MP3 Player vs. Mungo's Computer

ZZ gave me a Samsung MP3 player for Christmas (she can't keep secrets and made me open two presents last night) (the other was season 1 & 2 of "Red Dwarf") and today I have been working on getting it going. I have run into some problems and maybe someone (ST!) can help me find a way around them.

STEP #1 I had an old version of Windows Media Player and I couldn't find the Sync button so I sought to download version 10. When it was 38% into the process, my internet connection failed.

STEP #2 This has been a frustratingly reaccuring problem (note an earlier post about having trouble blogging) and I finally just called GCI today. After only 15 minutes on the phone we figured out that the splitter I'm using was a piece of shit (Double O gave me his old Wal Mart special one) so now, until I go to the GCI main office an pick up a new one, I'm running straight out of the wall so that the TV cable box is disconnected.

STEP #3 Downloaded Windows Media Player 10.

STEP #4 Although my system notified me that new hardware was detected and the requirements of the MP3 player is that I have Windows XP the software disk will not run because I need something called XP SP1a... or something.

STEP #5 Downloaded XP SP1a... or something.

STEP #6 The patch (I'm assuming it's a kind of patch for Windows XP) will not install. A window bubbled up to me and said, "If you suspect the software you purchased has been pirated, notify yadda yadda."

STEP #7 Ask Eddie and ST for their help.