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David_198
Trending Lyricist I
November 7, 2016
Answered

Forced to update to incompatible controller software?

  • November 7, 2016
  • 45 replies
  • 1720 views
I have been using my three Sonos Play:1s quite happily now for well over a year, but now I have bought a new Play:1 and when trying to add it, I'm told "Your Sonos controller must be updated before you can add and set up Sonos products". I recall getting an email saying that the latest version of the Sonos Controller would not be compatible with Windows XP, which I'm still using on the machine where the Sonos controller is used.

Does this mean that I will be forced to update to a version of the controller that is not compatible with my OS, thus rendering my entire system unusable?

Before anyone says it, I am not interested in updating to a newer version of Windows at the moment. It's an enormous amount of work and there is no compelling reason for it. The OS is just background infrastructure in my view, not a toy. It should be meddled with as little as possible.
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    Best answer by Edward R
    David, your suggested approach of adding the player on the Windows 7 machine would suffice. Please be advised, however, that there may come a day where XP is no longer supported.

    45 replies

    David_198Author
    Trending Lyricist I
    November 7, 2016
    I have a desktop PC with Windows 7. Would it be possible to install the updated controller on the W7 PC, add the new Play:1, and then use it on the XP PC with the older controller software? Where is the configuration stored?
    Edward R
    Edward RAnswer
    Retired Sonos Staff
    November 7, 2016
    David, your suggested approach of adding the player on the Windows 7 machine would suffice. Please be advised, however, that there may come a day where XP is no longer supported.
    Try searching our articles for help with your question: https://www.sonos.com/en/support
      Paulw123
      Paulw123
      Virtuoso
      November 8, 2016
      This link to sonos system requirements may make things a little clearer
      https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/127
        David_198Author
        Trending Lyricist I
        November 8, 2016
        Hi Edward. I've installed the Sonos Controller on the W7 PC and now it's prompting me to update the Sonos system. I assume that means it will update the Sonos firmware...? Might these updates break my XP controller?
        Chris
        Chris
        Lead Maestro
        November 9, 2016
        Updating the firmware on the hardware is what it is prompting you for. Once you do this your XP controller won't be able to change room settings, but the other parts should work. The link Paul had shows you the options the XP controller will not have once you do the firmware upgrade.
        Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)
          David_198Author
          Trending Lyricist I
          November 9, 2016
          Ok thanks. Once a stereo pair is created, does it "stick" (unlike grouping, which is lost once the speakers are turned off)?
          ratty
          ratty
          November 9, 2016
          Once a stereo pair is created, does it "stick"
          Yes. The bonding is persistent.
            David_198Author
            Trending Lyricist I
            November 9, 2016
            Ok, final question: quite frequently, when I turn on my speakers, the kitchen speaker appears as "UNUSED" and I have to set it to the kitchen again. No idea why this happens. Will I be able to do that with the XP controller?
            Paulw123
            Paulw123
            Virtuoso
            November 9, 2016
            You could look into another type of controller. Have you not got an old smart phone kicking about? or get an amazon fire tablet for £48. More portable and start up quicker than a pc.
            ratty
            ratty
            November 9, 2016
            Ok, final question: quite frequently, when I turn on my speakers, the kitchen speaker appears as "UNUSED" and I have to set it to the kitchen again. No idea why this happens. Will I be able to do that with the XP controller?
            No. Those functions are stripped out of the XP controller from 6.4.

            Two things:
            - If by 'turn on' you mean 'apply power' Sonos units are designed to be left powered 24/7.
            - It sounds like you have wireless issues. Sonos Support should take a look at a diagnostic.
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