I still don't like the new firmware, and have been searching for a way to downgrade. Here is a way that worked for me!
FIRST: This only works with 30GB ZUNES! Don't attempt to install on any other ZUNE!
ALSO: I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE DONE TO YOUR ZUNE IN THE PROCESS OF THIS. IF YOU MESS UP, YOUR FAULT!
Okay: Let's get started!
NOTES:
-DO NOT (I REPEAT, DO NOT!) PERFORM THIS IF YOU HAVE PURCHASED MUSIC FROM THE MARKETPLACE!
-Do NOT (I repeat DO NOT!) uninstall the Zune 3.x software. You will be using it to restore the Zune. What I did here was trick the Zune software to think that the old firmware was actually the new firmware.
1) First, do a windows search (winXP: Start -> Search)
2) Edit the search preferences to search through hidden and system files, too.
3) Search for baseline.cab in all local hard drives.
4) When done, it should show 3 .cab files, KeelBaseline, ScorpiusBaseline, and DracoBaseline. (If they don't show up, uninstall the Zune Software and download the full 3.x package. It should be around 300mb or so.) Right click on any of them, and click "open containing folder". The one we want is KeelBaseline. Drag this file to your desktop.
5) Find a download (If you don't already have the file) for the Zune 1.4 firmware. You can find this on a lot of 2.x downgrade tutorials.
6) Once you have the old firmware file, rename it to KeelBaseline.cab (be careful not to name it KeelBaseline.cab.cab!)
7) Drag the old firmware (the one you just renamed) into the folder where KeelBaseline.cab once was (C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Zune\Firmware Updates).
8) Close all open windows.
NOTE:
-This part of the tutorial will erase all of the contents on your Zune device. DO NOT (I REPEAT, DO NOT!) PERFORM THIS IF YOU HAVE PURCHASED MUSIC FROM THE MARKETPLACE!
-Your Zune should not be plugged in to the computer until the tutorial tells you to plug it in.
1) Shut down your zune by holding the back and down buttons.
2) Restart it by pressing the play button.
3) When the Zune logo appears, immediately press and hold the back, center, and left buttons.
4) Your Zune should say "erasing content" or something like that.
5) After a minute, it will say connect to your computer. Don't do that just yet. Start the Zune 3.x software NOW.
6) Once it is loaded, you can connect your Zune. It might want to reinstall, just let it do its thing if it has to. (Mine did not.)
7) It will say you need to update your device. Go ahead and click update. (DO NOT FREAK! Yes, it says 3.1 firmware, but it is not! We have successfully tricked the Zune software! It will also say it is downloading the firmware, which it does not. DO NOT FREAK!) You do not have to uncheck the "install games" box.
NOTE: After flashing the Zune, the computer software will say that the update failed. Yeah, let's just let it believe that. It didn't fail. It just didn't flash with the firmware it wanted to. It has successfully flashed our Zune with the old firmware! =D
8) It should successfully flash the Zune with the old 1.4 firmware! When it is finished, you will be greeted with the lovely old firmware that you have come to know and love. =D
So now you have the old firmware on your Zune.
Thanks to ZielGuitarist, here is the rest of the tutorial.
Go to the Zune installation directory, open the Drivers folder and copy all of the contents to another folder in a safe place where it won't get deleted.
Uninstall all remnants of the Zune 3.x software, and install the 1.x software from the installation disk (If you still have it). If not, find a download for it. When it says "scanning for device," plug in the Zune, and you should get a prompt for the missing .DLL file. Direct the search to the folder that you stored the 3.x DLL's in.
Testimonial from ZielGuitarist:
"Presto, I'm now running the first release of the Zune software with 1.4 firmware. I'm syncing my library now with no issues whatsoever."
Last edited by Canberra25; 03-01-2009 at 09:50 AM.
Reason: Combining the fix post with the tutorial so it is easier for people to use.
I've found a workaround for the Zune software issue. Here's what I did:
I followed your downgrade instructions. After I was finished, I went to the Zune installation directory, opened the Drivers folder and copied the contents to another folder in a safe place where it wouldn't get deleted.
I uninstalled all remnants of the Zune 3.x software, and installed the 1.x software from the installation disk I got with my Zune originally. When it said "scanning for device," I plugged in the Zune, and got the prompt for the missing .DLL file. I directed the search to the folder that I had created with the 3.x DLL's. Presto, I'm now running the first release of the Zune software with 1.4 firmware. I'm syncing my library now with no issues whatsoever.
Last edited by Bolt; 02-13-2009 at 07:29 PM.
Reason: I'm a grammar bitch
iPostNaked, the HD hack works with the older firmware, so i'm sure you could get the videos to work
i don't remember if you can play them on the device or not, i think so, but i'm not sure.
Heres what I did...
I didnt use 3rd party P2P applications containing viruses/malware to get my media and systematically ran windows update every time I was prompted too..
Guess what? The new firmware works great and operates very smoothly and I have:
1.) Podcasts
2.) Games
3.) WiFi Marketplace
Go back to 1.3 and loose all the features that turn the Zune into just any other mp3 player.. ya e-tards.. the world can do without you.
Heres what I did...
I didnt use 3rd party P2P applications containing viruses/malware to get my media and systematically ran windows update every time I was prompted too..
Guess what? The new firmware works great and operates very smoothly and I have:
1.) Podcasts
2.) Games
3.) WiFi Marketplace
Go back to 1.3 and loose all the features that turn the Zune into just any other mp3 player.. ya e-tards.. the world can do without you.
Well, take into consideration that some people don't care about:
1.) Podcasts
2.) Games
3.) WiFi Marketplace
Instead of bagging on people for how they want their device to operate and what software they want to use, do something productive with your time. I posted this for people like me who don't like the new firmware/software combination. If you like it, good for you. Leave the rest of us alone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZielGuitarist
I've found a workaround for the Zune software issue. Here's what I did:
I followed your downgrade instructions. After I was finished, I went to the Zune installation directory, opened the Drivers folder and copied the contents to another folder in a safe place where it wouldn't get deleted.
I uninstalled all remnants of the Zune 3.x software, and installed the 1.x software from the installation disk I got with my Zune originally. When it said "scanning for device," I plugged in the Zune, and got the prompt for the missing .DLL file. I directed the search to the folder that I had created with the 3.x DLL's. Presto, I'm now running the first release of the Zune software with 1.4 firmware. I'm syncing my library now with no issues whatsoever.
Thank you!
Would it be okay for me to put this in my tutorial (of course, giving you credit)?
Congratulations on the downgrade instructions from 3.x. Contrary to what some believe, there are some excellent reasons to downgrade back to 1.4.
As for podcast support, When I was running with 1.4 I used JUICE Juice, the cross-platform podcast receiver. to manage podcast subscriptions and simply had the 1.x Zune software monitor the download directories. Worked extremely well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Canberra25
Instead of bagging on people for how they want their device to operate and what software they want to use, do something productive with your time. I posted this for people like me who don't like the new firmware/software combination. If you like it, good for you. Leave the rest of us alone.
There are many people who dislike non-conformity. If all Zune owners fall lock-step into the forced firmware/software upgrades then those people don't have to think because there is no choice to be made.
But make the downgrade capability available and suddenly you force those same people to decide between the old and the new. They will resent you for forcing them to decide.
You wouldn't believe the ration of trash talk I received when I published the 2.x to 1.4 downgrade instructions. Simply for making the option available.
You wouldn't believe the ration of trash talk I received when I published the 2.x to 1.4 downgrade instructions. Simply for making the option available.
You are the person responsible for the 2.x downgrade?
I have a lot of respect for you. I used your guide many, many times to help myself and friends downgrade from 2.x. Unfortunately, after 3.0, your guide no longer worked. I was quite upset because after that I no longer had the choice to downgrade. That is, until I figured it out myself.
I will probably get my share of hate mail, too. Just give it time...
You are the person responsible for the 2.x downgrade?
I have a lot of respect for you. I used your guide many, many times to help myself and friends downgrade from 2.x. Unfortunately, after 3.0, your guide no longer worked. I was quite upset because after that I no longer had the choice to downgrade. That is, until I figured it out myself.
I will probably get my share of hate mail, too. Just give it time...
Yep, that's me. Thanks for the kind words. I wasn't the only one to produce a downgrade guide, but mine was one of the first (the same day that 2.0 was released) and the most comprehensive. (The basic elements of that process came from the guide to adding support for Asian characters that was published on this forum).
It is that kind of synergy amongst unrelated people to help that makes it fun being a part of the online Zune community... even though Microsoft does everything it can to squash our efforts.
Thank you for carrying on that tradition with your efforts. It has actually gotten me thinking about downgrading one of my Zune 30s from 3.5 to 1.4.
Yep, that's me. Thanks for the kind words. I wasn't the only one to produce a downgrade guide, but mine was one of the first (the same day that 2.0 was released) and the most comprehensive. (The basic elements of that process came from the guide to adding support for Asian characters that was published on this forum).
Thank you for carrying on that tradition with your efforts. It has actually gotten me thinking about downgrading one of my Zune 30s from 3.5 to 1.4.
You are very welcome!
But wait, there is a 3.5?!
I thought it was 3.1...
I dunno. Maybe I'm just not paying attention. After all, I am at 1.4. =D
Well, take into consideration that some people don't care about:
1.) Podcasts
2.) Games
3.) WiFi Marketplace
Then why did you waste money getting a Zune when you could have got any other $40 mp3 player? Seriously...
It's a good tutorial and all..
I just lack the perspective to ever want to downgrade, and pity those who do due to them losing really good major features.
Then why did you waste money getting a Zune when you could have got any other $40 mp3 player? Seriously...
It's a good tutorial and all..
I just lack the perspective to ever want to downgrade, and pity those who do due to them losing really good major features.
You are ignoring or forgetting the fact that there are many people who made the purchase decision to buy a Zune 30 based on what it could do at the time they made that purchase. And that time of purchase was BEFORE 2.0.
I've already stated that podcast support IS possible under 1.4. So that is one "really good major feature" that is still available.
There are people who liked the look and features of the Zune 30 circa 1.4. They appreciate the 5-star rating system, the WMP look and feel, true "browse by genre", lower system resource usage, hacks that allow the 30 to be used as a USB harddrive, etc.
Why do YOU care if someone knowingly wants to give up access to GAMES and WIFI Marketplace in exchange for a cleaner more responsive UI, 5-star rating, hacks and tweaks, and software that they prefer? especially to the point of wanting to "pity" them.
Why do YOU care if someone knowingly wants to give up access to GAMES and WIFI Marketplace in exchange for a cleaner more responsive UI, 5-star rating, hacks and tweaks, and software that they prefer? especially to the point of wanting to "pity" them.
And you can do ALL of that with a $90 Lyra..
On the new software you can limit how many system resources it uses, so your theory on that is fail. Also the 5 star rating is pointless, either love it hate it or neutral is fine I dont see why the two extra stars are even there, I don't know one single person who actually uses them for their library. I understand about the the HD hack, I used it for awhile there to but thumbdrives are huge and inexpensive these days, so why bother?
I just fail to see the point of downgrading unless you're on a vista machine using the same hardware you used when you upgraded to xp from win98...
But that is just me, and my opinion, I don't see why lose the things that make the Zune a Zune and not just any other ordinary cheapo mp3/video player..
But that is just me, and my opinion, I don't see why lose the things that make the Zune a Zune and not just any other ordinary cheapo mp3/video player..
Don't you mean "the things that make the Zune an iPod"?
Correct me if I'm wrong (which I'm probably not), but did the iPod have Games, a Wifi Music Store, and Podcasts before the Zune? Yessir, it did.
(I'm not bagging on the iPod, I own a touch, and love it. I prefer my DOWNGRADED Zune to it though.)
Don't you mean "the things that make the Zune an iPod"?
Correct me if I'm wrong (which I'm probably not), but did the iPod have Games, a Wifi Music Store, and Podcasts before the Zune? Yessir, it did.
(I'm not bagging on the iPod, I own a touch, and love it. I prefer my DOWNGRADED Zune to it though.)
Yes the iPod has all that stuff but what separates the Zune from the iPod is the fact that, especially for classic 30 Zune owners like me and you, is that we did not have to buy an entirely new Zune to get the new podcast/games/wifi features. iPod classic just had music and you had to buy a brand new iPod just to get video, then another to get other things, etc (I had to buy 3 iPods just to get the new features before I finally bought a Zune, and was so happy when we got all the new features without being forced to buy a 2nd gen Zune just to get the new features). This is what separates the Zune from being an iPod or "just another media player."
Zune 3.x -> 1.4 downgrade Tutorial
