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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
@niekbm - Notice that the website is way off ...the picture that they put together looks nothing like the problem...they show an 80GB Zune with a windows error...there are plenty of pictures out there showing the real thing. I have never been to this site, but I am guessing that it is a MS Basher site... --tayme
subzerohitman721
on Dec 31, 2008
@beaker, Apple did do something like this with the iPhone and the iPod Touch. I think the criticism is about the same regardless of company. I really can't be too mad because I own an iPod and don't own a Zune. However, I can understand why Zune owners would be upset. Tayme and others have been equally as critical of Microsoft and Apple. So have I. I do agree with others that an ignore function would be great in this blog.
Dude1313
on Dec 31, 2008
Master- Your ire is misplaced, I find faux rage comical no matter what it is. I used DRM as an example, as I noted it could be anything. My point is simply this: It was supposed this was unintentional, how does anyone know that? If it could indeed be anything, then intentional is one possibility of anything. Do I believe that? No. But the latest round of updates designed to do X could have very well caused this instead which is more likely. And unlike the Pro-PC/Anti Apple side I'm not going taking any pleasure any side on this. Its a device it either works or it doesn't. I tend to view this like Tayme, zealots on either side don't impress me.
kalewallace
on Dec 31, 2008
Oh man... Fox news has picked up the story... http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,474690,00.html Therefore, it's the democrats fault... That's you, Mike.
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
>> 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.<< No, that's legit. Uncommon, but legit.
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
>>If Apple products don't have those features then Apple and their fans will happily tell you that they're not important.<< What do sales say: :)
yipcanjo
on Dec 31, 2008
"If Apple did anything remotely like this they'd be on the attack. " If Apple had an issue like this, they'd never acknowledge it *and* they'd make you PAY for the fix! :)
johnpapola
on Dec 31, 2008
Wow, this sure isn't good for the consumer branding. The zune is a nice device as is the 360, but these reliability meltdowns are pretty awful. It's a shame, because the iPod needs good competition.
beaker
on Dec 31, 2008
SandmanX82 said: "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." ********************************************* Did I really? I don't think I was the first to post a comparison to Apple in this feedback section. You really should relax. MS doesn't give a rip about you .. nor does Apple.
beaker
on Dec 31, 2008
OH NO... The social is having problems too!!! I bet there a millions - maybe billions of Zune users that aren't going to have a Happy New Year! From the MS site: Status: Customers using the Zune 30 might experience problems starting their players. We’re aware of the problem and are working to correct it. The Zune Social might be slow or inaccessible. Sorry for the inconvenience, and thanks for your patience!
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
Todd Bishops new name: >>"Zuneageddon."<< http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TechFlash_ToddBishop/~3/ome5OjWluHs/Zunes...
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
Ars: >>Judgment day has arrived for owners of 30GB Zunes. The music player inexplicably entered a worldwide coma last night, and players are completely nonresponsive. Whoops.<< Ars comments: >>The most amazing part of this story is that enough people own Zunes to have a trend in the first place.<< >>Should have checked the expiration date on the back.<< >>Are we sure MS isn't just testing its "NEW" pay-as-you-listen business model it applied a patent for a few days ago? << >>This marks a major change in the "zune-vibe" - specifically, from "nobody owns a zune" to "nobody owns a working zune". << >>I had just taken the plunge to get a Zune pass, and now i have a nice feeling paper weight. Sigh, I'm not really sure MS can even make this right. Even if they fix it I'll still allways worry it'll brick again. And now i really can see the limits of "renting" my music from the Zune marketplace.<<
DRWAM
on Dec 31, 2008
How can I work in a post with my $400 Vista laptop? ...hmmm... Happy New Year to all! Doc
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
>>I have a Microsoft keyboard and nothing like th<<
tayme
on Dec 31, 2008
Geez, I want to reiterate...The problem only surfaced 16 or so hours ago. How many of you that either provide support or write programs for a living have ever released something that had a bug? Were you expected to have it fixed in hours once it surfaced? Of course, most of the outcry is coming from anti-MS or non-IT people. Remember, it is only a music player...yes, it is a PR problem for MS, and MS should and will do what it takes to fix it...probably in record time, compared to its competitors reactions to bugs that surface. The press gets ahold of things like this and totally mis-informs the public. --tayme
tayme
on Dec 31, 2008
@Ocean - Your Copy/Paste talent is terrible. You can't even post a complete flamebait post correctly. You really need you own blog to post your irrelevant rants. --tayme
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
Tayme --> The keyboard thing is a joke. The keyboard has stopped working,,,
tayme
on Dec 31, 2008
@Ocean...again, get you own blog. Gain your own attention that way instead of trying to leach off Paul. --tayme
johnbaxter
on Dec 31, 2008
Microsoft really didn't need this problem. And the end-of-year break has evaporated for some number of people at Microsoft, to whom I extend condolences. As to this being "major", "critical", etc: come on, the thing is a music player plus some other stuff (I don't have that model--I don't know what other stuff). If it is life or death for anyone, that person is leading a strange life. Easy for me to say, of course, as my Zune is another model and not affected.
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
>>How many of you that either provide support or write programs for a living have ever released something that had a bug? << I have to rely on Cisco to make my living, Its never taken them 16 hours to get me a fix for anything. I know one is consumer and one is Enterprise...but I can't imagine all of any one of their models worldwide bricking at the same time. It would be catastrophic.
JohnnySLC
on Dec 31, 2008
Prediction: At midnight (PST) tonight all 30GB Zunes are going to re-animate and start searching for warm braaaaaiiiiiiiins!!!! It's the start of the Zune Zombie Apocalypse.
smiddlehurst
on Dec 31, 2008
@tayme : "Geez, I want to reiterate...The problem only surfaced 16 or so hours ago. How many of you that either provide support or write programs for a living have ever released something that had a bug? Were you expected to have it fixed in hours once it surfaced?" Frankly I expect it not to happen in the first place. Sorry but this is nothing like the examples you give - this is firmware for a major piece of consumer hardware and to have a showstopper bug that's date / time related in a new firmware release points to an incredibly poor testing plan. If it DOES happen then I expect the product manager (and the core members of the dev team) to be dragged kicking and screaming out of bed, stuck in front of a computer, have the situation explained to him and regular updates issued as well as a proper statement. That said, there's surely no doubt that this is going to hurt the Zune quite badly. Yes, it's only the 30Gb model that's affected but when you get a showstopper bug that bricks EVERY example of a device in use it's going to badly damage the brand. Microsoft need to get on top of this ASAP and handle it very carefully or they could find that the work that's gone into the Zune in the last couple of years is wiped out and they're back to square one.
robertsjoe
on Dec 31, 2008
"OH NO... The social is having problems too!!! I bet there a millions - maybe billions of Zune users that aren't going to have a Happy New Year!" Funniest line of 2009 so far! Made me LOL. Billions? Even millions?! Hahaha. ZuneInsider stopped publishing their monthly posts about the PCD Sales figures. It's doing that badly. Nothing to be proud of. "We’re aware of the problem and are working to correct it. Sorry for the inconvenience, and thanks for your patience!" What about apologising for such a shitty product? Sorry for such a terrible music player and here's your money back. That's what they should be saying.
tayme
on Dec 31, 2008
@Ocean - I have worked with Cisco, McData, Brocade, and other network gear makers for years...and have to had to be on the phone with them all for hours and hours at a time...in fact, my company was on the line with one of them for more than 24 hours to fix an issue that caused a major outage...one that was way more important than listening to music. It was catastrophic to us...but we worked with them. Yes, we expected a fix...and yes, some people not on the IT team did moan a lot about it.. It was resolved, and I am sure that the management of both companies discussed it. I am not privy to that, though. So, you see...it can and does happen at the Enterprise level and does not have to be a "worldwide bricking" to be catastrophic. --tayme
tayme
on Dec 31, 2008
@smiddlehurst - "this is firmware for a major piece of consumer hardware and to have a showstopper bug that's date / time related in a new firmware release" "If it DOES happen then I expect the product manager (and the core members of the dev team) to be dragged kicking and screaming out of bed, stuck in front of a computer, have the situation explained to him and regular updates issued as well as a proper statement." And you know these things, how? All I am saying is that there is no reason to make this into more than it is. I have already said that it will be a PR issue for MS...and we will see how they handle it. Others are jumping the gun in the standard "iCabal" way. If Apple were to have a similar problem, and they have; then mikegalos, waethorn, and the regular "WinJihadist" crowd would be all over it. I would be making the same types of statements as I am today...because I am realistic and understand that neither of these, or any other company is perfect. I don't like the immature and imagined OS wars and have made that clear here and in my everyday life. --tayme
tayme
on Dec 31, 2008
Here is an update from zuneinsider - http://zuneinsider.com/archive/2008/12/31/30gb-zune-issues-official-upda... Some of the Q&A answers are hogwash, as I would hope that they are also working on a patch to ensure that this does not happen again in 4 years during the next leap year. I am sure that over the next few days that more will come out on this. --tayme
Yawn!
on Dec 31, 2008
-OT Tayme, Thanks for the info on the XE104. Happy New Year! Yawn!
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
That link is incredible: >>Q: What is Zune doing to fix this issue? The issue should resolve itself. << Any reimbursement for the loss of a days use? >>Q: What fixes or patches are you putting in place to resolve this situation? This situation should remedy itself over the next 24 hours as the time flips to January 1st. Q: What’s the timeline on a fix? The issue Zune 30GB customers are experiencing today will self resolve as time changes to January 1.<<
chuckb84
on Dec 31, 2008
@johnpapola "Wow, this sure isn't good for the consumer branding. The zune is a nice device as is the 360, but these reliability meltdowns are pretty awful. It's a shame, because the iPod needs good competition." Yep. Zune hasn't achieved the fatal brand name that is now associated with the word "Vista", but it is on the way. The best commentary on the Zune is here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=V5ENLm0JsQw&feature=related
tayme
on Dec 31, 2008
@Yawn! - No problem...glad to be of assistance. Happy New Year to all!!! --tayme
tayme
on Dec 31, 2008
@chuckb84 - "Yep. Zune hasn't achieved the fatal brand name that is now associated with the word "Vista", but it is on the way." But thanks to the mainstream media, they just might...just like Vista did. And, much the same way our next president was elected. Too many people trust what they see/hear/read from the media without doing any research of their own. That leads to incorrect assumptions all around. Anyway, like I said...Happy New Year! --tayme
DRWAM
on Dec 31, 2008
My Sansa's are all working fine :) ...especially with my $400 Vista laptop! [finally got that in here]
RunTimeError
on Dec 31, 2008
Is it fixed yet?
shark47
on Dec 31, 2008
Mishaps occur. They happened with the iPod too. To use this incident to conclude that Zunes suck is a very biased way of looking at things. Of course, I can understand it, considering who made these remarks - the usual suspects.
Delmont
on Dec 31, 2008
drwam, How can I work in that my 1993 Jag is Y2K compliant too? :-) I just test started it in the garage, and she fired right up!
Lindy
on Dec 31, 2008
What is the status of the FroZune????
Kirk M
on Dec 31, 2008
From reading through related support threads at the Zune site, it looks like the 30Gb Zunes are coming back to life at the turn of the new year which tells me that the clocks in all the "bricked" Zune 30's are still ticking along just fine. Owners of Zune 30's from Australia were the first to report that their Zune 30's "woke up" at midnight on New Year's Eve (their time zone). It also appears that all the Zune 30's that were upgraded to the latest firmware (3.0 I believe) are the ones actually affected however, that may or may not be. Perhaps, if everyone is patient, you'll find that your 30Gb Zunes might "wake up" also right about the time you're toasting the New Year in. It will be interesting to see if they actually do.
DRWAM
on Dec 31, 2008
Most excellent news Delmont. Also, the answer is that you need to post a this question: 'Where can I buy a Zune integration kit for 1993 Jag?' I sold my 1992 Vette shortly after our twins were born in 2001, knowing that I would never drive it again:( I was driving it around 6 times a year at that point and we needed garage space for outside/yard kids toys. I'm sure that you and Mike feel for me.
pmcgrath
on Dec 31, 2008
It was just a matter of time. The Zune site basically says the same thing. Let the battery die and dont charge it until after 7am EST January 1st and it should be good to go.
robertsjoe
on Dec 31, 2008
Here's a screenshot of a affected Zune. http://www.techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/zunebluedeath.jpg
robertsjoe
on Dec 31, 2008
Zune == FAIL?! We've all know that since the shit coloured device pooped on to the market.
mikegalos@msn.com
on Dec 31, 2008
Now, if any of those people horrified about the bug want to send me their Zune 30, I'll be happy to take it off their hands. I figure I'll have to not count on using it on 12/31/2012 but, somehow, I think I can survive having a music player with 99.93% reliability pretty well...
mikegalos@msn.com
on Dec 31, 2008
DRWAM, There is a point when owning a classic car becomes taking on the role of caretaker of a part of history... I've had a couple of times when I realized that I was not able to do justice to that role and passed on that role (and the car) to somebody who could.
johnbaxter
on Dec 31, 2008
Yikes. Day 366. Can't be. I can't possibly continue starting up.
DRWAM
on Dec 31, 2008
Yep Mike, I hear ya. My '92 Vette had a glass and color hard top. When I realized that I could not get a Zune integration kit... I mean when I realized that I could not care for it as needed, I brought it to a dealer and asked that it be sold to someone it could. I almost cried on the way home [knowing how much money I was losing].
mikegalos@msn.com
on Dec 31, 2008
johnbaxter Just give your hard working Zune 30 a day off for a nice nap and it'll be ready to go for another 1,460 hard working days. Really, is that too much to ask?
MozillaGen
on Dec 31, 2008
Microsoft now has a "fix". On Zune.net they report: "Follow these steps: 1. Disconnect your Zune from USB and AC power sources. 2. Because the player is frozen, its battery will drain—this is good. Wait until the battery is empty and the screen goes black. If the battery was fully charged, this might take a couple of hours. 3. Wait until after noon GMT on January 1, 2009 (that's 7 a.m. Eastern or 4 a.m. Pacific time). 4. Connect your Zune to either a USB port on the back or your computer or to AC power using the Zune AC Adapter and let it charge. Once the battery has sufficient power, the player should start normally. No other action is required—you can go back to using your Zune!"
gorath
on Dec 31, 2008
Argh, it's the millenium bug - but 9 years late!
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
The issue is here: >>year = ORIGINYEAR; /* = 1980 */ while (days > 365) { if (IsLeapYear(year)) { if (days > 366) { days -= 366; year += 1; } } else { days -= 365; year += 1; } } >> http://www.zuneboards.com/forums/zune-news/38143-cause-zune-30-leapyear-...
robertsjoe
on Dec 31, 2008
It's amusing to read Microsoft apologists like @mikegalos. Hypocrisy is alive and well on this blog and it's many fanboys.

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