I'm always lagging behind on the technology curve, so it was a shocking surprise to me that the newest (read: seventh?) version of the Operating System that isn't from Apple seems hell-bent against MP3 ripping. It refused to run my old (circa 2005 - which might as well be Civil War Vintage at the rate things are going) MP3 software. Not couldn't. Wouldn't. It cited "compatibility issues". It'll run the ripping software that was bundled with my MP3 player, but refuses to allow best quality (320 bits-per-whatever) transfers. They come out sounding choppy. It can't even pretend to run the old version of Music Match Jukebox that I'd been using since Hector was a pup.

The crap software that came with the PC will only create non-MP3 format music files. I hate this. I was just getting used to MP3s.

I suspect there might be a cooperative corporate effort to foil my fun here.

Anyone here able to suggest a good (read: free) MP3 program that'll run with this new-fangled O/S?

Otherwise, I'm guessing that the solution is to rip my music collection on the old desktop and somehow transfer the files to this new unit ... which joyfully plays MP3 files, but won't dirty it's precious little fingers in ripping any good quality files.

I guess I could downgrade the O/S. It would be a fitting metaphor for life in general. I hope you can tell how much this whole thing vexes me.

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Edited Update: I balked on downloading anything (free or otherwise) and just bought a cheap software suite. The ripping has commenced in earnest. If I come home every night and transfer 5 CDs a night, I might be done before this wave of technology is obsolete.

Thanks for the input.



Post Edited (06-20-10 05:11)

I found a good free one on download.com that I've used with no prob, but I'm at work and can't remember the name of it right now.

Feel free to peruse download.com (search "free mp3 ripper") 'til I can get home and check it out.

And, yes, I think this is all anti-"piracy" related. It doesn't accomplish much - All it really does is make us jump through these hoops to get this (legal) software. *boing, boing, boing* Happy, labels?

HollowbodyKay wrote:

> Anyone here able to suggest a good (read: free) MP3 program
> that'll run with this new-fangled O/S?

I use Exact Audio Copy (EAC). It is freeware and has always worked reliably for me. You can find software usage guides and download links all on this convenient webpage:

http://blowfish.be/eac/

Found it:

[download.cnet.com]