Rumor ’round the fabricated watercooler is that the Zune is trying to commit suicide. Apparently the lithium ion battery behind the Zune’s display is swelling from overheating and putting a great deal pressure on the screen, causing it to crack or break. Microsoft says the issue doesn’t pertain to its warranty so users who have had this happen to them are pretty much SOL.
We here at CG haven’t had any problems like this happen yet, but what about you guys? Any Zune users have cracked screens from this issue?
Zune screens cracking from battery pressure? [Engadget]
There’s Microsoft standing behind their product… got a problem, it’s your problem… yet another reason not to buy Zune. I am still puzzled why they even got into this industry… they have shown time and again that innovation and microsoft are oxymorons of one another.
Jon
If anyone is interested- take a look at what’s happening to Xboxs out there. I am a MCSE and can personally tell you, “All Things Microsoft are shit”. In truth if MS was concerned with actually serving the consumer I wouldn’t have that attitude (but as you can all clearly see here). They really are not concerned with the end user. Do Not Expect Refunds, or Repairs!!! They really do train us techs to advise the afflicted to buy new copies. We need more acceptable options considering Apple and Microsoft are like brother and sister, (I’m speaking literally, Do some research and find out where Steve Jobs of apple started his technology career – in Bill Gates Lap, that’s where.) Apple only exists today because Microsoft could not be the only OS manufacturer on the market due to monopoly laws, so they kept apple a float with loans so they could continue to operate in the US. (Still kind of tastes like monopoly to me)
P.S. This Scott guy in the last post probably works for MS damage control, Don’t waste your time even trying to because believe me they were aware of the cracked screen issues early on. Think of it like this – if you already dumped millions of dollars into something and it goes south in the late stages of production meaning you already have thousands packaged and ready for sale. What would you do if you knew there would be no real repercussions from on high because of the negligible amount of complaints about your multi billion dollar international entity? That’s right you would SELL, SELL, SELL.
P.S.S. Try to get your hand on the Zune warranty documentation, Isn’t it weird that screen problems were actually written into the agreement before a single one was sold. Hmmm… why did they foresee the need legally opt out of repairing screen issues so early in the process? These agreements are written up long before they start mass production.
…and there’s a typical anti-anything-Microsoft, knee-jerk reactionary comment about an unsubstantiated rumor…
Source of the Engadget post: “…a friendly tipster’s buddy works at a Microsoft call center…” C’mon, man, why post crap like that? How many times have we heard bullshit stories, or urban legends, that started out with “a friend of a friend said,” or “my cousin told me his coworker said…”?
Look at the comments on Engadget and you’ll see that, of the people who purport to own a Zune, none of them said they experienced anything like this, many of whom said they charge it all night, every night.
And Vince, unless you, yourself, know that Microsoft is aware of the problem/rumor you’re reporting/spreading, and that Microsoft itself has stated they will not support repairs or replacement for damages caused by this as-yet unsubstantiated rumor, then you should not state as fact that “Microsoft says the issue doesn’t pertain to its warranty,” because that is 100% false, and, with all due respect, your journalistic integrity would be suspect, at best…
UH, Scott, did you read more than ONE comment? There are a LOT of people on here who have PERSONALLY experienced the Zune breakdown. (I don’t care about not typing in caps when someone says that all of these comments are “second hand”.) My sons bought 2 Zunes. And so far, I have replaced the screen in one of them. I found it was easy to replace the screen, with the great directions online and the right tools. But the parts brought the cost of the Zune up to the cost of an iPod. I have a great 30 GB iPod that I have toted back and forth in the car driving for hours at a time, and even charging it from every possible source. I am careful with it, but it has fallen off the car seat and the bed, and fallen between the seats. It still looks and acts like new. I had been sorry I had not bought a Zune because I like the controlls on the Zune better. But now I am glad I went with the iPod.
I am sorry Scott, but my son had the screen crack on his zune and microsoft will not stand behind the warranty and fix it the part about SOL is true. Any cracked screen is not under warranty. I know this for a fact as I was just talking to them on the phone and have been for almost a month. I have 2 80 gigs and a 30 gig if you have a problem they will not fix it.
IF YOU HAVE A WARRANTY YOU ARE SOL EVEN IF YOU PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY HAVE VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT.
Same thing with me…..won’t cover the cracked screen or the lock switch that just fell out. I am not a teenager who handles things roughly and I wish I would have never purchased the Zune either. I have never dropped my Zune…how do you explain the crack? I think I am done with Microsoft products….the worst tech service I have ever experienced!!!
Uhm, you should take a look at my zune and get back to me on that one, thanks.
ok guys, I’ve been posting everywhere possible..I had a screen crack…and I have a letter from Zune repair service…that says “an inspection of your Zune has revealed damage not caused by any malfunction of the Zune itself. This type of damage is excluded from the limited warranty on your ZUne. IN addition, the extent of the damage to the Zune causes it to be not economically feasibe to repair”….so Scott I disagree with your post…I sent my Zune in, they saw it, they didn’t fix, no warranty….Maybe the Zune repair/service aren’t relaying this up to the appropriate people, because I for one can’t believe they aren’t going to replace Zunes that this happens to.
Ditto CBSMILE….My son has the exact same experience with Microsoft. He is in the military and bought it on base (in another state), therefore, since he is now home, he is unable to return it to the store from which it was purchased. His Zune screen cracked on the inside, after one month. It is in pristine condition otherwise, not a scratch on it anywhere. He got the same run-around from Microsoft as I have seen posted on various other sites. I finally called them myself, and spoke to a support person who indicated that Microsoft was reviewing the problem, to keep all documentation and watch the Zune site for a press release (calling back periodically to check on status.) So for everyone out there who says the problem is “bunk”, just because you aren’t having the problem, does not mean that it doesn’t exist.
I saw your posting from several months ago and I’m having the same problem. Did you ever learn anything more from Microsoft about this problem?
My daughter’s Zune screen cracked from the inside. I sent it in. They sent it back stating that “the our Zune has revealed damage not caused by any malfunction of the Zune itself. This type of damage is excluded from the limited warranty… causes it to be not economically feasible to repair”.
They said we must have tampered with it. I said no way, the unit is awfully fragile and they should have a system to fix damaged units. I would pay for the fix. The rest of it works fine, but half of the screen is black. They had me speak to a “higher up” technician who told me to hang on to it because they may provide repair service at a latter date, or to take it to an independent shop to repair it elsewhere. I came across this site while searching for a repair shop. Can anyone direct me to someone who might replace the screen? Thanks.
Same letter from them, too. “You must have tampered with it”……ha I found a web site….www.rapidrepair,com. It sells replacement parts or they will fix it for you , of course for a fee. By the timne you’re done the Zune will be a $400.00 unit.
I had the same problem no scratches but the screen crack and received the same response from microsoft maybe they need the media involved like the wii
My son got his Zune a couple of months back, a few weeks after he got it (and he loved it) the LCD cracked for no reason. the zune was in NEW condition – i sent it back. they replaced it with a new one. it came back about 3 weeks ago. this past friday, he was @ school walking around, took it out of his pocket & the LCD was cracked in the same way the 1st one was. although he loves the audio & video & interface, he now just wants to get all his money back.
I bought my son a Zune for Christmas and it was his baby. He was infinitely careful, screen protector,case, cradled it always with great care. Less than 2 weeks from getting it the screen cracked completely through, vertically down the center. There is not a single mark on it anywhere (I made sure he did not drop it). The outer screen glass is immaculate, not even a mark on the protector. Called Zune service and was told to return to the store (bad advice). When they dug in their heels I called service again and explained the failure and circumstances. Zune sent a pre-paid box and off it went to Texas. Tracking progress online showed that returned it in less than a day. The box returned home, son exstatically opened it to find the broken Zune with a crappy note that it was not covered but for only 199.95 (or so) they could put in a new screen. Hmmm, interesting that they would have a service cost on such a thing considering the Zune was only $250 max new. I’m waiting for a little grass-roots backing to hit them with a faulty design/manufacturing process action. If you find one building steam, I’m in.
I know a guy who works at microsoft’s call center. I was going to get a zune last week, but after talking to him I changed my mind. Apparently the batteries to expand and break the LCD screen, and as of right now microsoft will not cover any of this. I found this website after deciding to check up to see if he wasn’t just kidding with me, turns out a lot of people are experiencing this problem. At the moment I wouldn’t get a zune if I were you.
actually there isnt any that microsoft covers (literally). try reading their agreement that comes with the zune after you bought it.
Same problem- screnn cracked for no apparent reason- no help from Microsoft- they dont repair and it is not covered by warranty- no help from retailer- I am really surprised that Microsoft would do business like this. You would think they make enough money to have a repair/support department for this problem.
same problem here fuckin microsoft is a bitch they suck at this shit…apple is more experianced wit mp3 devices the ipod is definatly better so buy 1!!!
Artrually, microsoft would have to refund it as it is not reasonable “wear and tear”, and it is essentail to charge it.
ya my zune screen broke, i dunno if the battery broke it or anything, its possible it was my fault, but i either need to buy a new one or gget the screen fixed or buy an ipod, but i also had problems with an ipod like it just stopped working as with a lot of my friends. my x box 360 is messed up too, it wont play any madden game like i had one then it stopped working then my friend gave me his cuz hes rich and doesnt care and it worked for a while but now it doesnt. its whack.
Same here, I took the Zune out and it had a cracked screen. Not a mark anywhere on the case (i have a rubber protector and screen cover). This is BS and I can’t wait for a class action to come of this. I would definitely participate!
I bought my brown Zune at Wal Mart last week and a Belkin Zune carring case that clips on my belt. I loved the Zune and listened to it for hours on end. Well, today I took a smoke break, flipped through some songs and put it back on my belt, 15 minutes later I decided to liten to something else and I looks at it and the screen was cracked. the crack runs from above the wheel upwards…. Is the battery in that location? (under the screen near the wheel)
I bought TWO Zunes for my two sons about 8 weeks ago. My older son’s screen cracked after about 4 weeks. He said he put it in his pocket, didn’t drop or damage it, but when he took it out the screen was cracked. I chalked it up to him forgetting dropping it or something.
Then, last night, I watched my second son plug in his Zune. After about 2 hours of the Zune sitting on the computer desk with NOBODY breathing on it, let alone damaging it, the screen was cracked.
When he contacted Zune support, they said he must’ve dropped it or damaged it and denied any responsibility. When he asked if a lot of people were having this problem, he was told that Zune knew NOTHING about a screen crack problem. So, in ONE phone call, they called my sons and me LIARS, while LYING about the scope of THEIR problem.
I think everyone should contact their state’s Attorney Generals about this, as Microsoft doesn’t care about anything but $$$$…and they rely on the consumers not taking legal action themselves.
Here is the site for the attorneys general of all states. Should we get it going?
We ahve a cracked screen too. No scratches anywhere. Just the cracked LCD screen.
Oops! Here’s the website:
http://www.naag.org/attorneys_general.php
Hell yeah burn microsoft down!!!!!!!!
I AM ALSO PISSED MY SON S ZUNE CRACKED PRETTY MUCH LIKE ALL OF THESE PEOPLE. I WAS MAD AT HIM AT FIRST NOW THAT I AM SEEING ALL OF THIS, I AM NOT UPSET AT HIM .THE COMPANY IS NO HELP!!!! I AM GLAD I DID NOT SPEND THE EXTRA $$$$ ON THE EXTENED WARRANTY CUZ IT WAS JUST FREE MONEY FOR THE CO. WILL NOT EVER PURCHASE THIS CRAP AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HOPE WE ALL LEARNED FROM THIS DO NOT BUY A “NEW”PRODUCT THAT LOOKS LIKE ITS A TEST MARKET FOR DUMMIES.
Wow, I was just using my friends zune and was looking at buying one until I read this…everyone who has this problem should take it to the better business beuro and make a claim, I already did but being as nothing happened to me I doubt I will see anything of it but if we all make a claim something can get changed and you guys can get your moneys worth
http://www.bbbonline.com
Hope we can do something about this, will be sure to check back let us know any updates.
TEN THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU
1. It cost me $270 w/ tax.
2. I had to pay my parents back by washing the cars 270 times without complaning this means after nine months(only counting saturday and sunday) I will be done paying my debt.
3. The Zune Market Place makes it impossible for a seventeen year old to purchase songs and videos. unlike itunes for the ipod.
4. It’s fat and doesn’t fit in my semi tight pants and the earphones are uncomfortable for a teenager’s ears.
5. MY SCREEN CRACKED AFTER THREE WEEKS AND THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX IT SO FAR.
6. It embarresed me in front of all my friend who have ipods after it showed a deffect so (Zune).
7. The warranty policy SUCKS!!!!!!!and doesn’t cover the deffect with a cracked screen.
8. Repairing the screen is almost as much as buying a new Zune, wich I wont buy no matter what because I learned my lesson with the first Zune.
9. I am one of five people in my school who own a Zune out of those five three people have bought a Zune after I showed them mine out of those four people two Zune’s have the screen broken this means that no one in my school will consider to buy one anymore.
10. I AM SO SUN BURNED AND TIRED AFTER WASHING CARS SO MUCH IN THE HOT CALIFORNIA SUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S Everything the Zune does is pretty cool
and looks sweet and it’s a great way to
meet hot girls with Zune’s by using the
the community it’s a shame that it’s giving
me too many problems and too many tan lines!!!
The dumbass who bought a Zune. Iam so F*** mad and fustrated I want to slap someone maybe Bill Gates for not having a Microsoft Repairing Facility for the Zune. My screen cracked from the inside and I called them and a guy who was in a heart beat in my slaping list next to George W. Bush did not help me at all by his weird accent that didn’t let him speak clearly. I think he told me that there is other people except for them that fix the cracked screens. My mom will press charges on Zune if they don’t get there act together. The Zune company should stop blaming all their new costumers and start looking for a way to fix the problem that there Zune is causing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh and I feel sorry for the comment on top of mine wich I just read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My son purchased a zune from Best Buy and I bought him the extended warrenty. Just over three weeks later the screen cracked. I thought I was covered, However, Best Buy and the zune people told me that my son abused it. I went as high as I could go with my complaint, to no avail. I am glad that I came across this web site because I was going to pay to have it repaired, but not now. Bottom line, Best Crap and Micro-STEAL suck!!!!!!
hey scott the screen thing just happened 2 me yesterday and i bought it on easter sunday so b4 u get ur pink lace thong in a bunch i suggest u actualy talk 2 some oe who owns 1 jackass!
hey scott the screen thing just happened 2 me yesterday and i bought it on easter sunday so b4 u get ur pink lace thong in a bunch i suggest u actualy talk 2 some one who owns 1 jackass!
I, too, bought my son one of these damn things for Christmas. It was all he wanted, and he treated it like it was gold. He bought every accessory and the cases, etc. He called me from school last week and told me that the screen had cracked. I immediately jumped on him for being careless, and it wasn’t until I found this website that I realized he wasn’t. He called the 1-877 number and was put on hold for ten minutes before being told to call a repair center. It’s going to cost as much to repair it as to buy a new one. Which I’m not going to do. I should have listened to my computer tech, when he said that Microsoft sucks. But having bought the child an iPod the year before and having so much trouble programming it, I thought we’d have better luck with this one. Turns out, I had to buy two software programs before he could download videos, etc. We really need to do something. This needs to go public. I’m contacting my local news station.
My zune broke and if i don’t get a refund–not another zune—a REFUND, I’m going to have my mom contact the attorny general or whatever it is.
Going to Kmart to see if they’ll refund it——-yea right
This is what you get when you buy new software…….
Simply saying awesome or fantastic probably won’t suffice. I’ve had the Zune since Christmas 2006 and use it daily at the gym for hours. I have almost all the accessories and I have not experienced any problems. Everything continues to work flawlessly. I’m glad my wife purchased this for me, it was the best gift I received. I’m a DJ so my music collection is huge, and the Zune accomodates everything for me including some of my music videos.
ON top (that’s not how my LCD screen looks crack ) EVEN worst I am never going to buy something from MICOSOFT again because the fist thing I bout the zune broke in just four weeks. It cost me to much money so it could just brake and for no one to fix. I hate Microsoft and if they don’t give me my money back I wont hastate on suing them.I will not pay for the crack creen…
I Hate MICROSOFT I AGREE WHIT JEAN BUR MOTHEF F*!@#$% MICROCOFT TO THE GROUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And take Bill Gates lunch money away f!@#$% geek!!!!!!!!
I actually broke the inside screen myself. I dropped something heavy on top of it. Everything else works. I still use it…I found my playlist by pressing buttons around. But i want to get my screen fixed. Is there no place for them to fix it?
Zune is a rip off I called Customer Support for help. They told me took google search for a repair shop. They took my money but they wont help me fix my crack screen. Now i dont know what to do.. PLEASE HELP!!!!
My screen just did that today, I selecrted a song gettin off my bus and wen i went to change it the screnn had gone spack. Im realy dissapointed in microsoft Bill Gates has got all this money but cant realise what hes doing to people is wrong. It microsofts problem as a faulty gifty and were not getting any moey back/ repair for it either. why dont they just make stronger screens its not difficult :P
My son’s Zune’s screen cracked about one month after I gave it to him. We wrote a letter to the federal district attorney and cc’ed Microsoft. The following day we received a phone call from Microsoft saying they would send out a box for us to return the Zune to them. They said they would replace it for free, as it is illegal to sell a product with a known problem that has no warrenty or way to fix the problem. We’ve returned the Zune and are awaiting replacement.
Well, my Zune is currently in for repairs, but I’d bet anyone here $1000 that I’m gonna get it back, still broken, with a letter that blames me for the cracked screen. Anyone here wanna take that bet? I don’t think so.
It should get back to me sometime next week, most likely
Got myself a Zune back in March from Best Buy. What do you know, treating it with immaculate gentleness for about the month long, my screen is cracked. Microsoft, get ready for a battle for the ages. I am not gonna pay a repair center. GOOD LUCK
I bought my daughter(11yrs) a Zune from Circuit City in Febuary along with the extra protection plan. Two weeks later it would’nt do anything but show a battery on the screen. So we took it back to Circuit City and the guy who sold it to us played with it and got it working. Not two weeks after that it would’nt even take a charge. Took it back and they gave her another. Within a month the screen cracked just like the rest of ya’lls. I went back to the store(along with my boyfriend) to have it replaced. They would not even budge on replacing it. I even called the protection plan from there phone and it also would not replace it. Before we bought it the guy who sold it to us talked us into buying it. We were just going to get her a mp3 player or ipod. some $200.00 more later we bought a peice of junk. He told us that if anything happened to it that they would replace it. NOT!!! The people from microsoft said that we could find a replacement for the screen online, but it would make all the protection null and void because it would be considered tampered with.. Thats such crap…..
thats what happend to my Zune out of no where. so am i to understand that Microsoft wont repair my screen because the stupid battery overheated or what ever and decided to break my screen??? thats bull!!!
My neighbor’s Zune has the same problem. I started reading these threads and became very curious about this situation since I also own a Zune. I decided to take that zune apart and see what was up. I doubt it could be the battery since it’s a little cube at the top of the screen on the other side of the circuit board and the crack is at the bottom middle. I wonder if people have been leaving them on too long and the screen overheats?
Maybe to help troubleshoot this, people could identify where their crack is. Mine is on the bottom middle of the screen, faning out from the buttons all the way to the topoutside edges.
HELLO ALL I WAS MAD AS HELL THAT MY SCREEN CRACKED TRYING TO FIGUR OUT DID I DROP IT OR SOMETHING BUT I KNEW I DID NOT THIS REALLY EASES MY MIND THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT CAUSE I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS ZUNE FOR A MONTH AND NOW IT IS MESSED UP IT WOULD NOT EVEN BE BAD IF THEY WOULD FIX THEM BUT THEY WIL NOT THAT IS MESSED UP I AM GOING TO WRITE MR BILL GATES
Ditto for the screen crack on my son’s Zune. Microsoft support was no help but the stammering fool who didn’t help me couldn’t help himself and let slip that they are currently examining this issue and will be determining what to do in the near future. In his next sentence he corrected himself and said that they don’t believe there is a problem. I understand MS Beta testig of software on the public but to enter into an established market with a faulty product that can’t be repaired is plain bad business.
3 days and it just cracked as I listened to music . No scratches on the exterior. Actually found out all the negative stuff while looking to see if the warranty covered the screen after wal-Mart said that they could not return after 15 days that I never knew about. Today was day 17!!! I baught the2 year warranty only to find out that the 2 year warranty DOES NOT kick in until after the company’s ZUNE already 1 year warranty. Where will your Zune be in 3 Years!!! 3 days, cracked screen, 2 weeks later find out you cannot return adn the company nor Wal-mart will cover the cracked screen anyways!!!! I am posting this comment and then printing it out to sent to the Microsoft along with my ZUNE to see if they repair it. One to WAL-MART to review how deceptive it is to sell their own continuing warratny that does not kick in until after the company’s existing one and REMEMBER by THAT time the products documents have been lost and your product will be worth 1/3 of the previous year. Remember how much a 1GB MP3 was last year and before that and how they are worthless they are now. I wish I would have researched all this stuff before buying it. But you tend to trust Microsoft for quality and that is why I never doubted purchasing it for that price. Should have baught the archos one that was at the same price, but I had never heard of that brand…. And last and final who would pay 80% of the purchase price to repair a product!!!!!!!!!!!!! Almost $200 to fix the screen that costs $250 just to by a new zune, even cheaper on EBAY!!! I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ALL OVER THE NET FOR PARTS!
I went on-line to search for zune screen repair and stumbled upon these comments. It is so amazing to me that just about everyone had the same experience as me. Protective case, Never dropped, Immaculate condition, Not a scratch anywhere, I am a very responsible 34 year old, REACHED FOR MY ZUNE AND FOUND THE SCREEN CRACKED!!!!!!!!!!! SOMETHING HAS GOT TO BE DONE.
IT’S A CONSPIRACY! Based on the cost to repair and the common problem, seems as if Microsoft does not want to rip music, but wants to rip us off.