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Microsoft Zunes Committing Mass Suicide
Posted by
CmdrTaco
on Wed Dec 31, 2008 10:04 AM
from the i-bet-a-bricked-zune-is-still-warm dept.
from the i-bet-a-bricked-zune-is-still-warm dept.
jddeluxe writes "There are multiple reports springing up all over the internet of a mass suicide of Microsoft 30GB Zune players globally. Check Zune forums, Gizmodo, or other such sites; the reports are spreading rapidly, except apparently to the Microsoft official Zune site."
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News: Microsoft Issues Workaround For Zune Freeze 277 comments
UnknowingFool writes "As a followup to the Zune New Year's Eve meltdown, Microsoft has issued a workaround for what some users have correctly guessed was a bug caused by a leap year. To recover from the problem, let the Zune drain the batteries and restart it after noon on January 1, 2009. Many sites are reporting that Microsoft has 'fixed' the issue, but technically all Microsoft has done is to ask users to wait out the conditions that triggered the bug. Unless a software patch comes out, Zunes will suffer the same problem again in four years." Reader ndtechnologies adds, "According to posts in the Toshiba forum at anythingbutipod.com, the same bug that shut down millions of Zune 30's also affects the Toshiba Gigabeat S. The Zune 30 is based off of the Gigabeat S series and was co-developed by Microsoft with Toshiba."
[+]
News: The Exact Cause of the Zune Meltdown 465 comments
An anonymous reader writes "The Zune 30 failure became national news when it happened just three days ago. The source code for the bad driver leaked soon after, and now, someone has come up with a very detailed explanation for where the code was bad as well as a number of solutions to deal with it. From a coding/QA standpoint, one has to wonder how this bug was missed if the quality assurance team wasn't slacking off. Worse yet: this bug affects every Windows CE device carrying this driver."
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Suicide? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Suicide? (Score:5, Funny)
Parent
Re:Suicide? (Score:5, Insightful)
Except that, if it had been a Creative Zen or an iPod, you'd still have it to play your favorite music. No big loss? Come on... You now HAVE to buy a new one.
And here's to Microsoft recognizing the problem (they didn't yet) and fixing it.
Parent
Re:Suicide? (Score:5, Informative)
Mine's doing the same thing. I've used the crap out of the thing for about 18 months and it has worked flawlessly.. until now that is. This is appearing on the support site now.
"Status: Customers with 30gb Zune devices may experience issues when booting their Zune hardware. Weâ(TM)re aware of the problem and are working to correct it. Sorry for the inconvenience, and thanks for your patience!"
I got a 120gb iPod for Christmas so I'm watching this fiasco with a smirk. I had hoped to get a few bucks for it on ebay though.
Parent
Problem identified: LEAP YEAR (Score:5, Informative)
Day 365 has passed and this is day 366. This has happened before. This will happen again. All will be well tomorrow.
Thank you,
Microsoft Zune PM
Parent
Re:Xbox,HD-DVD,Zune...Anyone Admit To Owning All 3 (Score:5, Insightful)
I own 2 of the 3.
Xbox 360 - mine did the RRoD after almost 3 years of fairly heavy use. Guess what? Microsoft replaced it no questions asked. I'm no Microsoft fan, but that was great customer service. When I bought my 360 originally, I was actually pretty anti-Microsoft (Linux, Mac, yadda yadda). But at the time, I considered it the best console for the money. It was good enough that even if Microsoft hadn't replaced it (and after 3 years, I didn't expect them to), I'd have bought another one anyway.
HD-DVD - just bought my HD-DVD add-on for my 360 about 2 weeks ago. Why? Player is dirt cheap, and there's still a ton of HD movies/TV shows out there. Since it's a "dead" format, most stores are clearing them out DIRT cheap. I picked up 10-15 HD movies the other day for an average of $8 each (brand new, not the used ones Blockbuster is selling). That's way more attractive to me than the $30 average price for the BlueRay stuff (which I also buy for my PS3).
Yeah, I know you're trolling, but take it from someone who owns all three major consoles (360, PS3, Wii) - the 360 is a great console (though I'm not thrilled with the new Dashboard look) and holds its own against the PS3 in every place it matters - performance, graphics, game selection, etc. Sure you can beat it up on tech specs these days, but I still probably play it 2:1 over the PS3.
Parent
BZOD (Score:5, Funny)
Blue Zune Of Death!
Re:BZOD (Score:5, Funny)
Parent
3 bit years should be enough for anyone. (Score:5, Funny)
I guess they just allocated a 3 bit year, in their systems (starting year 2000). Hey who would think there would still have Zunes around b 2009.
Re:3 bit years should be enough for anyone. (Score:5, Interesting)
I guess they just allocated a 3 bit year, in their systems (starting year 2000). Hey who would think there would still have Zunes around b 2009.
I think your issue may more likely be a leap year issue, with the Zune calculating the length of the year in seconds, but did not take into account that 2008 is one day longer because of 29 February.
Which would explain why they are failing before new year's, rather than after.
Parent
Article summary (Score:5, Insightful)
Nice to see the editors are on the job.
Re:Article summary (Score:5, Insightful)
Indeed.
How does crap like this make it to the front page?
Can we get an edit on the summary? Not only are there spelling mistakes, but the summary is just flat wrong about how Microsoft is reacting to the problem.
Look, I have issues with Microsoft as much as the next geek, but this summary is just moronic and childish. Can we get a fix please?
Parent
Re:Article summary (Score:5, Informative)
Parent
Is this a troll? (Score:5, Funny)
30mb Zune? Micro$oft? Go back to /b/ CmdrTaco
I don't usually complain about summaries... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:I don't usually complain about summaries... (Score:5, Interesting)
http://www.google.com/trends/hottrends?sa=X [google.com]
Those are today's top one hundred google searches. As of now, ten of the top forty searches are zune related. Something tells me this is a bit more that "a few people..." I agree that the article is sensationalist, but there's a hearty grain of truth in there.
Parent
re (Score:5, Funny)
Let me know when one commits homicide. That will be news.
Gotta hand it to MicroSoft (Score:5, Funny)
They've successfully dispelled the rumor that no own owns a Zune.
Re:Gotta hand it to MicroSoft (Score:5, Funny)
...and replaced it with the rumor that no one owns a *working* Zune.
Parent
Value did get lost :( (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Value did get lost :( (Score:5, Insightful)
I feel sorry for MSFT.
Really? You have a broken player and they have your money, but you feel bad for them?
Parent
Re:Value did get lost :( (Score:5, Insightful)
This kind of things can happen to every company, true. However, this seems to happen to Microsoft a lot... And in many of those cases, it was proven that Microsoft knew about the issue but decided to release the product anyway: the bugs in Windows Vista, the Red Ring of Death of the Xbox... Please note that is not a criticism of the Microsoft employees but of the corporate cultural at the executive level that lead them to those issues.
Parent
$la$hdot, your be$t $ource for tech new$ (Score:5, Funny)
Al$o I think $omeone me$$ed around with my keyboard driver$...
I heard a song about this once... (Score:5, Funny)
You don't need no entertainment
You dont need no Zune control
No dark sarcasm on the nets
People leave them Zunes alone
Hey! people! Leave them Zunes alone!
All in all it's just another brick in the wall.
All in all you're just another brick in the wall.
song parody (Score:5, Funny)
but something touched me deep inside...the day the 30 gigs died
I started singing "bye, bye MS 30 gig zune"
tried to download from the zune store but the zune store was dry
and the ms fanboys were drinking whiskey and rye
the day...the 30 gigs died
Designed Obsolescence (Score:5, Funny)
Designed Obsolescence.
You didn't really think they'd support this thing through 2009 did you? Oh, go back and read your EULA. It clearly states that at the start of 2009 you'll have to pay a subscription fee for you unit to continue working. You signed it in blood from the paper cut. Legally binding in hell.
Re:Designed Obsolescence (Score:5, Insightful)
You joke about this, but Microsoft actually has the best track record for non-designed obsolescence among all the digital audio player manufacturers out there. When they came out with new generation Zunes, they rolled out all the updates to older generation owners as well.
These updates were also free, unlike the updates for the iPod Touch (interesting how some companies supposedly have to charge for updates with new features under accounting rules, and others don't).
I don't approve of a lot of things Microsoft does, but I have to say that objectively, they've been a real class act as far as supporting older Zunes goes.
Parent
Leap Day... (Score:5, Interesting)
This year has 366 days in it instead of the normal 365.
So if you did (365-day) you could end up with -1 which might cause either a crash or freeze.
Just one (likely) possible cause. If that is the case it should fix its self tomorrow.
Re:Leap Day... (Score:5, Funny)
Just one (likely) possible cause. If that is the case it should fix its self tomorrow.
Or it could be the Zune Rapture. This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't put Marilyn Manson on it.
Parent
Re:Leap Day... (Score:5, Interesting)
According to wiki, the first Zune was released on Nov of 2006.
Parent
The Fix (Score:5, Informative)
According to Herman at gizmodo, this is the solution:
"Your zune will need a "hard reset."
To do this, use a small screwdriver to pop off the plastic shielding where the zune cable plugs into and remove the two screws on either side of the plug. Next pop the cover off and locate the battery plug at the top left corner of the zune, using your screw driver, pop the cable connection half way off, and do this to the other plug on the right side. Wait 3 seconds, then push down the right connector and then the left battery connecter. Your zune should start up immediately. Press the backing of the zune down (make sure headphone jack is aligned) and put the screws and cover back in place.
It's an easy process but if you're unsure don't attempt it if you think you'll screw it or something. :)"
Not pretty, but it might help those of you who have this problem.
According to others on the forum, it is caused by the new firmware, so you might not want to update it. Changing the clock might be a temporary fix if you want the new firmware.
Re:The Fix (Score:5, Informative)
Parent
Re:The Fix (Score:5, Informative)
According to Herman at gizmodo, this is the solution:
"Your zune will need a "hard reset."
To do this, use a small screwdriver to pop off the plastic shielding where the zune cable plugs into and remove the two screws on either side of the plug. Next pop the cover off and locate the battery plug at the top left corner of the zune, using your screw driver, pop the cable connection half way off, and do this to the other plug on the right side. Wait 3 seconds, then push down the right connector and then the left battery connecter. Your zune should start up immediately. Press the backing of the zune down (make sure headphone jack is aligned) and put the screws and cover back in place.
It's an easy process but if you're unsure don't attempt it if you think you'll screw it or something. :)"
Not pretty, but it might help those of you who have this problem.
According to others on the forum, it is caused by the new firmware, so you might not want to update it. Changing the clock might be a temporary fix if you want the new firmware.
According to several users in the Zune thread at Zune.net forums, even Zunes running original or other older firmware is affected.
Parent
Re:The Fix (Score:5, Funny)
And all accross this great nation of ours countless tiny screws are getting lost in the carpet.
Parent
It's a firmware bug. (Score:5, Informative)
I have 2 of them. 1 for hacking the other for my daughter. Her zune locked up, I went downstairs and dug out of the box the old zune that has never been updated. Yes date and time are pretty close to accurate.
MSFT drones mucked up the clock ocde in the firmware over the past year.
Firmware Problem (Score:5, Informative)
Zunes with older firmwares are unaffected, a hard reset will blow away the current firmware and get your Zune working again.
Already have the fix posted at The Tech Empire [techemperor.com]
Whoot, go me.
Zune 3.11 (Score:5, Funny)
Re:NOT Zune 3.11 (Score:5, Funny)
but... Zune 3.11 for Workgroups
Parent
'Committed Suicide?' (Score:5, Insightful)
Have to say though, I'd hate to be MS Zune support at this point - most of the staff will be off or in serious party mood, not what you need when something this big happens.
Bailout? (Score:5, Funny)
"No one will buy our products ever since the Zune Fiasco! Give us money! WA WA WA!"
Checked Google Trends lately? (Score:5, Interesting)
http://www.google.com/trends [google.com]
At the time I loaded the page:
1. zune frozen
2. reset zune
3. zune locked up
4. zune troubleshooting
Re:Checked Google Trends lately? (Score:5, Funny)
Parent
In the meantime in Redmond... (Score:5, Funny)
...people see Zunes commiting suicide by flying out from Ballmer's office.
How does this happen???? (Score:5, Insightful)
Please explain to me how Microsoft bungles such a simple thing. Do they really not test this crap or what?
I mean, it would be one thing if it was some unknown, unforseeable bug -- but this is a fucking leap year problem. Hell, we studied that problem back when I learned Cobol. In 1991.
So again, how does this happen this day and age? Even for Microsoft, this is so far below "acceptable" that I can't believe it happened.
Re:Real mature (Score:5, Informative)
It's actually a long tradition that started with Compu$erve.
If you're primarily a Linux user and then try to get anything running on a Windows server, the $ will seem quite appropriate. It seems the only thing M$ doesn't do to hit you up for more cash is rent Windows by the hour. What's so wrong with expressing that opinion neatly in a single character change?
That too is common. Other names you might hear/read in a similar vein (which may or may not reflect my personal opinion) include Burger Thing, Qwost, Stop and Rob, Tragic Markup, Circuit Shitty, etc.
Parent
Re:Real mature (Score:5, Informative)
It seems the only thing M$ doesn't do to hit you up for more cash is rent Windows by the hour.
They're working on that too. No joke. IIRC, it was posted on Slashdot before. I think it had something to do with a patent.
Parent
Re:Real mature (Score:5, Funny)
That is a common mistake that anyone who is older then 30 years can do. Dag Nabbit, Back in my day I would have pined for a 30 megabyte music player. We had to use instruments fashioned out on animal hides and termite infested wood. Then pay from memory the music. And it never sounded as good as you remembered it.
Parent
Re:Real mature (Score:5, Funny)
Then pay from memory the music.
I believe you are mistaken. To my knowledge, it is still free to remember music, but the RIAA is working with the US government to close this so-called 'neural hole'. They're really just looking after the good of the artists. Really.
Parent
Re:Real mature (Score:5, Funny)
You had wood? Spoiled kid.
Are you kidding? When I was a kid I had wood constantly. Now that I'm [much] older I can only dream...
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Re:How do I know it's dying.. (Score:5, Funny)
Then you must cut the one ring from Sauron's hand, carry it to the fire of Mt. Doom and cast it into the cauldron.
Parent