How to Upgrade My Computer for Zune Use
- 1). Upgrade your sound card. The Zune software and Zune mp3 player requires at least a 16-bit sound card to play audio files on your computer.
- 2). Purchase a newer operating system. Zune users who have an operating system older than Windows XP will have trouble loading the Zune software and therefore have issues transferring media files to their Zune mp3 player. Windows XP users should also have Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed on their system. Mac users should be utilizing OS X with a Boot Camp that runs at least Windows XP.
- 3). Install a faster processor. Zune requires a 500Mhz Pentium class processor, although 1GHz is preferred.
- 4). Switch your CD-ROM drive for a CD-R or DVD-R drive. Although this does not have a direct affect on your Zune, it will allow you to use the Zune software to play and burn both CDs and DVDs.
- 5). Add more RAM. The Zune software must be installed on a system running at least 256 MB of RAM.
- 6). Clear memory on your hard drive. Zune requires at least 200 MB of free space. To help free space, consider deleting programs that you rarely use and removing extra files to an external hard drive.
- 7). Install new USB ports on your computer. The Zune mp3 player requires that you connect it to your system using at least USB 1.1, preferably USB 2.0. The type of USB affects your ability and the speed at which files download to your player.
- 8). Invest in a new monitor. Monitors should at least have a resolution of 800x600 and be at least a Super VGA. Microsoft recommends that you have a screen with a resolution of 1024x768.
- 9). Make sure your Internet connection is active. This will allow Zune to stream downloads to your mp3 player, update the Zune software, and update the player's firmware. You may also consider installing Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi enables the Zune player to sync to your computer without an USB cable.
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