I am sending in my thrid 360 replacement to get my 4th this week. I have not been able to play a game on one since Feburary. This is unreal, I have been waiting for the NCAA 2007 to come out but It will not play on component cables. I thought it was the cables but I went to the store and got brand new ones. Didn't work. This new one constantly freezes up and my god this is unreal. About to wait for PS3 which I don't want to do if this one doesn't pan out.

I am sending in my thrid 360 replacement to get my 4th this week. I have not been able to play a game on one since Feburary. This is unreal, I have been waiting for the NCAA 2007 to come out but It will not play on component cables. I thought it was the cables but I went to the store and got brand new ones. Didn't work. This new one constantly freezes up and my god this is unreal. About to wait for PS3 which I don't want to do if this one doesn't pan out.


Wow your luck must suck.

What makes you think the Ps3 is going to be flawless? Remember the launch of the ps2 and the slimline ps2???

Dont be ignorant, Sony will have its fair share of problems....Heck, they even mention their processor doesnt run at a full 7 cells like promised as most of them are defective....

I seriously cant see how 3 in a row in such a small time frame would crash, Where/how do you have your 360 placed? Also have you been getting refurbed models or new ones? Id contact and tell Microsoft this is your 4th and it is ridiculous and you want something for your troubles. (like a working 360)

This will be my 3rd brand new replacement. The one I bought on November 22nd worked until Feb. None of the replacments have worked for a hour out of the box. They are in a wide open space and are in a room downstairs that stays around 65 degrees. I am sure the PS3 will be **** as well, I am just frustrated at this point. They are replacing my hard drive as well this time. So maybe this will help.

This will be my 3rd brand new replacement. The one I bought on November 22nd worked until Feb. None of the replacments have worked for a hour out of the box. They are in a wide open space and are in a room downstairs that stays around 65 degrees. I am sure the PS3 will be **** as well, I am just frustrated at this point. They are replacing my hard drive as well this time. So maybe this will help.


I didnt get a new console, I got a refurb (it was dated older than mine was)...

That sucks about the trouble you had, I felt like throwing in the towel when my 360 crapped itself 6 months from when I bought it....

I am not even going to throw the overheating issue at your because to me it seems bogus and the console shouldnt need to be pampered like a premature born baby (the way the vast majority treat it)...The 360 seems to be the most sensitive system to date which is ridiculous and for some reason the bugs STILL havent been worked out. But they know what the problem is....

The only "next-gen" system you can assure yourself with being bug free is the Wii as the technology is so dated aside from the Wii-mote that it should be 99.6% bug free....

Microsoft has had problems with their disc drives and perhaps the 3 core processors are the problems with the 360s but Microsoft wont address the issue (not atleast to the public)...So that sucks, but my Xbox 1 worked flawlessly, cant say that about the 360....

It's irritating most definatley in your case, all you can do is have a decent warranty I guess....

I didnt get a new console, I got a refurb (it was dated older than mine was)...

That sucks about the trouble you had, I felt like throwing in the towel when my 360 crapped itself 6 months from when I bought it....

I am not even going to throw the overheating issue at your because to me it seems bogus and the console shouldnt need to be pampered like a premature born baby (the way the vast majority treat it)...The 360 seems to be the most sensitive system to date which is ridiculous and for some reason the bugs STILL havent been worked out. But they know what the problem is....

The only "next-gen" system you can assure yourself with being bug free is the Wii as the technology is so dated aside from the Wii-mote that it should be 99.6% bug free....

Microsoft has had problems with their disc drives and perhaps the 3 core processors are the problems with the 360s but Microsoft wont address the issue (not atleast to the public)...So that sucks, but my Xbox 1 worked flawlessly, cant say that about the 360....

It's irritating most definatley in your case, all you can do is have a decent warranty I guess....

There is no way I would have bought a 360 if I couldnt get it as COSTCO. I have been extremely impressed w/ my 360 so far, but I agree about it having to be pampered. The PS3 will have launch problems, but I seriously doubt they will be to the extent of the XBOX 360.

There is no way I would have bought a 360 if I couldnt get it as COSTCO. I have been extremely impressed w/ my 360 so far, but I agree about it having to be pampered. The PS3 will have launch problems, but I seriously doubt they will be to the extent of the XBOX 360.


I got mine at Toys R Us and was sold a "replacement warranty" but when mine failed they said it was service warranty and I would have to send it in to a company that didnt even have a phone connected...I called Microsoft, problem fixed....I am purchasing the 2 year extended warranty after my additional 3 months is up...But then again, dont we usually use our consoles for more than 2 years????

I think the Ps3 will have its fair share of issues more so than the 360 due to it not being pampered even more, but maybe all of that casing is a good thing???? I dont have much confidence in their hardware specs where it matters the most....Now I read an article on here that said the cell processors are so hard to make that they are being shipped to Sony with not even all 7 working! So what are we getting a half-broken system???

I still haven't had an issue with mine........You guys who are having these constant replacement problems over and over need to seriously think about having an electrician come to your house and check your lines, because you could be having power issues like low voltage or low amps that can really fry up electronic components.

I still haven't had an issue with mine........You guys who are having these constant replacement problems over and over need to seriously think about having an electrician come to your house and check your lines, because you could be having power issues like low voltage or low amps that can really fry up electronic components.

Then why aren't all of their electronics fried. Why not their TVS? WHy not their PS2s or older systems? Even if the Xbox 360 is especially vulnerable to power fluctuations or the like, this is still a problem w/ the Xbox 360. Again, I love my 360, but based on reports from forums and experiences of friends, I am not happy w/ its overall construction.

Also, most problems that people are reporting are due to heat are hardware failure. These specific problems are unlikely to be affected by power fluctuations or something similar. This represents a failure in the hardware.

Then why aren't all of their electronics fried. Why not their TVS? WHy not their PS2s or older systems? Even if the Xbox 360 is especially vulnerable to power fluctuations or the like, this is still a problem w/ the Xbox 360. Again, I love my 360, but based on reports from forums and experiences of friends, I am not happy w/ its overall construction.


The OP didn't mention if he had other systems on the same circuit ever, or if he had any of those other devices....and if they had also died.....all I am suggesting is that if you are on your FOURTH replacement 360, its time to start wondering if something in the environment is amiss.

Bad power can kill electronics in ways that few people understand...they just assume some device inside the thing failed, and boom its a manufacturer defect..when really its a low voltage situation, for example. Not supplying enough current to an electronic device can cause it to overheat the same way a voltage spike can fry things......if your current fluctuates due to wiring of an outlet, or the line that supplies that outlet, all of these things should be considered.

Or...just keep sending back 360's and cursing Microsoft......but if it was me, I'd at least rule out the other possibilities first before I started bemoaning the 360's build quality.

I admit, the thing isn't a tank....its more like a paper-mache lamp with a lit candle inside :) But plenty of us have error-free systems so far....

The OP doesn't really give us much information to go on however.

some people's problems originated with the power brick. have you kept that in an open space and a little off the ground?

The OP didn't mention if he had other systems on the same circuit ever, or if he had any of those other devices....and if they had also died.....all I am suggesting is that if you are on your FOURTH replacement 360, its time to start wondering if something in the environment is amiss.

Bad power can kill electronics in ways that few people understand...they just assume some device inside the thing failed, and boom its a manufacturer defect..when really its a low voltage situation, for example. Not supplying enough current to an electronic device can cause it to overheat the same way a voltage spike can fry things......if your current fluctuates due to wiring of an outlet, or the line that supplies that outlet, all of these things should be considered.

Or...just keep sending back 360's and cursing Microsoft......but if it was me, I'd at least rule out the other possibilities first before I started bemoaning the 360's build quality.

I admit, the thing isn't a tank....its more like a paper-mache lamp with a lit candle inside :) But plenty of us have error-free systems so far....

The OP doesn't really give us much information to go on however.


I hear what your saying. Certainly, w/ so many dead 360s the guy should eye (maybe even test) his setup. Nonetheless, you can't assume that because he has had so many dead that it is his system. First, there have been a lot of dead 360s, thats a fact. Next, I'm into statistics and lets just say that there will always be people on the far end of the bell curve. Also, we are more likely to see peoples complaints on the internet that are on that end of the bell curve. Mix that w/ the fact that there have been a lot of dead 360s and I'm not too surprised when I see people talking about their 3rd or 4th 360.

So far no probloms. I bought my 360 in january. So hopfully it continues to work. Although my ps2 and xbox failed after awile. But I think the xbox was a drive issue as it just wouldent play links 2004,

The ps2 was the laser issue.

But all my systems work great. As well as all my other stuff.

I hear what your saying. Certainly, w/ so many dead 360s the guy should eye (maybe even test) his setup. Nonetheless, you can't assume that because he has had so many dead that it is his system. First, there have been a lot of dead 360s, thats a fact. Next, I'm into statistics and lets just say that there will always be people on the far end of the bell curve. Also, we are more likely to see peoples complaints on the internet that are on that end of the bell curve. Mix that w/ the fact that there have been a lot of dead 360s and I'm not too surprised when I see people talking about their 3rd or 4th 360.


Sure there are exceptions, but I think some people are just hard on their equipment. I've yet to have any console die on me from the Atari 2600 to current.

Sure there are exceptions, but I think some people are just hard on their equipment. I've yet to have any console die on me from the Atari 2600 to current.

That doesnt mean anything. Again, it is good advice to tell people to be good on their equipment, but if you were continue to buy an endless stream of consoles, it is a statistical fact that you would not only eventually get one that craps out early, but you would eventually get 3 or 4 that crap out in a row.

And by the way, I think that whether or not gaming consoles crap out is mostly due to the consoles. This is because some consoles are known for being much more sturdy and reliable, whereas others are not.

I've had mine since January and so far it's been relatively problem free. The system froze only once while play Madden 360 a few months back. I've been play NCAA only since I got it last week and I've been having numerous "unreadable disc" errors...which seems to be pretty common voiced by others playing NCAA as well. Most agree that this a EA problem and not a MSFT problem.

I exchanged one disc and an now on my 2nd one and both have the "unreadable disc" error. The 1st one used to happen in-game which was not good. So far the 2nd disc gets the errors when I start up but once it starts it seems to be okay...I can live with that.

Guys mine just died 3 days ago. I never had a problem with a console and because it was running PERFECT since I bought it in Dec. I thought I was in the clear. Red rings of death and it's gonzo.
Doh!!!
I'd say the only good thing is it's timing. My next purchase was not until Saints Row.

Guys mine just died 3 days ago. I never had a problem with a console and because it was running PERFECT since I bought it in Dec. I thought I was in the clear. Red rings of death and it's gonzo.
Doh!!!
I'd say the only good thing is it's timing. My next purchase was not until Saints Row.


Ha, mine was the same way...I think I posted in to many "my 360 broke" threads talking about how mine is great that the karma came back to me....

Just buy the warranty and use the hell out of it and then 2 years from now send it in and get a new one that wont have defects!...Thats my plan.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am the original poster on this thread. I have played two games total on the XBOX 360. GHOST RECON and NCAA FOOTBALL and I even bought the 360 when it came out. I haven't abused any of my 360's. Every replacement they have sent me was shot out of the box. My first one that I bought worked for about 4 months and it had the three blinking lights. Hardware failure.... I have a house with wiring that is fine. I have had xbox, Ps2 and every other console during my life and never had one break down. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE XBOX 360. GOOD for you that you haven't had one break down I would count your days I am glad I have the 2 year warranty. I have went through every step with the xbox tech support and they have said each time you have a bad system. I AM JUST REPORTING WHAT A BAD PRODUCT XBOX HAS PRODUCED...

Just to chime in. I had mine for 16 days and then it overheated and died. It was a few weeks ago. So I returned it and I'll be waiting to see if PS3 or the new 360 package around X'mas time.

I think the biggest culprit is that passive heatsink design. A little too much adhesive, or too little, or a slightly off-kilter seating of the heatsink of the chipsets and boom...disaster waiting to happen.

Once upon a time I fried a perfectly good Athlon processor in about 6 seconds when the heat sink I attached to the top didn't seat properly, leaving a gap on one side of the chip.

Honestly, the damn thing makes enough noise as it is, adding a 60mm fan to bring air over that heatsink may have made the difference in alot of peoples premature failures.

My 360 works just fine. No replacements for me. November build date.

Are they just refurbishing broken units?

Are they just refurbishing broken units?


Indeed

I considered the possibility of bad wiring in my house after my 360 failed, but as a poster above mentioned, my plasma, stereo, computer, etc are all fine. If the 360 has a below average tolerance for dirty electricity, then that would be MS's problem.

Got me thinking though, I am going to get my volt meter out and see what the voltage to those outlets are.

I just bought mine last week.All this talk is making me nervous. I have a warranty from bestbuy.In all honesty,if mine ever crapped out,I think instead of getting it replaced, I'll get a credit and wait for Wii. I'm not going to be getting 3 and 4 360's.That's ridiculous.Microsoft needs to get to the source of this problem and fix it.

Amen brother!!!!!!!!

I just bought mine last week.All this talk is making me nervous. I have a warranty from bestbuy.In all honesty,if mine ever crapped out,I think instead of getting it replaced, I'll get a credit and wait for Wii. I'm not going to be getting 3 and 4 360's.That's ridiculous.Microsoft needs to get to the source of this problem and fix it.


Best Buy will just give you a replacement/repair....Atleast I think so, read the fine print.


Does anybody know if Microsoft actually is fixing the problem or for that matter even know what the hell the problem is.

Does anybody know if Microsoft actually is fixing the problem or for that matter even know what the hell the problem is.

That is the proverbial $64,000 question. AFAIK, MS has given no indication of their being a specific problem or what that problem is.
I'm of the opinion that it was a faulty batch or the aforementioned heatsink problem.
I'm on my second. First crashed randomly, no error codes, no flashing lights. Second has worked fine so far.
Unfortunately, I wouldn't be surprised if this is the price we pay for the next gen of consoles. More components, more can go wrong.

Best Buy will just give you a replacement/repair....Atleast I think so, read the fine print.


Does anybody know if Microsoft actually is fixing the problem or for that matter even know what the hell the problem is.


Well the customer service rep at bestbuy told me that it is possible for you to get credit for the original purchase price.It's not in writing,so I only hope this is the case.I would have preferred Microsoft's warranty,but it's not feasible for me living outside North America.

The 360 has been out for nearly 9 months.Any problems should have looooong since been identified and remedied.I don't care if they offer a lifetime warranty for 5 bucks.It is an annoyance and an inconvenience for the customer. A person should be able to play their console with relative piece of mind without having to constantly be worrying about whether the system is gonna crap out at any given moment. It is ridiculous for a customer to have to endure 3,4 and more consoles that are faulty pieces of hardware. I marvel at anyone who has the patience to endure that.After 2 failed consoles,I think I'd have to say to hell with the 360.At least for now.

That is the proverbial $64,000 question. AFAIK, MS has given no indication of their being a specific problem or what that problem is.
I'm of the opinion that it was a faulty batch or the aforementioned heatsink problem.
I'm on my second. First crashed randomly, no error codes, no flashing lights. Second has worked fine so far.
Unfortunately, I wouldn't be surprised if this is the price we pay for the next gen of consoles. More components, more can go wrong.


Well see if they are indeed fixing the problem than you would think the people that sent theirs in and getting new (refurb) ones back wouldnt have that problem....It's interesting that they dont fix the consoles and ship them back to the original owner which makes me think they have an old batch and ship those out....Who knows, but I would like to know.....

Dragon-Toys R Us told me I could kick my 360 and it break in half and bring it in for a replacement as long as I bring my warranty receipt...I went in and they said I could send it in for repair when my broke...Thats falsifying the sale which I could have fought but then again it would be their word against mine and it isnt worth the hassle....I ended up just calling Microsoft because of the stores BS.

When my 360 failed last month, I called MS and they went over some things with me to try and determine what went wrong before I sent it back to them. Now I don't know if this person knew what she was talking about but she told me that I shouldn't have the power brick plugged into a surge protector because this could cause a problem. She told me that the power brick is a surge protector.

I am not telling people to stop using surge protectors with their 360, I am just relaying what I was told. Who knows if this person knew what they were talking about.

Semper Fi,

Bob

Well see if they are indeed fixing the problem than you would think the people that sent theirs in and getting new (refurb) ones back wouldnt have that problem....It's interesting that they dont fix the consoles and ship them back to the original owner which makes me think they have an old batch and ship those out....Who knows, but I would like to know.....

Dragon-Toys R Us told me I could kick my 360 and it break in half and bring it in for a replacement as long as I bring my warranty receipt...I went in and they said I could send it in for repair when my broke...Thats falsifying the sale which I could have fought but then again it would be their word against mine and it isnt worth the hassle....I ended up just calling Microsoft because of the stores BS.

That's some unethical BS on their part to get the sale.Bestbuy could be lying to me as well for all I know.They did tell me within the first year after the sale,I could return it limitless times,and that in the second year,it would be replaced once but you'd have to get a new warranty.I'm hoping I don't have to find out if this is BS or not. I do know this,I will not be replacing my box 3 and 4 times.I'd do it once,but after that,forget it. I'd fight to get a full credit back to be used on something else...namely the Wii.

That's some unethical BS on their part to get the sale.Bestbuy could be lying to me as well for all I know.They did tell me within the first year after the sale,I could return it limitless times,and that in the second year,it would be replaced once but you'd have to get a new warranty.I'm hoping I don't have to find out if this is BS or not. I do know this,I will not be replacing my box 3 and 4 times.I'd do it once,but after that,forget it. I'd fight to get a full credit back to be used on something else...namely the Wii.


Some people on this board not to long ago got a warranty from Best Buy and they gave them the shaft on an instant replacement.

My brother-in-law bought one from CC and was told the same thing "bring it in, we give you a new one" his broke and he took it in and they said it would be sent out for repair and HE would have to pay for the shipping....

The stores are getting really shady on these warranties, mainly in part they will tell the customer anything because for each warranty sold they get a percentage. (toys r us employees makes 2 bucks off each warranty sold)...

RE the bestbuy warranty: read the fine print guys. I know it sucks and it is confusing, but it will spell out exactly what they will and will not do. The sales reps in the store will lie through their teeth about how you can "break it on purpose" and they will just give you a new one. If you actually read the warranty, I can promise you that any damage that is caused by the user is NOT covered. That would be called insurance and that is definitely not what bestbuy is selling.

I still haven't had an issue with mine........You guys who are having these constant replacement problems over and over need to seriously think about having an electrician come to your house and check your lines, because you could be having power issues like low voltage or low amps that can really fry up electronic components.

Just repeating in agreement:
The easy comeback to that is... I've owned several other consoles and CE devices and those are not blowing out all the time. Unless you are having rampant CE failures around your house save the time and money on that one, imo. The 360 needs to perform to expected standards. Again the good side of this is MS is replacing them for ya's.

Some people on this board not to long ago got a warranty from Best Buy and they gave them the shaft on an instant replacement.

My brother-in-law bought one from CC and was told the same thing "bring it in, we give you a new one" his broke and he took it in and they said it would be sent out for repair and HE would have to pay for the shipping....

The stores are getting really shady on these warranties, mainly in part they will tell the customer anything because for each warranty sold they get a percentage. (toys r us employees makes 2 bucks off each warranty sold)...


So what exactly are these warranties good for then?I understood the fine print to mean that you are entitled to one replacement on your purchased warranty and that your warranty is void after the item is replaced.While that is different from what the service rep said,doesn't that mean you should get at least one replacement? If not,what exactly are they selling you?

Best Buy will just give you a replacement/repair....Atleast I think so, read the fine print.


Does anybody know if Microsoft actually is fixing the problem or for that matter even know what the hell the problem is.


Best Buy will not give you a replacement/repair. They will give you a brand new one in the box. if the replacement plan you are talking about is a 2 year replacment plan and it doesn't work you get a brand new one. Not one off the open item section. If someone got duped by getting a refurbished one from Best Buy thats your fault. What sense does it make to say that person bought a 2 year replacement plan just to get a used one. It ain't true. You have 30 days to return it to the store. Your 2 year replacement starts the date of purchase.

Some people on this board not to long ago got a warranty from Best Buy and they gave them the shaft on an instant replacement.

My brother-in-law bought one from CC and was told the same thing "bring it in, we give you a new one" his broke and he took it in and they said it would be sent out for repair and HE would have to pay for the shipping....

The stores are getting really shady on these warranties, mainly in part they will tell the customer anything because for each warranty sold they get a percentage. (toys r us employees makes 2 bucks off each warranty sold)...


I can't speak for CC but I can say for Best Buy as a employee the replacement plan is just that a replacement plan for one time replacement. But anyone here please don't be stupid in thinking you can throw it off a bridge and walk in and expect a replacement every warrenty and replacement has this rule about abuse.

Mine just gave me the red lights after about 40 hours of use since launch. Nothing within 4 feet of the unit and the power supply. I have a whole house surge/filter device in place as well for the power. I am not making fun of the 'check your power' poster, but come on. Thousands of people with bad power? Thousands of people with tons of other devices not having any issues and it is the power? Don't think so. It also took a week to get the stupid box to send mine in. I have better things to do than wait a week for a piece of cardboard. I find it un-stinkin-believable that they don't have some kind of advance replacement plan (i.e. Western Digital). I also love getting refurbs for my brand new system I bought. I have a feeling this might not be the last time I have to send this piece of crap in.

Mine just gave me the red lights after about 40 hours of use since launch. Nothing within 4 feet of the unit and the power supply. I have a whole house surge/filter device in place as well for the power. I am not making fun of the 'check your power' poster, but come on. Thousands of people with bad power? Thousands of people with tons of other devices not having any issues and it is the power? Don't think so. It also took a week to get the stupid box to send mine in. I have better things to do than wait a week for a piece of cardboard. I find it un-stinkin-believable that they don't have some kind of advance replacement plan (i.e. Western Digital). I also love getting refurbs for my brand new system I bought. I have a feeling this might not be the last time I have to send this piece of crap in.


Some people on some other boards are mentioning they bought the 2 year warranty and when their system craps out Microsoft sends them a replacement one and voids that warranty since it isnt the same console...Supposedly it is in the fine print although the big insert into the 360s box states otherwise....I cant confirm if that is true but I cant really believe it because of how excellent their customer service is. But then again you never know.

Mine just gave me the red lights after about 40 hours of use since launch. Nothing within 4 feet of the unit and the power supply. I have a whole house surge/filter device in place as well for the power. I am not making fun of the 'check your power' poster, but come on. Thousands of people with bad power? Thousands of people with tons of other devices not having any issues and it is the power? Don't think so. It also took a week to get the stupid box to send mine in. I have better things to do than wait a week for a piece of cardboard. I find it un-stinkin-believable that they don't have some kind of advance replacement plan (i.e. Western Digital). I also love getting refurbs for my brand new system I bought. I have a feeling this might not be the last time I have to send this piece of crap in.


Good, because I never implied that was the reason THEY ALL FAILED.

I suggested that since he's had SEVERAL FAIL, and the one constant is that they all seem to fail IN HIS HOUSE, that he have the house checked.

Some people on some other boards are mentioning they bought the 2 year warranty and when their system craps out Microsoft sends them a replacement one and voids that warranty since it isnt the same console...Supposedly it is in the fine print although the big insert into the 360s box states otherwise....I cant confirm if that is true but I cant really believe it because of how excellent their customer service is. But then again you never know.

Totally False!!!!!

This is why it is my 3rd replacement. They send you a letter saying they changed the serial number on your warranty to match you console you just recieved from them. I talked to them and they put a request in for me (since it will be my 4th xbox ) to get a brand new one instead of a refurb. I still think I will get a refurb and this is going to be a never ending process. I am covered til May of 2008.

i think i have everyone on this thread beat i'm on my fifth one now haven't had a playable one since two days before the e3 show. they have all had the red rings right out of the box. so very dissappointing, i've been real tempted to go with the ps3 but that could be just as problematic if not more, i do love the 360 when it's functioning but this is ridiculous.

i think i have everyone on this thread beat i'm on my fifth one now haven't had a playable one since two days before the e3 show. they have all had the red rings right out of the box. so very dissappointing, i've been real tempted to go with the ps3 but that could be just as problematic if not more, i do love the 360 when it's functioning but this is ridiculous.Man o man, that's gotta be some kind of record. I haven't heard of anyone else being on 360 numero cinq on any other gaming forum.

Now, my 360 has been operational since launch, but I can totally sympathize with the folks who've had technical and/or support issues with their unit. I can't say I'm 100% satisfied with the way MS has handled the issue of faulty hardware with the 360 thus far, but it's certainly better than their NON-handling of faulty Thompson drives on the original Xbox.

Anyway, I feel y'allz pain.

Holy crap, 5 360's!! What are the odds of that? Man you got some kinda patience.I would have stopped after 2.

When my 360 failed last month, I called MS and they went over some things with me to try and determine what went wrong before I sent it back to them. Now I don't know if this person knew what she was talking about but she told me that I shouldn't have the power brick plugged into a surge protector because this could cause a problem. She told me that the power brick is a surge protector.

I am not telling people to stop using surge protectors with their 360, I am just relaying what I was told. Who knows if this person knew what they were talking about.

Semper Fi,

Bob

Horse hockey. She deosn't know what she is talking about. First, surge protectors do not alter the power supply, unless there is a surge, and then that would be a positive thing, not a negitive one. Second, that brick has no reliable surge protection built into it. If it had anything at all there would be some sort of a reset button on it and I don't remember anything like that.

I'm on my 18th 360..





okay not really..

I'm just one of 1000's of members on here who havent had a problem with theirs

What's the turn-around time like w/ MS? If I send away my 360 (just about a year old now) when can I expect a replacement?

Mine took like a week total. My second one that is...

Sorry you guys have troubles. I actually bought a spare 360 when I got the first 2 for my son and I to play online together. The first 2 have been so reliable that I finally installed the third one on the plasma in my bedroom over last weekend... Just lucky I guess. :) Maybe it's those Nyko Intercoolers I put on them ??

What's the turn-around time like w/ MS? If I send away my 360 (just about a year old now) when can I expect a replacement?


Well, for me the total turn-around time was about 3 weeks (just a couple of days shy of 3 weeks) with both the times I have sent mine in.

It takes about a week from the day you call technical support to get your 'coffin' (aka the box MS sends you to ship the 360 in). This is actually the longest part of the process.

After that, they ship UPS 3 day select both ways. Once they recieve the console, they usually ship it back out within 2 days. The repair center is located in McAllen, Texas. So, depending on how close you live to there can also affect your turn- around time. As you can see, I live in St.Louis. But I suppose if one lives in Texas or a closer state you can expect shorter turn-around times.

EDIT: I just noticed that you live in Canada, so this could be completely different for you.. depends on where they have you ship it. I'm not sure if they have a separate repair center for Canada.

Sorry you guys have troubles. I actually bought a spare 360 when I got the first 2 for my son and I to play online together. The first 2 have been so reliable that I finally installed the third one on the plasma in my bedroom over last weekend... Just lucky I guess. :) Maybe it's those Nyko Intercoolers I put on them ??


You know what's funny, I think the Nyko cooler may have been the problem with my 360. I'm just speculating. But I sent in my original console twice for repairs. This last time they sent me a refurbished unit, so I guess my original one was toast... and I pretty much used the Nyko cooler from the beginning.

I've heard that if you tell MS support that you use the cooler, it can void your warranty.. Though I'm not sure if this is true (or if it can legally void your warranty since it attaches to the outside of the console). I also read somewhere that the problem with Nyko attachement stems from it not having it's own power source.

So, I decided with my refurbished console that I have now to not use the cooler. I have a small free-standing fan that points at the back of the console that I turn on when playing. A little noisy, but no more than the Intercooler was.

I got mine launch day.I play it all the time nearly every day,watch movies on it. It has never given me any trouble at all. I have no intercooler on it. It is in the open.I don't move it around all that much but have taken it with me a few times. I have never dropped it,spilled anything in it or blocked up the cooling holes or stuffed it in some stand with no ventilation and its not usually on the rug either.

I can't imagine going thru 5 of them??? Even three is pretty lousy luck.I know of a few other guys that got them around launch too and one did send his in but really don't seem to know many people that have had to.I read the initial reports and bought extended from MS.I have considered also buying a second one for system linking as that is big fun and did that a lot on my xbox. My original xbox well first one did put little tiny scratches in the discs. Forget what drive that was.I sold it off and got a couple of newer ones with different drive and that solved that problem. One of the two quit working
in that the door would not open very often something wrong with the open button.
dumped that one to buddy for like twenty bucks,he figured he could fix it.
The last xbox is still chugging along no problems at all. I have had lots of the original duke controllers die on me.I fixed a lot of them myself.The green button would die sometimes no fix for that and the triggers would stick and keep firing the gun etc.I just took them apart and stretched the trigger springs.Pain to do but it worked.The newer controllers the smaller ones seem better don't think had to fix any of those.And had no problems at all with the new 360 controllers. They are perfect.
So for the guy who went thru five feel for you. And the guy that went thru three.
Not sure whats up there. The lights can flash if you don't have the power cord and power block cord in good and the av cord maybe or mabye the av cord got pulled hard and that is doing something .No idea at all. I also have a used ps2 and had a new one.Its been working fine.I will likely get a ps3 when they come out with a few more games that I really want on the ps3 like Ace Combat series to name one.Overg is a pretty piece of crap on the 360. Too bad it could have been good. Graphics are great,replays look great but the planes turn and dive and climb so slow its ridiculous.Anyway 5 eh?
Maybe try a ps3. Oh and don't think sony quality is worth a crap anymore.
I went thru 3 sony sxrd xbr 60 inchers last year. Sony did replace the set and give one optical block replacement so I count that as a new set but all the sets had the green blob problem if you read the sony sxrd threads. Sony told me they wouldn't give me any more sets to live with it !! so no better than MS.I got a refund out othe store that sold the set
finally after months of bitching. I bought a hitachi tv this time.
The irony is my 360 which everyone on board said where dropping like flies has been the thing that worked flawlessly.My very expensive sony was POS!

I started this tread and I got my fifth replacement three weeks ago. I sent my old harddrive with the crappy xbox and they sent me a new xbox with a refurbished harddrive and I SH!!!!!t you not the hard drive does not work. So they told me one is in the mail. I still have not recieved so I called and they said ohh you have to mail it in first. I am going over a month since I have been able to play. XBOX=junk. Going to wait for PS3 to get kinks out and buy that.

You have gremlins in your house.

Something is real strange there. You have the worst luck of anyone I have ever seen/heard. Mine is a year old and runs like a champ.

After one year, you would think the kinks would be gone...

I bought my system on launch day and i just got home from the bar and was in the mood to play some gears of war and my system is done. I can be in the dashboard all day long and its fine and do video chat but as soon as I try to play any game such as gears of war, or a demo ive downloaded, or any xbox live arcade game the system locks up and theres vertical lines all over the place within 5 minutes. Sounds like a problem with the video card to me.Microsoft is closed so I will have to call them tomorrow. They better replace the system for free. I didnt get the extended warranty but they have stated that the warranty was extended for people that bought the system before january. I think my 360 got mad because there is a ps3 sitting above it, even though i still play 360 more.

The OP didn't mention if he had other systems on the same circuit ever, or if he had any of those other devices....and if they had also died.....all I am suggesting is that if you are on your FOURTH replacement 360, its time to start wondering if something in the environment is amiss.

Bad power can kill electronics in ways that few people understand...they just assume some device inside the thing failed, and boom its a manufacturer defect..when really its a low voltage situation, for example. Not supplying enough current to an electronic device can cause it to overheat the same way a voltage spike can fry things......if your current fluctuates due to wiring of an outlet, or the line that supplies that outlet, all of these things should be considered.

Or...just keep sending back 360's and cursing Microsoft......but if it was me, I'd at least rule out the other possibilities first before I started bemoaning the 360's build quality.

I admit, the thing isn't a tank....its more like a paper-mache lamp with a lit candle inside :) But plenty of us have error-free systems so far....

The OP doesn't really give us much information to go on however.I got my 360 nov 22nd and never had a problem until oct 24 2006 and now its down its nov 25 and im still waiting for them to send the return box so i can send it in to get fix or replaced oh yeah i have called 3x & each time they say the box will get here in 3 days still no box 5+ weeks and counting BTW my house is 1yr & 7months old so it has nothing to do the voltage on a new or old house

A friend of mine took a look at his and reckons the heatsink clamps cause the problem - they cause the the motherboard to warp away from the corners of the GPU and CPU and eventually the solder balls break.

He has been replacing the heatsink clamps with a system that supports the mainboard and the problem has gone away.

I should be receiving my third xbox 360 next week. I'm buying the two year warranty.

I am on my 3rd 360...they are just not made well.
so many times I see the usual "you guys must not take care of your stuff...blah blah..it's your fault etc" then a couple weeks later from the same person you see "such and such bricked my 360" ...
kinda funny
extended warranty is a must with this device imo

Yup, im on the 2nd...but it looks like i'll be getting a third very soon. And yes I do take extra care of my 360 and its well ventilated. The issue i'm having now is Everytime I go to play COD3 the 360 tells me I have to put this disc into an xbox 360 console....and im asking myself...is my 360 having an identity crisis and keeps thinking its a DVD player only. I have to eject the disc and retry up to 10 times before it finally realizes its a 360 disc. COD3 was the only game it was happening to...but now its happening to Lost Planet. Gotta love this wonderful next generation crap.

i think out of everyone here i can truthfully claim i have the worst "luck" or whatever you want to call it as regards to my 360.

i purchased a core system on launch day...bought HDD and HD cables seperately that way if it does go bad i get to keep my hard drive :D ...i bought it at my local EB games with the warranty of course...my launch system worked perfectly up until 2 months before the 1 year anniversary...since then i have gone through 6, thats right, six 360's...the first one kept freezing with a wierd checkerboard pattern on the screen and flashing 3 red lights...the next 2 had the disc drive quit working completely after a week each...the next one's 5.1 through optical didnt work, and no it wasnt the cables or my receiver...the next one flashed 3 red lights right out of the box...now finally most recently, just last week in fact, my sixth xbox 360's dvd drive pooped out yet again...im now up to a grand total of $350 spent on warrantys for my poor xbox 360's...and BTW, thats 6 xbox 360's in 6 months...that has to be a record.

i dont understand why anyone wouldnt get a warranty from EB games when they buy this thing...when one quits working i simply take it back and they give me a new one no questions asked...of course i have to buy another warranty for the new 360 i get but id rather do that than wait a month for Microsuck to mail me a refurb that will probly take a dump within a month.

and yes i have it well ventilated sitting all by itself with TONS of space all around so it can breathe so to speak...funny though, i always bagged on Sony before the PS3 came out saying the failure rate would put the 360's to shame, but boy was i wrong...ive had my PS3 since launch and i havent had to get up 1 time to turn it off and back on because it froze...and to top it off i cant even tell its on when im playing it...not even close to reminescent of the "jet engine 360" :p if only the PS3 had 1 game worth playing!!!