Microsoft's Response To The Xbox Failure Rate

When the console launched, Microsoft’s official failure rate for the console was 3% - 5%. However, despite further tests being done, Microsoft did not actually send out a new failure rate.

However, on July the 5th, Microsoft decided to extend the standard one-year warranty of their Xbox consoles to three years, but you could only claim in this three year period if your Xbox had the Red Ring of Death error. This is a huge lifesaver for everyone, knowing they can get their console fixed for free, when otherwise it would cost you over $150.

 Microsoft was actually interviewed on the RROD issue, and an Xbox console was taken apart. The reasons that they found for the faults, from the interview and the console was that it was due to system design, parts supply, material reliability and manufacturing issues - As well as the Xbox not being very tolerable to faults.

These faults were alleged to be the end result of bad decisions in Microsoft, mainly to help keep costs down. Another source claimed that in one of the test runs, only 32% of the Xbox's tested ran properly. That means that 68 out of every 100 units would get the error - A HUGE failure rate!

Towel Trick - Your Opinion

Hello readers! You may have read my earlier post on the towel trick, and how I thought that it was a bad idea. Well, I have got some quotes from people who have tried the towel trick, and have had varied results.

“Warning it will work but after u do this your xbox will turn off everytime it gets hot which is about every 10mins so ya good luck” - armando1499

“99% of the times you get rrod is because the solder has lost connection either in cpu or gpu. baking the xbox in towels will actually melt the solder so a new connection is made. however personally i dont recommend baking the xbox in towels (fire hazard). disabeling the fans will work much better and it will go much faster”. - poosarri

“It still boggles my mind that this actually worked last night on my friends 360. He had 4 red lights of doom, the first time he tried the towel trick he got on and played for about 20 minutes, then froze up then BOOM back to the red lights, actually only 3 red lights this time. Tried the Towel trick again, green light comes back on. He played for hours and hours and did not see the RED LIGHTS OF DOOM AGAIN! Thanks to who ever thought of this!”  - Anon

“I was desperate to get my 360 running, so I gave it a shot, as I also had the TRLoD (Three Red Lights Of Death). I honestly think the problem has to do with one of the case fans not spooling up fast enough -- it makes a different noise when malfunctioning. Yes, it's hokey and appears to be internet giberrish, but honest-to-goodness, it worked on my 360 (1st gen). It dies after prolonged use (1hr watching a DVD movie on it) and the fan makes funny noise again. I wish I could've had a camera on my face when it powered up successfully after doing the trick (what was I going to do, break it?)... my jaw dropped, and I said loudly "I don't f****** believe it." I wrapped mine in a fleece blanket (towels were in the wash), and let 'er sit for 20 minutes while I played Wii and PS3 (I wasn't sure if something would burst into flames, so I watched it). }=) It didn't auto-shutdown, so I tried it anyway, and it worked. Today, back to the TRLoD, but I know how to resurrect it. I nearly bought a replacement, and then heard about the HDMI version of the 360... I wonder how long this puppy will last.” - Anon

“The towel trick is only a temporary fix for the xbox 360 and if it does work it will only do so for a couple of hours or days then you have to do it again and again... This can in fact further damage your 360” - patkaa

“all we hear about is the 360 and its overheating issues...and you want me to overheat it on purpose!?! WTF?” - GregTheHammer

Does The Xbox Slim Scratch Discs

EDIT: Just a short update today, some of you have been bugging me about this.

As I stated in a recent post, it has been found by BBC watchdog that the Xbox 360 often scratches the discs when it is moved, even slightly.

However, I didn’t state what happened to the Xbox Slim when it was put through the same “Shake Test” as the older console. So I am pleased to say here that the Xbox Slim “passed the shake test with flying colours” Thank god, the Xbox doesn’t need much more bad reputation!

Microsoft's Own Console Fails

This must have been very embarrassing for Microsoft, their own model on display suffering from the Red Ring of Death.

George Brouwer - Xbox Scratched Discs Lawsuit

Microsoft has had a lawsuit filed against them by Jorge Brouwer, a man in Florida, who claims that his two games - Gears of War and Madden NFL 07, were scratched by his Xbox 360. The scratches were completely circular, so this wasn’t a case of not looking after the discs. In the lawsuit, Brouwer seeks class action status, claiming that the Xbox 360 scratches millions of discs, and pays to get them fixed.

Microsoft denies this claim, with a Microsoft spokesman said this: "Out of the millions of Xbox consoles in use, Microsoft has not received any widespread reports of Xbox 360s scratching discs," said spokesman Jack Evans

One reason why the Xbox may have scratched Brouwer’s disks is because he tilted the Xbox 360 while there was a disc inside it (An action warned against by Microsoft, there is even a sticker on the console). However, Brouwer denied this allegation against him, saying that he had not moved the machine at all while any disc was inside the machine.

Brouwer may have had some sense though, as some people have also reported scratched disks. For example, GameFly sent out reports to customers warning them against moving the console, as the console scratched disks very easily when moved, even slightly.

Does The Xbox 360 Scratch Discs

There have been many reports of a new problem with the Xbox 360, and this time, it’s not the Red Ring of Death. The new issue that is being investigated deals with a problem with the Xbox 360 disk drive, which seems to malfunction. Microsoft does warn against this, as there is a sticker asking users not to pick up the console when it has a disk in. However, some discs are getting scratched, even when the console is not being jarred - And Microsoft refuse to replace discs.

The BBC watchdog even did an episode on this, here’s one of their stories -

“The Monaghans are a family of seven - mum, dad and five daughters. Dad, Robert, wanted an activity the whole family could enjoy and so he decided to buy an Xbox 360 along with the game Rock Band.

The family enjoyed playing together, until only a few weeks later when the music came to a sudden stop. The console was displaying a disc read error and, when inspected, they found a large circular scratch along the surface of the disc. Robert wasn't pleased and thought the girls had done something wrong, so he put the Xbox away as a punishment.

When the Monaghan's eldest daughter, Alana, turned 11 they decided to buy a new game and put the family band back together. This time they bought Guitar Hero: World Tour but after only an hour and half of play they discovered the disc had been scratched and ruined again. This time Robert knew it wasn't his daughters and he called Microsoft.

Again Microsoft denied responsibility, telling the family it was their fault and that they'd not be replacing the games. The family were furious and adamant that the console had not been touched while the game was playing. The Xbox was taken away to be looked at and the Monaghan's were left without their console.”

Source - http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2009/03/xbox_360.html

Watchdog also conducted further tests on both the Xbox Slim and the older Xenon Generation console. The results were that they both worked fine when completely stationary, but they failed when they simulated someone putting a book next to the console, the older console failed.

In my opinion, this is something Microsoft definitely needs to take a look at. There are more and more complaints every day about this problem.

Have You Had The Red Ring of The Death?

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