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Xbox 360 red ring of death: six steps to prevent your Xbox 360 from dying

With Microsoft's Xbox 360 one of the leaders in the current console race, it's a shame to hear more and more reports of systems overheating, or suffering from the fatal "Red Ring of Death." Collectively, the GamePro editors have lived through six or seven Xbox 360 failures, and the wait to get a replacement can be frustration, especially considering that the Xbox 360's library of great games continues to grow.

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pcworld.idg.com.au

bob200 - contributor
Published: 225 days 23 hours ago | Article | Xbox 360

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1 SasanovaS777 | 226 days ago - deleted by mod -

1.1 Fan Tastic | 225 days 22 hours ago - deleted by mod -

1.2 OmarJA | 225 days 22 hours ago - deleted by mod -

1.3 blueshirt7749 | 225 days 22 hours ago - deleted by mod -

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KionicWarlord222 - 226 days ago

2 -

step two and three,should be done often.

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y0haN - 225 days 9 hours ago

2.1 -

Step 1... rofl I know a guy who puts his on his carpet after use to "cool it down quicker", I told him he's an idiot..

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divideby0 - 225 days 23 hours ago

3 -

"failure rates are within industry standards"

I will never forget MS openly lying

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Fox01 - 225 days 23 hours ago

3.1 -

Keep it in your pants

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divideby0 - 225 days 23 hours ago

3.2 -

disagreeing with the truth....amazing..lol

or if you dont think MS lied it makes it worse, they than plead to complete incompetence about knowing what they are making and selling

and they knew about the hardware woes..they are to smart a company

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IMAMABEAR - 225 days 23 hours ago

4 - true story

when I had an Xbox 360 I kept reading about how they get the red ring of death and stuff but didnt think much of it until I got it. Then I sold it and bought a ps3 and Wii. I then broke the Wii a few months later. THE END

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5 xlx-russ_92 | 225 days 23 hours ago - deleted by mod -

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darkride66 - 225 days 23 hours ago

5.1 - Yeah, can't say I didn't see this one coming.

If it wasn't you, it would have been me. :)

As for the article. Wow. Just...wow. Buy a newer Xbox 360. Thanks for that little pearl of wisdom.

I followed all their rules (except for buy a new 360 or don't play it. Why would I buy a console I couldn't play? Oh, that's right, because MS lied about it at first and tricked me) and yet I'm still on my 4th console, and the 4th console replacement they sent me is older than the unit it replaced.

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Fox01 - 225 days 23 hours ago

6 -

Step 1 - Put it in a fridge.

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Spolodaface - 225 days 23 hours ago

7 -

Who's gonna be the first to say "Buy a PS3"?

Bugger, it was me. And I don't even own a PS3. Oh well.

-

EDIT: Don't disagree with me guys, I own a 360 and was just kidding cause of all the fanboys on here. Jeez.

Also, to add something productive to the discussion, i'd just suck it up and wait for a replacement - cause once your warranty runs out, it's guaranteed to break within a couple of months. Try and get as many replacements as possible to get newer machines with longer life-spans otherwise you're just delaying the inevitable.

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darkride66 - 225 days 22 hours ago

7.1 - No guarantee that'll work.

Like I mentioned above, my 4th console MS sent me was actually older than the console it replaced. Didn't exactly instill me with feelings of confidence.
By this time I'd pretty much given up, though. After console #3 went on me I decided enough was enough. What's the point of buying the bulk of your games on a console that you have to go without for a month and a half every single year. I canceled my XBL and my PS3 became my console of choice from that point forwards. MS actually forced my hand on that one...I was totally behind the 360 before this.

But anyway! I don't want to go on. The internet is just about filled up with one of two things: porn and stories of failed 360's. I don't need to add my complete storey again.

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Bumpmapping - 225 days 23 hours ago

8 -

Step 3 buy all 360 games on PC

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aldesko - 225 days 13 hours ago

8.1 -

or PS3

OH SNAP!

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RivenX3i - 225 days 6 hours ago

8.2 - Yea...

Buy all 360 games on PS3...

?

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aldesko - 223 days 1 hour ago

8.3 -

All except Gears/Halo/Fable, yes..

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Chug - 225 days 23 hours ago

9 - BS

The only steps that should have been taken is MS releasing a reliable product.

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10 San Frandisco | 225 days 23 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show

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Xwow2008 - 225 days 23 hours ago

11 - qoute:(6. Buy a newer model)

spending money(old x360 owners) 2 buy a new 1 while they have their old 1 is not something that will prevent it from RRod,
also newer models have a lower chance for rrod its not completely gone.

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truehunter - 225 days 23 hours ago

12 -

Dam now theres a Faqs for these type of stuff on 360. Shoot i thought my Heart Problem needed steps but 360 seems to be more effected then me.

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maverick1191 - 225 days 23 hours ago

13 -

another step never turn your xbox on you'll never get RROD doing that lol

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aldesko - 225 days 13 hours ago

13.1 -

I've been doing that for about 6 months and it's working great!

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OSIRUSSS - 225 days 23 hours ago

14 - qoute:(6. Buy a newer model)

HAHAHA!!! Yeah, buy a new model RRoD occurrences are down. But then you are introduced to E74 error.

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Xwow2008 - 225 days 22 hours ago

14.1 - lol

bubble + :)))

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maverick1191 - 225 days 22 hours ago

15 -

step 5

"In its standard vertical configuration, the Xbox 360's bottom vent is actually blocked."

how embarrassing is that clearly MS havent done there homework on making this console can tell its so rushed no wonder everyone gets RROD

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MmaFanQc - 225 days 22 hours ago

16 - huh

six steps to prevent HARDWARES FLAWS?

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HDgamer - 225 days 22 hours ago

17 -

So after we go through all these steps, we end up buying a new one according to this website? Thats way too much to have the console, why can't we just play games without those troubles.

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W S K - 225 days 22 hours ago

18 - NO!!! NOT AGAIN!!! -_- it keeps coming over and over again...

I know how this is gonna end
i mean...ITS ALWAYS THE SAME
some people are to predictable

"step 1 - buy a ps3"
Yeah... what an intelligent comment!!! *applause*
but then... i think that some people are better of that way. if you know what i mean ;-)

anyway...
i dont think that any of these "so called" tipps are usefull.
if it breaks just send it in for repair....THATS IT!!!

i just hope that this is not gonna happen to the next Xbox (then i swear to god i will NEVER EVER buy an Microsoft product again...BELIEVE ME!!! take me by my word)

mistakes can happen...
but in my eyes its your JOB as a company to solve it.
Not only as fast as you can but also so that your brand isnt loosing its credibility... if microsoft ever got any of that ;-)
(gamers do remember A LOT!)
in THIS case my patience is strechted way to far
(but thats a another story ;-) )

P.S: i think that step six is the most used out of it all
because almost EVERYONE buys a newer model instead of shipping the faulty one in for repair.

I would also buy myself a newer model (maybe the red RE5 one)
but then.... i think i have the right to get an working console....
so....i dont want to spend another 250 euros for the hope to get an actual working console.... thats retarded.

PLEASE MICROSOFT!!! WORK THIS SORT OF "PROBLEMS" OUT!!! PLEASE GET IT RIGHT!!! JUST FOR ONCE!!!

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djpolofish - 225 days 21 hours ago

18.1 -

why should they change they are making money out of it now, anyone who complains about the 360's problems only has themselves to blame. You knew about its problems so why buy one.

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aldesko - 225 days 13 hours ago

18.2 - ^^^

People who bought the 360 at launch didn't know.

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PELVIC THRUST ACTION - 225 days 22 hours ago

19 -

The 360 is like Max Payne's game mode DEAD ON ARRIVAL. My cousin had his 3rd 360 die instantly the moment he got it back from repairs. Me unlike most people tossed it after the first RRoD. At the time, Microsoft gave a GENEROUS 90 day warranty and told me to spend 250 to repair it. NO THANK YOU was the only thing I said and I got rid of it. Got a PS3 and I've been happy ever since. 360 exclusives I can play on the pc. Real exclusives, I can play on the PS3.

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HDgamer - 225 days 22 hours ago

19.1 -

can you play those in the open zone please?

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darkride66 - 225 days 22 hours ago

19.2 - I played that little game, twice.

MS charged me $170 for my first RROD, $170 for my second - both died within the first year of owning the console. I had already spent $450 for the console, extra controllers, wi-fi, charge and play kits, XBL, I was mad but I wasn't just going to flush that investment away.

Eventually, MS refunded both those $170 fees to me but that took almost an entire extra year after they extended their warranty, and then I had to fight with them for hours. They, apparently, had no record of the first two repairs and it ultimately I had to fax them copies of my Visa statement and show them where they had taken money from me before they would give it back. The whole thing was exhausting!
And then I my 3rd console started eating disks, which isn't covered under the 3 year warranty and refused to take it back despite the fact they had just sent it to me 3 weeks prior. This was just over the one year mark of owning the console. Thankfully I had shelled out an extra $75 for an extended warranty at this point.
My 4th console doesn't see much play time.

Edit @ HDgamer: The article is about 360 owners and RROD. We're 360 owners talking about RROD. Why would we go to the open zone? The guy's obviously come to the same conclusion as many other 360 sufferers have.

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MetalProxy - 225 days 22 hours ago

20 - ARGH

My POS 360 died on me last night. Its doing that RROD thing that I thought wouldnt happen to me. I just bought StarOcean with my tax returns(sigh). Now I have to send the stupid xbox in. Iam soooo ****ing pissed off. Sure glad I have a PS3 and preffer using it.

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CellFish - 225 days 22 hours ago

21 -

Actually, there's only one effective step to preventing the RROD : never plug the XBOX 360 in. I have spent 4 years of my life defending Microsoft and its crappy little console because it does, ESSENTIALLY, give you the greatest gaming experience. However, let's face it : it's a suicidal piece of crap. The sooner we acknowledge it, the sooner we get over it. To any PS3 fanboy though : don't take this as me saying that the PS3 is any better. Sony's pretty system has a problem of its own in the YLOD. Sure, it's not epidemic (apparently) but spend a little time on playstation.com's own forums and you'll notice that a ton of people are getting the YLOD (that is a combination of problems) or a Blu-Ray drive death. These fantastic consoles are BOTH capable of dying on us at any time so there's no point in being a fanboy.

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aldesko - 225 days 13 hours ago

21.1 -

If YLOD was anywhere near as bad as RROD the media would be saying something.

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KionicWarlord222 - 225 days 22 hours ago

22 -

arent people suppose to be talking about article? not making up reasons to hate the xbox 360.

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PELVIC THRUST ACTION - 225 days 22 hours ago

22.1 -

I don't know. Something about getting the 360 in early 2006 then having it break down four months after purchase and them having the gall to tell me that it's my fault it broke seems to have embittered me to the Xbox brand. And this is from someone who liked the original xbox a bit more then the PS2 as it had those sweet action games and the awesome Duke controller.

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DARK WITNESS - 225 days 22 hours ago

23 -

well, i don't know about the rest... i just keep mine clean and well ventilated, never had any problems with it. My original launch system RROD on me, but that was after about 8-9 months. since then, no probs. I play on it everyday and most of the time i play more then 3- 4 hours without a break. Weekend i can have it on from 8 - 9pm till 3- 4am, sometimes longer.

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Shbzshar - 225 days 22 hours ago

23.1 -

its been ayear since i've had mine and i try not to use for more 3 hrs a day... keep it horizontal .. have an ac pointed at it.. no probs ... yet

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DARK WITNESS - 225 days 22 hours ago

23.2 -

to be honest it has never crossed my mind to count the no of hours i play on it.

I know how many i have done cos i useually check the time when i finish. so for example, i like playing cod4 alot at the weekends, on a normally friday night i switch it on when i get back from work ( about 7-7.30pm).

i may watch a film or listen to music first, but by 10pm i am usually playing a game and thats it, i loose track of time, till i am so tired i can't keep my eyes open ( usually about 3.30-4.30am ). i don't consciously say to myself, right i am going to play this till such and such time because i have to play for no more then 2 - 3 hours cos i am worried about RROD.

I don't deny it's a problem. in contrast to they way i keep mine, my brother who plays and spends the same sort of hours on his 360 as i do, keeps his 360 under a pile of clothes half the time and right in the corner of his room. he has had RROD about 3 times now. he has sent his to M$ twice.

I would really like to know the sort of conditions people keep their 360's in, especially people who have gone through 6 -7 of them as some people say they have.

Still that being said, people should not need to worry about it as much as they do and in the end its a shame M$ made such a bad decision with the design and tried to cut all these corners to save costs. In the end i think it has cost them more then just the money side of it.

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lowcarb - 225 days 22 hours ago

24 -

Well I'm getting two red lights and MS customer service expects me to pay 100 dollars. I would pay it but I'm feeling ripped since I haven't even had the thing for longer than a year. Ms needs to man up and either recall these things or refund our money so we can get new ones. It's just crazy how this issue is still unanswered with over heating. I swear if 360 didn't have the games i like and live that I would jump ship.

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PELVIC THRUST ACTION - 225 days 22 hours ago

24.1 -

You do have to keep in mind you aren't stuck on the 360. You can play most of the 360 exclusives on the PC and for the most part, the games are on the PS3 also. The thing keeping you tied to the 360 is that you use it very much like a cheap gaming pc which is essentially what the 360 is.

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KionicWarlord222 - 225 days 22 hours ago

24.2 -

its less then a 100 dollars.

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Pennywise - 225 days 21 hours ago

24.3 -

They should pay your for all the blind support you have given their company!

Jokes aside, sorry about your luck. Sucks to lose a console for a few weeks when you love to game.

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lowcarb - 225 days 20 hours ago

24.4 -

Thanks for the replies guys, and yes it does suck.

edit kionic: Well they told me 100 over the phone. I don't see why I should have to pay anything to be honest.

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Pennywise - 225 days 20 hours ago

24.5 -

lowcarb, just email them a link to your comment history. That has to count for something!!

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Bumpmapping - 225 days 23 hours ago

1 - especially considering that the Xbox 360's library of great games continues to grow.

what games?!

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Razzy - 225 days 4 hours ago

1.1 -

Step 1...don't buy the 360.

Step 2-6...repeat step 1.

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2 L4D | 225 days 23 hours ago - comment has been reported as SPAM -

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OmarJA - 225 days 22 hours ago

2.1 -

In other words, your telling people to keep wasting money on the same broken cheap hardware again & again instead of buying a reliable hardware ?...

You my friend are retard.

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PELVIC THRUST ACTION - 225 days 22 hours ago

2.2 -

You sound like a brainwashed slave. MAH SYSTEM RED RINGED AGAIN. OH YES MASSA I"LL BUY ANOTHER ONE FULL PRICE. WARRANTY? WOULDN"T DREAM OF IT MASSAH.

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maverick1191 - 225 days 23 hours ago

3 -

yes because people can really afford to buy another 360 when it breaks and then breaks again and again and again etc everyone knows when you buy your 360 it will RROD eventually and it will have to fork out more money for another console i know people that are on there 5th 360 seems pointless you might aswell buy a gaming PC or a PS3 far more reliable and L4D your so sad saying that you PP fan

oh and another step to help prevent RROD is just by not turning the console on my mate tapped his 360 on the side because it froze and it RROD lmao its the most unreliable console ever

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3.1 L4D | 225 days 22 hours ago - comment has been reported as SPAM -

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Kratos19 - 225 days 22 hours ago

4 -

Emjoy your Red Ring Of FLOP, Xbots.

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maverick1191 - 225 days 22 hours ago

5 -

step 5

"In its standard vertical configuration, the Xbox 360's bottom vent is actually blocked."

how embarrassing is that clearly MS havent done there homework on making this console can tell its so rushed no wonder everyone gets RROD

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maverick1191 - 225 days 22 hours ago

6 -

L4D doesnt take the truth to kindly

want a tissue?

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Magic_The_Celt - 225 days 22 hours ago

7 -

Its sad and pathetic i have to look at this out of fear of my console dying..

What went so wrong microsoft?

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ultimolu - 225 days 21 hours ago

7.1 -

When you rush to be first instead of taking your time, that's what happens.

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Obama - 225 days 20 hours ago

7.2 -

and it's disgusting as to how MS knew about the problem before launching the console...but did it anyways to get ahead of its competition.

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Sir Ken_Kutaragi - 225 days 22 hours ago

8 - '6 Steps' to a better Life;)

Step 1 - Put the RRoD(xBox 360)in a bag
Step 2 - Take to Bridge
Step 3 - Throw off Bridge
Step 4 - Go to Games Shop
Step 5 - Buy a PS3;)
Step 6 - Take HOME(TM SONY)and Enjoy TRUE NEXT-GEN Gaming!!! ;-P

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Obama - 225 days 20 hours ago

9 -

The 360 is like McDonald, and the bots are like the obese consumers who will keep eating these unhealthy food everyday despite the fact that it has nearly killed them serveral times.

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Bumpmapping - 225 days 14 hours ago

10 -

360 fans=Sheep

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Droid Control - 225 days 9 hours ago

11 - frak the RRoD!

How do you prevent the things from sounding like an aircraft taking off? How do you prevent it from scratching discs?

And how do you get it to play next generation blu-ray movies???
(keeps saying unreadable disc!)

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cpt_kaos - 225 days 9 hours ago

12 -

What about Step 7.......... Don't buy one in the first place.

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omgwownoobs - 225 days 4 hours ago

13 - my modded 360 rroded and i just bought the damn thing wtf!

=[

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