View from the Potting Shed

Here’s my step-by-step guide to installing the iPod software from Red Chair Software, Inc. called Anapod Explorer (Universal Edition) version 9.0.3 (anapod_903_un.exe).

Update Red Chair Software have now released an update (v.9.0.4) which fixes the issues described here.

This method worked for me on two computers, I can’t guarantee that it will work for you, but here’s what I did. I live in the UK, which may or may not have any influence on this method.

The problem

The problem appears to be that the Anapod 9.0.3 installer checks the date when installing, but there is a bug in it and it doesn’t rightly know what date it really is. See my blog post on Anapod for more about this.

When many users run the installer they are presented with this window:

The text reads:

Please correct the date and time on your computer first, then try again.

Even though the date and time are absolutely correct; even a time synchronizer such as Atomic Clock Sync will not fix this problem.

Step-by-step

I blogged about my workaround but a few users had difficulty with it, so I’ve created this special static page with a step-by-step guide to how I got it working.

NOTE: You’ll need to follow the instructions for yourself, rather than simply copying the codes that I give here as an example, as there are different versions of Anapod Explorer; I have the Universal Edition which works for all versions of the iPod.

1. Download Anapod Explorer

   If you’ve not already done this, download the latest version of Anapod Explorer from your customer login area at Red Chair Software.

2. Run the installer and copy the code

   Simply double-click the installer file and you will likely get a message that says Installer Expired

   

   The text reads:

   This installer file has expired. Please return to our website at http://www.redchairsoftware.com to download the latest release.

   If you are sure this is the latest release available, please contact us at install@redchairsoftware.com for assistance and give the following install code:

   It will then give you a code - simply press Ctrl+C to copy it to the clipboard

3. Visit the Expired Installer Assistance page at Red Chair

   Now visit the Expired Installer Assistance page at Red Chair Software’s website:

   https://www.redchairstore.com/installer.php

   

   Select Anapod from the drop-down list and paste into the Install Code field the code you copied from the Anapod installer. Then click the Submit Code button

4. Copy the generated installer code

   You’ll be presented with a page that gives you a generated installer code, e.g. 082808363640364448

   

   Copy this code to your clipboard by highlighting the text in your browser and pressing Ctrl+C (or right-click and select Copy)

5. Change the date

   Now change the date on your PC — I changed it to 05 August 2007, as this was the date that Anapod version 9.03 was released; I’ve also had it work by rolling the date back exactly 3 months.

6. Run the installer again holding down Shift key

   Now hold down the left-hand Shift key on your keyboard and double-click the installer file anapod_903_un.exe.

7. Enter Install Code

   If all has gone well then you should see this window appear:

   

   Now paste in the code that you were given on the Expired Assistance Code page. Then click the Continue Installation button to continue with the installation as normal.

   The normal installation dialog window looks like this:

   

8. What if it doesn’t work?

   If you don’t get the Enter Install Code window (step 7, above) then you may simply have to try changing your date again and again until you get it to work. I have no ideas other than that

I hope that helps some folks.

Your comments

If you want to leave a comment then please use the comments on my blog post on Anapod, so that all comments are collected in only one location. Thanks.