Zune Glitch
Having dealt with my fair share of timezone issues while programming, I find leap year issues really funny. Thank you Microsoft for starting off my year with a laugh.
Many Zune owners successfully revived their failed music players Thursday morning, while others were still unable to overcome a leap year-related glitch that caused thousands of the devices to simultaneously stop working on New Year’s Eve.
“Mine is back up and working as of a minute ago! Thanks Zune Team,” a user named “blcknwhte” posted at 9:19 a.m. ET on the Zune Web site’s forum.
“I’m glad things are back to normal but this was a major inconvenience,” posted someone named JaximFlash. “I have 2 Zune 30s and I had made a playlist of songs to play during a New Year’s Eve party.”
Microsoft Corp., maker of the Zune, said a bug in the internal clock driver, related to the way the device handles a leap year, caused the malfunction in older Zune 30GB models.
Matt Akers of the Zune Product Team wrote Wednesday on Zune.net that the problem should resolve itself after 7 a.m. ET Thursday. The Zune support page says users should allow the internal battery to fully drain, then recharge by connecting the Zune to a computer or AC power after noon GMT (7 a.m. ET) on New Year’s Day.
“Once the battery has sufficient power, the player should start normally. No other action is required — you can go back to using your Zune!” the site says.
