Users report 30GB Zunes seizing up; Microsoft IDs clock bug
Looks like the Midwest isn't the only thing that's freezing up this holiday season: many people are reporting that their 30GB Zunes are spontaneously going on the fritz as well.
Microsoft's Zune MP3 player.
(Credit: Microsoft)The symptom is being reported widely on discussion boards about Microsoft's music player, including Zune.net, Zune User Community Forums, and ZuneScene. With the problem, people's Zunes reboot but freeze when the startup status bar reaches 100 percent.
Some users reported the problem happened at exactly midnight PST, at the very beginning of the last day of the year. That timing led some wags to call the problem Z2K after the Y2K problem that was widely feared to cripple the computing industry when computer clocks moved from 1999 to 2000.
"It reset itself. I don't know why," said one owner who posted an account of his Zune problem on YouTube after reporting it on the Zune.net forum.
Microsoft didn't immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday morning, but issued a statement later in the day (see below).
"I hate to say it but I believe this is the end of the road for the Zune and I. Just as I was happy with the last update and things were fine, we get another major meltdown. I was always supportive and had good things to say about my Zune to those that would ask, however this is the nail in the coffin," griped user Redinight on a ZuneScene discussion board. "I can't take it anymore. I can't sit here all the time and wonder what Microsoft does right or wrong anymore, I just want to get up and go listen to my music. Listening to music is about the last thing I do with my Zune. I always have to reinstall, download new firmware, or wait for the slow software to catch up. Now this? I want to throw it away and never look back."
Update 8:11 a.m. PST:: Microsoft has acknowledged the issue on the Zune support site. "Customers with 30GB Zune devices may experience issues when booting their Zune hardware. We're aware of the problem and are working to correct it. Sorry for the inconvenience, and thanks for your patience!"
Google searches for 'Zune frozen' have surged as the day progressed, according to the Google Trends site.
(Credit: Google)Update 10:00 a.m. PST: Searches for "Zune frozen" have surged, according to Google Trends, a site that monitors search terms. Google labeled the search "on fire" and rated it fourth on its list as of 10 a.m. PST.
So it appears that after a couple of years of struggling to win away some of the buzz of the market-leading Apple iPod, Microsoft finally found a way to draw attention to its music and video player.
Increasingly, it appears the problem is universal among 30GB Zunes, though Microsoft still hasn't commented.
Kitina Young, whose family owns four now-useless 30GB Zunes, isn't happy about Microsoft's response or the device's track record.
"My 15-year-old's Zune has been out of commission for a couple of months due to issues with the charging pins. We have had to send another back for repairs again due to the charging pins. I am definitely reconsidering the purchase now because of this event," she said in an e-mail. "My husband is a software developer, and if he put something out there that had these issues, he would lose his job!"
Update 11:05 a.m. PST: Microsoft has issued a statement, but things sound preliminary at this stage. "At this point, the developer team is working on finding the issue and correcting it," a company representative said.
Update 2:11 p.m. PST: Microsoft issued another statement, saying its technical team has isolated the issue: a bug in the internal clock driver related to the way the device handles a leap year. The company says the issue should be resolved over the next 24 hours as the time change moves to January 1, 2009.
"We expect the internal clock on the Zune 30GB devices will automatically reset tomorrow (noon, GMT)," Microsoft said. "By tomorrow you should allow the battery to fully run out of power before the unit can restart successfully, then simply ensure that your device is recharged, then turn it back on. If you're a Zune Pass subscriber, you may need to sync your device with your PC to refresh the rights to the subscription content you have downloaded to your device."
(Via CrunchGear)
Stephen Shankland writes about a wide range of technology and products, but has a particular focus on browsers and digital photography. He joined CNET News in 1998 and since then also has covered Google, Yahoo, servers, supercomputing, Linux and open-source software, and science. E-mail Stephen, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/stshank. 
I've had several different iPods since then (just got a new 2nd gen touch) and haven't had one problem. All I can say is don't buy a Zune. Actually don't buy anything from M$. They support is terrible.
That said, mine is bricked right now, and I'll be upset if they don't fix this!
As to iPods - yeah they are nice, but eh, all the rules around what you can do with music downloaded off of iTunes and being left out of firmware upgrades - not so nice. I had a gen 2 black 80gig video iPod, but I got a Zune as a present... I liked my Zune so much better that I gave away my $395 iPod! So long Steve Jobs.
But, this?.........this sucks!
folks are saying battery needs to be unplugged then plugged back in. But, I'm not doing anything until I hear it officially from MS.
If you're referring to the iTunes "rules" about downloading music with no DRM and no restrictions whatsoever (The millions of iTunes + tracks), or the one simple step that easily allows for the removal of DRM from any protected track (once again providing you with a song that has no restrictions on your music at all), you're just being silly.
I take that back, in all regards to your iPod post, you're being silly.
Anyway, back to the point:
* There are no "rules" about the iTunes Marketplace. None.
* @ DD: DRM is no longer the ugly issue it once was, thanks to Apple's demand to the music industry to have it removed (that, and iTunes' from-the-start DRM removal setup). You're welcome. :)
Hope MSFT cna remove head from arse, folks...
(funny enough, my old 1st Gen iPod Nano still runs like a champ, though I usually just pack my Crackberry's MicroSD card with music these days.)
The driver corrupts when ever I try and sync it with my Vista PC. ***?! They also wanted me to pay 150 to send the POS to them to fix it, which is retarded because that's how much I bought the damn thing for like new off of someone who needed to money for college books (only reason why I bought it was to help him out)
Sure I didn't support Microsoft with the device. They don't know that though. This is why I didn't support Microsoft with the device. That's 50 dollars less than buying another one brand new. I've had problems with every single Microsoft product I've ever owned.
So it's no wonder I've never bought a 360 from those guys. They've never given me the slightest bit of confidence in that system. I'll just stick with companies that actually perform rather than the Wannabe that can't.
And secondly, If iPods are so amazing, Why have you gone through Several since you've Broke your zune?
I've been using Zune's since the very first day they've came out, and haven't had a problem once! And think about it, iPods have been around Forever, Of course they've had the time to work out there million problems, Zune's just getting going, and I'd say they've already out done the iPod!
"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9LaDG42j0M&feature=channel"
They better fix this
So all I hear from you is blah blah blah.
Yep - it has nothing to do with pricey PMP's suddenly trying to brick themselves, and nothing to do with crap product design technique from the folks who brought other goodies like RROD... no, it's just some sort of irrational hatred against a corporation who screwed the pooch.
Seriously - what kind of a coder doesn't know *** a leap-year involves?
/P
"Seriously - what kind of a coder doesn't know *** a leap-year involves?"
You didn't know either, did you? If you did, you would have been bragging about it in advance.
Thank you for sharing your opinion. It's important to keep an open mind.
So much for my high expectations, huh?
"So much for my high expectations, huh? "
Or mine of hoping you would have an honest unbiased open mind about subjects. Oh well. Can't have everything. P)
And as far as ipods lasting longer...most people aren't still using their first gen ipods. They upgraded because they needed more memory, wanted something smaller, or the battery life was 15 minutes. I would hope your 2nd gen touch works great, Apple has had years to get everything working.
You are correct in that most folks upgrade over time, but I can give my old Nano to a kid nephew or niece or something and let it continue being useful for a couple more years or so... assuming I decide to replace it entirely with the Crackberry, that is (not exactly loving the Crackberry's media player controls, but getting used to a custom setup that seems to work well...)
OTOH, what can you do with a bricked Zune?
/P
"My 1st Gen iPod Nano still works just fine, and was used as late as yesterday evening. "
And my third Gen Nano is bricked with Apple refusing to do anything about it. Your point is immaterial, irrelevant, and most importantly, ignoran.
I can't give my bricked 3G Nano to anyone. Does that mean your Apple product is superior to my Apple product? Let's compare Apple to Apple, Penguinisto.
"That's funny - so did it break all by itself (like nearly every 30GB Zune out there), or did you simply 'break' it? "
I was simply using it. When it tried going to the next podcast, it would lock up and I had to force reset it. After a while it woudln't do that either and I'd have to use iTunes to reflash the device. I went online Apple's site and found this isn't a rare condition at all. Unfortunately it was past the one year mark and Apple washed their hands of it, suggesting I should buy a new product instead.
If you call that 'funny, then I'm not laughing.
Maybe MSFT will throw a billion bucks at it like they did the RROD problem?
Oops, I posted before I read his comment. Damn, he beat me to it with his comment. I guess I can't make a prediction on something that he already made come true.
Nah.
"Maybe Dan will find a cure for his passive-aggressive behavior? "
If you would prefer me to leave you alone and just let you embarass yourself with your assinine comments, I suppose I coudl do that.
Tell you what- you approach 2009 with an honest and open mind for tech subjects instead of the usual bigoted hatred towards all things Microsoft and I'll lay off you.
Sound fair enough to you?
Hope Microsoft fixes this soon so everyone else could go back to listening to their music.
Thanks for actually being the one sane one who says their zune isnt fried and that theyre throwing it away.
Or a troll.
Your choice.
"Hiya Dan - don;t believe me if you like, but nearly every tech site out there covering is saying the same thing. "
Geez. What a loser. You have an opinion about everything, and very strong opinions about products you don't own, use, or support.
That's your right though. Anyone can have an opinion. The opinions of people who have an open mind unclouded by pure infantile hatred of all things Microsoft will have greater value in the end though.
Food for thought in case you're not on a diet.
MS, love em or hate em, has had a good track record with the Zunes this far. Give them a few days, if they continue to ignore it then flame away.
Why? Because your Zune is now unrecognizable by your computer. Even if Microsoft offers a quick software patch, you can't plug your player into your computer get a firmware upgrade. And various physical workarounds -- removing the battery or resetting/clearing content/wiping the Zune clean using a combination of button presses -- are not working to clear up this problem.
If there's some other way to get into the Zune player to fix the firmware, I'm open to suggestions.
What's worse is that many 30 GB Zune owners (we have two of them at our house) are well past the 1-year warranty. Unless Microsoft extends the warranty (like with the XBox 360 "Red Ring of Death") AND repairs or replaces millions of 30 GB Zunes -- and that's not likely -- we're the ones who are out of luck.
My sister's 30gb Zune works fine. Just reset it pressing the down and back buttons. Think of that yet?
you dink.....you think people would be freaking if all we had to do was a reset?????
Settle down beavis. It's 9:17am in Redmond. Give em a second to get some coffee and fix this ****. It's a little to early to be talking about how shafted you are going to be becuase you're out of warranty.
A failing on one version of one product makes you think this?
So the Zunes 30gb models also experienced the RROD, too?
Wow...
"So the Zunes 30gb models also experienced the RROD, too? "
They also give you the sad Mac face when they fail to boot up. :)
Sorry, what has the Xbox 360 got to do with the Zune? We know about the RRoD but, guess what, it's a different product whereas the Zune 30 is... one version of one product!
I should have bought her an iPod.
Just why exactly would it cause someone to go out and buy a new iPod because you can't upgrade the firmware? (which isnt true) Apple releases updates for the iPod that makes changes to the device (FIRMWARE). I guess I am not exactly sure what the heck you are talking about.
My iPod Nano gen 3 has received several firmware updates in the last two years.
This is entirely false. Apple's iPods regularly receive downloadable firmware updates. Not every model receives every update, but that's to be expected, since they're each based on different hardware platforms.
And don't forget that 6th generation Ipod classics are very famous for their crashing habits. Apple was so slow to fix the problem, my friends bought Ipods noticed the problem, returned them and got 80 GB Zunes before Apple could address the issue.
But if you really have had an endless list of problems with the platform, you're probably doing something wrong. Or just bashing the platform.
....hmm. I didn't see everyone bashing MobileMe's flopped start....or the ever-growing list of former iPhone and iTouch user's complaining....
I'm sick of the bias nature on cnet. This isn't ipodlounge. We should be neutral.
That said, I expect MS to fix this quickly as they're pretty good at that sort of thing.
Problem solved.
Incidentally, has MobileMe been fully fixed yet? ;)
And now it appears to have been fixed.
Problem solved.
========================================================
Wow, M$ apologists are dense. Is the problem fixed, or has the calendar turned to another year - another day? I guess it's fixed if you don't expect your Zune garbage to last another 4 years!
I still can't get over this - who in their right mind would dare to claim they could program anything and yet develop a system like this that bricks itself on the last day of a leap year? Was M$ caught off guard by the leap year? Did they really not realize it was coming? Why is the date so damned important to the Zune anyway? What other "surprises" does M$ have for you fools?
ROFLMAO!
I feel like I should pity you fools, but it's hard to pity a masochist for the pain they want to inflict upon themselves.
You have to admit it's kinda funny that M$ was apparently caught off guard by the extra day in this leap year. What's even funnier is the fact that the zune is keeping track of the date and will brick itself when it can't understand the date - like when a leap year comes around (366 days in a year? That never happens, so there must be something wrong - the user must have hacked the device to get around the DRM! BRICK!). Makes you wonder what other surprises your master has in store for you, doesn't it? Maybe not if you're a zune owner, since slaves rarely wonder what their masters have in store for them because they have no control over it anyway.
I can hear M$'s usual tired response already - it's the user's fault. You shouldn't have tried to use your zune on the last day of a leap year, but don't worry because the unit will "unbrick" itself on the first of January and it will never last another 4 years anyway.
The only people who have the right to comment about this are people who were smart enough to avoid owning a zune to begin with. All zune owners are slaves to the whims of M$ anyway, so you should enjoy the fact that you have no control over what you have paid for.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nORGLQJCS9E
- by conchchowder December 31, 2008 8:07 AM PST
- Remove your battery and replace to solve the problem...http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/31/30gb-zunes-mysteriously-begin-to-fail-at-12am-december-31st/
- Like this Reply to this comment
-
-
- by rhaezorblue January 1, 2009 8:38 AM PST
- No, do not do this. If you do this you void your warranty. You should offer that disclaimer before you start telling people to crack open their devices. Be patient and hopefully MS is right and today it will fix itself when the clocks roll over.
- Like this
-
- by stockyjoe January 2, 2009 6:08 AM PST
- This whole battery thing with both the Zune and Ipod is ridiculous. They really need to make it somethign that can be removed and replaced easily by the user.
- Like this
-
Showing 1 of 5 pages (196 Comments)