It's fixed.

skipdeez wrote the following post at 12-31-2008 5:25 PM:

Guys I just received a response from the team. Looks like this issue will resolve itself over the next 12-24hours, great news!

Here is the repsonse (it's also on the first page):

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. 

Customers can continue to stay informed via the support page on zune.net (zune.net/support).

We know this has been a big inconvenience to our customers and we are sorry for that, and want to thank them for their patience. 

 Q:  Why is this issue isolated to the Zune 30 device?

It is a bug in a driver for a part that is only used in the Zune 30 device.

 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.

 Q:  Why did this occur at precisely 12:01 a.m. on December 31, 2008? 

There is a bug in the internal clock driver causing the 30GB device to improperly handle the last day of a leap year.

 Q:  What is Zune doing to fix this issue? 

The issue should resolve itself.

 Q:  Are you sure that this won’t happen to all 80, 120 or other flash devices? 

This issue is related to a part that is only used in Zune 30 devices.

 Q:  How many 30GB Zune devices are affected? How many Zune 30GB devices were sold? 

All 30GB devices are potentially affected.

Good luck with that.

I am mad too, but being mad and stomping your feet is not going to get anything done and makes you look foolish. It is *greatly* unfortunate that this happened and considering that Zune is a second player in this market I am confident that they will do *everything* to fix this and make you happy. Just be patient.

I doubt this is a softwear fix. I think its hardware on the 1G models. I see a voucher for an 80 or a 120 and possible a ton of DRM-free tracks to download.  If you are patient and wait the fix will come.

I've had 2 Xbox 360s. Yes the blinking red light of death sucks, and is an inconvenience, but they fixed them. I can only imagine that Microsoft; at a minimum, will replace all of our 30G Zunes. They'll have to if they want to stay in the mp3 player business. It would be entirely unacceptable for them to not fix this issue to our satisfaction.

 rklacy1 wrote:

I don't see how they can fix it. If the device won't boot up at all because of the "software glitch" and the device won't respond to a hard reboot or even trying to powering it down, how are you supposed to update the software?

This is my fear too.  It won't reset, it won't respond to being plugged in, USB doesn't recognize the device.  I don't see an easy fix but then I don't work on the Zune team.  *keeping my fingers crossed*

 tnlgirl wrote:

if and when they fix my 30gb zune I am selling it and getting an ipod. I haven't had the one I have now for a month (I had to argue with Microsoft to get mine replaced for free) and now this happened. Seriously, Microsoft can kiss my ass.

Proud 30GB owner! 

-Collin 

if and when they fix my 30gb zune I am selling it and getting an ipod. I haven't had the one I have now for a month (I had to argue with Microsoft to get mine replaced for free) and now this happened. Seriously, Microsoft can kiss my ass.