xBox 360: Red Rings of Death
For the last week or so I've been getting a lot of oddities with my xBox 360 console. For example, it takes 20-30 seconds to boot up, it usually sits at the startup screen for that time period. Previous to the spring 07 update it would load up much faster. While some of my friends claim that they've noticed it taking longer then before to load, they say it's nothing like the times I am getting. Maybe a few seconds longer if that.
Another issue I've had is when I start the console up it makes this terrible noise. It sounds like it's coming from the optical drive but I am, not 100% sure about that. The optical drive sounds normal when it's being used.
My xBox tends to freeze and lock up quite often and sometimes it locks up on startup. This usually happens when I do not have the fan turned on (I have a little desk fan I keep pointed on it), so I think this issue stems from overheating issues. See this image.
The last and final issue, but probably the worst is that I am getting the red rings of death. This issue has caused Microsoft to extend the warranty of the console for 3 years. Sounds great to me!
Tonight I actually called them and within 10 minutes I was told a pre-paid box was being shipped to me. According to the rep who I talked to, it would take about 3-4 weeks for the whole process to be complete and for me to have a "repaired" unit. Fortunately I have a backup unit and it's possible I might just go buy another one and sell this dead unit (soon to be repaired) on eBay. I was quite impressed with how easy the process was...
Speaking of things that are breaking...my driving wheel is getting recalled because of some power and over heating issues.
Well, at least Microsoft is making this whole process relatively easy!
Update: Well today at 12:40PM I got my xBox 360 back from Microsoft. I actually got a call last night from UPS telling me that I was to expect a package from Microsoft the next day (Monday, today). At least they let me know when it was coming, cause it required a signature for delivery.
So I thought they might just replace the whole unit, but after talking to a few people it looked like they would re-do the cooling system so that the xBox properly cooled itself. Either way, I didn't really care, so long as it worked.
It does appear as if they've fixed that instead of replacing the entire unit. It's been up and running (downloading a Need for Speed demo) for about 15 minutes now, and it's not glitching or red ringing. I'll have to start playing the game to really get it heated up and see if it craps out.
I did get a 1 month LIVE card in the box. This might be the first good thing Microsoft has ever done for me. It was SO easy. It didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would take, and it came back working wonderfully (hopefully).
Time for some Halo 3 and Gears of War!! Army of Two and Call of Duty 4 in a week!
