r/Zune

I'm mostly an iPod user and modder, but recently on a business trip to China, I picked up a couple of Zune 30s to try for the first time ever. An online seller claimed that these KingSpec SSDs (KSM-ZIF-6-064MS) worked with Zunes, so I bought one and indeed it did. It has a form factor more similar to those thin SSD cards for iPods/other DMPs rather than the larger 1.8" box KingSpec/Yansen ones (model number starting KSD I believe), but the controller/how the drive is presented to the Zune is similar I guess, so it works the same. These apparently also come in 16, 32, and 128 GB versions.

Unfortunately it is still a KingSpec drive and almost certainly not manufactured anymore, so this doesn't resolve the long term problem of the 1.8" ZIF drives becoming unavailable and more expensive. (The SD adapter custom designed by u/sylvainsf could be the long-term solution.) But if you happen to be in China or can pick up gadgets from there, there are some sellers listing these 64GB drives for around 30 USD on Xianyu (Goofish, basically Chinese eBay), maybe 15 USD for 32GB drives.

These drives plug in as shown and is also thin enough on top of a extended '3000 mAh' battery advertised for iPod 5/6th gens.

There are some quirks with the Chinese Zune community as mentioned in some older threads in this sub, including the infamous 'Test 1.0 firmware' which enables drag-and-drop file support and Asian languages, but must be manually flashed, and any attempt to update the firmware with the Zune software apparently bricks the device. I've even a seller claim to have a 'Test 1.0' device modded with a CF card. As you may know, Zune 30s were never sold in China but refurb units probably ended up in the hands of consumers via recyclers in Shenzhen. If there is interest, I shall try to procure one of these weird devices.

I have a few zune 30s, and I've done more than my fair share of repairs to keep these guys alive, but I've yet to mod one. Tell me about the mods you've done, the parts you bought, where you got them, links, videos, advice, or whatever you think might help. Let your nerd flags fly so I can be a nerd with you.

Update for anyone who saw my other post asking about this topic:

The drive showed up today! It fits and formats perfectly! I removed the outer label from the drive and that gave me justtt enough room to snap the case shut.

Purchased on FB Marketplace, has a battery icon when plugged in but hasn’t booted.

Was going to give it to romozuto but by the time I remembered he stoped fixing zunes haha

Wondering if I should sell it or fix it

Advice?

Got my kiddo a Brown Brick, installed a new battery and ssd. Thanks to this sub got it updated and running again. it's truly a wonder.

I put my zune to Charge from new cable from AliExpress.. but In the battery logo the charging logo is coming going? It is normal

Replication of Zune 120 on an android phone. Even though mine has an additional playlist queue and a small image of the artist playing in the corner

PCB design is done, over the next week I'll be validating everything on a breadboard/bench then it will be ready to order and test! It's the same footprint as the Toshiba HDD, the screw mounting holes are currently just guesses but I'll measure and hopefully it will mount easily in the same spot without washers etc but worst case that will be needed to stand off enough room for the components. With any luck these should be available by October.

Hi,

Does anyone know about this design

Does anybody know how to change the language back to English? My toddler was listening to music on it and when she gave it back it was in a different language.

Everything I’ve read says it pulls the language from whatever computer you’re using but it hasn’t been hooked up to a computer during the time the language was changed. I use a MacBook and Xune to change sync music to it.

Any help is appreciated!

My Zune I have owned since new. Replaced the battery recently to bring it new life!

I just got this off eBay. I have never seen one with the decal before. I found one 2yo reddit post with one of these and one other with Google lens and that's it. Anybody seen another one of these with the decal ? I absolutely adore this thing lol.

edit: I found out about it by just setting an eBay saved search. I'd never had seen it otherwise. If your looking for one do that as they don't pop up all the time.

I was replacing the battery on my old zune and as I was unlocking the clip on the battery cable lock and the entire clip came off. I want to know if this is still salvageable or should I just look for a replacement board.

Thanks,

Although when you forget to turn it back off, musicals are quite interesting xD

Longtime lurker. I’ve had my brown Zune 30 for 18 years, so scratched up, dead pixels, use weekly… but still has a lot of life in her and a new battery installed. Then I saw on Facebook marketplace this unbelievably mint pink Zune 30, in box with a charging stand and FM transmitter. The pictures looked great, but seeing it in person… it’s a beaut!! I haven’t seen my Zune screen clearly in probably a decade. When I opened the box upon arrival I couldn’t believe how well taken care of this thing was. $60. Life is good. Can’t wait to load this girl up with my preexisting library… but the freak in me wants to keep using both and separate by genre or alphabetically haha. 30 gb only goes so far!

Stumbled upon this sub a few days ago. Been enjoying seeing Zune get love. Dusted off the old 30GB and Zlive to bring to work for the night. Just allowing it to shuffle play whatever is on it