re: 'Can't remove this computer or device' error (C00D12ED)

I am installing a new operating system on a couple of my computers.

On the first one (let's callit it COMPUTER1), before creating a new partition, I booted into the existing operating system, ran the Zune Software and clicked on Settings > Account > Computers and Devices > COMPUTER1 > Remove.  Everything worked fine - I installed the new operating system and I'm in the process of re-installing the Zune Software.  This will be one of the three computers that will have the Zune pass.

On the second one (let's callit it COMPUTER2), before creating a new partition, I booted into the existing operating system, ran the Zune Software and clicked on Settings > Account > Computers and Devices > COMPUTER1 > Remove.  I then got this error:

CAN'T REMOVE
Summary:
Can't remove this computer or device.  You've already removed one from this Zune Pass in the last 30 days.

Error Code:
C00D12ED

So I have to wait 30 days before I can install a new operating system on the same machine?
Are there any workarounds?

If anyone from Microsoft is reading this, please allow folks to remove machines when they're installing a new operating system or they bought a new computer.  DRM doesn't work - please find something else.

Hi ehuna- I'm sorry to hear you're experiencing this trouble. For this specific issue I believe you'll need to contact Zune support.

I will investigate the specifics behind this scenario and determine if filing a suggestion for the dev team to change the behavior would be appropriate.

 

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Corey Snow
Zune Services Team
.:[This posting is provided "as-is" and confers no warranties or rights.]:.

 ehuna wrote:

I am installing a new operating system on a couple of my computers.

On the first one (let's callit it COMPUTER1), before creating a new partition, I booted into the existing operating system, ran the Zune Software and clicked on Settings > Account > Computers and Devices > COMPUTER1 > Remove.  Everything worked fine - I installed the new operating system and I'm in the process of re-installing the Zune Software.  This will be one of the three computers that will have the Zune pass.

On the second one (let's callit it COMPUTER2), before creating a new partition, I booted into the existing operating system, ran the Zune Software and clicked on Settings > Account > Computers and Devices > COMPUTER1 > Remove.  I then got this error:

CAN'T REMOVE
Summary:
Can't remove this computer or device.  You've already removed one from this Zune Pass in the last 30 days.

Error Code:
C00D12ED

So I have to wait 30 days before I can install a new operating system on the same machine?
Are there any workarounds?

If anyone from Microsoft is reading this, please allow folks to remove machines when they're installing a new operating system or they bought a new computer.  DRM doesn't work - please find something else.

Unfortunately, music companies are the ones forcing DRM on everything and not Microsoft

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Mine's larger.

 DrRustyVenture wrote:

I will investigate the specifics behind this scenario and determine if filing a suggestion for the dev team to change the behavior would be appropriate.

Ok, I'll try to contact customer support on Monday, during business hours - in the meantime I'm just paying for the music but I can't listen to it.

Here's a suggestion for the dev team: allow me to go to settings > account > computers and devices > remove - let me remove as many machines as I'd like.

Now when I try to add a machine back - then block me if it's a new machine that hasn't been added/used in the last 30 days.  On the server the dev team can keep a "signature" of a machine that has been added - something that identifies that machine by its hardware.

So in my scenario, when I'm simply reformatting my hard drive that was hosting Windows Vista so I can install Windows 7, I don't have to wait 30 days for each computer in my house.

DrRusty, I am replying to echo your issue.  This will be a BIG issue for the faithful in the coming months as Windows 7 releases.   I upgraded several machines recently and...well...you know where I am now.  My child's PC has access to my purchased music but I apparently have to wait 30 days.

I expect that this will be seen as a reasonable request and be fixed quickly.

I will pass this on, but as you can probably imagine, I'm not empowered to make promises in such matters. :)

 

---

Corey Snow
Zune Services Team
.:[This posting is provided "as-is" and confers no warranties or rights.]:.

I'm hitting the same dang issue. I upgraded from Windows 7 RC to the RTM and now I can't download any music!
The main problem is that it isn't tied to the computer, but the particular installation. This is just laziness on part of the Zune devs, they don't check the hardware like they should have. This must be fixed immediately! If they can't even figure out how to pull hardware serial numbers, I'll send them the blasted code that I wrote in high school! Or they could ask the Windows team, the Office team, or the Visual Studio team, since they've been able to get it to work right for their products.

PS: Any good way to directly contact Zune Support without going through their stupid automated phone loop?

Same problem here, I reformatted my computer and now I can't use the zune pass i'm paying for on the only computer i use it on. I've reformatted the computer before and the zune software has counted the previous installations of Windows I've reformatted on the same computer as other computers, and when I try to delete the past versions I get this error code we're talking about here... the C00D12ED. So I can't remove at least one previous installation for 30 days?? Why does microsoft do this??? Windows is their operating system, can't it figure out when it's been reformatted? Just a ... yeah you can't use your zune pass because too many computers are connected to your account, but you can't resolve the issue either!

And there are no answers or instant support. I'm really disappointed in this, and if it isn't working soon, why bother paying for a zune pass subscription if i can't use it????????????

Just call support they will reset all your devices. I had the same issue and that resolved it.