ID3 Tags

[Mateui]

Hi everybody. First post! Sorry it's an annoying support question :o

I recently (legally, but not from itunes) downloaded 5-6 albums from the internet. At first, i tried adding them straight to itunes. Nothing happened, not even an error message.

Then, I tried playing them in Windows media player. That had the courtesy to throw a C00D1199 error message at me. After searching the internet for at least three hours, I came to the conclusion that the .mp3 files have no ID3 tags. I tried ID3-Tagit but felt a little out of my depth really, so made no changes.

Am I doing the right thing, or barking up the wrong tree entirely? Does anybody know where I can find an idiot-proof guide to ID3 tags, or could at least help me get started?

A list of the things I have tried:

1.) Updating my ipod
2.) Reinstalling itunes
3.) Using an older version of itunes
4.) Readding existing songs from my hard drive, which worked.
5.) Emailing apple (No reply)
6.) Checking to see if the files are corrupt (They are not)

Any help would be appreciated, and apologies again.

[Sparkee]

Where did you get the files? How do you know the files are not corrupt, you say they will not play in WMP or add to iTunes? The ID3 tag is not necessary for a mp3 to play, however a corrupt tag may prevent it from playing. ID3 tags simply hold info of the mp3, you use a Tag Editor or WMP or iTunes to enter the Album, Artist and Song names as well as other info. Even with no ID3 tags a mp3 will play.