MP3 how to?

I've got a load of music files, all legal, on my computer in my Windows media player. Its crap, I know, but it was stupid easy.

Whats the easiest way to covert the WMA (I think they're called that) to MP3s? I've got a long trip coming up and my IPod is on the fritz. I'm not a genius when it comes to computer speak, so treat me like a 5 year old.

http://mediacoder.sourceforge.net/

Easy Peasy.

iTunes will convert your WMA files to AAC format by default, but you can override this and convert directly to MP3.

http://www.jakeludington.com/ask_jake/20050811_convert_wma_to_mp3.html

Google up "dbpoweramp." They have an AMAZING converter.

Thanks.

Converting one compressed format to another can have a rather bad effect on the quality. Never tried it, but be aware the results may not be spectacular. When you have time, I would definitely suggest re-encoding the files from the source (it can actually go pretty quick with a fast computer, especially if you do it in the background while you are doing something else). Make sure your data rate selection is well thought out (e.g. 128, 196, 256).

OK. Apparently Mediacoder requires a better computer than I have, or I'm in over my head. Trying to get this damn thing to work is not Easy Peasy. I haven't even been able to launch the program. I when for the audio converter. When I click the icon, it pops open a new web page. Is that supposed to happen?

My ears a shot, so I won't really notice the degradation in sound. I just need a simple converter for dimwits.

I fear all I've done is fill up my computer with useless downloads that don't do anything.

I just tried DB Poweramp. Doesn't seen to work either. Click on the icon, and a box opens asking what files are to be selected. Ok, good. I select the file(s) and...nothing. Shouldn't some kind of program initialize or something? Am I just retarded, or maybe I'm just tired and cranky.

Maybe if you guys could give me some tips as to how you got yours to work.

Thanks in advance.

Change the settings on media player to rip into MP3. After that, I change the rate to 320kbs

I use CDex.
http://softlayer.dl.sourceforge.net/sourceforge/cdexos/cdex_151.exe save that, open it, install, etc. Put disk in the drive, Options, Settings, Encoder, Lame, VBR 3, output 44100, quality preset extreme, 32 kbps min bitrate, max whatever you want, Filenames tab, point to your directory for output, ok. Convert, Extract CD track(s) to a Compressed Audio File. Let 'er rip.

I use Jodix it is Idiot proof for the most part. I use it for converting all my old wma's to mp3s for my iPod

http://www.wma-mp3.org/

The only pain in the butt is that you need to re-tag your songs with what band plays them.

There are some tools out there that will automatically re-tag the songs. I haven't tried them, I am sure they are not perfect, but at least a good start.