Haha, nice going, Microsoft..

[JaedxRapture]

Hello.
My father just shipped out a Zune a few days ago for Christmas, and I just got it in the mail. Well, I'm having problems already.
The device itself is wonderful. It's only slightly bigger and heavier than the iPod, but feels nice in my hand. The screen is large and crystal clear. It's very aesthetically pleasing, and very well designed all around.
The problem I'm having is in Microsoft's out-right greed. They have gone so far this time as to restrict the use of the Zune software on certain version of XP (namely pre-2005 Media Center).
I hooked up my Zune to let it charge while I installed the software, and I popped in the disc. The message I got was this: "Your version of Windows or Zune software may need to be updated." WTF?
So, I look into it, and, sure enough, pre-2005 Media Center isn't supported, so anybody who got lazy enough to buy a computer instead of build one pre-2005 got screwed because—guess what?—almost every computer made after 2002 has the ****ty Media Center software.
Now, I know what Microsoft's response would be if I contact them, "Your version of Windows is out of date and cannot run the Zune software." Do they really expect me to believe that an early version of XP can't run a program, and that them, Microsoft, the makers of both the Zune software and the XP I run, as well as the world leader in software cannot make it work?! Puh-leez.
Now, it has told me to contact the manufacturer of my Media Center edition PC for an update. Well, the HP website says nothing about it, and I'm sure that after an hour long arguement with them on the phone, I'd end up going to my local Best Buy and dishing out about $200 for a new version of Windows anyway. Just what they want, right?

Well, I'm done rambling. If you want a good MP3 player and don't care that the richest, greediest company is looking to rob millions of even more money, then get the Zune. It really is a nice player.

[mesonm]

Wait, you want MS to write the software to run on all versions of windblows?

You have an operating system that is over two years old...

"almost every computer made after 2002 has" the wrong OS? huh? What does 2002 have to do with it?

Isn't it possible that pre-2005 MS Media Center Edition doesn't have core support? you want Ms to go back and add it?

[JaedxRapture]

"almost every computer made after 2002 has" the wrong OS? huh? What does 2002 have to do with it?

As far as I know, 2002 is the earliest version of XP Media Center edition, and that's when they started putting it in all the pre-built computers like HP, Gateway, Dell, Compaq, etc. None of the Media Center versions, except 2005, will support Zune.
And yes, I expect them to either update the OS or update the Zune software to run their own ****. I mean, it's not even an out-dated OS, it's just an older version of a current OS.

Edit: Does anyone know if there are any unofficial patches/fixes to either the OS or the software that will allow me to run the Zune software on a pre-2005 Media Center edition of XP?

[mesonm]

I mean, it's not even an out-dated OS, it's just an older version of a current OS.

Edit: Does anyone know if there are any unofficial patches/fixes to either the OS or the software that will allow me to run the Zune software on a pre-2005 Media Center edition of XP?

Have you updated it using the MS updater?

[JaedxRapture]

Have you updated it using the MS updater?

It's up to date. The 2005 version is a completely different release and I can't get it by just updating like that. I need to go out and buy an update.

[MixedVariety]

Hmmm...Apple seems to be able to make iTunes run on any version of Windows XP, whether it's Home, Professional, Media or whatever. Too bad M$ has to be so stupid about this. If it isn't some other problem that's really causing it.

[JaedxRapture]

Hmmm...Apple seems to be able to make iTunes run on any version of Windows XP, whether it's Home, Professional, Media or whatever. Too bad M$ has to be so stupid about this. If it isn't some other problem that's really causing it.

It's not another problem. Even if it was, I'm sure it would be easily fixable. The dollar signs in the dreams of the greedy assholes at the top are causing the problem.

Edit: This is BULL****! I'm NOT doing a MAJOR ****ING update on my computer for this, and I'm SURE AS HELL not paying to make it work. Isn't there some work-around?

[kcma]

yes yes... it's entirely MS's fault and stupidity that you can't update on a pirated version of windows :) i love this logic!

[mesonm]

Isn't there some work-around?

There may be a workaround, and this might be the wrong place to find it...

You can always talk with your money...Take it back.....

[JaedxRapture]

yes yes... it's entirely MS's fault and stupidity that you can't update on a pirated version of windows :) i love this logic!

Who the HELL said I'm running a pirated version? Why don't you learn to read.

[MixedVariety]

You ought to call them at Tech Support; for a new product like this you'd think they'd do cartwheels to help you out.
Really though: Call them. It may be a simpler fix than you think. I cannot understand the reasoning behind making a product that will only work with such specific requirements; they're just asking for iPod to keep beating them out.

[JaedxRapture]

You ought to call them at Tech Support; for a new product like this you'd think they'd do cartwheels to help you out.
Really though: Call them. It may be a simpler fix than you think. I cannot understand the reasoning behind making a product that will only work with such specific requirements; they're just asking for iPod to keep beating them out.

I checked their website thoroughly as well as the MS website. It WILL NOT work on MCE pre-2005 (so they say). Calling them will just turn into an arguement and I'll end up doing some **** I'll regret.

[MixedVariety]

Well, I'd have to say if this is really the case, they'll sell a lot less of them than they thought; or they'll have a lot of them returned.

[mesonm]

I checked their website thoroughly as well as the MS website. It WILL NOT work on MCE pre-2005 (so they say). Calling them will just turn into an arguement and I'll end up doing some **** I'll regret.

Wow....So you are venting here because you don't want to talk to the real peeps who possibly know the answer to the problem with THEIR product?

That is too funny...
:laughing:

[Tanitha]

This Microsoft Zune page (http://www.zune.net/en-us/meetzune/software/releasenotes.htm#installingzunesoftwareonwindowsxp) details what they have done. You can install it on Windows XP and Windows XP Media Center 2005 (With a certain patch applied) The two OSs it is incompatible with is:


Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004


As of December 8 the Microsoft Support page has no known fixes (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928181/en-us?sd=zune) for this. I wouldn't necessarily blame this on greed though - it might simply be a case of core OS dll's having a slightly different / unable to be changed API. It happens.

[JaedxRapture]

This Microsoft Zune page (http://www.zune.net/en-us/meetzune/software/releasenotes.htm#installingzunesoftwareonwindowsxp) details what they have done. You can install it on Windows XP and Windows XP Media Center 2005 (With a certain patch applied) The two OSs it is incompatible with is:


Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004


As of December 8 the Microsoft Support page has no known fixes (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928181/en-us?sd=zune) for this. I wouldn't necessarily blame this on greed though - it might simply be a case of core OS dll's having a slightly different / unable to be changed API. It happens.

Almost all MP3 players work on all operating systems. The fact that this doesn't work is the work of evil greed.

Oh, it doesn't require cchanges to the OS, it reqires changes to the MP3 player. Have you heard of any players with this issue? They don't support it because they choose not to.

[Tanitha]

Almost all MP3 players work on all operating systems. The fact that this doesn't work is the work of evil greed.

Consider a few points:

1. The core operating system interface might be different. I'm not very experienced with the Media Center interfaces, but I can tell you from a networking perspective they are radically different. Some things you can do on the later versions is simply impossible to do on earlier OSs. It makes things incredibly difficult for software vendors.

2. Zune is intended as competition for iTunes, is it not? Do you think the evils of greed would make them cut their noses to spite their face? Seems a little bit stupid to me, but hey - different people see things differently. But it's not considered normal business practice to upsell another product (XP Media Center 2005) by knee-capping the product you are selling. (Zune)

3. Does it not work at all on those TWO operating system releases? Or is it simply the Zune software that does not work? Can you still have access to the device via the standard WMP interfaces and so on? (Sorry, haven't held a Zune in my hands, so I don't know if you can work it through other software)

Oh, it doesn't require cchanges to the OS, it reqires changes to the MP3 player. Have you heard of any players with this issue? They don't support it because they choose not to.
Logically, I can't agree with that. It would be incredibly stupid to kneecap the product by requiring an OS upgrade when the major market for it is in the media itself and being a content provider. That is partly what their major push with the DRM and Premium Content and associated protection mechanisms in Vista has been with. To try and compete with a very lucrative market that is currently dominated by Apple.

To try and score a few bucks off Media Center upgrades while annoying a lot of consumers would be incredibly idiotic.

I'm more inclined to believe that it is an OS limitation and that you will see some other way to interact with the Zune in the near future - if enough consumers contact Microsoft to voice their displeasure.

Not telling them about the problem is stupid. They know the numbers of OS Sales they've had for each. They know how many are currently activated. What they don't know is how many people running those OSs have Zunes. And how many people might be aggravated by this. You are the only person who can help supply that information.

So - get in touch with them!

[kcma]

have to agree with Tanitha. Zune benefits from nothing being incompatible to certain OS.

[mesonm]

Oh, it doesn't require cchanges to the OS, it reqires changes to the MP3 player.

I disagree...This is probably a software incompatibility, not anything to do with the MP3 device.

[Tanitha]

have to agree with Tanitha. Zune benefits from nothing being incompatible to certain OS.

Mods - can I have a framed and autographed copy of this post delivered to me, please? kcma agreed with me - how cool is that? :laugh:

[kcma]

i can agree with you all the time <3