Anapod - transfer files to your iPod via Explorer
UPDATE: I’ve just created a step-by-step guide on how to install Anapod Explorer Universal Edition version 9.0.3. I hope that’s helpful to some folks.
ORIGINAL POST: Jane has an Apple iPod — it’s a fifth generation 30GB Video iPod — and while it’s all lovely and usable in its all-black designer chic look we have one major criticism of it: if you want to transfer files to and from it you have to use iTunes.
It’s not just that I don’t like iTunes; I object to being forced to use a particular piece of software to do something as simple as transfer a file from a PC to a peripheral.
Most other mainstream MP3 players let you drag-and-drop from Explorer so why doesn’t the iPod?!
Anapod Explorer
After a little detective work I discovered Anapod Explorer from Red Chair Software:
Anapod is the most advanced Windows iPod software available, offering iPod management through full Windows Explorer integration under My Computer
- easy drag and drop iPod copy
- iPod transfer and iPod backup
- PDA function support
- photo and video transfer
- web page interface access to your iPod through a built-in web server
- powerful search and reporting capabilities using a built-in SQL database
and much more, all in one compact package.
A great backup tool or iTunes alternative.
It sounded perfect, so I bought a copy and tried to install it.
Installer Expired
I double-clicked the installation file for version 9.0.3 (anapod_903_un.exe) and was presented with this rather disappointing error message:
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: JTJSBYHTAZIRBRHQAS
Well, I was sure that this was the latest release available. So I emailed Red Chair Software for assistance.
I then did a Google search and discovered that it was unlikely that I’d ever get a reply from Red Chair Software. Disappointing.
Installation work-around
However, I did discover that there is a work-around, but for that I’d have to visit the Expired Installer Assistance page (which strangely doesn’t seem to appear anywhere on the Red Chair Software support pages).
This page told me that the problem was that the date was not set correctly on my computer. It told me that (foolishly) the date on my computer was set to “November 2007″.
“IT IS NOVEMBER 2007!” I shouted at the computer, in exasperation. Then I noticed the date at the top of the Red Chair Software page: November 15, 2007. “EVEN YOU AGREE THAT IT’S NOVEMBER 2007!” I screamed again.
I read the instructions.
- Correct the date/time on your computer.
- Double-click the installer file to run it again, but this time, hold down the SHIFT key while double-clicking.
- This will display a dialog box where you need to enter the following code: 082808363640364448
The installer will then continue as normal.
So I started to play around with the date and see which month it thought we were currently in. The website thought it was November, my PC thought it was November … the installer seemed to think that we were in August!
Finally installed
I got it to work by rolling the current date back exactly three months to 15 August 2007. With shift pressed I double-clicked the installation file, entered the 18-digit numeric code and Anapod at last began to install.
What a faff … which is a real shame because the application is great. We managed to manually update Jane’s iPod by dragging and dropping MP3 files to it via Windows Explorer. The way it should be.
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November 19th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
I was sure you could get Anapod for free somewhere.
A guy from PC World told me about at some point.
Thats one of the few reasons I’m leaving VIsta on my laptop - to update my ipod!
November 20th, 2007 at 4:49 am
Rockbox.org
that’s where it’s at apparently!
November 20th, 2007 at 4:49 am
And by that I don’t mean Anapod, I mean that’s where there is free opensource, “let’s hack apart your ipod’s firmware” firmware to dowload.
November 20th, 2007 at 11:43 am
THANK YOU for the detective work & work-around~ You must have heard me screaming about the date issue. 3 months back to the day, worked for me as well.
November 20th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Thanks Gareth for posting this. My copy does exactly the same thing so I’ll try rolling the date back.
Their e-mail support absolutely sucks. They’re not going to be around long with the comments they’re getting on the Net. Which is a shame as the previous version I had was pretty good.
November 22nd, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Thank you for the advice. I was about to insert my hand into the laptop and physically rip Anapod out by the short and curley’s.
I followed your advice, rolled back the date three months, held the shuft down and get the code field. I entered the code and it was returned the following message:
“The code you entered is not correct. Please copy and paste the code emailed to you by Red Chair Support”
Not being the best typest in the world, I assumed that it was a finger problem on my part so I set about to enter it again, and again, and again, and……….
Any suggestions? I’ve learned that I won’t get help from RC Support.
Thanks.
November 22nd, 2007 at 4:30 pm
Steve, get Rockbox mate, or there are a couple of other free opensource firmware
November 24th, 2007 at 12:10 am
BLESS YOUR POINTY HEAD! After 23 emails to and incident reports to Anapod… NO ANSWER! I was pulling my hair out, but your fix for the “Installer” issue worked. I love you!
November 24th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Thank you so much for this. I tried using the August 15th date and it worked perfectly!! Red Chair would do well to link to your execellent instructions. Happy Holidays!!
November 24th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
I tried nov 15 2007, nov 23rd and 24th 2007, and just about every other month…I dont know what I’m doing wrong….would someone be so nice as to give me a step my step of how they did it???
thx. I really want to get this working…I love the software, hate the company.
November 24th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
oh yeah I forgot to mention…I’m in the US eastern time zone… -5:00. does that make a difference
November 25th, 2007 at 2:09 am
Thanx man..i was short of punching my computer.. those red chair dude sure know how to freak you out..i’m from the philippines and i bought the software but to my dismay it says the installer is expired..it’s more expensive here due to the currency difference..thanx..your advice worked..
November 25th, 2007 at 3:39 am
anyone in the us (eastern time zone) installed this…I need instructions!!!
November 25th, 2007 at 3:39 am
anyone in the us (eastern time zone) installed this…I need help
November 25th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Hi Steve,
On the installer has expired page there will be a code. On mine it was: JTJSBYHTAZIRBRHQAS
You need to enter this code in the form on the following webpage, once you’ve selected Anapod from the drop-down list: https://www.redchairstore.com/installer.php
That’s where I got this code: 082808363640364448
That’s all I know.
Gareth
November 25th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
I’ve just created a step-by-step guide on how to install Anapod Explorer Universal Edition version 9.0.3. I hope that’s helpful to some folks.
You’ll have to follow each of the instructions for yourselves and get your own installation codes, I suspect.
Hope it works for you.
November 26th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
Your fix worked great. Used the 08/15/07 date and switched to EST. Thank you.
November 27th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Ugh, can’t find a date that works for me.
Bummer since I’ve been using Anapod happily for years, and now it doesn’t work on my new machine.
November 28th, 2007 at 3:46 am
Your instructions worked great. No problems at all!! I’ve had the BBB working with Red Gate and its been two weeks. I’ve tried their phone many times but the mailbox is always full. Thank you so much for solving this!!
November 29th, 2007 at 6:24 am
THANK YOU!!! BLESS YOU!!! YOU ARE MY HERO…
November 29th, 2007 at 8:01 am
Thanks very much for the instructions, Gareth! 5 August did the trick!
I’ve been using Anapod for close to four years now and, up until now, I’ve had nothing but praise for the product and their support. A couple years ago, I accidentally drowned my first iPod, sent them an e-mail with the serial number of my new iPod and received an e-mail back within a day expressing their condolences for my loss and notifying me that the new iPod’s serial number had been added to their database and I was good to go.
However, this date bug is pretty sketchy and they seem to be ignoring my e-mails. As one poster above stated, they’d do well to link to Gareth’s workaround.
Cheers,
-skjellyfetti-
November 29th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
Dear Gareth -
Thanks for figuring this out. Yes, I got the ‘the code you entered is not correct’ message; had to past the code received from the ‘Installer Expired’ page. Mine [082808443636244420] is different than the one listed in the stream above, so maybe each is unique.
I also used the 5 July date, which worked. Running fine now.
Our PC runs Windows ME, so we can’t use iTunes. My wife & I gave each other iPods last year for Christmas, but I only found Anapod a few weeks ago to get them running via the trial version. My wife is actually traveling to see her very ill grandfather tomorrow & wanted to put baby pictures on her iPod, which the trial doesn’t do, but now we can.
Thanks again!!!
December 1st, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Thanks so much! August 15 worked great! (eastern time zone). You saved me millions of brain cells as I was going mad! Their “support”was really an endless blackhole loop! Too bad it’s an excellent application and I’ve had it for 3 years with no problems prior to this.
December 3rd, 2007 at 8:58 am
You saved my day!! Thanks a ton
December 3rd, 2007 at 2:45 pm
The trick did it for me, after I used Internet Explorer for the Install-Website from redchair.
Thanks!
December 4th, 2007 at 12:17 am
I am having the same problem as Carlie….I have tried so many different dates and it’s still not working….I either get the “Installer Expired” message, or the “Your date and time are incorrect” message, depending on what date I try to use. Does anyone have any more suggestions?? I was so excited to find this site, but now I’m just deflated.
I am glad that it works for others though!
December 4th, 2007 at 2:37 am
I just got this to work today… 1st change the date to October 3, then double-click the installer while holding down the shift key, then I got the place to enter the code. If you don’t have the code go to https://www.redchairstore.com/installer.php and enter the installer error code.
It works, I am up and running
December 7th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
hey andrea..I finally got it working I dlded the setup file from red chair on the day I posted..and tried every date in the book..still no luck..then I remebered I had an older setup file (same version) that I dlded back in oct..dont know why that one worked and the one I dlded from their site the day I posted didnt..maybe they modified the file or something…anyway..heres a link to the file that worked for me..let me know how u make out!
http://www.savefile.com/files/1247157
as a safety measure, few sites let u upload exe files directly…so I zipped it up….extract/unzip it and have fun…hope it works for u
December 7th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Hey Carlie and Andrea,
what you have to be aware of, however, is that there is more than one edition of Anapod, e.g. Universal Edition, Shuffle Edition, Nano Edition, etc.
So you have to make sure that you have downloaded the same edition, otherwise I suspect your registration code won’t work.
December 9th, 2007 at 12:34 am
thanks for pointing that out Gareth, I forgot that….
Andrea, I have the regular ipod edition, not the shuulfe, nano, or mini edition, and not the universal edition, so if u have one of those, you will have to have someone else upload it 4 u-sry!!
Note: I just went to the red chair site, and they just released anapod 9.0.4 on dec 4, so the 9.0.3 installer file wont work for long anyway, maybe if u dl 9.0.4, this whole issue will be solved!!! try it.
December 9th, 2007 at 2:25 am
I know its annoying when your legal copy expires. However in my case I got rid of this problem in the following ways:
1) Use ‘ Notmad Explorer Key generator.
2) double click on above mentioned key generator and patch it with
‘Anapod_903_un’ file.
3) A new file will be created e.g ‘Anapod_903_un__NoExpire_Patched’
4) Use this as your installer file. All done. Enjoy your Anapod forever !
In case any difficulty getting the key generator use the below link
to get everything you want.
http://rapidshare.com/files/75290705/AE_90_1.3.rar.html
December 10th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
Having to hack the legally purchased software does not feel right! What kind of lowlife scum are those red chair ******** guys, they have this broken install up for almost a year now…
(Sorry John, I’ve censored your post as I’ve had legal action threatened for similar comments before, not from Red Chair, from *******
— Gareth)
December 11th, 2007 at 11:06 am
I installed version 9.04 on my laptop the other day and it appears to be working fine … except that I had to uninstall my video editing software first as it was interfering with that. Very odd.
Anyway, the 9.04 universal edition does not seem to have a problem with the same expiry problem. Time to upgrade, I think folks.
May 11th, 2008 at 2:00 am
Hi THere
I wanted to deinstall Anapod but the Anapod Explorer symbol is still under “My Computer” and can’t be erased by the delete function
does anyone know how to solve that problem?
thanks