zAlternator Support and Discussion

[AFoolsParadise]

Vista 32Bit.

[PityOnU]

Absolutely no clue my friend. No clue at all.

[AFoolsParadise]

You developed it. So youd know better than I, but my theory is

Your program goes up to firmware 2.3
Perhaps The New Firmware Update Fixes The Glitch That When You End The Zune Process. The Zune Itself. No Longer Remains On Sync.

I know for a fact it has to do with the new zune firmware update

[Dizzy]

Strange... I'm dang near positive I've heard it's worked with others running the new software.

[greencapt]

Just a thought but maybe when the update occurred it changed the setting in the Zune software to 'launch Zune software when device connects' (or however they word it). There's always a chance that zAlt and that feature are working against each other.

[AFoolsParadise]

You know the zune software is set to start auto when zune connects. That may be it. Ill test it tomorrow morning

[AFoolsParadise]

Alright.

Little Update.
Im using an Old Zune 30GB To Let You Know. I disabled AutoStart Zune When Device Is Connected. Heres What I Am Doing.

Step 1. Open Zune Program ( Zune Immediately says Connected )
Step 2. Open Task Manager
Step 3. Start Syncing A Large File ( And Tried Some Music Albums ) To Buy Time To Click End Task Before The Syncs Done.

Step 4. End The Task.

NOW I stared at my zune. After about 30seconds. The Zune which did have Syncing still on when the software was just ended. Says " Connected " And then goes back to the Main Screen.

SO ZAlternator is working. The problem is, I cant get the Syncing Screen To Stay So I Can Use It Properly.

[AFoolsParadise]

Another Update

It Has Nothing To Do With USB Drivers Or USB Settings. I Tried On Another PC. Which Has Default Vista 32 Settings. And It Does The Same. 30 Seconds After Zune Has Had Its Processed Ended. The Sync Screen Goes Back To Normal

[lord0fpie]

So what does this mean exactly? I did everything, WMP recognised it, and then it says that it can't sync back music on it. Could this be because of my subscription service?

[PityOnU]

Originally Posted by AFoolsParadise

Another Update

It Has Nothing To Do With USB Drivers Or USB Settings. I Tried On Another PC. Which Has Default Vista 32 Settings. And It Does The Same. 30 Seconds After Zune Has Had Its Processed Ended. The Sync Screen Goes Back To Normal

I disagree. I just tried this on my machine just to make sure (Windows XP) and it works just fine with all up to date everything. Is your device a Zune 4, 8, or 80? What make of PC are you using?

At this point, it is clear to me that it is either Vista itself or you Zune that is causing the problem.

OR yu not unlocking it correctly, but IDK.

[galavoxx]

Need iTunes!!

[AFoolsParadise]

My Spechs

Brand New Gateway Desktop. Vista 32BIT Home Premium

ANd A Toshiba Laptop Yr Old. Vista 32Bit Ultimate

Zune 30GB Black. ( Original Zune ) Latest Firmware Version Available.
I also posted what I am doing in steps.

Step. 1 Open Zune ( While Device Is Connected) ( Zune Immediately Goes To " Connected " Screen )
Step 2. Open Task Manager.
Step 3. Start Syncing A Random Album.
Step 4. End Task For Zune Software

( The Zune Still Says Sync ) ( 30 Seconds After Briefly Says " Connected " ) ( Then Returns To Basic Zune Screen ' Music, Videos Pictures " Etc etc )

Thats exactly what I been doing. Now before the new Zune Update this Mod Did Work Once. It Does Work.

But after the new Update with Zune it stopped

[PityOnU]

I cant say man. I fully updated all of my stuff and it all works fine for me.

*looks at Zune* Yeah, my Zune has be on the 'unlocked' screen for the past 30 mins. No change.

[bowlingdude]

I used the zAlternator, which works, but when I try to add files to my Zune I get an error saying that windows media player cannot access the file.

What do I do so that it does work?

[greencapt]

Hey AFoolsParadise...

Here's my steps with XP that works with my Z30. I'm grasping at straws but give it a try and see if it works for you like this:

Step 1: Open Zune software with device connected (device screen says 'connected')

Step 2: Drag a VIDEO from my collection to Zune device icon to begin syncing it. (I have a couple of music videos in my collection that are long enough to do the trick)

Step 3: Wait until sync % under icon in Zune software reaches 3% or 4% so that I'm SURE the software is doing what it should.

Step 4: NOW open task manager and end Zune.Exe process. This closes Zune software and device screen should be stuck in 'syncing' animation mode.

Step 5: Open zAlternator and follow prompts to change device to 'Generic WPD'. Close zAlt after the change is confirmed. (device should now still be on syncing animation and will stay there until physically disconnected)

Step 6: Open WMP11 (your option here as to what supported program to use). After setting up my WMP 'sync profile' for the device the first time I've never had a problem syncing music to the device.

Maybe give this a try and report back if it works.

GC

[Dizzy]

Originally Posted by bowlingdude

I used the zAlternator, which works, but when I try to add files to my Zune I get an error saying that windows media player cannot access the file.

What do I do so that it does work?

You're missing the unlocking step. Be sure you end the sync with "End Process".

[AFoolsParadise]

Im going to try, I immediately end the process once the zune screen says Syncing

Question: What is the unlocked screen?

[greencapt]

Originally Posted by AFoolsParadise

Im going to try, I immediately end the process once the zune screen says Syncing

Question: What is the unlocked screen?

I think he means the 'syncing animation' screen- when that's on all the time and the Zune software isn't running it means the device is unlocked.

[DaanRiver]

Originally Posted by greencapt

Hey AFoolsParadise...
Step 4: NOW open task manager and end Zune.Exe process. This closes Zune software and device screen should be stuck in 'syncing' animation mode.

Step 5: Open zAlternator and follow prompts to change device to 'Generic WPD'. Close zAlt after the change is confirmed. (device should now still be on syncing animation and will stay there until physically disconnected)

Step 6: Open WMP11 (your option here as to what supported program to use). After setting up my WMP 'sync profile' for the device the first time I've never had a problem syncing music to the device.

Maybe give this a try and report back if it works.

GC

thanks for the steps,
I walked through these, but after step 4 I get different results,

as I sync a video, I end the task of the zune software,
the 'unlocked screen' appears.. 'syncing' with the animation..
but if I do nothing then, after a couple of seconds, the screen disappears. and it's just connected again, or I just see the main menu.

I did it again, and while the syncing animation appeared, I used zalternator..
and after a couple of seconds, the syncing animation disappeared by itself..
now I have the same problem in WMP.. I can't sync to my zune

[journey42]

You should either combine KillAZune.exe with my instructions (change the taskkill line so it launches KillAZune instead) or use my solution for automation, here: www zuneboards.com/content/view/308/1/ (look for "Automating Zalternator").
1) Install the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools (Legit MS...gives you "Sleep" in command shell)
2) Paste this into notepad (file also attached):
-----------------------------
START \Progra~1\Zune\zune.exe
SLEEP 7
taskkill /F /IM Zune.exe
START \Progra~1\zAlternator\zAlternator.exe
------------------------------
and save it as zAutomator.bat and put it in C:\Windows folder.
3)Create a desktop shortcut to the file if desired.
4)Disable "Open Zune software" when Zune is connected option.
5)Make sure you've got a file large enough to take a few seconds. A vid file or something; this only works if it says "Syncing" on the Zune screen when the process is terminated.
6) Plug in your Zune
7) Open the shortcut or go to Run and type zAutomator. This will open the Zune software, hang for 7 seconds (change that value as needed to make this work for you), and then close Zune.exe AND launch zAlternator for you. Feel free to add your music manager program of choice to the end of the bat file. This is confirmed working with both Zune 1.x and Zune 2.x software and MediaMonkey3