I have a question for Microsoft: Why is the driver bug specific to Zune 30 if the same firmware is available for all models? Or does it only look the same?

Because the first-gen Zunes were based on a refactored Toshiba Gigabeat.

The code for this bug is actually open-source, and it is not written by Microsoft.

For the subsequent Zunes, this code does not exist because the hardware is different.

The code appears to be open source, but probably not the OSI approved type. Microsoft have slapped their copyright all over it so I am sure that they are responsible for some of it.

The error is described here, apparently nobody thought what would happen if days == 366.

http://www.zuneboards.com/forums/zune-news/38143-cause-zune-30-leapyear-problem-isolated.html

Its terrible code, I am glad it is open source so we can actually see the error. The Zune boards are full of helpful tips on how Zune programmers can avoid the possibility of an infinite loop. The code is littered with similar problems (ie. possible infinite loops), probably because the programmer was lazy, or contracted out at the lowest possible rate.

I am afraid that seeing the code has not improved my opinion of MS products in general. A fix would have been trivial, but instead Microsoft just told everyone to wait til tomorrow when the bug will not be triggered. They obviously do not expect to see anyone using a Zune 30 in 2009 and we certainly will not see any working ones past 2080.

I assume every driver has similar (but probably working) code, so my next question is why the conversion between seconds since x and the date structure are not done higher up in the operating system. That way each driver would only have to worry about getting and setting the date, instead of each one having to do date calculations.

Ill have to have a look at the code myself. I had no idea that anything even remotely related to Microsoft would be "open"

Open source is a poor term here, its more like source viewable. It is obviously not that open because the only reference on Google is that pastie dump (which will probably be removed soon). The license refers to the EULA that you got when you licensed the product, which I didn't.

"One of my daughter's friends has a Zune 30..."
What happened? Did your daughter's friend's grandma mess up and buy her a Zune instead of an iPod??!!

It was an unfortunate incident, but I think we can breathe a sigh of relief and move on. No hardware was damaged and people still can access their music and subscriptions. The Zune is a really great device that really competes in an innovative way with the iPod. It has a rich UI and really nice social features.

@Andre
Ill believe that its actually you posting and not an imposter.
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Zune a great device? Shame the mainstream buyer doesnt consider it that. Maybe thats why the first time I came across a Zune user was when the thing failed and people started to complain.
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"No hardware was damaged and people still can access their music and subscriptions." - Well thats ok then, it doesnt matter.
What were people complaining about? Afterall Microsoft cant be expected to release everything without a few hitches can they? Oh wait, they had problems with the 360 didnt they? Hang on, what about Sea Dragon? oh and isnt there a few problems with IE aswell? and I almost forgot about Vista....but appart from that, Microsoft do release things without issue and theres no harm done!?!?
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Being serious for a minute Andre, I admire your bravery. To come on here and defend another MS buggy product (albeit this time one of the more minor) really shows your dedication to the Microsoft cause. For that act of bravery and IMO example of MS arrogance you command my respect.
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Ive often said you could put a positive spin on the end of the world, I believe you've proved me right. Well done.

I am having a very similar problem with my Zune 80. Today I turned it on and began to play music. When the first track began the whole device locked up and would not stop playing or change tracks. I began pressing the left arrow button and up on the key pad to restart it until the screen went totally blank. For a minute or so the music continued to play with a black screen. Ironically I was listening to Metallica "Blackened" Then it stopped playing all together. The screen was lit and solid black. I tied plugging it into my computer and after two hours there was no response. After 30 minutes on hold with tech support I was told to let the battery die and then plug it in to recharge. If that doesn't work I have to send it back to them.

Andre Da Costa says :

It was an unfortunate incident, but I think we can breathe a sigh of relief and move on. No hardware was damaged and people still can access their music and subscriptions..............

I would have to agree with Andre here, basically. UNLESS, you were one of the people that had a Zune 30 that was out of warrenty, or you could not find the reciept for, and threw it away as it did not work.

>>The question: Is bad buzz all bad? I don't think so.<<

I told the Zune story to a few people over lunch and the same answer always came back: "What's a Zune?" Well, at least now they have heard of it.

Microsoft's magic touch: whether things work well or otherwise, their followers jump on board.

"The code is littered with similar problems (ie. possible infinite loops), probably because the programmer was lazy, or contracted out at the lowest possible rate."

I think this is actually stemming from Microsoft and it's zune division using foreign work to develop all of this. However Microsoft wishes to further increase h1-b visa's so they can hire workers in the united states to outright pay them less here and not have to worry about tax issues. :p
It's quite entertaining to see substandard programmers and how badly it can turn out. I will find it amusing when bill gates or any Microsoft employee tries further pushing these visa's to hire slave labor in the united states, rather overseas, because in doing so 'will help our economic times', to further help keep executives larger paychecks and further increase poverty.

I am not sure which company can be viewed as a better company to choose from. Let's not forget, apple may have good developers, but apple had been caught using an actual sweat shop, so it would only cost around $8 to make an ipod and sell it for way more. They quickly changed this mishap when it was discovered and denied any knowledge of this when the press found out.
http://digg.com/apple/Apple_responds_to_iPod_sweatshop_claims

However if public image wasn't a concern for these companies, they would gladly find 'cheaper' labor. It shows how much these companies care... when it comes to getting the most out of your wallet and paying employees a decent wage.

@Goblin
"To come on here and defend another MS buggy product (albeit this time one of the more minor) really shows your dedication to the Microsoft cause. For that act of bravery and IMO example of MS arrogance you command my respect."

Actually, nothing about Andre's comment was arrogant at all. He only pointed out that the flaw was minor and said the Zune's features were competitive. However, your comments clearly show that you are in fact a very arrogant and zealous Microsoft hater.

I am a MacBook Pro and iPod (5th gen) owner. I love Apple, but Microsoft is a good company, too. To be honest, I wish my iPod could sync over WiFi and had an FM radio built into it. That would make it better than the Zune, but w/o that, only the iPod Touch is better than the Zune (and it still doesn't have an FM radio).

And let's not forget the battery problem that the early iPods had (1st through 3rd gen). The batteries died prematurely and Apple was forced by a Class Action suit to replace them. Any company that releases products on such a large scale will attract attention when a flaw is discovered and many people are affected. How many companies issue recalls? A lot. My Toyota truck has even had two parts recalled on it!

I agree with Andre. At least it was only a software glitch that corrected itself. At least you didn't have to send it in to get the battery replaced! :)

Quote "However, your comments clearly show that you are in fact a very arrogant and zealous Microsoft hater."
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Please dont tell lies about what I post and expect to get away with it. Check back on what I post before trying to make a character assassination of me, and if you dont want to do that, dont comment on my posting.
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I have, on a number of occassions defended MS products. In fact, have a look at my opinion on WM explorer. What about my XP views? Are you saying anything I have quoted is untrue? Is Vista great then? Is Sea Dragon without problems? Does IE have no flaws? What about Zune? Am I wrong in saying WM has issues? am I liar when I describe the poor experience I had with my MDA mail?
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For the record, I dont hate Microsoft. When and if Microsoft release something that doesnt have issue and offers good value for money over a FOSS alternative, you will find me supporting it.
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I am not anti-proprietary, and infact in the past and even now I have supported certain proprietary products because I believed they were functional and good value for money.
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My biggest purchase of proprietary software in the past has to be Delphi, of which I could not say enough good things.
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Retract your libelous comments. Just as I wouldnt buy a Zune system, I have openly said I wouldnt have an ipod either. To be fair, I personally think a 3rd party "jack of all trades" personal media player is always the best choice to give users total freedom on what they choose to play/run.
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Also a little pointer: As I said before regardless of if Zune is the best thing ever, the majority of people dont want it. You cant argue with that as rightly or wrongly the more "fashionable" ipod has destroyed (IMO) any chance Zune has of becoming a household name.
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Just as Atari found out with its Jaguar, even a state of the art system will crash and burn in an environment where its only of interest to a few people.

Can I just add though, while you are busy agreeing with Andre, he hasnt cleared up a little matter from his blog.
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He claimed on his blog that he was not attending the PDC, yet another site is claiming he did and is quoting a comment from him.
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Are you in a position to clear this up? or shall we wait for Andre?
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It goes back to what Ive said before. A little research on "facts" that are posted can often lead to enlightenment and a fairer view.

@Goblin
Why do you expect a reply from the Microsoft PR equivalent of Baghdad Bob?

Shame on Microsoft.

This was actually Freescale's fault. When devices are built, rarely does on go through the vendors chip specific code very carefully and as such, one should expect this could have happened to anybody. Claiming this is Microsoft's fault, and saying that Microsoft writes poor code etc. is a bit over the top in this case.

http://www.rushmoredrive.com/LatestNews/Y28_Zune_quirk_really_a_Freescale_bug.aspx?ArticleId=5109419467949218223

What I found irritating when wondering how to fix mine was that a hardware reset is not super simple - what's wrong with the classic pinhole button approach?

If it is all Freescale's fault then why is Microsoft's copyright all over the affected file?

All this just makes me glad I stopped buying music when RIAA shut down the original Napster. If they want to be so greedy, let them buy their own products!

"I'll do it for Microsoft: The device keeps time because of Microsoft's Zune Pass subscription service. Apple doesn't have subscriptions. People have to pay for songs. Microsoft rents them—all you can download for 15 bucks a month."

Zune is 15 bucks a month and you get to keep 10 songs as purchase at the end of the month. That's a sweet deal.

@Scott
Before I respond, to prevent any allegations from some of our "shady" posters here, I will say I neither use Zune nor have an Ipod.
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I have always recommended "general-other brand" personal media player as you are given far more freedom on what you can put on/transfer off it. That being said:
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Quote Scott "Zune is 15 bucks a month and you get to keep 10 songs as purchase at the end of the month. That's a sweet deal."
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Id tend to suggest its not since in my experience very few people know what Zune is and the market dominance of Ipod suggests that to me, consumers have already effectively said "which is the sweat deal" and gone with Apple. Unless you are saying all those people have got it wrong?
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Not that I would ever consider getting an Ipod, even if they are offering songs without DRM.