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[BASHW1974]

Wow, I seem to be getting in very early at the site - 1st day and all that.
I feel I am 'popping its cherry' so to say. lol

So I thought I would assist with a tip that some Zune users in the Uk are not aware.

Zune Marketplace - Not available in uk message?

Well 1st off registering the Zune to get the software up and running
you need a few things

1. A Hotmail.com e-mail account not a .co.uk one.
Use this link and you can create a USA one - Hotmail.com
https://accountservices.passport.net/reg.srf?_lang=EN&ct=1210113667&id=2&kv=0&ns=hotmail.com&ru=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2ehotmail%2emsn%2ecom%2fcgi%2dbin%2fsbox&sl=1&lc=1033

This is the USA msn and then go to Hotmail from there and sign up.
You need a USA zip code and State - California and 90210 works and is easy to remember.

2. Download www.Opera.com the Opera Browser as this does not have country lockouts so you can easily register your Zune account using your new Hotmail.com account.

3. Now you have the Zune software working but you cannot see the marketplace tab?
Well head over to the control panel in windows - Start / Control panel/ Region Settings / Region location
And change the Location of the PC from United Kingdonm to The United States

Now close your Zune software down and restart it and you have a nice new marketplace tab.
Podcasts, Videos and music are there to download but you need points to buy stuff.
I get all my podcasts weekly from this for over a year so it works.
If you want to change your region settings back to UK you can and the podcasts will still download but the marketplace tab will go.

4. Want Xbox Zune live points - head to ebay as you need to buy the USA ones as the UK ones do not work.

I hope that helps some new starters out there.
I have had a Zune 30gb v1, a Zune 80gb v2 and they have both gone.
Now with a Zune HD 32gb and I love the Zune - So much better than any other MP3/4 player out there - are you listening mr Apple. lol
No offence as my wife has a Apple but its not for me.

Any questions or anyone has problems - let me know and I will try and help.

[Rob]

Great post with accurate information!

Have you tried to use the Zune pass?  We have been experimenting with these in UK lately and it's worked for most people.   

[BASHW1974]

Thanks

Not tried a Zune pass - supposedly you can buy Live points using Paypal in the usa so I wonder if its possible to link into that to pay subscriptions?

Not looked into it as I usually use the wife's Itunes for buying stuff and just link the music folder into my Zune software.

[andyofengland]

There are alternatively, a few registry hacks out there to enable the marketplace tabs without any language/region changes.  It still doesn't allow you to "buy" though.  Do a quick Bing/Google search to find them.

[doofergrass]

i want a zune hd. the thing to make it look like i have a usa address so can get on marketplace, can that be done using a mac book. im not too bright on computers, if it can be done can some one explain how and i will get a zune  thank you for any help.

[Highlander UK]

doubt if you can run the zune software on the macbook. if you get a shot on windows then itsfairly straightforward and you can then enable the marketplace straight from the zune over wifi.

[Rob]

Zune thoughts have updated their excellent guide to using the Zune, Marketplace and Zune Pass in countries where it's not officially sold:

Well worth a read:

http://forums.thoughtsmedia.com/f5/international-zune-users-guide-updated-23576.html