So this afternoon, I got in my truck and turned on my 30 GB Zune, just like normal and the device froze on boot-up.
I figured it was a random fluke but later after letting it charge for a while, the same issue occurred. The device simply froze on boot-up.
A quick Google search showed me that apparently everyone around the world is having this same issue.
Microsoft has gathered that the issue is related to the way the internal clock handles leap-years (feels like Y2K all over again).
From Microsoft support ::
My Zune 30 is frozen on the boot screen, now what do I do?
You will need to reboot your device after noon GMT on Jan 1, 2009.
Please unplug your Zune (no AC or USB cables).
Because your Zune is frozen your device battery will begin draining, this is good.
The battery will eventually be fully depleted and the screen will go black.
After noon GMT on January 1 (that’s 7 a.m. Eastern or 4 a.m. Pacific time) connect your AC power or USB cable such that the battery can begin charging again.
Once the Zune has enough battery to boot it should do so normally and you can go back to enjoying your Zune!
So, I’ll go without my Zune till sometime tomorrow and hope that fixes it all.
Of course, the mention of the issue on Twitter brings all the tweets from my friends to go out and buy an iPod.
But I’m also pleased to say it brought about comments from a Microsoft Techie as well ::
microsoft_cares @jdblundell We tried our best to repair the issue, but due to the nature of the problem even if a patch was released, no one could use it
So, while I started to write a post that bashed Microsoft for the malfunction and lack of an available patch, I’ll hope that their solution is a fix tomorrow and I’ll applaud Microsoft for taking notice and reaching out to their customers. Thanks!