So as noted a month ago, after having my console 8 months I got the red rings of death.

Finally (sooooo happy) get my 360 back via UPS and immediately fire up Gears of War because I've been DYING to play (great stress relief after a day of work).

I am playing for about 10 minutes and suddenly my screen goes black. Just totally freezes to black screen. No audio, no visual, nothing.

Fearing the worst, I reset console and try again. This time, after 5 minutes playing online the screen just freezes. Again no audio, but I see pic is frozen. Try again and same thing after 5 minutes. One more time and this time back to black screen.

I call MS very upset and at this point I realize my console was not repaired, but instead they gave me a refurbished one. So I figure this console has to be fixed, because I am sure they ran all sorts of tests on it, right? MS seems to think its an outsid problem not related to console, but after 30 minutes I have NO answers.

I then try WWE Raw and play for 15 minutes offline and have no problems at all. So now I'm fearing maybe my wireless adapter is broken or defective (never was before). So I try WWE online... no problems after one match.

I put in Rainbow 6... online... play 15 minutes, no problems.

At this point I decide to try to play campaign of GOW with no online. 10 minutes later, screen not only freezes, but I get these vertical white/black lines across screen. WTF?!!!!!!!

I never had problems w/ my GOW disc before. Never had any issues until I got the RROD... Is there any chance it can suddenly be giving my problems, or could it be XBOX Live? Or maybe this console has something wrong with it like my old one?

Not really posting on here to vent, just really hoping for some feedback that can solve this issue. Tomorrow I will try to play my disc on a buddys and see if it gives his console issues. I will also play his GOW on my XBOX.

I'm just very afraid after this entire repair process I'll have to send right back.

Very frustrating...

HELP!

Is the GoW disc scratched at all?

Not really. If anything maybe a small tiny scratch, but it has been there forever and never was a problem.

Any other suggestions?

Not really. If anything maybe a small tiny scratch, but it has been there forever and never was a problem.

Any other suggestions?

Sorry, but I have no clue. The fact that you seem to only be having issues with one disc would make me think its the disc, but its very strange that you haven't had issues with it previously.

sounds like the same gpu errors that lead up to the 3rod to me.

Did you delete all game info from the HDD? You would have to download any map packs again and erase your campaign, but if you are only having issues with one game then I would try removing all data for GoW and see what happens.

I got mine back last month and I have the new heat sink on it. I have played hours and hours with the system. I have been putting it through its pace. I have not had any issues at all. None of the random lock ups that I had before. I have played Forza 2 for hours, Rainbow 6 (Played 2 - 6+ hour sessions) and have played GOW Co-op many hours also. I also have been streaming music from the PC while playing Forza or any number of the Arcade game. So I am very happy with my fixed system. This is just my experience, you should check and see if you got the new heat sink or not.....

Sounds like something isnt right with the cpu/gpu and heatsinks. GOW really pushes the 360 hard and if something is wrong with your system. I can see it doing this. KLUNKDM, is your system running alot cooler to the touch. Its good to hear someone having positive results with the new heatsink. Hopefully it will fix the problem

Sounds like something isnt right with the cpu/gpu and heatsinks. GOW really pushes the 360 hard and if something is wrong with your system. I can see it doing this. KLUNKDM, is your system running alot cooler to the touch. Its good to hear someone having positive results with the new heatsink. Hopefully it will fix the problem

Does anyone else agree with this? I went to sleep with fingers crossed that it is only something wrong w/ the GOW game itself, but it makes sense that maybe a game like GOW that requires "more" from the 360 could cause this if there is an issue w/ the console itself. I really hope its not another faulty console, shipping back and waiting another month would be very annoying.

I really appreciate all the feedback. Any other ideas? After work today I will be trying my GOW on a friends system to see if it freezes and try his GOW copy on mine. That should narrow things down a bit I think?

I was so excited when it was returned yesterday and then when this happened I was like a little boy who on XMAS morning received COAL instead of a Super Nintendo.

yes, I agree with Korn's suggestion. You are seeing pre-rrod death symptoms. RAise hell with MS. Anyone you talk to that hears this is going to think the same thing, anything else they tell you just just BS.

when you call the next time, tell them it's freezing on ALL games. That'll get passed the nonsense.

It is true. One of mine that died was only having problems with GOW to start. Mine started tearing and then it started locking up. I would call MS and get another. It will start locking up on all games soon.

These are definitely pre-RROD symptoms. Sounds very similar to when mine went except the game wasnt Gears, it was COD3. The clock is ticking before you see the rings, but as someone else mentioned, raise hell with MS because you shouldnt have to wait for that.

NCAA football has been freezing up constantly on me, screen just freezes. Are the 3 rings in my sights as well?

I'm about to just trade this thing in to Gamestop and be done with it. I hate to have to hold my breath everytime I turn it on hoping it actually works.

I got mine back last month and I have the new heat sink on it. I have played hours and hours with the system. I have been putting it through its pace. I have not had any issues at all. None of the random lock ups that I had before. I have played Forza 2 for hours, Rainbow 6 (Played 2 - 6+ hour sessions) and have played GOW Co-op many hours also. I also have been streaming music from the PC while playing Forza or any number of the Arcade game. So I am very happy with my fixed system. This is just my experience, you should check and see if you got the new heat sink or not.....

How do you do that without screwing your warranty?

Send it back. It's patently absurd that they're still sending back defective refurbished units to already inconvenienced customers. You shouldn't settle for anything less than a perfectly functioning system.

How do you do that without screwing your warranty?

If you are referring to seeing if you have the new heat sink without opening the box, then look here. http://www.weplayxbox.com/2007/06/20/feeling-cool-how-to-tell-if-your-repaired-xbox-360-has-the-new-additional-heatsink/
I have noticed it being quieter then it was before. I will have to touch it next time I am playing GOW.........

You are going through P3RROD Syndrome. This box is borderline and should be repaired. If the rep gives you crap, tell him they sent you a defective unit and you expect it to be replaced or repaired at their expense. If he refuses, demand a manager.

If they simply refuse to service the unit, trade it in at Gamestop towards a PS3. While I personally would have trouble buying a PS3, I would do it if MS gave me crap about repairing their hardware.

My first replacement did this on certain games only. GOW, Forza2, COD3, and tiger woods06. They would all freeze or I would get a black screen. On the other hand I could play oblivion for hours with out any problems.

Finally sent mine back and received a new box that is much quieter and haven't had one hiccup.

You should try to defrag the hard drive. My "replacement" 360 was locking up when it was brand new out of the box. My friends were laughing at me. Did the little code to defrag the drive and I have not had any freezing problems, but the disc drive laser is starting to die. I just hope it lasts until the 65 nm chipset is released.