NAPSTER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL QUESTIONS
What is Napster?
Napster improves your music collection by over 3,000,000 songs. Listen to and download all the music you want on up to 3 PCs. Napster makes it easy to find your favorite artists, discover new music and get the latest releases as soon as they come out. Connect Napster to your home stereo and it’s like having a CD changer with 100,000 albums by over 80,000 artists. For a complete list of features of Napster, go to www.napster.com.
What is Napster To Go?
With Napster To Go (NTG), you get everything that comes with Napster plus you can take your choice of 3,000,000 songs anywhere on your compatible MP3 player. Click here (http://www.napster.com/compatible_devices/index.html) for a complete list of features of Napster To Go service.
To upgrade to NTG, login to your Napster client, then go to My Account >> Account Status. Look for the link labeled "Change Your Account Status," and have your credit card ready as you follow the on-screen instructions. The additional cost for the NTG service is $5/month, payable directly to Napster (not GCC.)
Note that iPods are NOT compatible with the NTG service. For more information on Apple and Napster, click here (http://www.napster.com/quickhelp.html#ipod)
What is Napster On Campus?
Napster On Campus gives you everything you get with Napster during your academic year. At other universities, participating students are downgraded to a Napster Light Account over the summer when school is not in session, but Grove City College has worked out an arrangement with Napster to provide GCC students with the premium service for a full calendar year (August thru August,) so you can enjoy Napster during the school year and over the summer! The Napster University program is an excellent service that provides a legal alternative to problems experienced on campuses throughout the country. Interested GCC students may enroll anytime via myGCC's Sign-Up tab.
Why is Grove City College providing a music downloading service to its students?
Grove City College is concerned that some of its students don't understand that downloading music over computer networks without purchasing copyright permission is both unethical and against the law. The College believes it has a responsibility to do something to change that. Grove City College will continue to try to educate students on this issue and will continue to enforce its strong policies against copyright infringement. At the same time, the College wants to provide legal alternatives to illegal downloading. This service is directly aimed at helping students to understand the issue and providing them with an alternative.
How does providing Napster educate students about copyright?
By making Napster available to its students, Grove City College has provided a convenient way for students to obtain music legally. It is hoped that this initiative will curb the problem of illegal sharing of copyrighted files, while teaching students the concept of copyright and the importance of using legal means to obtain music.
How will the College and the industry deal with students who continue to download music illegally once this new service is in place?
Grove City College has set a nationwide example in enforcing copyright laws as it pertains to network computing. Enforcement of these laws and College policy on network usage will continue at least as strongly as it has in the past.
What is the cost of this service to each Grove City College student, and how will it affect tuition rates?
The cost of the Napster service is $25 per year (August to August). It is a voluntary service which is not built into the tuition. Any student who signs up to participate will receive a bill on his or her student account. This service is non-refundable and will not be prorated for those who sign up after the service commencement date. Membership is automatically renewed each August unless a cancellation request is made.
When will the service become available?
The Napster service became available for the first time on Grove City College's campus at the start of the Fall 2005 Semester. Subsequently, a rolling enrollment period opens at the start of every fall semester and goes through the end of the spring semester. The service is offered from August through August, meaning the summer months are now included in the GCC student membership.
When does my subscription expire?
All Napster On Campus subscriptions expire one year from their start date, typically in late August, at which point returning students will receive promo codes for the next year. Graduating or withdrawing students cannot get automatically enrolled, but may continue their service directly with Napster at the regular rate, if desired.
Does Napster monitor what I'm listening to and downloading?
Napster keeps track of all the songs that are downloaded, streamed and purchased. This allows customers to recover their music if they lose it. Also, this insures that artists and record labels are paid to receive their correct royalties.
Does the College monitor what I'm listening to and downloading?
The College's role is to provide you with both a monetary discount and technical support so that the music service can be efficiently and conveniently served. The College does not monitor, keep records of, or have an interest in students' music collections and downloads, other than to encourage and support legal methods to enjoy music, and to take action against any copyright violations.
What exactly can I do with the service?
You can listen to songs and download all the songs you want. If a song can be streamed or downloaded, it will have a "buy song" status under the 'buy song" column. To stream that song, you can either double-click on it, or you can right click then select "play." To download the song, you must right click on it and select "download song(s)." Neither of these actions cost any additional amount of money to subscribers.
Where can I access my music?
Students can access their Napster accounts from any computer with an Internet connection on or off campus. The performance of music streaming as well as download times will vary depending on the bandwidth of your Internet connection (broadband/192+ kbps is recommended). You are allowed to download songs on up to three computers without additional costs, but can stream from any computer. This means that a student working in a public lab can sign on to his/her Napster account and listen to his/her own playlists while doing work.
I'll be off-campus/abroad for a part of the year. Can I use Napster off-campus?
Yes you can. You must register for Napster and install the Napster client in the U.S. Once you are registered, the Napster service will work from any Internet connection. The quality of the service will depend on the bandwidth of your Internet connection. Napster recommends 192+ kbps of bandwidth. Make sure the computer you're using meets the minimum requirements.
Can I keep my music?
You can keep the music that you purchased forever. If you own a song, you can burn it to a CD and record it to your hard drive. It is yours forever. The music that is streamed or downloaded (as a tethered download) via this service is "time-stamped" so that it will expire when the subscription ends. This would include any playlists you have created as well. If you rejoin Napster the following academic year, or after graduation, your account will be reopened just as it was when you stopped subscribing.
What happens to my music and playlists over the summer?
When school ends for the summer, you will continue to have access just as you did during the school year. If you do not have an Internet connection at home, you can download any desired music prior to leaving campus and enjoy it offline. If you have upgraded to Napster To Go, then you will be also able to continue to transfer tracks to your compatible device.
What does "no summer grace" mean under my account status?
Other universities partnered with Napster offer the full Napster service only during the school term; for the summer, those subscribers receive only residual benefits of the service with a summer grace period. In contrast, GCC student subscribers have access to the complete premium service for an entire year--August of one calendar year to August of the next one. When you view your accounts status on Napster, it should look something like THIS. If your account does not display an active calendar year subscription through the end of August, you may not have applied your promo code correctly and should contact us.
USING NAPSTER
Who is eligible to use Napster?
All full-time or part-time students who are enrolled at Grove City College for the current academic year are eligible to participate. (Faculty and staff employees are also eligible for discounted subscriptions.)
What kind of equipment and software do I need in order to use Napster On Campus?
Click here (http://www.napster.com/use_napster.html) or see the Requirements page for required and optional equipment and software.
Is Napster accessible on all computing platforms (i.e. Windows and Macintosh)?
Napster is currently only available to Windows 2000 and XP users. With the addition of certain software, Napster may be able to be run on Macintosh computers, but this solution is not supported by Napster.
Can students save music files to hard drives and/or burn them to CDs via Napster?
Over 2,500,000 downloads are available and may be saved on the student's computer hard drive. Students may also purchase copies of songs from Napster to keep forever and burn them to CDs or transfer them to a Napster-compatible MP3 player.
To listen to music you must be connected to the Internet, right?
You can listen to all the downloaded songs your hard drive can hold without being connected to the Internet.
Am I allowed to import songs from non-Napster sources into my music collection?
Napster does allow you to import MP3s and other digital music. Napster does not monitor, review, or even look at imported songs. It’s your responsibility to make sure that all the music you have is legal.
What kind of downloads are available through Napster?
Napster offers tethered downloads. These full-length files cannot be listened to an unlimited amount of times. The file will be stored on your computer’s hard drive. It is encoded so that it will no longer play once you stop being an active Napster Member. You can only burn these songs to CD or transferred to a portable device when they are purchased. Members can purchase songs for as low as 80˘ a song.
Can songs be burned onto CDs?
Songs can be burned onto CD for only 99 cents a song, and albums starting at $6.95. Members can purchase songs for as low as 80˘ a song.
What exactly do I have to pay for?
If you select "burn song," "buy song," or "buy album," then you will be charged 99 cents per song or the listed price per album. Songs that must be purchased are labeled "buy only." (Note that artists often change a song from "buy only" to "buy song" soon after the release date, so keep checking!)
How much will it cost to burn a CD or download to my hard drive if I really like a song and want to keep it in my collection permanently?
You can purchase music for $0.99 per song. Members can purchase songs for as low as 80˘ a song.
How do I pay for songs?
There are currently two methods of paying for songs. You can either pay within the Napster service by using one of Napster's supported payment methods (such as PayPal or a credit card), or you can use Napster Music Download Cards.
What payment methods are accepted by Napster for purchases of songs, albums and other Napster products and services?
Napster currently accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Card, JCB and PayPal as payment options.
What if I don't have a credit card?
Napster also accepts PayPal as a payment method. When you make a purchase, you have the opportunity to associate a new or existing PayPal account with your Napster account.
Why are some songs highlighted blue?
The songs that are identified with a blue font are the most heavily requested songs. Essentially, it's just a way for users to find popular songs quickly and easily.
Can I use Napster on my personal Mac?
Napster is currently unavailable on the Macintosh operating system. Mac users may consider using Virtual PC, a software product which emulates the Windows operating system on a Macintosh computer. However, please note that reports are mixed on this solution, and it is not supported by Napster. Some have found it to be satisfactory, while others have not. Visit your College Computer Store for more information about Virtual PC.
Can I use Napster with a dial-up connection?
The service performs well with a dial-up connection, although faster connections are recommended. If you have a dial-up connection, make sure your settings reflect that. Furthermore, Napster offers free downloads, so instead of constantly streaming a song, download it!
What if I already have a Napster account?
If you have previously setup your Napster account through your College, then you can continue to use that account. However, if you have never registered through Grove City College for Napster, and you already have an existing Napster account, the registration process will require you to create a new Napster account. Keep in mind that you cannot register multiple times using the same e-mail address. If you are currently using your College email address in an existing Napster account, sign into your account, go to My Account, select Member Information, than click the Edit button. You’ll be able to remove your College email address and register another. This will allow you to use your College email address when you create a new Napster College account. If you need further assistance, please contact Napster.
How do I move my content from an old Napster account into my new one?
Even if you already have a Napster account (paid, or trial), you will need to create a new account to use Napster through the Grove City College service. Once you have your new account set up, you can import all of your previously downloaded songs using the "File" menu at the top of the Napster application and selecting "Import Songs to My Library" and then follow the instructions provided. If you have playlists in your previous Napster account, you can also import these by searching for your Member name in the search box tool, which will list all Artists, Albums and Playlists associated with your account. Selecting and right-clicking each playlist will give you the option of Saving the playlist to your newly setup account.
Can I connect to my Napster account from anywhere using my laptop?
Yes, you should be able to register and use Napster anywhere that you have access to the Web, as long as you meet the requirements.
How do I get help if I have a problem?
See the Napster Support Page (http://www.napster.com/support) for contact information.
How do I get Napster and all my music back after my hard drive is reformatted?
If you had your hard drive replaced or reformatted by Grove City College's repair shop, the client is pre-downloaded to most student systems. To install it, just click on Start >> All Programs >> Napster and complete the client installation. You need only to sign in with your membername and password; do not try to go through the registration process again. To get your music back, just sign in to the client, then go to My Account >> Copy Library.
If you're trying to reinstall the client on an employee or non-GCC machine, or a College-issued computer that doesn't include Napster in its build, CLICK HERE.
I'm currently a Napster University member. How do I escape out of the registration window after reinstalling Napster?
Click on the "I'M ALREADY REGISTERED" button. If you don't see it, look for a link stating "I don't have a Napster Card or Promo Code." Click that hyperlink, then look for the "I'm Already Registered" button in the upper-right corner of the Registration window.
TROUBLESHOOTING
I completed my registration and installation successfully, but when I attempt to sign in to Napster, I get an error saying "We couldn't retrieve some of your account information. Please sign in again." Signing in again does not work. What should I do?
Make sure the you have a good network connection and can get to other Internet sites (www.napster.com, e.g.). If this does not resolve the problem, contact Napster. See the support page for contact information.
When I attempt to sign in to Napster while on campus, the connection always times out. What should I do?
While on campus, try the following workaround: install the Microsoft Firewall Client from our Proxy2 server. At the download window, click "Run." Once installed and enabled, you should be able to sign in again and obtain complete access to the Napster service. In the event this installation fails, please bring your computer to the Computer Services & Support Desk in the Technological Learning Center for personal assistance.
It won't accept my promo code. Every time I go into my existing account and try to enter the code, it says: "Sorry, this offer is not applicable to your account. (Error 823)."
If you're a new member, then you probably missed an important step during the registration process. At this window you should have clicked the "Redeem Napster Card or Promo Code" link before submitting your account info. Unfortunately you will need to create a new Napster University account, which will provide you with additional features. To make your new University account, please do the following: (1) sign in to your current account and go to My Account >> Member Information. Click Edit and change your e-mail address to a different (non-GCC address), so you can use your GCC e-mail address on the new account. (2) click Switch Member Name (from the File menu), then select the link next to Not a registered member, and then click Redeem Napster Card or Promo Code. (3) create a new member name, select a password, use your GCC e-mail address, check the agreement box, select No Thanks to spam, and proceed. Please let us know if you have any problems or need further assistance! (napster@gcc.edu)
If you're a returning member, then you're probably trying to apply your code
to the wrong account. Many members inadvertently create more than one
account, so try another membername you might have made when you were first
getting started. If applying the code to an existing account, it must be
the one that was registered as a "Napster University" account. (If you
can't figure it out after trying everything, you can always make a brand new
account, remembering to click the "Redeem Napster
Card or Promo Code" link when you get to the
main registration window.)
I successfully registered and installed Napster on my PC. However, I can't download songs to my hard drive or listen to any songs longer than the standard 30-second clips. I seem to have only the free version, Napster Light. How do I get the Grove City College Service version?
If it's the beginning of a new year, make sure you've applied a promo code to your account, per the email you should have received from us. If that's not the issue, make sure you're signing into the correct account: many people create more than one account (sometimes unintentionally), and you might just be accessing the wrong one. If you can't remember the proper membername, click the "Forgot Password" link at the login screen and enter your email account... you might have to try it with several different email accounts, if you registered names to alternate accounts. If you do all that and still can't get it resolved, there may be a problem with your registration. Contact Napster for assistance. See the support page for contact information.
I successfully registered and installed Napster on my PC. However, when I try to sign in, I get an error message saying "Sorry, we are unable to sign you in. Please check your Internet connection and try again." What should I do?
Here are some things to consider if you are receiving this message:
- A browser security level set to High can not only prevent you from initially signing in but also cause problems with utilizing the Napster service. Try lowering the security level to Medium.
- Make sure that any firewall software that you are using is set to allow communication from the Napster domain.
- Make sure your Internet connection is working: Try using Internet Explorer to browse to another Web site, and check your IE settings*.
- To Check your Internet Explorer Settings:
- Select Internet Options…from Internet Explorer's Tools drop-down menu.
- Go to the Connections tab and verify that the information is correct.
- If you use a proxy server, click the LAN Settings …button and make sure the proxy server address is correct. If you are not using a proxy server, make sure this box is not selected. Consult your Network Administrator if you are unsure.
- Go to the Advanced Tab. Scroll down to the Security section and make sure the Use SSL 2.0 check box is checked.
- Some ad-blocking software, such as AdSubtract, PopUp Killer, or @Guard, may prevent you from signing into Napster and using Help areas unless it is properly configured. Make sure your ad-blocking software is configured to allow URLs from Napster's root: *.napster.com.
- To Check your Internet Explorer Settings:
- Select Internet Options…from Internet Explorer's Tools drop-down menu.
- Go to the Connections tab and verify that the information is correct.
- If you use a proxy server, click the LAN Settings …button and make sure the proxy server address is correct. If you are not using a proxy server, make sure this box is not selected. Consult your Network Administrator if you are unsure.
- Go to the Advanced Tab. Scroll down to the Security section and make sure the Use SSL 2.0 check box is checked.
- If you continue to have problems, contact Napster for assistance.
I tried to register and got an error message, but don't remember what it said. What should I do?
Try again, and see if the error message matches any of the ones mentioned above in this FAQ. If so, follow the directions in the matching question and answer. If not, try registering again and make a note of the error message. Then use the Napster support form to submit the message describing your experience. Make sure to include the error message.
When I sign in to Napster and click on the Help button, nothing happens. What is the problem? Will pop-up blockers cause problems when I use Napster?
If you have problems viewing some of the pages in Napster, it may be the result of your pop-up blocker or ad blocker software, and possibly browser* level settings. Some of our pages, like our Help menu, appear as pop-ups.
To solve this problem, disable any pop-up blocking software you may be using and check your browser security level settings. Then try accessing the pages you had problems with again.
- With Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), Internet Explorer has an added a feature that allows you to prevent most pop-up windows from appearing over pages you want to view while you're using the Internet. When using Napster, either turn off the pop-up blocker or change your settings to allow pop ups from Napster.
- To change Pop-up Blocker settings
- Open Internet Explorer
- On the Tools menu, point to Pop-up Blocker, and then click Pop-up Blocker Settings
What happens to my membership when I change status?
Once you are enrolled for the current year, your membership is good until the end of the subscription period (typically late August). Reenrollment is automatic for the next year unless you withdraw, graduate, or submit a cancellation request.
How do I cancel my membership and discontinue this service?
Current members who wish to cancel participation after the end of their subscription period for any reason must do one of the following:
(1) logon to myGCC, click on the Sign-Up tab, and maximize the Napster enrollment portlet. Fill out the necessary information, and submit the form... OR ...
(2) email napster@gcc.edu from your GCC email account; please include your GCC ID number, Napster membername, and brief reason(s) for cancellation. As confirmation that we received your request, you will get an email response within several business days. Sorry to see you go!