Microsoft Zune MP3 Player
Microsoft Zune MP3 Player
The term Microsoft Zune MP3 Player is kind of a misnomer, since the device also displays pictures and plays videos. But the term mp3 player is sort of a leftover from those times when such players only played mp3 files. Today they’re rather media players, in that they play music, videos, and display pictures.
In that regard, the feature-packed Zune Media Player is a very good choice when looking to buy a portable media player. But how did it come about?
The Zune was launched on September 14th 2006 as Microsoft’s answer to Apple’s iPod dominance of the portable music device market (with a market share of roughly 70%). Its original version was not met with that much enthusiasm as far as reviews went. It’s also safe to say that customers didn’t rush out to buy the new Zune MP3 Player. Nonetheless, it sold a million units in about eight months (by June 2007), and that’s a good performance for a new mp3 player on a market with a runaway leader.
In last May, the Zune has reached another milestone, reaching the 2 million units sold mark. Microsoft has now gained in overall US moving from 3 to 4%, and securing third place behind Apple and Sandisk.
Despite a slow adoption, the Zune MP3 Player (or Media Player) is a very capable player, with features that are absent from other rivals. Some insist that it’s a better player than the market leader. When you look at the feature set, it’s true. And while some will be quick to point out that the iPod is selling a lot more than the Zune, it’s also very relevant to point out that the former didn’t become the juggernaut that it is right now until about 3 years into its life cycle.
So if you’re looking to buy a media player, and depending on your personal tastes and openness to try new things, it might be a very good idea for you to check out the Zune. There’s nothing the iPod can do that it can’t. The opposite is not true
Microsoft Zune MP3 Player
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Can’t Hear Zune Software Play
Can’t Hear Zune Software Play
If you can’t hear your Zune software play, your best bet is probably to get the latest version of the Zune software by removing the version you currently have and re-installing the program’s latest version. Your problems should be solved by then. Here’s how to go about doing it.
To effectively re-install the Zune software while doing away with whatever issue was keeping it from playing properly, you need to use what’s referred to as the clean start procedure. When you use the clean start procedure to start a computer, Windows only starts basic devices and services when the computer starts. This way you’re able to perform a clean installation.
Step 1: Perform a clean startup
| 1. | To perform a clean startup procedure, follow these steps.
Windows XP
Windows Vista
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| 2. | To remove the Zune software from the computer, follow these steps.
Windows XP
Windows Vista
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If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password or click Continue.
Step 2: Empty the Windows temporary folder
To empty the Windows temporary folder, follow these steps:
| 1. | Click Start, click Run, type %temp%, and then click OK. |
| 2. | Click Edit, and then click Select All. |
| 3. | Click File, and then click Delete. You receive the following message: |
| 4. | Click Yes. |
Step 3: Reinstall the Zune software
To reinstall the Zune software, download and then install the current version of the Zune software. To do this, visit the following Zune Web site:
During the installation, the software will prompt you to reconnect your Zune device.
Step 4: Return to the typical startup procedure
After the installation of the Zune software is complete, reconfigure the computer so that it uses the typical startup procedure. To do this, follow these steps:
| 1. | Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK. |
| 2. | On the General tab, click Normal Startup, and then click OK. |
| 3. | Restart the computer. |
APPLIES TO
| • | Zune Digital Media Player |
| • | Zune software |
Normally, this should solve your “can’t hear Zune software play” problem.
Can’t Hear Zune Software Play
Filed Under Microsoft Zune, Zune How-To's, Zune Software | Leave a Comment
Zune Shows Up As Guest When Connected
Zune Shows Up As Guest When Connected
If you’ve connected your Zune to another computer, you might have seen this message:
Relocating?
This Zune already has a home on another PC.
* Connect this Zune as guest
* Sync with your library on this PC. Remove all the content on your Zune and replace it with the content in this library instead.
You get this screen as the result of a little-known Zune feature, guest sync. What it essentially means is that you can take your Zune device, and sync it with multiple PCs - via guest sync. Went to a friend’s house and he/she has a couple cool songs that you like? You can get copy them onto your Zune with no problem, while keeping your previous content intact, and when you sync back to your original computer, that content will be added to your library.
That’s because while you’re in guest mode, you can add content, manage your library, delete music, etc. And you can guest sync to an unlimited number of PCs - with ripped content, and with songs individually purchased from Zune Marketplace. Subscription content is a little different, though - there’s a two device sync limit on ZMP subscription content.
This is definitely better than iPod’s sync options, which systematically threatens to delete everything when you try and sync it to another computer. It can be synced with other computers, but you have to use software other than iTunes, or use to “Manually Manage Songs” in iTunes.
You can run into some problems with guest sync, though. Let’s say for example that when you first purchased your Zune, you used to sync it to a computer that wasn’t yours, or that no longer works, and that you purchased music from the Zune marketplace on that PC. Even if you managed to save this content on a flash drive or external hard drive, you’ll find out you don’t have the right to play them on your other computer unless you login to Zune with your Marketplace account, and try playing the purchased songs. It will then pull the required licenses. You’re also free to re-download content that you already bought, by selecting “Account Management” from the login icon.
Also, one other thing is that if you plug in your Zune to another computer and use guest sync, then the battery gets charged, but you can no longer listen to the player itself. You can solve this by closing the Zune software, you’ll then be able to use the player while it’s charging. Or you can have the Zune application set to manual start. As long as you don’t launch the application yourself, you will have full functionality on your Zune while the device is charging.
Zune Shows Up As Guest When Connected
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