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ADVENTURES IN PROGRAMMING

The code that crippled the Zune

By Todd Bishop on January 2, 2009 at 1:13 PM PST

Comments (2) | Permalink

Zune | iPod | AAPL | MSFT

We've known for a couple days that it was a clock glitch, related to the leap year, that caused the temporary worldwide meltdown of Microsoft's Zune 30 GB devices. But for anyone interested in even more detail than that, this post on ZuneBoards shows and explains what's purported to be the precise programming bug that caused the problem.

Assuming it's authentic, the buggy code demonstrates just how vulnerable technology can be to human error, even in this age of high-tech consumer electronics. (Link via Silicon Alley Insider.)

In other corners of the Web, the Great Zune Meltdown of 2008 continues to fuel technological satire. For example, the new Seattle-based site cheddrmedia.com is holding a contest to create a new Zune slogan based on the incident. The prize for the winner: an iPod Nano.

As of yesterday, some TechFlash readers were still experiencing problems with their 30GB Zunes. What's the status today? Drop me a note with the details, or post a comment below, and I'll ask Microsoft what it's doing for people whose Zunes weren't magically revived.

George Fitting said:

on January 2, 2009 at 2:22 PM

My Zune was not 'magically revived' as per MS instructions. In fact, my Zune would not do anything. Absolutely no screen activity of any kind since I let the battery discharge and then plugged it in after 8am CST 1/1 as per MS instructions.

A phone call to MS and a wait of nearly an hour, and a request to speak with a supervisor after I was told basically, 'too bad' because my Zune was out of warranty, finally MS agreed to replace my Zune... IF the screen was not cracked, IF the serial number was not defaced and IF the Zune had never been opened.

We'll see how it goes. They said the exchange process should take about 2 weeks, including shipping and processing times.

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The Tim said:

on January 2, 2009 at 10:18 PM

Nice find, Todd. Thanks for linking it. I for one really do find this quite fascinating.

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Todd Bishop's Biography

Todd Bishop is co-founder and managing editor of TechFlash. He has covered Microsoft and the technology industry for more than five years, most recently as a daily newspaper reporter and blogger based in Seattle. READ FULL BIOGRAPHY

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