Zune 80 Update
Posted on March 1, 2008
Filed Under Daily Life, Computers/Tech
Tags: Customer Service, Microsoft, technology, Zune
I received my replacement Zune 80 yesterday after having sent in my original for repair about 5 week back. My first Zune became unresponsive and I was no longer able to access the media on the device or connect it successfully with my Vista PC. I went through the whole process with Zune support on reinstalling the Zune software and trying to do a hard reset on the device to no avail.
My replacement device, only being a day old, is now having issues with the battery losing its charge so I now have to send this new device in once again, and then wait for this repair process to repeat itself. Given my experience with this device, it is hard to fully recommend it. Apparently it suffers from various hardware issues such as the aforementioned ones which have kept me from utilizing the device for the past several weeks.
My initial device, before it failed, worked perfectly and I was more than satisfied with its ability as a media player. I used it daily for my media needs. It is unfortunate that I have since had to deal with device issues and multiple calls to Zune support, spending hours on the phone, and waiting weeks only to encounter a new problem with a different device.
Customer service over the phone has been adequate, though time consuming, but unfortunately having to wait for an extended period of time only to have received another faulty device, is most frustrating. So my original enthusiasm for the Zune brand has now become quite tarnished, as a result of my experiences.
Currently, I am again waiting to return ship my Zune and start again the process of waiting to receive another device, one that I hope will function properly. I was informed that given my replacement device was defective that my repair request should be fast tracked, which would be wonderful.
In reading the forums on zune.net I know that I am not the only one who has experienced difficulties with their Zune’s and can of course be understanding to a point, as things do break, even repeatedly. My intent with sharing this is to help inform of the potential short comings of the device, and partly to vent my frustration. I do like my Zune and I feel it is a very capable media player, so I am hoping for better luck the third time around.
If you do have any questions or have had similar experiences please do share them in the comments.
|Zune|
Chris
Related Entries:
- Back to the Social with my Zune, New Zune 80, Electronics Are Fun, The New Xbox Experience Review, Movies and TV on your Xbox, Bringing It Home, Revision3 Official Launch, Latest Xbox360 News, Windows Running the Enterprise!?!, Microsoft Live Labs Photosynth
Comments
9 Responses to “Zune 80 Update”
Leave a Reply
Problems with the Zune 80
3/23/08
I was absolutely excited after reading the numerous reviews, comparisons and kudos Zune 80 had received over the internet since its launch. Though I couldn’t wait to get my hands on one, I’m currently on my 4th Zune 80 device.
I purchased it in Madison, WI from Circuit City in February, only to realize almost no battery retention. After a full 3-4 hours of charging, the Zune would drain in a matter of couple of hours. Nowhere near the 22 hours of the so claimed battery life. I returned it for another zune in a week as thankfully, Circuit City has a 15 day return/exchange policy.
The second device came with no less problems either. Very often, it would freeze while I would be browsing through the song list and a reset was the only option. After many such frustrating resets, I went back to circuit city and returned the device to find out that I had one of the last remaining Zune 80s as they were out of stock and the only option was a refund.
Not giving up on the hopes of a problem free zune, I drove 45 minutes to a nearby city, Janesville, to pick up one of the 5 zunes they had in stock.
Without a doubt, this new zune had even major issues. It would keep restarting and would constantly prompt me that a hard reset is required due to device error and format the player every time only to keep restarting. Needless to say, I drove back 45 minutes to get it replaced.
Now, I have my 4th zune for about 2 weeks and I haven’t noticed any hardware related problems yet (fingers crossed). However, the zune comes with its own set of ease-of-use related issues.
So far it seems like the ONLY way to keep your music on the Zune is to keep it on your hard drive as well (in the zune software collection). I’m surprised microsoft has not yet fixed this annoying bug which, although does have a few workarounds described on the internet, defeats the purpose of having a large capacity media player.
I intended to fee my hard drive of my music collection and store it only on the device but it doesn’t seem to be possible as yet.
I’ve unintentionally lost quite a few gigs of songs as, as soon as I deleted songs from my hard drive, the zune software ended up deleting them from my player as well. The new firmware actually caused this problem since the very first zune i had, did not have this problem as far as i remember.
To Microsoft,
We need your attention to these issues as buying a $250 player for convenience has proved otherwise due to the workflow/design/hardware problems with it.
I don’t want to give up on this device but just as the other few ‘lucky’ owners of the device are frustrated, I’m getting close too and an IPOD isn’t very far away.
Bhaskar -
I understand your frustration with regards to the Zune. I am glad to hear that as least right now you have a functioning Zune 80. I should be receiving my second replacement Zune tomorrow, and I am so hoping for no issues with it. I just want to have a mobile player for my media that works and not have to spend time on the phone again dealing with another faulty device. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and best of luck with your latest Zune.
Oh, and I have definitely expressed my dissatisfaction to Microsoft with regards to my Zune, as I am sure others have as well, so hopefully it will help. However, I am sure that Microsoft is aware that they most likely have some quality control issues to address, and hopefully they will.
The same thing happened to me… I got a Zune 80 Original as soon as the zuneoriginals store opened and the battery wouldn’t hold its charge. Every time I would turn the device off the battery would drain until it wouldnt even last half a day…terrible. I sent it for repair and they said they would send me a new one instead. This was around the 1st week in February and just today they told me they are shipping it out on Monday. So ive been waiting over 2 months now for it…sad. I was so excited about the new zune’s too hopefully this new one doenst fail either.
Wow, waiting over 2 months is ridiculous man! Even the first time I only waited like 5 weeks. Well I hope your replacement Zune shows up in working order and if you have further issues be sure to ask to tier 2 tech support right from the start. I have had much better luck dealing with them directly.
Would some one send me the Microsoft service phone number for Zune repair. I have the same problems with my Zune 80. I can’t find a service number that any one answers. Please please help me!! send to dougi-d@hotmail.com
Doug, I sent you an email with a link to the info you need…
Someone please send me an 800 # for zune repair.I haven’t even had it very long.Please help,mom in need of help, I’m poor so he was lucky enough to get this one for his B-day!!!
Pkease send me the 800 # @ 573-682-7258. Y our,e time and help will be greatly appreciated for us both. thanx!!!!!
Leann, the contact information for Zune Customer Service is as follows -
Assistance by phone seven days a week:
1-877-GET-ZUNE (1-877-438-9863)
TTY (hearing impaired): 1-800-801-1189
Hours of operation (daily):
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Eastern time
(6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Pacific time
I hope this helps!
In response to Bhaskar:
I don’t think the Zune software was ever really meant to work the way you want it to. It’s sync based, so whatever is on the computer is on the device. You can, in fact, turn off the auto syncing and then everything will stay, but moving everything to a portable device seems like a REALLY bad idea. Even if you had a reliable player, carrying a lot of data on something portable is not a good idea unless you have a reliable backup.