Interesting news on the
Zune front: a friendly tipster's buddy works at a Microsoft call center and handles Zune-related issues. Apparently they've received numerous reports of the Zune screen cracking for no apparent reason, after being left charging overnight. Our tipster's friend conjectures that the lithium ion battery -- which resides right behind the top half of the Zune's screen -- is expanding from overheating and putting too much pressure on the screen, causing it to crack. Unfortunately, Microsoft currently regards the issue as outside warranty coverage, leaving the victims with a broken Zune and nowhere to turn. Of course, this could all be off the mark, and it might turn out that a few Zune-droppers conveniently made up the same story to try and get a free repair, but if there is such a battery-expanding problem, we'd sure like to hear about it -- any of y'alls experiencing screen crackage of a similar nature?
posted January 31st 2007 11:07AM
This morning my son turned his Zune on, heard a popping noise and the screen cracked. I called Microsoft and although there is a one year warranty, I was told that it did not apply to cracked screens. My son has been so careful with his Zune that he purchased a protective cover and would not even let me handle it for fear of fingerprints. I am furious. We should have purchased him an IPOD like we did our daughter. She has had no problems at all.
My son just had the same thing happen and I called Microsoft and got the same response. They say they have tried to recreate a scenario that would cause this to happen. They told me to hold on to it because they might fix later on. This is the second time this has happened to ours. The first time Wal-Mart replaced it because it was within the 15 days. I should have replaced it with an IPOD, my mistake. Please let me know if you find an avenue for a refund of the money spent. Parent Mad As He--!
My son is in the military and purchased a Zune on base (in another state). His Zune has not a scratch on it EXCEPT that the inside of the screen spontaneously cracked on the inside, after having the device only a month. He's had the same run-around from Microsoft as in many of the comments I've seen from others. He cannot return the Zune to the place of purchase, because he is now home. You'd think Microsoft would want to correct the problem rather than tell everyone that the screen is not under warranty. He cannot use the Zune at all, so it's $250 wasted! Maybe Microsoft Mgmt can afford it, but the average person doesn't have that kind of $$ to waste!
Read my post about shorting of an lith-ion battery.
Call iresq 1-888-447-3728 and see if they will check out your zune's battery. Although they repair ipods, They are reasonably priced & I think your going to find out that the battery shorted and thats what causing the overheat and battery expansion & screen cracking. Battery failures are, I would hope, covered under warrenty and any damage they cause would also be covered. But you will need someone to inspect the zune to prove this. Only then will you have hope of having microsoft replace your zune.
Fyi, you don't have to have it on the charger for this to happen, a shorted battery will overheat/expand all on its own. Its worth a shot and might get you a replacement or your money back.
My son had his Zune with him last Sunday. He is mega-careful of it. He even has the hard perspex protective case that the was sold with the Zune. Neither the device or the case displays any sign of damage but the LCD screen cracked and completely failed. The thing is now only fit for the trash as Microsoft don't want to know anything about it. What a waste of $250. I suspect the manufacuurer is trying to cover up a major product failure that would result in a costly and damaging General Recall. Jim
It happened to mine this morning. I woke up to a cracked screen. I have never dropped my zune. Microsoft has been no help, other than to say that this could be a defect... in the future. Nice to know that by the time it is outdated, and none of my accessories work with the new, they might replace it.
my son's zune LCD screen (behind the front screen) cracked for the 2nd time. he had just gotten his replacement zune back 2 weeks ago. he loves the sound & the video, but now would just like his money back.
I had my zune charging for about an hour yesterday and i happend to look down and saw it was all carcked.So i went to Bestbuy they wont replace it, they say its physical damage. So i called microsoft, they said there is nothing they can do. Has anyone had any luck with this problem? This is my second one, the first one just went black after 3 days of use. If not, i was wondering if anyone knew the inside of a zune. I think ill try and take it apart and disconnect something so it completely stops working then maybe bestbuy will replace it.
To those of you who are, without valid point, bashing the Zune: you are acting like childish morons.
To those of you who are, without valid points, bashing the iPod, the same applies.
This thread was not written so you could shamefully expel your hatred of each other's digital media players. It was written with the intent to discuss the supposed instance(s) of the Zune screen cracking.
The screen on our Zune is cracked - well not the physical glass(?) part but when you turn it on, there is just a brightly colored glob. I imagine that is a "crack" in the LCD screen? It was however left in the car overnight but the temperature was in the forties so I am not thinking that this should have happened. A bit frustrated as attempts to return to store was unsucessful. Does anyone know at what temperature would cause this or if we have any recourse after spending $250 on an item and having it rendered useless after a couple of weeks?
I got my Zune on Dec. 29th. It was great. But this passed Thursday, when I pulled it out to listen to my songs, I noticed that my screen was craked on the inside (I was told it is called an LCD screen). I called the Zune company and they said that I should call back in about a month to check and see if they have a department for repairs outside and inside of the warranty . I wold like my money back OR a BETTER replacement Zune.
I have a Zune and its screen cracked, but it wasn't cracked one day, I didn't charge it that night, and the next day it was cracked.
2 Zunes in three months. 2 cracked screens. Ipod, Ipod mini, Ipod video in past 2 years. No cracked screens. They were all being handled the same way. It's obvious that the Zune is junk. Too bad microsoft won't stand by the stuff they sell.
I have a Zune and left it in my car for about 5 hours on a 60 degree day. When I returned to my car, I returned to find my Zune with a cracked screen. Apparently this is what happened. The 60 degree weather was too much for the battery to handle and it expanded and cracked my screen. I told Microsoft this and they sent me a box to return my Zune. After returning it and waiting a week for them to send me my promised new one, I received a phone call from Microsoft telling me that the Microsoft warranty doesnt cover "accidental damage".
I guess I will have to buy an Ipod now.
I bought two zunes and one of the screens cracked the other day. There is no physical damage to the outside and the crack is only visible when the zune tries to illuminate the lcd. It renders the thing useless. Microsoft should be considering a recall... I like the zune, I think iPod can use the competition, but if MS doesn't stand behind thier product they won't be competition and I will have to consider hard and long before I buy any further hardware from them.
I found a zune on the bus to school and it was in good shape but when i got it home 3 hours later the D@%$ screen cracked whattype of luck is that what should i do?!
Yeah. I had this happen. My zune was left overnight charging I turn it on the next morning and its cracked. I called to find if i can get a replacment. They say nope. Well thats just great. I am out of 250$. I will NEVER get a zune again. I am done with them. Thats a big heap of bull.
Sure a normal lith-ion battey will never expand enough to crack the zune screen. They generate very little heat. However when a lith-ion battery develops an internal short it can get very hot and I would say be able to expand enought to possibly exert pressure on the screen and crack it. But the only way to find this out is to examine a zune that this has happened to. I suspect a battery failure is causing this. The others are being dropped, sat on etc. But you can't assume its not happening just because your is not heating up, your battery is working normally isn't it? Microsoft is great at saying -its wasn't our fault, they buyer caused it. I'm temped to buy one off e-bay and check it out. Sad that microsoft isn't checking these failures out :(