How to fix Zune 2009 freeze bug
Zune owners now have a fix for their failing devices thanks to Microsoft that has posted instructions on how to start the new year off with a working digital music player. Yesterday 30-gigabyte Zunes suffered a crippling glitch causing the digital music players to lock up, reboot themselves, and freeze. Zune users are calling Micorosoft screw-up “Zune 2K9,” a reference to the Y2K bug. The problem was caused by the Zune’s internal clock and its inability to handle leap years, according to Microsoft. Microsoft posted instructions on its support site Zune.net/support on how to thaw your Zune from its deep freeze and get it working again. However, if you’re a Zune Pass subscriber with music managed by DRM copyright protection Microsoft says you might have to take extra steps to play those music tracks.
The Zune fix (outlined below) will work at 7am ET January 1, 2009. Microsoft says it will also issue a fix for the device so that this problem won’t re-occur the next leap year, in 2012.
To Fix Your Zune 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!
Source: PC World
Comments(37)
Good news for zune owners!
Bad news for M$ as they they will probaly lose a bit more market share to apple
Actually the bug was because of its attempt at handeling the added day for leap year…not for its lack of support for it (which it did have, otherwise after leap day, the entire calendar would have been offset by a day).
I dont see any market share loss. Its a funny ha ha at microsoft's expense.. but if you didn't notice it happen to your player on the 31st, you never will.
What a non-story. Let the battery run out and then charge it. That's all. That's it.
It's like getting a flashlight that comes with instructions. Do you really need instructions?
Rumour has it all three Zune customers are now aware of the fix, so no need for concern
aint no ipod, savvy?
savvy = lame
lmfao@Steve J
Still, Zune must be better than any of the "I-Crap" that apple spews out day after day. I'll gladly take a kick in the balls rather than getting an iPod.
essequemodeia:
Tried twice already still freezing on boot up :-/ Going to give it another go later, it SHOULD fix it.
MS should probably give up on the mp3 player market about now..
@9 they would give up if idiots like you didnt keep buying them.
LOLOLOLOLOL
I guess I'm happy with my two iPods then
huh…..I have like 6 friends with zunes, and no two people with iPods. Kinda odd, no? Guess we're sick of that crap. ZUNE ALL THE WAY!!
@Theodore
Clearly you don't know many people then. 8 people doesn't represent whats clearly the general consensus.
There is nothing wrong with the iPod so stop bashing it. If you like the Zune, good for you. But just cause you like something doesn't make it better or the other one worse!
why is microsoft making hardware anyways?
arent they a software company???
How to not have to be fixing sh!te products all the time…
Dont buy cheap sh!te.
I got a phillips 4 gig mp3 player for 50 bucks, has fm radio tuner, videos, and a built in mic. Such a damn good deal. Id never buy this zune crap.
i had one of those phillips pretty soon you'll get crc errors and then the firmware flasher will brick it
Yeah, a great way to fix it is to NOT BUY ONE. Really M$? Still producing these things?
what bright spark comes up with M$'s terrible branding for hardware anyway? I mean, 'Zune', that must be the lamest word ever that I'd be embarrassed to own up to having in a conversation
fkn ridiculous they release a device that cant handle leap years-lol!
and for all the apple fan boys laughing just remember how many ipod touches apple have bricked with their 2.2 firmware!! connect to itunes/would you like to download our amazing new firmware/click yes/have a brick-lol!
Ha ha……….
At the time it was a MUCH cheaper alternative to the closest iPod. Just checked and the equivilent iPod is still alot more expensive than this was :-/
To 'keep buying' means repeat purchases, we are talking about the 1st gen here.. it was bought quite some time ago.
All working now after syncing up to the laptop
what if you make the pc date for 2009 would that had work?
Microsoft later added these steps to the instructions to get your Zune in working order permanently:
1. Stand up and hold Zune in your right hand.
2. Stick your left foot out
3 Shake it all about.
4. Do the hookie-pookie and shake it all about.
Big lol @ M$
Don't buy M$ stuff, neither apple. Just an advice for your own good.
essequemodeia wrote: It's like getting a flashlight that comes with instructions. Do you really need instructions?
Not all flashlights are straight forward on/off or have a set two/three brightness levels as you must have never had a or used a flashlight that can be programmed to different brightness levels/settings but even then most only need simple straight forward instructions to get hang of quickly.
I went swimming with my iriver a month ago trying to save someone's life. My wife was going to get me a 250G Ipod for christmas. I told her she Dare not. I wouldn't even use an ipod even if it was given to me… Zune's R pretty much the same. Wont touch them… Did some research, and what I wanted was the Archos 605… Too hefty pricetag for a chirstmas pressent.. oh well…
I hope you get 'Hang of quickly'….Cos it fookin baffles me..
i don't see what this has to do with scene releases
Must-see funny poster "The Day The Zunes Stood Still" :
http://www.megaleecher.net/uploads/thedayzune-died.jpg
@29 – Exactly. Zune? iPods? iTunes? DRM? Who the hell uses this crap?
I like zune. My creative zen is still kicking but when it finally dies, I am replacing it with a second gen zune.
I have a ipod shuffle and im pretty happy with it, i dont know why some people say ipods are icraps.
@29 Well some people are more interested more in form over content… Dont judge them, be glad, that somebody is feeding that crazy music companies :]
ive got a zune
it froze
i thought it died
thanks for posting this
its fine now
i dont like apple
For resolve the problem is ….
Buy iPod….
Apple Forever…
New iPhone nano in few day..!!!!
Bye
How stupid are the people working at MS.
They probaly hadn't thought the Zune would still be used in 2009.