Xbox 360: Microsoft needs to be the bigger man over reliability

Listen up, Microsoft. The whole internet's full of people moaning about their Xbox 360s breaking.

You can't just sit there with your Zunes turned up full blast ignoring the screams of your loyal users, while they suffer, lose their downloaded stuff and have to either buy a new console or pay a ludicrous 80 quid to have it fixed.

[Crazyglues]

I really feel like a company like Microsoft which makes in the 50 billion range from software like Vista, can afford to take the hit on Xbox 360's

I mean the problem is clearly their fault, I did absolutely nothing to my 360 which was always standing up with nothing else around it sitting on a coffee table with plenty of free air when it overheated and decided to die.

Now if you really expect me to buy the next gaming machine from Microsoft, don't they think they should have a better track record of fixing the broke one's. In gaming a good track record is important and people will remember how Microsoft handled this nightmare.

Bill seriously, I mean you can't take the hit on these xbox 360's that you made bad to begin with. Seriously? That's pretty F&*($% UP...

Think about this I paid to get mine fix and the service sucked... they said I would get a free month of live for getting it fix, but when it came back no 1 month live card. So I called and I get tech support in India, Who tells me he can't tell me where the tech support is located.

Are you Serious? The richest man in the world is outsourcing the tech support to India to save money. Jesus Christ Bill, how much money do you need... (and of course the tech support sucked and was the worst.)

Reminds me of this - http://www.scarysquirrel.or...

Thanks bill can't wait to see what Microsoft makes next - TV,..Computers.. ? oh dear god please don't say computers, Blue Screen of Death comes to Mind.. LoL

[ASSASSYN 36o]

They must not suck all that bad being you paid 539.99 dumped into their pockets.

[PS360PCROCKS]

I agree with most of what you say but everytime I have ever called I always get a well spoken american. I guess I am just lucky? I don't know but I do know that Microsoft needs to stand up and take credit for doing something about it. The 360 is an amazing console and it's tons of fun but nobody wants to deal with it always being broken. Mine broke and I was never more mad in my life...Microsoft please for the sake of you and us just fix it! Bioshock, Mass Effect, DMC, GTA etc are all great that you got them for your console but how can I play them if I am using my game money to send you my console to fix it?

[Lucidmantra]

And what happened when my PS2's (3 of them) broke and SOny wanted to charge me about $50 less than a new one costed to fix it???

I went out and got a new PS2.

Dont act like Sony hasn't done the same thing to their customers. Microsoft is offering a 1 year warranty. Gamestop offers a 2 year extended for like $60 more. Spend the $60 for peace of mind like i did.

YES it SUX... But you know what it is funny how fast all the SOny nuthuggers around here forget their company was dealing with this same thing just 3 short years ago.

Lets at least be fair... k??

[pilotpistolpete]

You went through 3 ps2s! Man, what did you do to them? Played it in the shower? My original ps2 never had a single problem in its lifetime up until I traded it in a few months ago.

I'm sure the failure rate of ps2 wasn't nil, but I think the issue here is the unusually large failure rate of the 360. Its true that no actually statistical number exists (MS doesnt want to release them), they seem to be many times the general comercially accepted rate. The general bullet point of this thread is that MS is charging an arm and a leg to get customer 360s fixed when there is obviously a major problem on their part with the design of the system.

[TheXgamerLive]

read my post underneath.

[Kyur4ThePain]

What on God's earth does this have to do with the PS2?
Hey, did you know that in the 1800's slavery was accepted as being ok?
Does this mean we do not move on and improve things?

[Lucidmantra]

and Obviously you are a selective reader... I stated you my experiance with my PS2's and you blow them off with your personal experiance. I had the DVD read error problem that was WELLL DOCUMENTED with the PS2's. Not to mention the 5 games that spunn out and ruined when i would eject the disk tray.

Consoles malfunction. that was my point. PS2 had many problems but was a good console in spite of them. The same for the 360.

AND Sony was charging a figure that made going to buy a NEW CONSOLE an option over sending them in. And Sony charged you for shipping to them and for them to ship it back to you. When my 360 friend they sent me a prepaid coffin and sent it back to me free, under warrantee. I have no data about what they charge you for after the warrantee is up. You can't buy a 360 for $140 therefore I am saying... In perspective that Sony was gouging their customers also.

[SKullDugger]

Amen brother after 3 failed 360's and 3 trips to BEST BUY and redoing games and downloads I said enough is enough on the last 360 I told the BEST BUY I'm done can I get a PS3 instead and they were very understanding so I left with a PS3 and peace of mind one lost MS customer, CAN U HEAR ME BILL, anyway the games will come for the PS3, this baby is so quite and no problems at all. Sorry for your loss.

[BIadestarX]

"after 3 failed 360's and 3 trips to BEST BUY and redoing games and downloads I said enough is enough on the last 360 I told the BEST BUY I'm done can I get a PS3 instead" and now you are stuck playing 3rd party games that look inferior than they do on the 360... probably no online features... or playing the crap out the same 2 games... motorstorm.. and Resistance...
I rather have my 360 fix every six month and wait 2 weeks for them to fix it.. and to be stuck without the games I want to play or the online features I am already used to than to pay $600 and be bored to death.... no thanks.... I rather buy another XBox 360 so I always have one as they repair the other.... as long as I have GAMES! GAMES! GAMES! Forget the hardware and consoles.... games define the consoles I own.... I also had to deal with buying 2 PS2 after my first broke.... did I settle for the NOT SO COOL N64 because the PS2 broke on me? Hells no.... I paid for the PS2 3 times... and guess what.. it was worth it... cause I played lots of great games on it...
As long as Microsoft continue to repair them for free.... I don't have a problem and the console continues to have great games... as a gamer there is no option... I may buy a PS3 but it will not be because of hardware reliability.... but because of the games... Now if the XBox 360 would suck as bad as the PS3 in terms of games + have hardware issues... then I would have no reason to own a 360.

That's why I added 2 year warranty to my 360. It cost me less to by another 360 (core $299) since already own a HDD then to pay $600 for a PS3... and I get to keep the games I want...
Heck.. if my XBox 360 breaks.. that's the first thing I Do.

[Arkham]

If the issue was specifically the DRE error and you explained it properly, the repair was free. I sent my 2-3 year old (at the time) launch unit back and had it returned to me for free within 5 days.

[Fisher339]

it was 2 years after the warranty expired, i called tech support, and they fixed it for free, they paid for the shipping too..

guess i was just lucky

[TOM]

Seems to me ,someone who accually had a 360 would know you dont have to pay. What does posting lies do for you? Could you pm me your gamer tag?

[dantesparda]

@ Crazyglues
Im sorry to hear that, that you had to paid the $140 for it. But they tried that same sh!t with me, but i got them to lower it to $35 (first it was a $140, then they lowered it to $70, and then finally to $35). You just needed to keep b!tching at them. Oh and it took me to get the Americans, before they finally decided to drop it to the $35. Like 10 times before that, all i kept getting was the Indians.

@ ASSassyn360
Stop being stupid. If you've invested $400 plus dollars into the system and have all these games, then its hard not have it fixed, but $140 is a fvcking rip-off! And its unethical for MS to charge us to fix it when its obviously their mistake. Fvcking crooks and liars!

@ Lucidmantra
So you're saying cuz Sony did it in the past, that its ok for MS to do it to us now with an even more expensive system? Im sorry but thats just plain stupid. The system has a major problem with it thats killing it and MS needs to own up to it and fix it. FOR FREE!!! and $140 is too fvcking much! PERIOD! it's a rip-off no matter how you spin it

@ XGamer
What are you talking about. If you are out of warranty then you do have to pay, and its $140 unless you can get them to take it down from there (and they'll drop it by 25% increments, up to a 75% maximum), stop being a nut! Many 360's are dying after they are a year old. That's what happened to me. My 1st one (a Nov. 22nd, 2005 launch unit) died after 80-something days. And now this one, (my 2nd one) died after a yr and 3 months. So i paid, $520+ ($400 for the system, $20tax, and 2 yrs of LIVE) for just 1 yr and 6 months worth of gaming. Not worth it!

@ bladestar
You are just a fanboy that is always spewing your stupid sh!t and always trying to fownplay the 360's faults and hype up the PS3's. Mr defender of the 360. Get off its nut sack. It's only a video game system

@Tom
And you are just the craziest of them all. "Lies"!? Hwat are you crazy? YOU DO HAVE TO PAY. Now put that in your pipe

And to Jay the Balla and toughname. Thanks for "man"-ing up and admitting the truth. Cuz i know that normally you two are Xbox 360 fanboys. But this is a serious matter and MS needs to fix it. And the only way, is if none of us allow them to do it to us

[Firewire]

Get used to it, almost two years after its release, MS still doesn't even acknowledge a problem. And there 3% bull sounds really retarded!

[Jay da 2KBalla]

Good read and I agree completely. I just sent mine in for repair but I didnt have to pay anything. And they also told me that I get a free month of live. Havent gotten mine back yet but we will see. I dont care how much I like my 360, microsoft needs to own up and just do a public apology or something of the like.

Crazyglue I dont know how you payed them that much money to fix their broken console but then again I guess if thats what they said to do the hey what can you do? I personally would have cussed they ass out.

And what is good though is the guy said that if my replacement console breaks whether its out of warranty or not it still gets fixed for free and I think that once microsoft sees how much money they are losing for fixing all these consoles, the consoles will get more reliable.

[toughNAME]

but yeah microsoft really needs to do smth...like atleast admit it...then tell us bullshit that your tryin to fix it...
DO SOMETHING

i mean 360 is fine for now with the best line up this holiday season...but when PS3 starts to catch up...what will MS do?

[Munky]

I am officially a member of the red ring of death club. Got it yesterday, tried it later on in the day and it was fine, weird...

[InMyOpinion]

I haven't had any problems with my 360. It's one from the first batch and it's rock steady. I still agree that the way they treat customers with faulty 360's is awful. I mean they have already confessed that the flaw is caused by the machine overheating. Who's responsible for manufacturing the overheating machines? Yup, Microsoft is. To me it's as easy as that. I mean what if it was a TV, or a bread toaster? There would be no discussion then. Warranty would cover all costs. Why is this different?

I'm still sticking with it though. IMO it's the best platform at the moment, and I think it will continue to dominate. The wave of (awesome) titles this year is just ludicrous.

[Tsalagi]

Having gone through three systems myself, i wish SOMETHING was being done to fix the problems. It is a great console and i really miss the games on it, but the reliability just isn't there. Furthermore, this will come back to haunt them this fall when the biggest game they have ( Halo 3) drops and systems start Ko"ing. Right now most of people complaining are the early adopters and loyal MS customers, but Halo is and will be bought by Joe-everybody and Wally world shoppers alike. If they have mass RROD's then they might not be able to recover from the media hysteria and being known as a unreliable console.

[Lucidmantra]

agreed... if Halo 3 blows up and MS sells 3-4 million more consoles in the next holiday season (thanksgiving thru FEB 08) they will be in a world of hurt if these cosoles are still dropping like flies.

Even though personally i had my console on for about 10 hours saturday playing GH2, Forza and DIRT, i often fall asleep with it on playing a DVD and this is my replacement from MS for my launch console that fried i have never had an issue with this one and it stay on all night abour 3 times a week.

[tonsoffun]

I honestly think that MS has to come out and be honest about the situation, they will get far better respect in the long run.

If these probems are as widespread as internet rumbilings are (and I am not saying that they are as bad, but they do exist) then there is a definate quality issue and it should be addressed. As a goodwill gesture at least.

It is not as if MS has no money or anything, they can easily afford to repair all defective consoles for free.

EDIT- what is there to disagree with? Please elabourate.

[nobizlikesnowbiz]

It would be nice if all of those negative "I hate Xbox 360" threads were turned into something positive. But thats not going to happen. Those who are on top, get attacked from below. It comes with the territory. Sony users will find something else to complain about. While 360 owners will continue to strike back, perpetuating this 'fanboy' nonsense.

[bar10der]

I had several repair attempts done on my 360, I even purchased another box. I was hoping for a "better" box this time. It just added another thing that needed to be fixed.
I also own Wii and PS3.
Wii is currently on the UPS trip to the repair shop. My 360 just got back from the shop last Friday.
So I pretty much had enough of Peter Moore and his "focus on customer service" crap.
I'll give him another chance when I hear "focus on customer and quality product".

[nobizlikesnowbiz]

Ok 2 of the 3 consoles you own are currently in the process of being repaired. Doesn't that say something about their OWNER, rather than the console manufacturers?

Not saying 360 doesn't have problems. But I AM saying that many people mistreat their possesions. Don't deny it, we all have the friend that scratches discs and drops his console, so you don't let them borrow your games.

[Odion]

lol i like how the guy with the Home icon rants the most about "his" 360

[Arkham]

But as an owner of both consoles wouldn't he have the right to go-on about it? Or do you only accept opinions from people you don't disagree with?

[TheXgamerLive]

Yes, some Xbox 360's have went bad due to some early production issues but a big majority of complaints are false fanboys trying to cause damage.

I say to some to be the bigger man and step up and stop lying. Keep the lying pie holes shut.

But, if you are one of the few who did have a unit that went bad, then send it back, my nephew did and his new replacement came back all with in 8 days from the day it went bad and he made the phone call.

Remember, a free 1 yr. replacement came at no charge.

EDIT: Yes, there are many many many many sony fans on here on a daily basis who play that game of lying about well my xbox crashed blah blah blah, even those daily rediculously stupid post that are anti xbox coming out on here. Often there so pathetic that even before you read them you can tell who wrote it and how anti it's going to be. It's gotten a bit to old and ugly to see the childish little boys on a daily basis who continue to be dumb a** punks trying to down play a friggin gaming console. Grow the hell up and stop lying and pull your finger out of your a** and instead play your damned 600.00 system that you think is the end all to be all and continue to wait 3 yrs. for your mediocre games to come out. I think sony and that POS ps3 wannabe console isn't worth 100.00 but I don't go making up stories or postings just to get attention.
Like today now a post says the ps3 doesn't even need games to be succesful, yeah right, you try to undermine one to the lowest level and then build up a defunct ps3 to a godly level, what a JOKE!

STOP LYING and START PLAYING!

[MK_Red]

There are Sony fanboys among this crying crowd but the bigger part of crowd consists of people who really have lost their 360 or seen lots of those machines die/ And they are not just net users, lots of game site/magazine journalists also agree and have seen lots of dead 360s. Official writers from IGN, GameSpy, GamesRadar have all said that the saw a lot of systems die. I have a 360 and thankfully haven't had problems but each two of my friends who bought a 360 have faced "Rings of Death" more than 2 times. Your system may never die, its your luck but it doesnt hide the fact failure rate is truly high.

If fanboys could really spread something like this, I'm sure Xbox360 fanboys would have done the same to PS3 but NO. Not all fanboys are crazy people who want to destroy all other consoles. There is a chance may never see the rings of death but that doesn't mean they dont exist in big numbers. Follow the news and you will see MS is implementing new cooling devices into new 360/returned ones and thats more than enough evidence to prove high failure rate. And failure doesnt mean your system is bad or its games. 360 is a great HD console with lots of great game. Its MS who is responsible for this.

[Crazyglues]

for one I don't need to lie, and two if I could have got it done for free do you really think I would have paid? Come on be serious.

When I called to tell Microsoft it broke they where quick to inform me that, it was out of warranty ( based off of when I bought it, which was at launch) More then 1 year old. bought in 2005, they said I would have to pay $140.00 to get it fixed.

Do you really think I would have paid if I had some other choice.

[SKullDugger]

U my sir are a true XBOT and thats your choice but don't dog the people who have been thru hell with MS and their faulty system I use to own one and after 3 failures no more and MS still won't always repair launch consoles for no charge the new 1yr warranty was suppose to be for everyone MS keeps putting money in their pockets from sales repairs and XBOX live the can afford to correct this problem and if they don;t they will soon be the losers.

[tudors]

This is getting so boring. This his is way exagerated.

[Lucidmantra]

agree... the only people who know how many there really are is the people in Texas who work at the customer support center...

I will not dismiss underhanded Sony techniques contributing to some of this. diehard fanbois out there how organize and swarm the net with stories to make it seem worse (not that it is a massive conspiracy because we all know it is happening...because it is) but i hope they miniturize faster and get rid of this issue for the masses out there. It really is putting a black mark on a pretty dang good job by MS to catch up and learn from last gen issues with the xbox and gain market share (so far).

[gameforall]

built in the same mode as computers, with bad reliability. Were as other consoles are made as electronic appliances (example TV, DVD etc). This is to be expected from a company that originated from the software biz.

It was also hurriedly built in an attempt to be first to the market.

[Lucidmantra]

state your source??? Are you sure it isn't the first Xbox you are thinking about ... Because planning for the 360 started in 2002. and there are very few PC componenets in the 360 on purpose because of the issues they ran into with the xbox and its PC componenets costing so much. The CPU and GPU are custom and owned by microsoft as opposed to last gen when they didn't own and used off the shelf solutions.
This is all reported my Dean Takahashi from the San Jose Mercury in his book Xbox 360 Uncloaked.

So, please state where you got your information please?

[rusgreim]

I have had my 360 since 1/8/2006. I have played all sorts of games and demos on it, sometimes playing GeOW for 8+ hours straight.

In all that time, playing all those games, and I have NEVER HAD A SINGLE PROBLEM!

I added the Nyco intercooler last Christmas just to be safe, but again, I've never had a problem with my system.

My friend had some read errors, and he's not particulalrly abusive, but he bought the core and the warranty from Best Buy and got it replaced.

My Cousin also had a warranty but also has small children that he lets "use" his console.

Am I the luckiest person alive, or the only moron smart enough not to let my system cook in an enclosed cabinet? Why have I had absolutely NO problems and some of these idiots are on their 210th system.

The only conclusion I can ever come to is that they are Sony FanFags who are making up their tales of woe, OR they are morons who abuse their consoles.

Either way, not MS's fault, and I am very happy with my 360.

[nobizlikesnowbiz]

Completely agree on all points. So many people abuse their possessions. We all have that friend that scratches discs, so therefore we don't let him borrow games.

Before I bought the intercooler, it felt warm to the touch. Afterwards, significantly cooler.

<<Launch 360, long wonderful fun-filled night on XBL playing a wide array of games.

Dont know what all this "360 is a FPS console" business is. I don't play any FPS's except occasionally BF2 MC.

Droids having as much fun on PSN? I surely hope so. Then you'll stop hating on XBL. Maybe you'll have a great time having a gay Blu Ray themed avatar orgy in HOME.

Edit @ below: I didn't deny 360's hardware issues, just saying a lot are probably a result of poor ownership, and some are probably a result of Sony fans hate. I really feel sorry for people who's console legitimately crapped out, theres no excuse.But what did Sony do for me when my second PS2 died? Nothing. Your out of luck, go buy a new one at full cost!.......anyway......... Why am even talking to you? I'm wasting me time. It's pointless to even try and have an intelligent conversation with some people, therefore I'm stopping now.

[XxZxX]

Let me summarize your whole argument.

"No problem with mine, yours broken is because you are stupid, f*** off."

btw Nice to see 2 Master chief kissing each other ass here. How bout some gaylo sex?

[PS360PCROCKS]

The only problem I have ever had (KNOCK ON WOOD PLEASE!!!!) is that my dvd drive went out...but my machine scares me to the point that I am afraid to play it because it could break. I am not scared about the PS3 to be honest.

[Latham99]

I'm certain I am in the minority, but the only reason I haven't picked up a 360 yet is due to the failure rates. It's actually ironic, I was in Gamestop yesterday after psyching myeslf up to take the plunge, and there were 2 folks in line discussing the fact that they've had to replace their 360's 5 times. I left the store.

I hope M$ decides to make some changes, I'd rather not buy a product I'm scared to play.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

Wait the PS3 is still decreasing in sales so I guess it's not working. Maybe you should try somthing else for a change like, I don't know get some games for the PS3. "Our PS3 is sucking and noeone wants it so were going to repeat the same thing over and over utill people buy the PS3" Keep going guys it's working ROFLMMFAO. Pretiction 3yrs from now you guys saying the same sh!t but the PS3 is selling 100 consoles a month and has a name change called the PS3CAST.

[Snake_Doctor]

I mean the thread has nothing to do with PS3 so your immediate assumption is PS3 'droids' are flaming.
see no evil hear no evil i guess
I know stuff may be hyped on the internet, but would anyone honestly say that build quality of the 360 is on par with the Wii?

[360Sheep]

aw cmon jason, waiting for that second 360 hasnt affected you, or is it the fact that you can't afford a ps3 and your jeaslousy turns a blind eye to the fact that you have a 50% (if not more) failure rate of your beloved console. Its sheep like you that make it easy for M$ to ingore the failings of their system... baaaa baaaa little sheep

[SKullDugger]

Hey dude u need to get your facts correct. 1. Sales for the PS3 are increasing. 2 The PS3 will never become the 2nd DREAMCAST. 3. The GAMES are coming I won't waste my time telling u which ones and U NEED TO GROW UP !!!!!! your comments have nothing to do with this article.

[Charlie2688]

some people need to stop the denial, the 360 HAS a problem, mine died after 5 months of casual use there is NO excuse for a product that simply dies after a while

and please the crazy "Sony fanboy reports" is just plain desperate, remember that most sites that let you report your dead 360 require you to register you gamertag

[paracardium]

Ps3 is far more reliable. Funny one day a friend of mine was bragging up the 360 playing one of the tom clancy games and in 3 hrs of playing it froze up 4 times. Is that the next gen of gaming? and 3 weeks later it died and now is working on his 4th. It's selling far better then 360 did in its time frame with alot less games. Take a look at the 360 7 months into it's life if anyone remembers ... oooo yeah it's pretty superior lol

[Nodoze]

I own an original Xbox (Launch console STILL working to this day without a SINGLE issue), and I own a 360. A large portion of my friends have also purchased 360's based on their favorable experience with the original Xbox. Well all is not rosy in 360 land. Just taking this small sampling of people (15) there are only 3 people who have not experienced issues with the 360. Oddly enough the 3 who are not experiencing the issues all bought from the same store (Costco). I have had disk read errors, lockups, reboots, and now the red rings of death. If anyone is trying to say that I am a secret Sony fanboy read my posts...you will see that is not the case. I am however quite upset at the crap that Microsoft is passing off as a 'next gen' console. I love the games I own, but now that my console is nothing more than a chinese made doorstop, those games go unplayed.

For the post that mentioned being scared to play the 360, that is so true. Playing games on my 360 began to become 'when is it going to lock up next' sessions that robbed me of the enjoyment. If I were a game publisher on the 360, I would confront MS about this issue immediately. Why would I want an exclusive to be published on a console with a 30% + failure rate (I actually think the failure rate is much higher).

So to those who are having issues, I feel your pain as I am part of the red ring of death brigade. Here's to hoping that MS in their efforts to become profitable with the 360 have not devised a failing hardware platform into their cost structure. I for one can agree that at a 30% failure rate they would certainly become profitable if these people re-invested one half of the original consoles purchase price to simply use what they bought.

This issue is a key issue for all owners. To blindly state that this is being caused by moronic users who 'abuse' their product is lunacy. To the poster who stated that he has not had issues, I will warn that you will reap what you sow. You WILL have an issue, and perhaps then you will see the light (only at that point the light will be a triple red ring of death).

[rusgreim]

... I am the poster whos not had problems, and thats a fact.

I'd like to know where you keep your 360, how long you play it, how many other electronic components are running in the same cabinet, if you have children or pets who like to knock things over, and finally, whether or not you check your fan vents for dust and debris.

People act like their 360 is more akin to a an N64 that doesn't require any ventilation, as opposed to a PC that requires good ventilation and care.

I don't doubt that there is a flaw in the design of the 360 which makes it suceptible to stupid people and the abuses they put their consoles through, as opposed to a flaw which makes failure inevitable.

[SKullDugger]

I posted this once before a former MS employee that was a lead (he left to start his own software Co.)designer on the org. XBOX gave a interview to GAME-INFORMER He said the 360's cooling and motherboard had design flaws and the system would overheat and cause complete hardware failure and he felt MS was rushing the launch to beat SONY to market, He gave this interview in Dec. 2004.

[rusgreim]

Or are you (most likely) just making sh!t up?

Watch:

"The designer of the Waitstation 3 LOVED the George Foreman Grill so much that he decided that a game console should look just as awesome as a kitchen appliance. This was reported in a may 2006 edition of Game Inquisitor Magazine."

See its really easy when you don't have to provide actual proof. The thing is I'll admit mine is BULLSH!T. Lets see if you have the balls to provide a link or a retraction.

Otherwise, quit making sh!t up, droid.

[DJ]

You keep using the cliche' "Waitstation 3" phrase, which is a dead giveaway for your hatred of non-Microsoft products. We know that the Xbox 360 was heavily rushed in order to get a (what they believed to be) 6-month head start on the competition. Developers didn't even start to receive Beta kits until two months before launch, which is staggering.

We already know that the CPU was downgraded to reduce heat dissipation (L2 cache clock rate reduced to 1.6 GHz), and that Microsoft just added a 3rd heatsink to cool down the GPU. They won't admit overheating issues with the motherboard, but they just...randomly felt like adding a 3rd Heatsink? Hmm.

[PSTripleOG]

The 180 sucks, get over it heheheheheheheehehehehehehehe x x x x x
i love you all.

[tehcellownu]

MS will do nothin..they let our their 360 die first..

[M1am1U]

I absolutely love my 360. My launch system got the RROD when the HDD was seated. They replaced my system and it has worked wonderfully ever since. BUT, I really think Microsoft needs to own up to this problem. I don't care how much of a conspiracy theorist anyone is, this is far too big of a plot for any Sony fanboy group to cook up. The sooner Microsoft admits there is an issue and that they are working on a solution, the sooner they can save face. I'm sure there are alot of people that would be more likely to buy a 360 if they had the confidence that Microsoft is 100% behind their purchase. Microsoft just needs to grow a set and put this whole thing behind them.

[SKullDugger]

MS customer support is awful I called 2 times when had my 360, the person I spoke with could hardly speak english and really did not understand my problem end result no help or answers. I've called SONY twice regarding Firmware update and settings very helpful,spoke english and understood my request and responded with a answer in 4 mins. I hope for all 360 owners that MS will fix this issue, but I feel the quailty of products and workmanship in the 360 is sub-par

[M1am1U]

I have heard similar stories about Microsoft support. I can't say I've had the same experience. My experience was very quick and painless. The rep on the phone was easy to understand and didn't give me the run-around. Maybe that's out of the ordinary, I'm not sure.

[razer]

I always find it funny how whenever there is an article like this it's always overrun by lamer PS3tards.. If you don't have a system, why even comment here? Stop being children.

I own 2 360's, had them both over a year and never had any problems. My friends who own 360's have no issues. However I do think there are some batches that had issues MS is working to correct it.

They've improved the GPU connection to the mobo, extended the warranties and now are adding a second heat sync. Just because MS hasn't come out publicly and admitted an issue doesn't mean that they aren't doing something about it.

[SKullDugger]

MS knew about the cooling problem and how it would affect the GPU before they launched the system almost 2yrs later they are adding a 2nd heat sink to the GPU to try and stop the flood gates and YES they need to admit this to the PUBLIC the consumer is the one that buys their product and supports their console the consumer has a RIGHT to know!!

[kevin1122]

razer, why dont you actually read the comments before saying everyone who doesnt kiss microsoft's ass is a fanboy. If you read the comments you would notice they are mostly xbox owners commenting on their experiences with machine reliability.

[xsantorox]

I had my system break about a month ago while i was away at college and decided to wait until coming home for the summer to send it in because i have the 2 year service contract. I spent about a week and half on the phone and sending faxes just to settle my service contract because they never switched the serial number after doing a previous repair and sending me back someone else's refurbished system (which they aren't allowed to do). Finally got everything taken care of and told them they're not going to repair it, but send me a completely new console. I'm still waiting for the box to arrive so i can send it back and get my new one, but have been playing my younger brother in the meantime. Unfortunately that one got the red ring today and i had to call mircosoft. I was so outraged they asked me to please stop using the F-word, but i also asked to speak with a supervisor and demanded a new system and not a repair. According to microsoft i should be receiving 2 new consoles as soon as they receive my broken ones, but im still waiting on the boxes to come so i dont know how it will turn out. My advice to everyone is to talk to a supervisor and demand not a repair, but a completely new console and then go to BBB.COM and file a complaint against microsoft. They get enough demands for new consoles and enough complaints sent to the BBB they might think twice before they f*** strangers in the ass.

[Skynetone]

My friend had two break on him, hes know a happy ps3 owner

[xsantorox]

I've never been a real fan of those sneaky bastards at sony and haven't been to impressed by any of their systems since ps1. PS3 seems like a good console, but i don't want to shell out 600 bucks for features i don't want or need. But if everything doesn't turn out right with my current problem i might consider jumping ship.

[Maldread]

I feel sorry for all you guys who have to go through all this crap. I don`t own a 360 myself so i can`t share from personal experience with the console, but i guess it`s a problem which won`t go away for Microsoft. It seems like they are trying to fix it with the new cooling system which is good, but i honestly think they should give people a free repair with the console being so young as it is. That you have to buy a warranty should be unnecessary. A console should at least 3 years, if you ask me. Regardless if it`s Mircosoft, Sony or Nintendo who makes it.

At least i got my PS2 fixed for free, when it broke after about 2,5 years, even though it broke down again after some time, so i had to buy the slim PS2. I know a lot of friends who had to change their PS2 at least one time, so the PS2 was not without it`s flaws either. Still, i would advice anyone with a red-lighted 360, to demand it fixed without cost (if you havn`t managed to spill milk over it yourself or something) and don`t give up before Microsoft does.

[BitbyDeath]

There sure is a lot of denial going on in this thread.

I'm sure everyone who's having problems can supply there Live account names to prove they are not lying.

I only know two people who have bought them here in Australia, both of them have had their's break. But it's only happend the one time so they've both paid to get it fixed.

I know the ones in denial won't take my word for it but i'm just saying i know it's going on so put away your tin foil hats, this is no Sony conspiracy.

[cookiemonster]

lets be honest and stop whining.

1.)they improved warranty plan which cover launch consoles
2.)they're installing extra heatsinks
3.)65nm as soon as they can get it out
4.)people have nagged the managers to death about this issue

without calling a recall what more can a company reasonably do?

[XxZxX]

let's be honest about the stop whining thingie.

If User don't whine, Microsoft can easily ignore it and get away with it which the extra step that Microsoft did would never exists in the first place.

I think broken XBOX360 owners should be given a new XBOX 360 not a refurbished one. That's when the problem begin. The sh|t keep cycling and burnt owners will keep getting sh|t while lucky users 360's will never spoil.

[PortableCow]

I'm on Xbox 360 #3 and I haven't done anything to break my previous 2. It is the result of poor thermal management by the system designer. I like my Xbox 360 but I've contemplated going to PS3 because im tired of dealing with all the hw problems the 360 has. I'm just going to have to donate a lot of plasma to save up enough money to buy one.

[BIadestarX]

pm me... I'm interested of getting another one.... once you get it fix... that would get you closer to how much you need to buy a PS3.
Seriously... Let me know.. I can pay you through paypal or something... by the way.. what's the condition.. outside... any pictures?

[FullyLoaded420]

I can trade you my PS3...
mind you though...it has 7 months worth of dust on it. I havent touched it since playing this one game called Resistance...Its about some bald guy that doesnt talk...maybe hes a mime?? I dunno..anyways...you can blowup alot of stuff!! except for these wooden crates...but thats another story...
but yeah, its a great machine, it can play bluray movies, free online.....well, not all games, but beggars cant be choosers can day?? lol!! anyways...it can also play ps1 and ps2 games!! can u believe that?!!...but...U just gotta squint a little to make the blurry visuals cleaner...TRY IT, IT WORKS!! so yeah...let me know if u wanna trade!! BUT LET ME WARN YOU!! Theres ONE PROBLEM!! It keeps telling me to "WAIT"...
Ive asked my friends about it because they are BIG SONY Cheerleaders...er, i mean FANS...and they also tell me to "WAIT"....
wait for this, wait for that....wait ten years...
other than that...IT WORKS GREAT!! so my loss is your gain...PM ME!! I'll get back to you as soon as im done playing DiRT, Warlord, Flatout Ultimate Carnage, The Darkness, and Forza 2. LET ME KNOW K??

[Bloodmask]

and put and end to this Red ring of death. We will load all of the problemed 360s into trains. Then we must ship them off to the concentration camps.

[Black Republican]

IMO I can agree as a consumer that Microsoft should admit or explain why the X360 has so many problems.
And in my business point of view well let's just think logically;

"Hello I am speaking on behalf of the X360 and our console does have a hardware problem" <--- does anyone here think that this statement will keep ppl buying the x360???

If Microsoft did admit that the x360 has a serious flaw, that would be stupid, even if it was true or not.

PPL refuse to buy an xbox360 because of all the problems they have read about or heard about. If Microsoft did admit a problem it would kill them and it would be a poor decision.
Then again it was also a bad decision to release a console with unreliable hardware!!!!.

[makingdamage]

Why isn´t 4 red lights? And why did Ms include the "3 rings", did they expect the hardware to break?