Installing Zune in Windows XP Pro x64

Microsoft is ceasing despite its old glory.

I am rather busybody to offer my help to update the firmware & software of a Nokia Lumia 710.

Prior to this I though it would be as easy as connecting the Windows Phone to a PC to transfer files. No! My Windows XP Pro SP2 64-bit just not able to process this toy! Upon unsuccessful installation of USB driver I downloaded and installed Windows USB driver but in vain -- there is a proper icon showing a USB device is plugged in and how to safely remove, but it just failed to show itself in Windows Explorer.

So I thought it is time to install Zune Setup Package (101MB).

And of course another failure.
"The Zune Music + Video software won't work on versions of Windows earlier than Windows XP SP3, any 64-bit version of Windows XP, or any version of Windows Server." --Zune Support
Think I'm just too rigid in persisting in Windows XP 64-bit.

Inspired by a thread in ZuneBoards titled Install Zune 4.0 on Windows XP x64, as there'll be quite a journey to be fruitful, I modified the step-by-step guide as follow:
Note: I have Windows Media Player 11 installed much earlier so I skipped installing WMP11 of course.
1. Extract the only 2 folders from ZuneSetupPkg.exe, namely x64 & x86, using 7-zip or any compression software;
2. Install straight with x64\packages\zune-x64.msi;
3. Backup C:\Program Files\Zune\Drivers for later use;
4. Uninstall Zune x64 with x64\packages\zune-x64.msi;
1-4 is to get Zune x64 drivers because I could not get them by simply extract from the .msi file.
5. Use SuperOrca MSI Editor (mentioned in my earlier article iPhone with box of Windows XP x64) to edit x86\packages\zune-x86.msi:
 a. Select "InstallExecuteSequence" from the left pane, drop the rows with sequences 3487 to 3499 and 5885 to 5898.

 b. Select "LaunchCondition" from the left pane, drop the row with the Condition "Msix64".

6. Install with x86\packages\zune-x86.msi;
7. Overwrite the whole C:\Program Files (x86)\Zune\Drivers folder with the one backup in step 3;
8. Plug in Windows Phone and install driver from C:\Program Files (x86)\Zune\Drivers\Zune if being asked;

Then you'll see the window with black theme:

When I thought all's fine, I found out I could not update the firmware, but only to synchronise photos.
And this nag screen may come at times, just ignore it.

Chatting For Decades - Review My Instant Messaging Software Used

Two decades ago people thought personal computer (PC) is for fun, as Multimedia is just having its bloom, followed by Internet, that came with Instant Messaging (IM). ICQ was my first IM start-up, that I used to contact family members and friends far away. Still remember the tiny green bloom with little yellow dot at the centre?

Since then netizen spends hours using PC to communicate.

As the mainstream IM software is filled with contacts, I found it hard to concentrate on my chat with the special one. I found SIM a.k.a Secure IM from saturngirl.net more than a decade ago.

"A simple one-on-one chat that uses encryption to provide a more secure conversation. You can choose the font and color of the text, and a sound button is included for when you want to get the other users attention and they are not replying. With one person as the server and one as the client, using the same password of course, you'll be up and chatting in no time. For the client, the IP address of the server is also needed."

SIM was as small as 80kb, customisable and secure, but needed some manual connecting tricks: server IP address & password. With the fixed IP addresses, we were chatting from dormitories in different universities. But chatting with SIM did not last longer than 3 years.

Then came MSN Messenger with even more functions and fun including inviting the other party to remote control and fix your PC. The significant charms featured imoticons and MSN games. However its fate was volatile, changing names and services from time to time.

Before MSN Messenger changed its name to Live Messenger, and died few years later, there was once I tried to use software legally by killing Microsoft (MS) Windows, installing and setting up free operating system Ubuntu:

I picked the cross-platform multi-protocol IM, Pidgin to continue chatting using MSN protocol, with some glitches as it was still in developmental stage.

And since MS Live refused to be installed into Windows XP x64 platform I quit using it. This marks an end to my PC chatting experience.

Since there was sensitive info sharing using IM, there were both sniffing and encrypting software in the market. These all were in my software collection.

Before majority IM goes mobile, Google introduced GTalk, which later on turned into a much comprehensive Hangouts. It did not draw my attention much as I am satisfied with LINE, then Whatsapp, then WeChat.

Chatting continues on mobile...

iPhone with box of Windows XP x64

26th Sep added screenshots
19th Sep updated w/ iTunes 11.1 update.

I am not an Apple fan, not fancy to i-products, and ever since I received a secondhand iPhone4, I was amazed by its simplicity, and lazidity (yup, rigidity + laziness).

Usually I'll set my own ringtones but this time with iPhone I was stucked as I could not perform as I wish within iPhone settings (unless a jail-broken one).

So after few months using a plain tone iPhone, finally I decided to connect it to my old box of 64bit Windows XP, thought to modify the ringtone with iTunes. And yet another quest on looking for the way to get software installed into a x64 system went on, as iTunes is not designed to even install into the abandoned x64.

I found Dan's Skunk Werks' awesome article to inspire me to install the minimalist SuperOrca MSI Editor rather than MS's big fat GB-level SDK.

After officially downloaded iTunes setup .msi .exe I opened it using 7-zip to extract the following files: iTunes.msi, Bonjour.msi & AppleMobileDeviceSupport.msi all files into a folder.

Next I opened each of them iTunes64.msi & AppleApplicationSupport.msi with SuperOrca, and change "VersionNT64>=600" to "VersionNT64>=501" in table "LaunchCondition". The .msi files will immediately changed without the need to save. Then I executed each of the altered .msi files iTunes64, AppleMobileDeviceSupport64, AppleApplicationSupport & Bonjour64 in order.

Should AppleMobileDeviceSupport64.msi pops up with:
"[ProductName] requires that your computer is running Windows XP SP2 or newer."
kindly edit the .msi file with SuperOrca, locate the same "LaunchCondition", change the *Condition to:
"Installed OR (VersionNT=501 AND ServicePackLevel>=2) OR VersionNT>501"

You might get this for the first time running iTunes:

x64 iTunes

Just ignore and you'll get the real thing:

iTunes get started!

Apple Mobile Device failed

Retry or Ignore

With all the above mentioned steps you supposed to get ready to connect your iPhone to your Windows XP x64. But few weeks then until now guess what, lazy me still using the plain tone iPhone, thinking to jail-break straight my old iPhone4.

Unbricked My Sony Ericsson W8

Was regretted and frustrated seeing my brother's left over SE W8 became bricked that showing no further with Sony Ericsson logo, after customisation / deleting system files.

Thanks to professional geek soleheen D, I manage to unbrick W8 using Sony Update Service.

Just keep in mind that this update service will check for the latest version and it will download and upgrade itself which takes up some time before you can really proceed. Also be reminded that you have to install the semc flash device driver (please Google it), disconnect your mobile phone, restart your Windows then only re-connect your mobile phone. Last but not the least, do as the update system tells, pressing on back button before connect your SE mobile.

Will be back for my next step to upgrade my SE W8.

Superuser@Foursquare

Just came across a Superusers section in Foursquare Support FAQ when I attempt to learn if they finally willing to clarify the users about their apps version by putting on version numbers.

I am so into it despite they disappoint me in this particular issue. So I'm in, no, just to apply and see, as I keep on updating details of venues and flagging mislocated or duplicate venues.

I really hope they care of Symbian users a bit more, or until I jump into Droid. See, so despair being a small user.

DiGi Got Me Zero!

Silly & poor me this time FB until zero credit :D

Being a loyal DiGi customer, I was happily using Zero FB until lately I found out my credit drops so fast, that I checked GPRS usage in itemised statement in OCS and wow, I spent average RM1/day with this!

Immediately I called and asked the service centre.
According to the customer service representative, Zero FB is only free when access with DiGi GPRS (WAP 2.0) and from 6AM to 6PM.

It might not an issue for many others but sometimes we just make silly mistakes and pay for it.

Foursquare Rocks...My X6

Foursquare is a mainstream geo-social mobile apps for mobile users to get to know where are those hot spots around, along with users' feedback, tips & tricks.

Few months back I was using official Foursquare for Symbian 6 on my Nokia X6.
The version 1.0.6 kept crashing my X6 when it has difficulty with the WiFi connection.
I had to disconnect the battery to off and restart my X6.
The slowish executing and closing the app is annoying too.

I thought I would get a better experience with Sym4square, but ended up with its unfamiliar UI.

When I desperately removed Foursquare, and try to re-install from Ovi Store, I get an upgraded version: v1.0.8.

With its improved executing speed, less flaw, I finally enjoy the fun of exploring the world!