Zune on Vista, Here's how... |
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 Nov 22 2006, 10:01
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#1
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 The Main Man  Group: Admin Team Posts: 20,496 Joined: 6th November 2002 From: Norwich, UK Member No.: 1 Device(s): HTC Advantage  |
As many of you will know, I recently purchased a Microsoft Zune player (to replace my lost iPod, which never surfaced no thanks to crappy Iberia!). Unfortunately, days before the arrival of my Zune from the USA, I made the switch to Windows Vista. This meant that, when the Zune arrived, I couldn't sync it up with my media-stuffed laptop, as in their infinite wisdom, Microsoft have decided NOT to make a Vista friendly version of the software available yet.
DOH! So I set about seeing if the XP software could run happily on Vista! It does... and here's how I did it! Prerequisites You need 3 things to carry out this process. 1. Zune CD - You need the CD that came with your Zune  2. WinRAR - You need WinRAR installed, the trial version is fine. Get it here 3. My Zune.msi install patch - You need the all important installer patch, from here: 
zunevista.exe ( 351.97K )
Number of downloads: 10803Before we start Usual caveats apply, if your PC / Zune blows up, don't blame me (but it's working fine for me!) The process itself is dead easy, and i've broken everything down to be as simple as possible... so don't be daunted that there's a lot of steps (well, only 10!) I have UAC enabled on my Vista build (the default), if you don't, then you can ignore any steps related to running things as an administrator. Finally, don't actually plug in your Zune until prompted to do so by the Zune software. Let's get started! Instructions 1. Create a directory on your desktop called 'Zune'. You can delete this at the end, it's a temporary storage area. 2. Copy the 'zunevista.exe' file you downloaded above to this new directory. 2. Put your Zune CD in the CD drive. In the 'Packages\ZUNE' directory you'll find a file called 'Zune-x86-ENU.exe'. Copy that to the folder you just created. 3. This bit is why you need WinRAR! Right click the file you've just copied, and select 'Extract Here'. 4. You now have 'Zune.msi' right? Great! You can now delete 'Zune-x86-ENU.exe'. 5. Now we're going to patch the MSI to install on Vista using my patch. Double click 'zunevista.exe'. You'll get prompted by Windows to allow the application to run. Allow it  6. You'll see the patch run, and it will tell you it's successfully completed. Hurrah! You now have a Vista friendly zune.msi! You can delete zunevista.exe now. We now need to run the MSI, but with elevated permissions, which is a bit of a pain. You can't just right click an MSI and do 'run as administrator', so you have to jump through some hoops. 7. Click the 'start orb' or press the windows key, and type 'cmd'. You'll see the cmd application is selected, but DON'T hit enter. Hit CTRL-SHIFT-ENTER instead! You'll be instantly prompted for permission to run the application, indicating that it will be running with elevated permissions. 8. We need to run the MSI now. Type the following 'C:\Users\Paul\Desktop\Zune\Zune.msi', obviously replacing the path as appropriate for your configuration. You'll now be led through the Zune setup! Hurrah! Just install as normal, and when the install is finished... REBOOT. This is not an optional step, you MUST do this! There is only one step left now, and that is to set the Zune software itself to run in XP Compatability mode. This is because MS have implemented an OS check in the software. 9. Click the 'start orb' or press the windows key, and type 'Zune'. You'll see the Zune application itself on the list - right click it, and select 'Properties'. Select the 'Compatability' tab and check 'Run this program in compatability mode for'. Click OK. That's it! You're done! You can use the Desktop or Start Menu shortcut for Zune to launch the software, and get syncing!  I hope this is useful, and worked, so please post below with feedback! P  -------------------- Paul O'Brien - Microsoft MVP, Mobile Devices, MoDaCo.network Founder. Check out my Blog! £10 off a £20 spend at eXpansys - click for details |
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Nov 22 2006, 10:47
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#2
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 Peanut Brain Group: MoDaCo Plus Posts: 6,266 Joined: 10th September 2004 From: Surrey, England Member No.: 56,072 Device(s): Athena, Qtek 8500 |
I've not got a Zune but:
a ) Whenever I try and install anything that needs administrators rights it just comes up with a dialog box asking for the administrator password and b ) When I tried to install some drivers that said they were "incompatible with this version of windows" Vista took over and tried to reinstall them with"suggested" settings and they installed fine - doesn't this happen with the Zune setup? I must admit I've not installed a lot under vista but have had no problems so far and was very impressed with the installation of CA's antivirus - especially as it's free for a year! What do you think of the Zune? -------------------- He who asks a question looks foolish for 5 minutes. He who doesn't ask a question remains foolish forever.
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Nov 22 2006, 10:50
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#3
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The Main Man Group: Admin Team Posts: 20,496 Joined: 6th November 2002 From: Norwich, UK Member No.: 1 Device(s): HTC Advantage |
a - it's not quite that simple
b - no I'm using Windows Live OneCare 1.5 Beta, and i'm impressed, once I got WMDC working So far, quite liking the Zune. It's not perfect, by a long shot, but then nor is the iPod (I have a black one of those too, or did, now just the missus does). At least it plays all my (no DRM) WMAs! P -------------------- Paul O'Brien - Microsoft MVP, Mobile Devices, MoDaCo.network Founder. Check out my Blog! £10 off a £20 spend at eXpansys - click for details |
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Nov 22 2006, 10:59
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#4
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 Zim Zima  Group: Posters Posts: 482 Joined: 7th March 2003 Member No.: 3,299 Device(s): MDA Vario |
You got it working on vista?
Paul U rock!!!! /me orders one now ZIm -------------------- While some see them as the crazy ones,we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.
www.ez-solutionz.co.uk You didn’t come here to make the choice. You’ve already made it. You’re here to try to understand why you made it. |
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Nov 22 2006, 14:22
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#5
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 Moderator - Boing! Group: Admin Team Posts: 8,579 Joined: 12th December 2002 From: Guildford, UK Member No.: 993 Device(s): HTC TyTN II |
Ahh so it IS Onecare thats messing up my WMDC in Vista...!
-------------------- This months MoDaCo WinMo Week device: the MWg Zinc II! Ask your questions HERE and download the show here! 2.25GB of backup storage online for free with Mozy! - https://mozy.com/?ref=VQ664H |
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Nov 22 2006, 14:40
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#6
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Enthusiast  Group: Posters Posts: 222 Joined: 16th December 2005 Member No.: 163,115 Device(s): Touch Plus, Vario II |
I ended up trashing OneCare because major issues with WMDC.
Even when it wall all excluded from the firewall it still wouldn't work. -------------------- Colin Walker
Randomelements :: Blog |
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Nov 22 2006, 14:48
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#7
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The Main Man Group: Admin Team Posts: 20,496 Joined: 6th November 2002 From: Norwich, UK Member No.: 1 Device(s): HTC Advantage |
You must have missed some exclusions then... i'm sitting here now with my Excalibur synced via USB and OneCare 1.5 Beta running
P -------------------- Paul O'Brien - Microsoft MVP, Mobile Devices, MoDaCo.network Founder. Check out my Blog! £10 off a £20 spend at eXpansys - click for details |
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Nov 22 2006, 15:47
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#8
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The Main Man Group: Admin Team Posts: 20,496 Joined: 6th November 2002 From: Norwich, UK Member No.: 1 Device(s): HTC Advantage |
Hmmm, i've just been pointed at this post, also detailing how to get Zune running on Vista. If only i'd found it last night I might have got to bed before 1am
It's a similar process, but doing MSI edits manually rather than using my patcher. I too used Orca and made the same changes, but i'd like to point out I was not aware of this article before now. P -------------------- Paul O'Brien - Microsoft MVP, Mobile Devices, MoDaCo.network Founder. Check out my Blog! £10 off a £20 spend at eXpansys - click for details |
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Nov 23 2006, 00:42
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#9
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Newbie  Group: Posters Posts: 1 Joined: 24th June 2005 Member No.: 136,279 Device(s): smt 5600 |
I made it thru the software install but when i restarted my computer then plugged in my Zune it says it can't find drivers for it. Any ideas?
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Nov 23 2006, 02:02
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#10
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Newbie Group: Posters Posts: 2 Joined: 4th April 2006 Member No.: 182,617 Device(s): PPC6700 |
QUOTE(yoda16 @ Nov 22 2006, 19:42)  I made it thru the software install but when i restarted my computer then plugged in my Zune it says it can't find drivers for it. Any ideas? Do a manual install, it hapened to me too. Go to devise manager an update the drivers. choose the location where Zune installed and it will find the drivers. Thanks Paul for the patch. This post has been edited by fgarcia10: Nov 23 2006, 02:04 |
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Nov 23 2006, 08:22
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#11
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Newbie Group: Posters Posts: 1 Joined: 23rd November 2006 Member No.: 215,273 Device(s): Zune, Cingular 2125, XBox 360 |
Thanks for the great insructions. BTW - I also had to enable the "Run program as administrator" option in the compatibility property sheet to get it to work on Vista RTM.
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Nov 23 2006, 08:26
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#12
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The Main Man Group: Admin Team Posts: 20,496 Joined: 6th November 2002 From: Norwich, UK Member No.: 1 Device(s): HTC Advantage |
Strange, I DON'T run it as admin!
P -------------------- Paul O'Brien - Microsoft MVP, Mobile Devices, MoDaCo.network Founder. Check out my Blog! £10 off a £20 spend at eXpansys - click for details |
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Nov 23 2006, 13:18
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#13
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Newbie Group: Posters Posts: 16 Joined: 26th November 2002 From: London Member No.: 119 |
Paul,
Just a quick question... Does the FM radio work well in the UK I'm not expecting it to show stations names, but does it tune in OK? Thanks, Richard |
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Nov 23 2006, 15:29
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#14
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 MoDaCo Group: Posters Posts: 379 Joined: 1st December 2003 From: London Member No.: 22,960 Device(s): iPhone on Vodafone |
Nice work Paul. I really want to see a zune in real life, see how it stacks up against the competition.
I see, you've made the Engadget front page aswell --------------------  |
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Nov 23 2006, 15:36
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#15
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The Main Man Group: Admin Team Posts: 20,496 Joined: 6th November 2002 From: Norwich, UK Member No.: 1 Device(s): HTC Advantage |
Ooh cool
P -------------------- Paul O'Brien - Microsoft MVP, Mobile Devices, MoDaCo.network Founder. Check out my Blog! £10 off a £20 spend at eXpansys - click for details |
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Nov 23 2006, 15:39
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#16
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The Main Man Group: Admin Team Posts: 20,496 Joined: 6th November 2002 From: Norwich, UK Member No.: 1 Device(s): HTC Advantage |
QUOTE(forss @ Nov 23 2006, 13:18) Paul, Just a quick question... Does the FM radio work well in the UK I'm not expecting it to show stations names, but does it tune in OK? Thanks, Richard It works fine, with station names too... just switch the Radio to 'Europe' in settings P -------------------- Paul O'Brien - Microsoft MVP, Mobile Devices, MoDaCo.network Founder. Check out my Blog! £10 off a £20 spend at eXpansys - click for details |
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Nov 23 2006, 19:55
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#17
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 iSpork  Group: MoDaCo Plus Posts: 537 Joined: 15th February 2005 From: Staffs Member No.: 110,894 Device(s): SE K800, MDA Pro |
Woo Frontpage of Engadget.. get you!
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Nov 26 2006, 19:08
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#18
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Newbie Group: Posters Posts: 3 Joined: 26th November 2006 Member No.: 215,736 Device(s): null |
Dang. Didn't work for me. Maybe because I am running RC1? On install = rollback.
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Nov 26 2006, 19:16
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#19
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Zim Zima Group: Posters Posts: 482 Joined: 7th March 2003 Member No.: 3,299 Device(s): MDA Vario |
yeha got that happing to me, u have to run the zune.msi installer from command prompt - as administrator.
ZIm -------------------- While some see them as the crazy ones,we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.
www.ez-solutionz.co.uk You didn’t come here to make the choice. You’ve already made it. You’re here to try to understand why you made it. |
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Nov 26 2006, 19:32
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#20
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The Main Man Group: Admin Team Posts: 20,496 Joined: 6th November 2002 From: Norwich, UK Member No.: 1 Device(s): HTC Advantage |
As detailed in points 7/8
Liking the Zune Zim? P -------------------- Paul O'Brien - Microsoft MVP, Mobile Devices, MoDaCo.network Founder. Check out my Blog! £10 off a £20 spend at eXpansys - click for details |
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