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Zune 30s succumb to software glitch (with January 1 update)

Dec. 31, 2008 Paul Thurrott | Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows

If you’re one of the 17 people who actually own a first generation Zune 30 (I am, by the way), you awoke this morning to discover that the device will not boot. The problem, apparently, is a software glitch tied to the date (December 31, 2008). I can confirm that this is the case with my own Zune 30, and I’m awaiting word from Microsoft on a resolution. (Pardon the pun.)

Update: Tom Warren tipped me off that Microsoft is working on a fix. On their Zune support page, Microsoft acknowledges the issue like so:

Status:

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!

Update 2: Problem solved

Microsoft has figured out what went wrong. As expected, no big deal. Here’s a post from yesterday:

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). 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.

BTW, I love how the press over-reacted to this. The Zune 30 was only sold in North America (and mostly in just the US) and is the poorest-selling Zune model. The Mac/Apple community has been particularly childish about it. Weird that they’d have such a hang-up over such a non-competitive device, eh? Sorry it wasn’t more serious, guys.

Discuss this Article 111

tayme
on Dec 31, 2008
MS is now acknowledging it: http://www.zune.net/en-US/support/default.htm Status: 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! From the look of the support boards, there are way more than 17 Zune 30 owners - BTW. ;-) --tayme
weedmonk
on Dec 31, 2008
Wow. I thought mine finally bought the farm.
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
Brown Brick of Death Red Ring of Death BBoD RRoD
Lindy
on Dec 31, 2008
Tough to imagine how they will fix it? If its locked how do you update it? Will they ship "Zune coffins" to your house like they do with the 360?
tayme
on Dec 31, 2008
@Ocean - That is the third time that you have posted that line of idiocy. Starving for attention much? --tayme
Lindy
on Dec 31, 2008
http://majornelson.com/Default.aspx Is reporting its fixed and you should be good to go? Left side
daveinla
on Dec 31, 2008
Maybe Zune decided '08 would be its last year !!?!
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
>>that line of idiocy<< It looks bricked from all accounts. The Zune is known for bringing the brown sexy back...thus, the BBoD.
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
Lindy the latest update says "NOT FIXED!" >>Ok. Major's wrong. Zune issue NOT fixed. I'll rattle some cages in Zuneland<< Look it up.
puzder
on Dec 31, 2008
Paul Is that the only Zune you own?
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
BTW -> These are Zune 30's with upgraded software (per Ed Bott) Great job on software upgrading to extend the life of those devices MS!
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
>>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.”<< http://digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20081231/zunesday/
albucian
on Dec 31, 2008
I own a Zune 80 and I noticed that it did reboot today when I turned it on. Wonder if the reboot happened to all the zune models but only the zune 30 ended up frozen...
tayme
on Dec 31, 2008
@Ocean - Yeah...I get it and all. Its a cute little tag...but really, 3 separate posts just to draw attention your way...geez, man. That's pathetic. --tayme
mikegalos@msn.com
on Dec 31, 2008
Wow, a problem that was first reported eight hours ago with one model hasn't been fixed yet. Horrors... Considering the traffic, either: A) The Zune 30 sold a LOT better than the usual suspects posting would have us believe B) A lot of people are complaining here who don't have a Zune 30. Heck, it's New Years, let's go with both.
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
Here folks: >>It appears that it is related to the hardware clock in the Zune 30. People are reporting that by disabling the Windows Time Service on their PC, resetting the date on their PC (to something like 12/04/2008) , and stopping all Zune-related Windows services (and hard-resetting the Zune device) they are able to get it all working again. >>>>>Go to Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services Go to the bottom of the list and find the "Windows Time" service, right click it and choose stop. For stopping the Zune services, just go to the bottom of the list and stop: Zune Bus Enumerator Zune Network Sharing Zune Wireless Configuration Service Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and kill/stop the zunelauncher.exe process in the task manager window. Set your time...and try to connect your zune<<<<<<<<<<<<
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
http://www.zunescene.mobi/forums/index.php?topic=43550.108
tayme
on Dec 31, 2008
@mikegalos...for once, I totally agree with you. Regardless, it is good to see that MS has acknowledged the issue and are working on a fix. I do wonder how that fix will be applied...unless it involves draining the battery and doing a hard reset upon boot while charging. That would take some good timing, as usually, the Zune boots about 3.245 minutes into the charge cycle. For those about to ask me about the timing, I made it up...it actually seems random and depends on when enough juice is in the battery to support the boot up, I imagine. --tayme
mikegalos@msn.com
on Dec 31, 2008
Or, to put it even more into perspective, a problem first reported at 1AM on a holiday week hasn't been fixed by 9AM. And people here were screaming how unacceptable that was by 6AM. Seriously, does anybody here hold any other non-medical company to a standard of fixing a problem in five hours after it's initially reported in the middle of the night on a holiday week? Please feel free to cite an example.
tayme
on Dec 31, 2008
@Ocean - No offense, but I think that I'll wait for the official MS fix, rather than something posted by you, an obvious an MS-AntiFanBoy. --tayme
mikegalos@msn.com
on Dec 31, 2008
If it is tied to the hardware clock, I'd be curious to see if it fixes itself after midnight tonight for people who didn't use their Zune 30 today.
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
Tayme, I posted where I found it. I'd wait for the official too though.
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
>>an MS-AntiFanBoy<< I'm Anti- Fanboy of every stripe. :) I love XP and am looking forward to Win7.
tayme
on Dec 31, 2008
@mikegalos - "I'd be curious to see if it fixes itself after midnight tonight for people who didn't use their Zune 30 today" Or for those that did...I am currently letting my batteries drain in the 2 here and will await a fix from MS. Like you said...it is a holiday week, and they are on it...plus, after all, its just a music player...not something that I consider all that important in the scheme of things going on around the world these days. --tayme
larrylar
on Dec 31, 2008
Haven't used my Zune for a few days. Guess I won't be using for a few more.
shark47
on Dec 31, 2008
"@Ocean - No offense, but I think that I'll wait for the official MS fix, rather than something posted by you, an obvious an MS-AntiFanBoy." I would agree with that. These things happen. At least the bricking in this case was unintentional, unlike some other company out there.
Master3
on Dec 31, 2008
Will someone please ban that retard's IP. Paul, HE IS A TROLL. HE SPAMS YOUR SITE AND TRIES TO DERAIL EVERY TOPIC INTO THE OCEAN SHOW. Will you seriously stop pretending like you dont notice and start engaging in some moderation?
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
Master3...ever thought about an Anger Management class? I'm just talkin' Zune with everyone else.
Lindy
on Dec 31, 2008
You could simply ignore him Masters3
tayme
on Dec 31, 2008
"You could simply ignore him Masters3" An ignore feature is sorely needed on this site. It would quiet down the troll traffic that I don't seem to see on many of the other blogs that I read daily. --tayme
shark47
on Dec 31, 2008
I just checked mine -- it was in the car-- and it's bricked too. :-) I guess until MS fixes this issue, I can use the free iPod nano that I won in a raffle. :)
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
Careful Shark...you might not go back...
SandmanX82
on Dec 31, 2008
Yea Shark. You certainly wouldn't want to risk falling in love with something that offers less features, a smaller screen, inferior sound quality, and slow as sh** software. Then again, if it's anything like mine and my wife's iPods that both died a couple months ago, you won't have to worry about it. Problem is, unlike the Zune problem, my iPods won't be replaced or fixed for free.
shark47
on Dec 31, 2008
"Careful Shark...you might not go back..." I've had an iPod for longer than I've owned a Zune.
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
Interesting Sandman...I have an old iPod Photo that is a tank. Never had a problem out of it. And as far as features... They don't matter unless you're going to use them. Most people never use all the features on any gadget...just the most important ones. And it's those that Apple has MS beat in hands down.
beaker
on Dec 31, 2008
It is so amusing to see the MS Fanboys try to defend this major screwup by indicating that MS is working on it.. it is a holiday, etc. If Apple did anything remotely like this they'd be on the attack. Why can't you people see that everything has its place - including the Apple junk and MS junk? They both have some decent qualities... * disclaimer - iPhone owner, MacBook Pro owner, iMac owner, iBook owner, multiple iPod owner, OpenBSD/FreeBSD user, Vista/XP user
SandmanX82
on Dec 31, 2008
Really Ocean? I guess your iPod Photo being a tank makes my two iPods not working not mean anything. Oh that's right, your experience has nothing to do with mine. "And as far as features...They don't matter unless you're going to use them. Most people never use all the features on any gadget...just the most important ones." Well I certainly am glad that Apple gets to decide which features I will or will not use. I guess when I'm at the gym working out and want to watch the TVs there and have to tune into a radio station and can't, I really didn't want to do that anyway. "And it's those that Apple has MS beat in hands down." Tell me, because I must have missed it somewhere, which features would those be?
mikegalos@msn.com
on Dec 31, 2008
"Most people never use all the features on any gadget...just the most important ones. And it's those that Apple has MS beat in hands down." Or, more realistically, If Apple products don't have those features then Apple and their fans will happily tell you that they're not important. (Until Apple adds them in the next version when they become a must-have reason for replacing your old version)
tayme
on Dec 31, 2008
@beaker - I think if you go back and read some of my posts over the years, you'll see that I am not *trying* to defend MS here, nor have I attacked Apple or any other company...in fact, I expect a fix...but you have to realize, it has barely been 12 hours since the issue first occurred. These things happen in hardware and software development and we, as users, should do our part to support the constant improvement of technology, instead of pointing fingers and waging in an imagined OS War. What is amusing is watching the zealots on both sides fall all over each other as they play the my pecker is bigger than yours. *disclaimer - Owner and user of many PC's and other devices that run many Operating Systems. Provider of support for approximately 13TB storage in a mixed OS environment, including MS, HP, IBM, Linux, Sun Solaris, and many others. --tayme
SandmanX82
on Dec 31, 2008
The difference here beaker, is that this screwup is apparently expected to be fixed within the 6 hour time frame it was discovered in. It's indeed a major screwup and unacceptable that it happened. It's also a major screwup and unacceptable to believe it should have been fixed within mere hours of it being discovered.
pmcgrath
on Dec 31, 2008
Well that's a relief. I thought it was toast. I fugured it had been dropped on to many times. Well hopefully MS will get it fixed soon so I can have my Super Brown Brick back in action.
Dude1313
on Dec 31, 2008
SandmanX82 said: Well I certainly am glad that Apple gets to decide which features I will or will not use. I guess when I'm at the gym working out and want to.. Do you use Windows? MS is about choice? ************************** Beaker- How true your statement is. If this was an ipod doing this it would be open season... ************************* shark47 said: I would agree with that. These things happen. At least the bricking in this case was unintentional, unlike some other company out there. Really you know why and how this was caused? You're absolutely sure it has nothing to do with DRM perhaps? I don't have anymore information then apparently you do, but at this point it could be anything.
SandmanX82
on Dec 31, 2008
"Do you use Windows? MS is about choice?" I don't understand that question. I can run a wider variety of software on Windows than on any other platform. And what does that have to do with Apple not including features on its products because I won't use them according to Ocean?
beaker
on Dec 31, 2008
SandmanX82 said: The difference here beaker, is that this screwup is apparently expected to be fixed within the 6 hour time frame it was discovered in. It's indeed a major screwup and unacceptable that it happened. It's also a major screwup and unacceptable to believe it should have been fixed within mere hours of it being discovered. **************************************************************** Did they give an ETA when it will be fixed? I haven't seen one. I don't know how they could. It is a major screw up ... especially for a product that is trying to gain marketshare. Even Paul throws a jab at it saying that "if you are one of the 17 who bought it..". I work in tech and I seriously have never seen a Zune except at WalMart, Best Buy or Target in the display cases. If anyone has a 30G that is dead that they want to donate to Muppet Labs - let me know!
SandmanX82
on Dec 31, 2008
As far as I know there's no ETA of when it will be fixed. And I already agreed with you that it's a major screwup. I'm not here defending this and saying it's okay. I'm here defending the fact that some people think it should be fixed already. I hope those same people don't have MobilMe accounts.
Master3
on Dec 31, 2008
"Do you use Windows? MS is about choice?" What choice do we not have? "Beaker- How true your statement is. If this was an ipod doing this it would be open season..." If we ran around and did the whole act that Apple users do where they pretend that their gear is free of errors, problems, malfunctions, breakdowns, bricking, and pretty much anything else, heck yes they invite the arrows when their stuff has problems. "Really you know why and how this was caused? You're absolutely sure it has nothing to do with DRM perhaps? I don't have anymore information then apparently you do, but at this point it could be anything." That's why you wait to find out. You want us to fly off the handle in rage against Microsoft like we are 11.
beaker
on Dec 31, 2008
what does MobileMe have to do with the Zune? Oh, is it to compare one screw up to another? You don't need to create an itemized list comparing Apple to MS as far as screw ups go. They both are pretty good at pissing off their customers. Neither platform is superior in all aspects. I'm thankful that they both exists as well as the other non consumer operating systems. After all, competition is good for all of us.
Master3
on Dec 31, 2008
"Did they give an ETA when it will be fixed? I haven't seen one. I don't know how they could." No, but within a few hours of it hitting their inbox, Im not expecting some supernatural fix right now. "It is a major screw up ... especially for a product that is trying to gain marketshare. Even Paul throws a jab at it saying that "if you are one of the 17 who bought it.." So? It's an old corny joke, just like wondering if it would be better for the 8 people with an Apple TV to have just bought one and shared it. " I work in tech and I seriously have never seen a Zune except at WalMart, Best Buy or Target in the display cases." Havent seen an Apple TV myself either. What's your point? Who are you? And why are you a barometer of product usage anyway?
SandmanX82
on Dec 31, 2008
"what does MobileMe have to do with the Zune? Oh, is it to compare one screw up to another? You don't need to create an itemized list comparing Apple to MS as far as screw ups go." Yea, except it was YOU that brought up apple in the first place: "If Apple did anything remotely like this they'd be on the attack."
niekbm
on Dec 31, 2008
http://technologizer.com/ put on some polls about the issue(I have it on my Zune 300 too).

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