Zune on Linux Progress

[collingall2005]

Originally Posted by twistedneck

Fixed it! Thanks to the internet gurus..

Zune usb device now connects to Ubuntu and Vmplayer XP.

Run this command first to mount usbfs to the file system used by vmware /proc/bus/usb.

mount -t usbfs /dev/bus/usb /proc/bus/usb

Dont forget to disable usb 2.0 in the bios.

http://home.comcast.net/~jcheck10/Zune-Ubuntu.png

sweet thanks for the info, im installing ubuntu this weekend, good by xp!

[twistedneck]

Update, zune 2 sowtfware now wireless syncs with my 30g zune on Ubuntu using vmware emulated xp.

Big thing, need to have the network setting on vmware set to Bridged, not NEC.

the only tricky part is making sure your samba share drive that contains 'My Music' or what ever music directory has the correct permissions.

still slow usb 1.0 - wireless is faster, so that's a benefit.

looks like the xbox360 will properly find my zune software also, now that vmware has its own unique ip address.

[geraldo_boy15]

so can u also do videos? and thx

[Robb4248]

The only thing about this... is that you must have Windows XP for this to work.

I've been trying another approach using WINE and a few other applications, with no luck, but then again, Microsoft is becoming more and more proprietary.

[dstickst]

Guys, no offense (and I know this is a sore point among Linux users - I'm running a dual-boot Ubuntu Gutsy/Windows XP box myself), but when I hear "Zune on Linux," I want Zune on Linux. I don't want you to tell me to run VMWare or some such nonsense. I want a native Linux app that talks to my Zune.

That's really the fundamental problem trying to bring people over to Linux, even though I understand that it's hard to get around closed applications. The moment you tell someone "yeah, you can do this in Linux, you just have to run a Windows emulator (of sorts)" he/she is going to instantly think "well, then why waste time learning Linux when even it needs Windows to get the job done?"

The Zune in particular is a tough nut to crack, since MS really reamed all the protection they could in that double-shot case.

That being said, I don't want to be 100% negative: I do love the Amarok player.

[Robb4248]

Which was what I was trying to point out... I am currently taking classes on Linux Systems Administration, and believe me, the average user does not understand that it is quite hard to do(and also use the GUI, instead of a CLI).

I've been trying to get the Zune to run in Linux the best I could, but honestly, it is not working well. The only solution I can come up with right now is getting a 1.8" ZIF to USB connector and rigging it up as an external drive, but that still poses problems.

[dstickst]

I feel your pain. I guess what this really comes down to is that Microsoft produces the Zune. Microsoft produces Windows. Microsoft feels threatened by OSX and Linux (expecially in these days of budget Linux boxes). Microsoft SMASH!

That, and DRM.

By the way, and this is OT, but I've been having an awful time getting my sound to work properly in Gutsy. Amarok works just fine, but anything else, including system-generated sounds are AWOL. I tried installing the alternate sound libs and that just seemed to exacerbate the issue. Any suggestions?

[FlyingIsFun1217]

Originally Posted by dstickst

Any suggestions?

Post it over at ubuntuforums.org, you'll get really good support.

FlyingIsFun1217

[supapeach]

couldn't you just open the zune install executable with WINE on Linux?

[Mammlouk]

Originally Posted by supapeach

couldn't you just open the zune install executable with WINE on Linux?

I haven't tested the recent releases, but in the past the installer wouldn't even run in WINE. Even if it did, you still run into the problem that WINE doesn't have a USB driver. I suppose that foregoing the USB might be possible now that wireless sync is possible, but you still need to get the software installed.

[Bman22]

nice work, i know alot of people will be very happy about this (me included), but one small problem, is that you are in a way still running it on windows, just a virtual one, so people without a copy of windows are still stuck

[Aden]

Sounds like a pretty decent hack. Keep up some awesome work. Shame i wont be using it. I am linuxless at the moment.

[scrizz]

i hope we get native linux support

[FlyingIsFun1217]

Grrr.

If Microsoft would just take the iPod approach to device handling. We'd be able to use it so much more effectively. Although it might create problems with wireless sync.

FlyingIsFun1217

[jacobmervine]

Originally Posted by PityOnU

It makes you sound really smart if you use it, too

indeed it does, i love linux so fast, and the numbers are growing more program support it and such i cannot wait until its running along side of windows with support

[Saffy]

Ive heard that Mandriva Linux is good for using Windows programs

[mr.handsomeman]

I don't even know what Linux is.....whatever. Is it important to me?

[Saffy]

Its not really importent. its just a good alternative OS to Windows, and free, most of the time, and vey customizable, only problem is it can bearly use any windows applications without an emulater.
Once you get into it, its rather interesting

[Tobososlow]

Linux is another operating system like Windows XP or Vista. It's not important to you really unless you are running a Linux OS.

[FlyingIsFun1217]

Originally Posted by Tobososlow

It's not important to you really unless you are running a Linux OS.

It's important to you if you want something other than windows, or are willing to try new things that may be more efficient on your hardware. Personal preference.

Originally Posted by Saffy

Ive heard that Mandriva Linux is good for using Windows programs

It would need WINE to use windows programs. And no matter what distro you're on, you can use that WINE version. So no, it's no better than any other distro for windows programs.

FlyingIsFun1217