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Microsoft Zune Picture - Zune In The Wild!

The reason the shot is in black and white is because Microsoft assigned a unique color scheme to every Zune prototype in existence right now—all 150 of them—so any leaks could be traced to the employee who leaked it.
microsoft - comments - 16.8.2006

Zune 3.1 released, Zune now cheaper than iPod

Microsoft has released firmware version 3.1 for all models of their Zune MP3 players.
microsoft - comments - 18.11.2008

The Vista driver outlook gets a little brighter

’ve been watching for the past six months as PC hardware makers deliver updated drivers to make their products work with Windows Vista. Lately, the trickle has turned into a steady stream.
windows - comments - 8.7.2007

Driver Magician Lite 3.31

Driver Magician Lite is freeware, it identifies all the hardware in the system, extracts their associated drivers from the hard disk and backs them up to a location of your choice.
download - comments - 11.10.2007

Windows Vista Display Driver Model

The Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) is a new display driver architecture supported in Windows Vista. This display architecture is an overhaul of the Windows XP-based display architecture and gives users a better performing, more reliable desktop experience, while supporting new scenarios, graphics, and applications.
windows - comments - 2.8.2006

Vista SP1 Has Driver Compatibility Problems? Do Tell!

Ever since February 4, 2008, the day Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008 were released to manufacturing, Microsoft made a move indicating that it was not entirely comfortable to release Vista SP1.
windows - comments - 4.3.2008

Zune HD will be the only Zune standing

Paul Thurrott has confirmed that the Zune HD will be the only Zune left once the touchscreen media player launches in two weeks, as it is clearly shown in my masterpiece made in MS Paint below.
microsoft - comments - 2.9.2009

Driver Magic - Automatically updates your computers drivers

Automatically updates your computers drivers quickly and easily.
common - comments - 4.7.2007

Device driver updates causing Vista to deactivate

After weeks of gruelling troubleshooting, I've finally had it confirmed by Microsoft Australia and USA -- something as small as swapping the video card or updating a device driver can trigger a total Vista deactivation.
windows - comments - 24.10.2007

Vista SP2: Windows Driver Model Upgrade

Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista extends the operating system's support for drivers that play nice with all Windows operating systems.
windows - comments - 28.12.2008

Xinput Driver for Microsoft Common Controller (64 Bit)

The Microsoft Common Controller Driver is a new game input standard that is used for both the Xbox360 console and for Windows XP SP1 and above.
microsoft - comments - 6.5.2006

ATI driver flaw exposes Vista kernel to attackers

An unpatched flaw in an ATI driver was at the center of the mysterious Purple Pill proof-of-concept tool that exposed a way to maliciously tamper with the Windows Vista kernel. Thanks to pacpis for this news.
windows - comments - 12.8.2007

Windows Driver Kit RTM Build 6000.16386 Available on Connect

UPDATED! Microsoft have made the final version of the Windows Driver Kit available on Connect under the Microsoft Windows Driver Kit Beta Program.
windows - comments - 5.11.2006

Intel Centrino Wireless Driver Malformed Frame Remote Code Execution

Security vulnerabilities exist in the Microsoft* Windows* drivers for the Intel® 2200BG and 2915ABG PRO/Wireless Network Connection Hardware because of the way that they currently handle certain frames.
common - comments - 7.8.2006

Windows Driver Kit Beta release hints at upcoming Vista SP1

Thanks to pacpis for this post. One of our members received the following e-mail earlier today from the WDK team:
windows - comments - 18.7.2007

exFAT DRIVER for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003

Microsoft has released an update for Windows XP SP2 and SP3 system that adds exFAT file system drivers to the operating system.
download - comments - 6.2.2009

Zune pics

Marking the next big milestone for its Connected Entertainment vision, Microsoft Corp. today unveiled details of the first products to be released under its Zune™ brand.
Microsoft zune

microsoft - comments - 15.9.2006

Hands On The Zune

Today, I had an opportunity to listen to a few songs and a radio station on the Zune here at the Microsoft Campus in Seattle.
microsoft - comments - 22.10.2006

Zune: Welcome to the Social

As Microsoft launches Zune this week, the goal is not to manufacture another digital music player but to create a shared, social experience that will be shaped by the collective imagination of consumers and will inspire discovery of new music and artists.
microsoft - comments - 14.11.2006

Zune Reviews: It's OK, But No iPod

When the Zune arrives next Tuesday, Microsoft was hoping to make a big splash. However, it won't be getting any help from the technology media, which have for the most part passed over the so-called "iPod killer" in lackluster reviews.
microsoft - comments - 12.11.2006

Microsoft didn't create Zune

The person who actually created the “Zune” name is getting no credit at all. Zune is on everyone's lips these days, be it in a context of criticism or...
microsoft - comments - 22.11.2006

Consumers Uninterested in Zune

To hear Microsoft tell the story, you'd think its recently released Zune MP3 was doing just fine: Sales of the widely-reviled device were "exactly within our expectations," a Microsoft spokesperson said recently.
microsoft - comments - 29.11.2006

Zune Has Too Many Issues to Compete

After watching Apple and its ubiquitous iPod dominate the digital music industry largely from the sidelines, Microsoft has decide to tackle the market leader head on with the introduction of the Zune.
microsoft - comments - 10.12.2006

Zune 2.0 details leaked

The chances of a Zune Scene editor running into a Microsoft Zune employee in the wild are pretty slim, but recently the stars were aligned and I got the inside scoop on the Zune 2.0 and also the flash based Zune coming out in 2007.
microsoft - comments - 11.4.2007

Microsoft says Zune still on track

I still don't see them anywhere I travel, but Microsoft says that it is still on track to sell 1 million of its Zune portable music players by June.
microsoft - comments - 22.6.2007

Zune DRM cracked

A program has surfaced that strips DRM off of tracks purchased from the Zune Marketplace, or traded via Wi-Fi.
microsoft - comments - 16.7.2007

Zune 3.0 Upgrade Available for Download

Although it was announced as early as September 8, the Zune 3.0 upgrade was made available for download only today, September 16.
download - comments - 16.9.2008

Zune.net Gets Updated

Microsoft has updated Zune.net adding new functionality to the website. As a direct consequence, Zune.net was down on the night of June 8, with Jessica Zahn, Zune Social program manager, having announced in advance that new features would be coming.
microsoft - comments - 9.6.2009

Microsoft Introduces the Zune Bus

The Zune is coming and what better way to celebrate it than painting a bus in jet black and slapping the company (Microsoft) and the product (Zune) logo on the side.
microsoft - comments - 2.10.2006

Microsoft's Zune 'no threat' to Apple

Apple chief executive Steve Jobs has rubbished claims that Microsoft's Zune media player will pose a serious threat to the iPod's market dominance.
microsoft - comments - 17.10.2006

Zune 2: An intimate conversation with the Zune team

Cesar Menendez, a Microsoft employee working on Zune, had some interesting things to note when Channel 10 interviewed him. It turns out that the newly released Zune 4 ($150), Zune 8 ($200) and Zune 80 ($250), the names of which you may have guessed correspond to the device capacity in GB, aren't the only part of the Zune experience that received a revamp. The Zune software and the Zune Marketplace have been recoded from the ground up. Cesar also throws out a statistic: the Zune Marketplace now has 3 million tracks available, 1 million of which are DRM-free.


Read full story.....
neowin.net - 05.10.2007

New Zune Moves to Cloud

Zune HD goes on sale starting today, and with it comes Zune 4.0, which uses cloud computing to let customers seamlessly move back and forth from watching video and listening to music on their Zune HD, their PC or their TV...
microsoft.com/presspass - 15.09.2009

Microsoft Names New Zune Chief

Just two days after it launched its redesigned Zune music player, Microsoft has named a new head for the Zune unit. Microsoft veteran Rick Thompson has been named Zune vice-president, and will report to J Allard...
betanews.com - 05.10.2007

Zune Updates Coming November 13

Microsoft is preparing users of its Zune music player for the much-hyped upgrade to both the Zune device and desktop software...
betanews.com - 07.11.2007

Zune: software update Sep. 15 & Zune HD is only Zune left

Engadget spotted that Microsoft has confirmed the new Zune software update will be made available on September 15. In a newsletter to subscribers, Microsoft notes "soon you'll be able to experience the all-new Zune software packed with exciting new features. Watch for the update on September 15 so you'll be ready to enjoy the full Zune experience." It's expected that the latest update will include more HD video options and an apps marketplace. Zune HD applications were confirmed by a Microsoft official in late August. Earlier this week Microsoft company officials confirmed that current Zune models, the Zune 8, 16 80, and 120, have all been discontinued and that the Zune HD will be the only Zune device manufactured.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 04.09.2009

Microsoft Drops Zune Price, Talks Zune Phone

Microsoft has decided to drop the price of the Zune in an effort to spur sales, while indicating it hadn't completely ruled out a Zune phone. Effective Wednesday, the price of Microsoft's competitor to the iPod is now $199 USD...
betanews.com - 05.09.2007

Zune team talks back

As the date changed over to the 31st of December 2008 thousands of 30gb Zune users were faced by an alarming revelation, not one of the devices would turn on past the Zune logo screen. Since then panic has arisen in the official Zune support forums and on various fan sites. With little communication from the Zune team other than a brief message alerting users to their knowledge of the problem and their intent to speedily fix it, many users were left to worry about the future of their devices.

Well now all 30gb Zune users can breathe a sigh of relief as Matt Akers, a Zune team member has posted an official statement about the problem on the Zune support forums. Thankfully the statement confirms that all malfunctioning devices will return to normal operation by noon on the 1st of January. It has been outlined that the bug is in the clock driver built into the device's hardware.

To view the statement and a FAQ from the team see the below link.

But what has this incident done for the Zune's image? The device was met sceptically after a much hyped launch in 2006, is this one blow too many for Microsoft's troubled hardware branch?


jcxp.net - 01.01.2009

Zune HD to remain US only, for now

Microsoft has gone on record saying that the Zune HD will remain a US device only. This means that if you are anywhere outside of the US then you will not see the Zune HD for some time as Microsoft may be testing the markets. "For the time being the Zune HD device will remain US only. Right now we are focused on deploying an exciting service in the form of Zune Video to 18 markets. We are looking at potential future hardware experiences for these markets, but do not have anything to announce right now" The Zune HD, which launches on September 15th, will be a serious competitor to the iPod touch.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 11.09.2009

How to identify a buggy device driver on Windows Vista

If your computer is acting unpredictably, locking up, and encountering blue screens of death, then youre most likely the victim of a faulty driver. The Driver Verifier Manager (DFV) is a great tool for troubleshooting driver problems by identifying the troubling driver. Although DFV does not actually fix the driver, it still is a really useful tool because it helps you identify the troubling driver so you can choose to delete or update the driver.



Before you attempt to use this tool, please be sure that your are really having driver problems. The tool will prevent your computer from starting by identifying the troubling driver. I say this only because it may be a lengthy process for you but if you are having troubles, it will definitely be worth it.




winbeta.org - 18.02.2008

New Zune HD images leak, shows black and silver colors

New images of Microsoft's Zune HD has leaked, and according to the pictures shown, the Zune HD appears to be sporting black and silver color options. We've previously reported that Microsoft confirmed that Zune HD was coming this fall, and that it was set to hit amazon in September. Microsoft plans to go international with the Zune later this year. Amazon has listed the Zune HD, and users can sign up to be notified when it will be available. Pricing information has yet to be revealed. Black Zune HD Silver Zune HD

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neowin.net - 05.08.2009

Microsoft job posting hints at Zune, Xbox, integration

Many have questioned why Microsoft hasn't integrated the Zune and the Xbox ever since the launch of the Zune. The two products are the staples of Microsoft's hardware division and yet the two do not integrate well together. A posting for a new position at Microsoft states "User Experience Designer" and goes into the details of "creative directors to propose innovative designs and content solutions for the Zune Device UI, Zune Xbox and Zune PC Application." The job posting spells out that the Zune and Xbox will be key parts of the new position. Microsoft may finally be doing what many have wanted, a Zune that seamlessly works with the Xbox 360 for music and video sharing.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 21.12.2008

Microsoft blames Zune outage on leap year

Microsoft is blaming the global break down of 30 gigabyte Zunes on the way the music player handles a leap year.



According to a message left by Microsoft's Matt Akers on the Zune support forum, "there is a bug in the internal clock driver causing the 30GB device to improperly handle the last day of a leap year."




winbeta.org - 01.01.2009

Microsoft Officially Unveils Zune

As expected, Microsoft on Thursday took the wraps off its Zune portable media player, set to be available in time for the holidays. Zune features a 30GB hard drive, wireless connectivity and will come in three colors. But pricing has not been decided.
Photos: View images of Microsoft's Zune..
betanews.com - 14.09.2006

Could this be the Zune HD?

Well what do we have here? Engadget appears to have stumbled upon something quite interesting. First, think back to a couple of Neowin articles recently, stating that new Zune hardware is coming and that it'll be going international. Now take a look at the image below: This is what Engadget thinks is the upcoming Zune; the 'Zune HD'. The images appear to be promotional ones, and Engadget has also stated that after talking with sources, these are in fact real, and will be used to an upcoming Zune product from Microsoft. There's no official word on specifications yet, but no doubt expect to see speculation about it now that these have been found.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 11.04.2009

Zune Has Too Many Issues to Compete

REVIEW Ed Oswald sits down to play with Microsoft's Zune, and finds along the way the same problems that have plagued the Redmond company all along in the digital music business. But do these issues hold back the Zune or does Apple finally have some real competition?..
betanews.com - 09.12.2006

Zune HD apps and games confirmed, Twitter and Facebook due

Today is Zune HD day in the United States and just as the Zune HD is about to go on sale Microsoft has confirmed that the Zune HD will have applications and games later this year. In a press release, company officials confirm that both Twitter and Facebook applications are due later this year and the following 3D games:Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari EditionVans Sk8: Pool ServiceAudiosurf TiltGames can be added to Zune HD via Zune Marketplace over the Wi-Fi connection or when connected to the Zune PC software.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 15.09.2009

Zune to make McDonald's into a virtual radio network

It's no secret Microsoft's Zune player has Wi-Fi built-in, but besides a feature that the company had originally intended to call "dee-jaying," there hasn't been much else you could do with it. Zune owners, you deserve a break today...
betanews.com - 17.09.2008

Microsoft hints at June for new Zune

Microsoft is heating up the Zune advertising and is hinting at a June for a "new product launch". We've had the hints that a new Zune, namely the Zune HD, could be surfacing this year but an interesting twitter update from the Microsoft Office 2010 team points towards June being the month of the Zune. The twitter post simply states "June 2009 will be an important month for Zune lovers" but was followed up after a flutter of replies from Twitter users with another tweet saying "New product launch, that's all I'm allowed to say. Hold off from buying an iPhone/Pre. :)".

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 12.05.2009

More Zune 2 Details Surface Ahead of Launch

NEW DETAILS Three new Zune players, including an 80GB HDD-based version and two flash players will debut. The Zune Marketplace is also set to offer up to one million DRM-free tracks, sources say...
betanews.com - 03.10.2007

Windows Server 2008: Printer-Driver Packages

Day Twelve. We're almost halfway through our series. Today we'll continue on with our Printing theme - specifically, Printer-driver packages. We'll also provide some background on the driver store feature of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.



Printer-driver packages are digitally signed printer drivers that install all of the components of the driver to the driver store on computers running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008. Using printer-driver packages on a print server that is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 enables users who are not members of the local Administrators group to connect to the print server and install (or receive) updated printer drivers. Before we go too much further, let's go over the concept of the driver store.




winbeta.org - 12.02.2008