Zune Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

"For those that find their Zune is having USB and wireless sync connection problems, Microsoft looks to have just posted a tool to gather data on those errors. It's free, downloadable and called the Zune Device Diagnostic Tool. The Zune Device Diagnostic Tool is designed to collect relevant data related to the previously mentioned errors so that Product Support Services can better diagnose potential Zune issues. It's a small download - only 250KB - and executes from the one file. You must of course have your Zune connected to collect the data. Microsoft notes in the program description on how to use it. You essentially connect the device and wait for any errors to be displayed. After the data has been collected you can view the report, save it and send it off to Product Support Services for analysis."

If there was a problem yo I'll solve it
Check out the hook while my DJ revolves it

Editor's Note: This is part of a series of tips on getting the most out of your Zune device, pass, software, and card. Check out the forums for more tips, or to submit your own.

The installer to the first generation Zune software was infamous for its long install times, and often unsuccessful results that would throw up crypic/pornographic error messages. Fortunately, a hacker and ZuneBoards member named Marshillboy came through with a stripped-down version of the Zune installer that cut load times and reduced errors by 99% (or so he claims). The installer for the new software seems to be free of the problems plaguing its older sibling for the most part, but that didn't stop Marshillboy from releasing the second version of his software.

This time, it can be installed on virtually any Windows machine (as long as it has the .net framework installed), and doesn't even need to be connected to the internet. Take that, updates!

Zune tips are running daily this week. Got a super tip you're just dying to share with the world? Hit the comments link or discuss in the Forums.