iTunes/iPod issue

[Shuie]

I travel 100% of the time for my work and my iPod is with me all of the time. Every 3-4 weeks my iPod will start skipping through the songs that I've already paid for and downloaded from iTunes. It flat out refuses to play them. Low and behold, when I do a software update at the house and then update the iPod by plugging it in, everything works again. 3-4 weeks later, same thing, Im on the road in an airport, and all of a sudden, I cant listen to any of the damn music I've already paid for from Apple.

Before I spend another $.99 on iTunes Id really like to know WTF is causing this? The songs I've loaded into my iTunes library from my CDs work fine all of the time. Its only an issue with the several hundred of dollars worth of songs that I've purchased from iTunes. Does Apple version the files they sell and then break them if you miss a patch or something? Is there something I can do to convert all of my existing music files so they don't break every time I miss a software update? Anyone else have this issue?

TIA

[cantdrv55]

Sorry, can't help because I've never had this problem. Would like to know though what finally fixes it.

[JavaBrewer]

Hrmmmm, how about burning those f&^%ing iTunes format songs onto CD then ripping them back to mp3. GOD it hate iTunes.

[nostatic]

odd. I have tunes I've purchased over time, multiple iPods, multiple computers, different versions of things all over the place. Never had a hiccup like you describe. Did you try to post on their support forums? Or is there an Apple store near you? The "genius bar" often times can be pretty helpful...

[StevoRocket]

A suggestion from my brother who is an Ipod nut.

"download license permission plug-in from itunes"

[89911]

You can try starting here. I've found this site helpful with some iPod issues.

http://forums.ilounge.com/search.php?action=showresults&searchid=3071992&sortby=&sortorder=