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Xbox and Zune to Undergo Painful Service Outage on Monday, Down for Up to 48 Hours
Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 1:00 AM on September 28, 2008
Microsoft has scheduled simultaneous service outages for its Xbox Live and Zune platforms this Monday, September 29th, starting at 12:01 PST. These "regularly scheduled maintenance" outages will take up to 24 hours for Xbox Live and up to 48 hours for Zune. Read on for the details.
Xbox Live will be offline, and you won't even be able to bitch about it because the official Xbox forums will be down as well. Be-masked Xbox spokesperson Major Nelson confirms that there will be no updates whatsoever to the service, especially not the Xbox Experience update due this fall, so quit bugging him about it. Zune, for its part, will lose Zune Social, the Zune Marketplace and the Zune.net forums, again with absolutely no new features when the service is back up and running. So, commenters, how are you going to deal with what I've just decided to name the Great Microsoft Service Outage of 2008? Read a book? Go to work? Not care because you've never even seen a Zune in real life? [Xbox Live's Major Nelson and Zune Insider]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
Matty
Posted September 28, 2008 8:45 PM
Those services will be down so the current services will work better and future services can be implemented with little trouble... I don't understand why people are so harsh on Microsoft. I own a Zune and the software actually does heaps in terms of data collection. Every time I play a song in the software or on the device, it gets updated on the server and shows everyone else. There might only be 2 million zunes out there worldwide, but thats less than 2 million people constantly playing music and the servers constantly being updated with new information and all they're doing is using their programs/device!
My zune will still work and thats all that matters to me.
Skra
Posted October 1, 2008 11:02 AM
I though in the e-mail Ms sent to all xbox users & etc it said "14 hours" not 48?
BiZarRroBALlmeR
Posted 1:47 AM 28/9/08
I'll be back, I have to google the term "Zune" first.
BiZarRroBALlmeR
geekpi
Posted 1:42 AM 28/9/08
So if they're not rolling anything out, then why did the email in my xbox live account say that outage was so they can add 'exciting new features.'
Is this a prerelease update outage, so they sneak the new stuff onto the xbox, only to release it later. It's not like you've given us *any* info about it. Are there even bug fixes, or are they doing this merely to have fun?
Since you're a tech blog, at least give us some basic info, other than a date and time of the outage and a few rants against the zune.
geekpi
surfer88
Posted 1:40 AM 28/9/08
Sorry to be a Correcting Carl, but the outage is Monday, September 29th. The 26th was yesterday.
Is this the big outtage where the new dashboard gets implemented? Whatever it is, I just hope it doesn't kill my Xbox.
surfer88
Sam.Nerd144
Posted 1:34 AM 28/9/08
@TheDoomer: Your opinion that the Zune is better than the iPod is irrelevant. The Joke's just dumb.
Anyways, this is not like the Apple store going down, because there's nothing new, and nobody who uses these services hasn't already bought something from Microsoft, to the tune of several hundred dollars. It's more comparable to the iPhone activation servers going down on 3G launch day, but again, Microsoft's not rolling anything new out.
Sam.Nerd144
novacthall
Posted 1:34 AM 28/9/08
@TheDoomer: I have a Zune, but I don't let the comments bother me. It's just text on my screen, after all.
Though I do agree with you, it was funny a ways back. Not so much anymore. But consider this: not being funny never stopped unfunny people from trying.
novacthall
vgart
Posted 1:28 AM 28/9/08
What's Zune?
vgart
AlexLand
Posted 1:27 AM 28/9/08
@TheDoomer: new Zune > ipod classic. There's no debate.
My 30gig zune is having trouble with the wi fi marketplace, though. I need to upgrade to a little 8gig flash guy so I can work out with it.
AlexLand
TheDoomer
Posted 1:25 AM 28/9/08
Honestly, out of everyone here, all of you that have said a stupid "what's a zune" comment, do you honestly think it's still funny? Maybe it was funny for a bit when it first came out, but now it's just annoying. Especially considering that I think the Zune is vastly superior to the iPod.
TheDoomer
Emiat
Posted 1:24 AM 28/9/08
What person with a normal life will find not having Xbox Live for 24 hours painful?
I bet someone complains they want a free day of Xbox Live since they don't get it on monday.
Emiat
the_amazing_doug
Posted 1:22 AM 28/9/08
so... people will have to NOT play xbox and actually experience REAL LIFE? sunshine? air? places outside their bedroom in their mom's house?
damn. the apocalypse has surely come.
oh, what's a zune anyway?
the_amazing_doug
General Halfshaftery
Posted 1:22 AM 28/9/08
I saw this email in my inbox about a half hour ago. I deleted it and farted at the same time.
General Halfshaftery
willfromtexas
Posted 1:22 AM 28/9/08
I'll loiter around the apple website, screaming obscenities to shoppers.....
willfromtexas
ShadowBottle
Posted 1:21 AM 28/9/08
? Having to go down is novice material. It's the 21st century for god sakes. Use a mirror for the take down and update the original before putting it back in place. How barbaric.
ShadowBottle
AlexLand
Posted 1:18 AM 28/9/08
@AlexLand: Oh, just saw on engadged that it's actually a 24 hour outage. That DOES suck, pardon my first comment.
AlexLand
oh_nos
Posted 1:15 AM 28/9/08
Zune! when did that come out?
oh_nos
AlexLand
Posted 1:14 AM 28/9/08
HOLY SHIT I WON'T BE ABLE TO PLAY COD4 FOR 5 MINUTES!
I mean what do I do if I can't download every single new wave song ever created for a half hour?
AlexLand
ohsoferrety
Posted 1:12 AM 28/9/08
Someone is dyslexic.
ohsoferrety
Bherget3
Posted 1:10 AM 28/9/08
Maybe while Zune is down they'll fix that stupid issue where you can't play certain files on your PC because "They are no longer available at zune marketplace", and yet they are still clearly available for download.
Bherget3
timp123
Posted 1:10 AM 28/9/08
lol the zune comment is so true
timp123
redclear55
Posted 1:09 AM 28/9/08
29th?
redclear55
laio
Posted 2:00 AM 28/9/08
they could stop also those windows "wga servers"
would be so fun! lol
laio
Dan Nosowitz
Posted 1:58 AM 28/9/08
@surfer88: Good eye, thanks.
Dan Nosowitz
Baladen
Posted 1:56 AM 28/9/08
@ShadowBottle: According to this: [www.vgwatchdog.com] there's somewhere around 40,000 servers running XBox LIVE and Zune, spread across 15 datacenters. You want them to bump up their subscription price to cover an extra 40,000 servers just so you don't have to lose a single day of service?
Baladen
surfer88
Posted 1:52 AM 28/9/08
@the_amazing_doug: Actually, no. People can play Xbox all they want, since a connection to Xbox Live isn't required to play games on the console itself. But I do agree that it might be a good chance to put the controller down and enjoy some outdoor activities. Maybe a game of basketball, or familiarizing one's self with the magic of capital letters at the beginning of each sentence. The possibilities are limited only by one's own imagination and/or strive for excellence.
surfer88
ACEzWILD
Posted 2:27 AM 28/9/08
@Andwu:
Games on a Mac? Ha! Now that's 'painful'!
ACEzWILD
Andwu
Posted 2:25 AM 28/9/08
Yet another reason MSFT is completely and utterly incompetent. What the hell do ppl pay for again?
If Apple had a console I would have bought theirs instead.
Andwu
ACEzWILD
Posted 2:21 AM 28/9/08
So it's amazing to me that no one even mentions the coincidence of both services going down at the same time. It's been hinted at ever since Zune's release that a 'connected entertainment' experience was very plausible between the two Marketplaces (Zune's and Xbox LIVE's). Could this interconnectivity be what's in store (granted - probably not until the updates are fully realized in November)? No one else sees the potential in the making here? Everyone content just passing this off as some 'painful' outage? C'mon - there's been times where one or the other's servers were down, but BOTH down simultaneously for an extended period of time? It may be just me, but I think something's cookin' over in Redmond...
Is it just me? (Cue the flamers...)
ACEzWILD
WEGGLES90
Posted 2:14 AM 28/9/08
@General Halfshaftery:
Livin' the dream
WEGGLES90
ACEzWILD
Posted 2:13 AM 28/9/08
@General Halfshaftery: Don't you mean 'squirted'? lol
ACEzWILD
Kaiser-Machead
Posted 2:10 AM 28/9/08
2008 favorite Micro$oft(MSFT) product themes of derision:
- The 5 people who own a Zune (insert action here)
- RROD (insert whatever description here)
- What's a Zune?
Cast your vote readers. Rock on.
Kaiser-Machead
cardboredbox
Posted 2:46 AM 28/9/08
Let's see... 20 million people all updating to the "New XBox Experience" on one day? Makes sense for them to update their servers a bit
cardboredbox
thefutureisnow
Posted 2:43 AM 28/9/08
@Andwu: They did at one time, but that was a long time ago.
thefutureisnow
k3davis
Posted 2:37 AM 28/9/08
Not care; love my Zune but don't use the marketplace or forums.
k3davis
rcast1986
Posted 2:58 AM 28/9/08
Maybe they'll actually tell us what they fixed when they're finish, unlike some fruit company I've heard of...
rcast1986
Beryllium
Posted 3:14 AM 28/9/08
@geekpi: I think I see what you did wrong there. You put the emphasis on the word "tech", and not where it belongs, on the word "blog".
Beryllium
akashhhhh
Posted 3:40 AM 28/9/08
@TheDoomer:
Word. Also, wifi marketplace is awesome.
akashhhhh
spline9
Posted 3:30 AM 28/9/08
@rcast1986:
It's most likely to prepare for the fall Xbox Live update which is a big overhaul of the system. Major Nelson usually gives updates on whats going on and keeps us in the loop which is cool.
spline9
tek
Posted 4:04 AM 28/9/08
If apple had a console it would be $800, only play games you could buy from their store that they approved the content for and would be out of date in 4 months because they released another one.
Who cares of the Marketplace is down for awhile, listen to the music you've already downloaded. Seesh, quite acting like Microsoft is asking you to stop breathing during that time.
tek
james-42
Posted 4:25 AM 28/9/08
Halo (not Halo 2, not Halo 3, just Halo).
james-42
ProfessionalGun
Posted 4:31 AM 28/9/08
For my part, this only hurts on the podcast front. I need my current shit.
ProfessionalGun
Wubbytoes
Posted 5:47 AM 28/9/08
@ProfessionalGun: Me too. It will suck getting my podcasts late.
Wubbytoes
Beta @ Random
Posted 5:56 AM 28/9/08
@oh_nos: Um yesterday?
Beta @ Random
dvda
Posted 6:35 AM 28/9/08
@Andwu:
So they bring down the servers for maintenance in prep for xbox live upgrades and that makes them stupid and incompetent? huh?
Geez you are retarded. Hope you have fun with your apple pippin.
dvda
tomcod
Posted 8:27 AM 28/9/08
Andwu, Apple does have a console. It's called the Wii.
tomcod
CharitableNinja
Posted 10:01 AM 28/9/08
CIV REV
CharitableNinja
ACEzWILD
Posted 10:40 AM 28/9/08
@tomcod:
You're kidding me, right?
ACEzWILD
Klebbenator
Posted 11:00 AM 28/9/08
@the_amazing_doug: They could take the time to go to Best Buy and check out any new or upcoming Xbox games. Or they could masturbate. So shut it dad!!
Klebbenator
Klebbenator
Posted 10:57 AM 28/9/08
@General Halfshaftery: HA HA HA!!!!
Klebbenator
Xenocide
Posted 11:27 AM 28/9/08
@ACEzWILD: @ACEzWILD Nintendo used the color white, and white belongs to Apple. See its simple.
Xenocide
Xenocide
Posted 11:23 AM 28/9/08
@dvda: Because Apple never brings down their website just to update their store right?
Xenocide
Xenocide
Posted 11:22 AM 28/9/08
@ACEzWILD: This Zune outage at the same time does make me think that some more interactivity that hasn't been announced yet. Very interesting.
Xenocide
Xenocide
Posted 11:14 AM 28/9/08
@vgart: Har de har har....
Xenocide
billytech
Posted 12:06 PM 28/9/08
Wow...I don't understand all the negative stuff...MS has completely updated my Zune with every feature of the new ones...created an entire genre of videogame console that has added features, and added them years after its release, downloadable movies and TV shows...the best games available anywhere...and they are shutting down the service, to obviously start the implementation of their connected entertainment concept, and all I read is negative hatefull stuff. Why? I personally love my Zune and appreciate it because in this marketplace, it does MORE than an iPod, costs less, and is THE most recognized UNIQUE player out there. I for one enjoy the interconnected world that they are creating and are updating for free to keep all my stuff connected. No videogame console EVER did what they have pioneered and are continuing to do. Hate all you want, but it's pointless, silly, and misdirected. I for one am proud an "American" company has taken the lead simply through their creativity, devotion to what they are doing, and excellent line of products they have introduced. They have had their teething problems, but have stood up to the plate to correct them. My XBox hasen't so much as hiccuped since Nov/2005, and my Zune has been awesome.
I'm not going to bash anybody elses product either, but I for one, am satisfied, if not outright impressed with what they have accomplished in these markets.
Just my 2 cents...
billytech
billytech
Posted 12:02 PM 28/9/08
Wow...I don't understand all the negative stuff...MS has completely updated my Zune with every feature of the new ones...created an entire genre of videogame console that has added features added years after its release, downloadable movies and TV shows...the best games available anywhere...and they are shutting down the service, to obviously start the implementation of their connected entertainment concept, and all I read is negative hatefull stuff. Why? I personally love my Zune and appreciate it because in this marketplace, it does MORE than an iPod, costs less, and is THE most recognized UNIQUE player out there. I for one enjoy the interconnected world that they are creating and are updating for free to keep all my stuff connected. No videogame console EVER did what they have pioneered and are continuing to do. Hate all you want, but it's pointless, silly, and misdirected. I for one am proud an "American" company has taken the lead simply through their creativity, devotion to what they are doing, and excellent line of products they have introduced. They have had their teething problems, but have stood up to the plate to correct them. My XBox hasen't so much as hiccuped since Nov/2005, and my Zune has been awesome.
I'm not going to bash anybody elses product either, but I for one, am satisfied, if not outright impressed with what they have accomplished in these markets.
Just my 2 cents...
billytech
enchantedgoose
Posted 12:16 PM 28/9/08
what the hell is a zune?
enchantedgoose
the_sidewinder
Posted 12:30 PM 28/9/08
@Wubbytoes: It shouldn't hurt podcasts, as the marketplace is only used to add subscriptions. The software should still be able to download podcasts with no problem
the_sidewinder
michaelleung
Posted 3:26 PM 28/9/08
Cue the "PSN never goes offline that long" music...
michaelleung
robinandtami
Posted 5:03 PM 28/9/08
@michaelleung: They will if they ever provide any real changes to their online service. Probably when Home finally comes out years from now in a galaxy far, far away.
robinandtami
robinandtami
Posted 5:01 PM 28/9/08
@geekpi: Because they are just preparing the servers for the new dashboard update that is scheduled for sometime in November. Very similar to what they did a few weeks before Halo 3 came out.
robinandtami
makeseven
Posted 4:59 PM 28/9/08
@billytech: damn right!
makeseven
mdawg4624
Posted 5:30 AM 29/9/08
@TheDoomer: Its not making fun of the zune that we enjoy, its the truth that these people NEVER HAVE EVEN SEEN ONE!! I had my first encounter with one this summer, and let me tell you....you ain't missin nothin! So carry on with the jokes my friends!
mdawg4624
mr30gZune
Posted 8:31 AM 29/9/08
WTF is a zunee(?) btw. som1 xplian 2 meh plz!
mr30gZune
LizaKollar
Posted 6:22 AM 28/9/08
People love putting the $ in Micro$oft and then laud Apple. I agree with the Apple fanboys: M$ gives too much back to the community: they try to cure HIV, stop cancer, end hunger, help runaways, etc. They spend too much on social causes. We need to get back to the good old days where charity is wrong and profit is the only goal: Apple is our leader.
LizaKollar