Post date: Sep 12, 2011 1:39:39 AM
Yes, sometimes it takes a lot of technical workarounds to do deeply shameful things.
To help the next person avoid digging through the Wayback Machine, here are the steps I followed to install Zune software on Windows Server 2003.
If you still haven't done it, install SP2 for Server 2003: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=41
Go to the Windows Update website: update.microsoft.com
Install all important updates.
The Zune software depends on these components, and will be correct after the latest updates:
Windows Installer
Windows Update
.NET Framework 2.0
XMLLite
Watson Error Reporting
Zune also depends on Windows Media Player 11, which won't run in Server 2003 by default.
Download wmp11-windowsxp-x86-enu.exe from http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=8163
Open a command prompt, change to the download directory, and run this command:
wmp11-windowsxp-x86-enu.exe /T:C:\Temp\WMP11 /C
Open the "C:\Temp\WMP11\" folder.
For these binaries, right-click, select "Properties", click "Compatibility", and set "Compatibility mode" to "Windows XP":
wmfdist11.exe
umdf.exe
wmdbexport.exe
wmp11.exe
Install wmfdist11.exe, umdf.exe, and wmdbexport.exe. Windows may already have the latest version.
Restart the computer.
Open C:\Temp\WMP11, and run wmp11.exe.
Right-click skins.inf and click "Install".
Download the Zune software from Microsoft. I used: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=27163
Open a command prompt, change to the download directory, and run this command:
ZunePackage.exe -x
Extract files to "C:\temp\ZunePackage".
Look for "zune-x86.msi" in C:\temp\ZunePackage\x86\packages
Run zune-x86.msi. It will install automatically. When it finishes, there will be a Zune shortcut on the desktop. Use the shortcut, and configure your Zune software.
The things I do for love!