Installing Zune 4.0 on WHS
Last week on the podcast,zekan asked if it was possible to install iTunes 9 on a WHS machine, I suggested a link over at MediaSmartServer.net where Mezo has found out how to do it.
Here, bsieve asks if the Zune software can be installed on WHS. Dave and Chris were all into the Zune software on podcast 56 so I decided to give it a try.
Following the instructions by Mezo, I was able to get Zune 4.0.740.0 installed.
I downloaded Orca from here and installed it. I downloaded the XP version of Zune here and copied it to a WHS share.
Extract the zunesetuppkg-86 file, which is a 52.9 meg to a folder with the same name. Go into that folder and open the packages folder.
Right click on Zune-x86, and if you installed Orca, you should have an option to Edit with Orca,
Here you want to select LaunchConditions and delete the conditions on the right and then save the new file.
Now RDC to that shared folder and move the complete extracted folder you created to the desktop. You must MOVE the folder to the desktop otherwise you will NOT be able to change it’s Properties, now you should have a folder that contains these files,
Right click on ZuneSetup and choose Properties and then the Compatibility Tab and change it to run as XP. Apply.
Now you should be GOOD TO GO. Double click ZuneSetup.exe and it will install.
UPDATE: Looks like you should right click on the Zune-x86.msi in the packages folder to begin the install and bybass the warning about it needing to be on a XP system. Also if you don’t get past the zune splash screen, you should install WMP11 from this link, http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/whsdevelopers/thread/e23d50e3-43d1-4007-a35f-bd30b2895986
You should change the wmfdist.exe & wmp11.exe to run as XP, and tick the box so the WHS will not reboot during the install.
NOTE: I installed this on my EX47x which does NOT have a sound card so I did get an error when selecting a song to play. So unless you have a USB sound card for your MSS then you should have a home build with a sound card. Also the screen resolution is not so great on the MSS, but hey, you asked for ZUNE on WHS, I delivered.
Good Luck.
John Zajdler (aka Diehard).
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Category: Media Smart Server, Windows Home Server
Awesome. So now I can wirelessly sync my podcasts.
usacomp2k3, I just got it to install so I don't know if it will sync as you requested, please let me know if it does, thanks.
Silly question….. but why would you want to install Zune software on your WHS?
Its a nice media client, but are there any compelling reasons for it to be on the server, especially if you do not own a zune?
Rob
[...] back. I didn’t want to leave the new Zune HD fans out of the picture so I wanted to get a link up about installing Zune Software 4.0 on your Windows Home Server. The install looks similar to the [...]
This is great thanks man. These communities are always the best. I will give it a try in a couple weeks when I get a chance to do the rebuild of the systems. I don't care about sound since I will be using it to sync not actually play the materials. Diehard thanks a ton, if this syncs (you will have to connect it once wired to set it up I think) this will be ideal for me.
For rob,
the reason I was wondering was for my zune. Since it syncs wirelessly i can run it on the server which is always on and then whenever I plug it in to the charging dock (next to my main tv which only has an extender when I someday get the HD and dock) it will automatically sync my content for me including I hope podcasts, television and newly added songs. Before it was not a big deal as I didn't have a dock plugged into my television but instead I would sync while doing other things on my pc. For me to have this running all the time and then simply plug it in as I sit to watch TV and have everything update would be great.
This would be a nice addin actually to simply have it act as a sync spot contact for media. With rss feeds with would be great for podcast both video and audio. If you could get it to sync other things such as emails and appointments I think I would wet myself.
[...] You can read the full details here. [...]
Awesome got it installed. The trick is that you have to have WMP11 installed first. Instructions here:
http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/whsdevel…
I followed the WMP11 section there, then followed John's instructions above. The one exception is that once you change the .msi file, you can then remote into the server, copy the folder, and then run the MSI file directly without having to change or run the zunesetup.exe
Now to get the wireless part working!
I have tried this several different time downloading the Zune software and Orca twice. Each time I work through the instructions carefully but when I try to install I get the message saying Zune 4 requires XP, Vista, etc. Can anyone provide me with a way to get this done, maybe even emailing me the modified file they used to do this?
TIA
Walter Wood
wwood at cfl dot rr dot com
OK listening to the "zunecasts" you guys made me go purchase a zunehd. The main reason is I HATE iTunes and its bloat. Now that I have it I would like to install it on my home server and be able to sync it wirelessly through my network and not use a dock (i dont have one yet). EDIT – I know we can install the software on WHS I just want to know if I can sync it.
Is this possible or should I just install Zune software on my laptop and use it that way via USB. FYI I really just got it 2 hours ago and havent even loaded any songs or HSS podcasts up yet. Hope this post isnt to old and someone reads this =) Thank again
Bill
Just an update, I was able to install zune on the WHS with no problem. But it did not add any value. Any changes or tagging of music to move to the zune had to be done via RDC. So I have to have another computer running anyway.
I found running the Zune soft on my main computer to work much better for management and features. I just pointed Zune to my shared music / photo folder on the WHS. If I missed some functionality please let me know.
FYI to uninstall zune make sure you use Orca on the uninstaller also =)
I have ver 4.0 running on my WHS but has anyone tried this with the latest release on Jan 26, 2010?
I got the new version to install, it took some work for me to figure out how to get the old one off, first I used Unzoon. Which now looking back I probably didnt need to use. I just used the original zune-x86.msi to uninstall it after trying Unzoon and it didnt work. By original I mean the same version I installed it with. I hope the makes sense.
Right now it's reloading all my songs and after that's done I'm going to try to connect the Zune and see if it'll sync or update the firmware. I'll report back.
Okay update: so you need to use the same version of zune-x86.msi that you used to install. Right click on it and select “uninstall”.
Then follow the steps above for installing the new version. I should work. It worked for me.
Also, I updated the firmware on my wife's laptop, I didn't want to risk a sneaky installation crapping out and bricking it.