Comments on: Don't upgrade that Zune... yet

Some first-generation Zune owners are upset about the new software being thrust upon them by Microsoft.

[ella785]

Ah mann.. I have just gone through three days of trying to figure out what the "mystery package" was. Turns out that the previous version of the Zune software that was on my computer was the one at fault. It wasn't a clean install so the ugrade that Microsoft released couldn't connect with the current version of the program that was on my computer. Long story short i downloaded UnZoone from http://remove-it.org/tools/unzoone cleaned out the old version of the software and downloaded the new one. Install was fast and easy.

Once installed the software appeared to be faster than the previous version most probably because of the noticeable lack of the features that used to be on it. The software is minimal to a fault because in it's attempt to simplify the whole experience it excluded the functions that were essential to most users. I will miss the 5 star ranking system and the complex settings since they allow me to control the library to the degree that i want.

When i first ran the software it detected all of my media on my external hard drive without hiccups. All the album art were assigned to their proper albums since i embed them instead of doing the drag and drop. I also edit tags on WMP11 since it is far more versatile than the Zune software. Although the software does have a lot of faults i believe that the whole experience is more attractive, just not to the advanced users.

[MrPepsi00]

So Microsoft announced that it will be releasing laser engraved Zune's soon. As CNN puts it... "In a bid to one-up Apple"
OMG, give me a break. How about making software that works, a GUI that is user friendly, and try listening to your users to try and integrate some features that everyone is wanting. I mean really. Please explain to me why Microsoft would waste money working on a plan to laser engrave an MP3 player that everyone is just going to cover with a protective cover anyway. Heck I'm starting to think everyone will make sure to hide their Zune's since they will all be embarassed to be seen with them anyway.

I have yet to get my software to install properly. So now I had to roll back to the original install which means no more access to the marketplace. Well its probably for the best since I won't want to buy too many albums that I won't be able to use with an iPod since I'm going to be forced to buy one soon anyway.

Frustrated IT guy who can't even install Zune software.

[redraidersan]

I love how many Microsoft employees are commenting here. They are te only ones that could possibly like the new software. It does work perfectly in one regard: marketplace. Amazingly they got that right.

[justifide]

Haven't upgraded my zune (i looked at the forums the morning of launch to see how the public reception went) but on the zune.net forums, i am impressed to see the devs asking the public what needs to change and addressing peoples' issues. This is a bit rare and to me, unexpected from MS. granted the complaint posts outweigh the responses a hundred to one but it seems they are going to address the auto-playlist removal and other gripes.

personally,i think my 1.4 firmware zune is still better than the ipod i formerly owned. Once you get past the "but it ain't like itunes" moments of the software, its not too hard to use (and thankfully looks a little better to me). built in radio tuner, customizable backgrounds (big one for me) , bigger screen and the simple fact that its a change from the now-even-your-grandma-has-one ipod.

before i get flamed. had an ipod, loved it. pc user, but i drool over apple hardware and OS x. i don't care who makes it...if it works good and is sexy...i am in :)

[trevor_25]

The first time I tried to upgrade I got an error message saying that certain files could not be downloaded. The second time everything seemed to download properly and install, but for some reason I could not sync my music files. All of my original music was on my zune, but any new music would not sync. So I reinstalled a third time and I finally got it all to work. I am still unable to wirelessly sync, although I cant tell if this is a zune software issue or my network issue. It doesnt seem to be a problem for the other ten devices I have connected to my network, but when I try to wirelessly sync it tells me I am not logged in. I dont know what that means, but so far the only real feature I upgraded for I am not able to use. This has been one of those lessons learned about upgrading first generation anything software or electronics. Just wait.

[forgiven801]

I haven't had any problems. No, I am not a Microsoft employee either. I just bought the 30G Brown Zune for $100 and I upgraded to the new software and everything seems great. I really enjoy my Zune, for the price I paid it can't be beat. I would like to see more options for video on the Marketplace (like episdoes of the Office) but overall I enjoy my Zune much more than my Ipod. Head to Head I give the nod toward the Zune, Software goes to Ipod but Zune has improved, Price...not even close. Ipod need to change their name to I-wallet.

[beastmaster47]

I'm no computer whiz and I downloaded all the new software without deleting the old and all my art work and stuff is correct and the firmware upgrade worked like it should too. I thought we were supposed to be able to load tv and movies we recorded on our media center edition xp computers but then maybe I was wrong or else thats just a vista option. As far as the star rating goes what others think of a song isn't that important its what I think of the song. And like any other software app some people like it others don't.

[leonbev]

Add me to the list of people who's music libraries got hosed by the 2.1 upgrade. I ended up strange things like with "Weird Al" music in my Cake folder, and a ton of duplicate songs on my Zune. The fix listed here seems to work, though!

[mmgj5]

My main problem is getting the new software to load! I have windows sp2
and after I download the new Zune software and push the launch button I receive an error code that says that microsoftnet framework version 2.0.50727 would not load. Can't use the software at all!!!

[ceciltmeadejr]

I bought a first gen from a friend not too long ago, and everything was fine, except one problem. If I ever put more then about 750songs or so, it would constantly freeze, to the point of almost not being usuable. So in the mean time I have restricted to putting less then 750 on there.
Now, when I installed the new software, a couple new problems came up.
One, I cant select an artist then play all. I have to go to the album section to get anything to work.
Second, when I want to add/remove/change my music, it takes HOURS to sync. I have a Zune MP Subscription, and tried adding 40songs today, and it had to resync all the songs I already had on there, and the non DRM files take absolutly forever. After it would "resync" the songs that were there it would just put in the section that said "Xnumber of songs, no changes made" or something like that, and above is were it said "40songs to sync".
I had installed the new software yesterday, and had to go through this process then and figured it was just because it was new software. But I really dont want to have to go through all of that to change something on it.
Anyone know where I can get a link to go back to the normal software. I have the disc, but if I install it off of there it will just want to update it agian, right?

[MrPepsi00]

If you remove the 2.1, then install the original CD, with your network card unplugged it will work fine. However, Microshaft has now restricted access to the marketplace until you upgrade. So now I can't buy any new albums or songs.

[Draigous]

All the complaints you have have been addressed and fixed. As far as editing goes, if you have to do that much editing maybe stop downloading from illegal sites. I also had problems with my library,but a fix was posted on the social boards within 2 hours after complaints there. Also most of the people downgrading to the older version are doing so because their mods and hacks don't work in the new software. So for me this software is great and its faster than the one software. If you have hacked your Zune then your problems are your own fault.

[Draigous]

All the complaints you have have been addressed and fixed. As far as editing goes, if you have to do that much editing maybe stop downloading from illegal sites. I also had problems with my library,but a fix was posted on the social boards within 2 hours after complaints there. Also most of the people downgrading to the older version are doing so because their mods and hacks don't work in the new software. So for me this software is great and its faster than the old software. If you have hacked your Zune then your problems are your own fault.

[Amflore2]

it works great, little less control on changing info to music like the artist/songname/album if they are incorrect, but it just takes a little dabbling with. overall I like the new feel i was getting tired of my old zune software. now i just wish my click pad would turn into one of the cool new scroll wheels of the sec. gen models.

[Rod Roddy]

Updating my first gen zune software has brought new life into it, I've had no problems at all! Thanks to MS for remembering the early adopters of zune.

[patchman10]

Most of of these "problems " are fixable. Instead of being thankful for the upgrade we complain.If we are looking for perfection, we wont find it , no not even over at apple.

I also had two issues, but got them fixed. MS cant win with some people no matter what they do.. If there is no upgrade path we would be upset...There are a few snafus with this upgrade ,we complain. This is a big upgrade and always will be some hiccups. That goes for any firmware upgrade and software upgrade(HDDVD,blu ray, O/Ses,BIOS).

They could of taken a whole different approach and charged for the upgrade or given us no option but to buy the new zune (like Apple) . We would of have been complaining all over the place. Thanks to MS and the price of 5 hours tweaking my two old Zunes are new and usable again .and my ipod classic has been retired ....Take Care

[markdoiron]

My son couldn't access the online Zune. Problem was that it wanted me to input my Windows Live ID info. Then it refused that info saying I wasn't his registered parent. Now, my son says he never did tell the software that he had a parent when he originally registered at Urge, then transferred to Zune. But, somehow MS thought there was a parent out there. I tried every user ID and password that I might have ever given to MS, and nothing worked. We finally ended up cancelling the account, then starting a new account under a new ID. And I told him to tell MS that he's 18 (he will be in April anyway, and other users with the same problem say the MS NEVER allows the child to become an adult once registered--they must always get their parent's permission even after turning 18).

They can take COPA and go shove it where the sun don't shine if they think that's what kind of protection we're after for our kids. :-(

Now my son's in the process of reloading all of his music, since it's all gone. But, other than that, he does really like the new software and online interface. Too bad MS couldn't do it right for the under 18 crowd.

--mark d.

[shadowca1964]

I have thew original Zune 30GB with the ZUne 1.2 software updated to 1.3/1.4. I sa that Microsoft had updated bothe the firmware and software so I decided that I would give it a try. FIrst the software updated the firmware there making it impossible to return to any of the earlier versions of the Zune software. While attempting to install the Zune 2.1 software, I got the the dreaded, :ZUne faled to install because Zune.msi failed to install." then downed the newer installation that supposedly included the patches that corrected this problem. The software still failed to install. I am amoung those 9000 or so people in the ZUne boards looking for answers and a correction from either ZUne or Microsoft.
Due to other issues, I had to reformat my computer. Once i had WIndows XP reinstalled and properly updated, the newer Zune 2.1 software went it without a hitch. The software is buggy though as other readers have pointed out. The album art, artist and song assignmets, id3tags are missing or wrong. Did Microsoft test this software before releasing to the public, I don't think so.
Older Zune owners beware the new software. The software will Update your ZUne firmware making it impossible to earlier version of the Zune SOftware and you may have problems when you attempt to intall the newer ZUne 2.1 software