sony mp3 software connect/gracenote

[itinerants]

Am I the only one having problems with Sony software for my NW-A1000 MP3? I'm using Connect software as supplied by Sony, but their hotline now tells me that they recommend I use Sonic Stage, in spite of the fact their website still offers updates for Connect!
My problem seems to be with Gracenote in that it will not download track details and I receive all sorts of error messages.
Does any one else have this problem?
Does any one have any ideas about how to resolve it or tackle Sony?

[rojash]

Why not just download and install Sonic Stage?

[itinerants]

Hi - according to Sony's own disclaimers, I could lose all my music if I do download Sonic Stage. Also, the download process is so convulated I don't know how to do it. What I need to know is whether others are having similar problems, because in my view Sony are deliberately selling a product which is unfit for purpose. That is against the law. Any comments would be appreciated.

[rojash]

Well, I can't imagine that ANY company would DELIBERATELY sell a product which is unfit for the purpose, especially a highly respected one like sony!

I can't find mention of the disclaimer which says you could lose all your music, so I can't comment.

As for downloading SonicStage (which came with my Sony MP3 player, and is very easy to use), you can just click the link below, and choose to save the file on your desktop.
After it's downloaded, just double-click the icon to install the software.

http://download.connect-europe.com/live/sonics tageinstaller.exe

[itinerants]

Hi again
Thanks for the link - I'll give that a try.
I downloaded Sony's instructions for Sonic Stage and the complexity and dire warnings scared me off - I'm not so much technophobic as technoinept.
Actually, it was Sony's hotline that recommended I abandon Connect - yet they are still making upgrades available - if that's not deliberate I don't know what is.
Thanks once again for the guidance.

[itinerants]

I've downloaded Sonic Stage but can't test it fully because I'm having problems with Gracenote. Everytime I attempt to use the internet search facility for track details, Gracenote tells me I'm not registered, wheras in fact I am and have tried re-registering several times.

I'm getting an error message..... HTTP error.

Any ideas what this could be?

[rojash]

Well, I'd never used Gracenote before, so I put a CD in the drive, and SonicStage popped up and said that I needed to register with GraceNote, I just clicked all the OKs, and away it went! BUT my firewall did pop up and ask me if I wanted to allow the software access to the web. Are you running a firewall? Is it possible that this is blocking your access to Gracenote?

[itinerants]

I checked out the firewall and switched it off. Norton keeps popping up and I also switched that off so as far as I can see nothing should be preventing Gracenote contacting the net. I've emailed Sony and Gracenote help lines so hopefully they'll reply soon. Thanks very much for your help so far - much appreciated.