Comments on: 30 GB Zunes failing all over the place

By: coffee fiend

coffee fiend — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:02:04 +0000

tough break indeed. first the X-box meltdown and now the this. at least the Zune seems to be more fixable…

By: DaveTN

DaveTN — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:02:27 +0000

Well, January 1 is here and mine is still dead…

My Zune is now a “Zero”.

Ugh!

David

By: Bryan B.

Bryan B. — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:37:22 +0000

Too funny. I was wondering what was wrong with it. lol

By: Ron P.

Ron P. — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:12:45 +0000

The “Official” Word from Microsoft is:
“Early this morning we were alerted by our customers that there was a widespread issue affecting our 2006 model Zune 30GB devices (a large number of which are still actively being used). The technical team jumped on the problem immediately and isolated the issue: a bug in the internal clock driver related to the way the device handles a leap year. 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.”

Yep, I got on too. I certainly am not ecstatic, but Im also a firm believer in “Xhit Happens” This was not a huge plan by Microsoft to make one last stab at making people upset before 2009 starts. Thankfully, listening to my ZUNE on New Years Eve was not my intended course of action. I have HDTV!!!

By: Bob Russell

Bob Russell — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:43:08 +0000

No, don’t do anything drastic! (I’ve got one too.)

There is supposed to be official word that the Zunes will start working again on Jan 1. Here’s more… http://www.zunethoughts.com/news/show/91962/zune-30s-will-de-brick-themselves-january-1st-2009.html

By: GoodThings2Life

GoodThings2Life — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:24:43 +0000

Update from Microsoft on Zune.net indicating that indeed the issue should resolve itself on its own as the clock rolls over to the 1st… just let the battery drain out and then recharge and boot.

I can only assume they’ll address this in the next firmware update.

By: DaveTN

DaveTN — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:26:38 +0000

I doubt it is a DRM issue since all my music on mine is DRM free. Mine also has not been synced since firmware 3.0 was released.
Has to be a firmware issue. Problem is, how to sync and update a fix on a Zune that is locked up and will not sync?

David

By: GoodThings2Life

GoodThings2Life — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:15:42 +0000

PS– Given the amount of support Microsoft has offered with firmware updates to the 30GB updates, if it really is solved as simply as waiting until tomorrow, I can’t say I’m unhappy with the Zune experience.

By: GoodThings2Life

GoodThings2Life — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:12:56 +0000

Well the good news is… my 120GB Zune received for Christmas is rocking and rolling! :)

The bad news is I gave my 30GB to my mother, and my step-dad and dad have 30GB’s too. Oops.

Hopefully Microsoft announces a solution quickly.

By: Nate

Nate — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:09:54 +0000

It has nothing to do with connecting it to a PC or network. These devices are not connected to anything.

At this point mine was running long enough that it killed its battery. Here’s to hoping these things revive themselves at midnight tonight, when we go back to day one (instead of 366).

Hang in there Zunies.

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:59:45 +0000

Since this seems certainly to be a date issue, and not a year rollover since that’s a day away, at least here in the US, I still think it’s DRM related. I guarantee you the system is checking the date for DRM purposes every time you connect it to the network or the PC.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:38:54 +0000

Oh goodie… some folks at Microsoft aren’t going to have a good new years eve party this year, I think ;)

By: DaveTN

DaveTN — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:36:28 +0000

Be warned though. Just found out that the fix only works until you re-sync with your PC. Mines locked up again. So, since I have to go throughthe process again, I’m going to take some pics of the process and post them over at gottabemobile.com.

David

By: heath

heath — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:29:58 +0000

for the brave, David’s instructions get it done. the gal that i gave my zune to has already gotten her’s up and running again doing this.

By: DaveTN

DaveTN — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:20:49 +0000

OK, heres the temporary fix that takes about 5 mins to do but is not for the faint at heart.

1. Remove the small black plastic bezel around your sync cable connector. Use a small screwdriver to carefully pry it up. Its only held in place with friction tabs.
2. Gently pry the top and bottom covers apart, starting at the bottom. There are no locking tabs at the bottom but there are some at the top, so start at the bottom.
3. locate teh two ribbon cables at the top of your zune. one on the left and the other on the right. Lift the gray locking tab carefully on the left cable first to release the cable. Repeat for the cable on the right. Wait a few seconds then carefully reconnect the cables. Small fingers or tweezers help.
4. Reconnect the two halves of your zune starting at the top and gently press it back together. Make sure you lign up the headphone jack with its hole.
5. replace the small screws and snap the black plastic bezel back into place.
5. turn your zune back on and smile!

David

By: DaveTN

DaveTN — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:00:00 +0000

Oh SNAP!
Mine died too! I haven’t synced mine in a couple weeks so it has to be firmware/hardware related. This really stinks.

David