Original Xbox lifespan?

From my personal experience, the original XBOX is a very well built, reliable system. While I do not own my original XBOX console that I bought back in 2003, I have a friend who has his from launch and it still works great. The only XBOX that I recall ever breaking was one owned by my little brother, however he tried doing a firmware hack and killed his XBOX after being unsuccessful at this.

Don't know, but I'm on my second Xbox so far. My original one that I got in May 2002 died a horrible death after it got clogged up with carpet fibers and started sparking and smoking. I replaced it in 2003 and still play it. It also has a sticky DVD drive and requires a light tap to come out. However, I recently had to purchase a new laser lens since mine is having trouble reading discs that are in flawless condition. I guess opening the Xbox up, dusting it out, and cleaning the lens just wasn't enough :\

The original Xbox is a great, reliable system, built like a tank. I've never had a memory issue with mine, had it since 2007. I don't play it much anymore as I bought a 360 in February, but I'm starting to get back into it as all of my old save files are on it and it still works great, and I've done everything terrible a person can do to a system.

I've spilled water and OJ onto it (multiple times), though thankfully it was off all but one of those times. I've dropped it on the floor and down a flight of stairs, I've dropped things on it, I've left it on for MONTHS at a time... it's my one console I didn't take great care of, but it's still chugging along with no issues.

I'd put a long lifespan onto your Xbox if you took good care of it.

I've had mine since 2004 I think. And It works great, I play it pretty often. The only problem (apart from a dodgy DVD drive) is that the power button just stopped working, so now I have to yank out the cord to turn it off (or turn off the powerstrip).

No memory issues at all.

I have a launch Xbox that still works great. I've taken great care of it though, but have issues with disk-read errors sometimes.

Agree- the original XBox is more reliable than the 360 that would replace it. In the long run, at least if the current treends are to continue, there will be emulators and legit downloads of the games on whatever the current console at the time everyone's playing. The good news about the video game industry is that, unlike the hardware, games don't ever really die.

the only issue i've had with my original Xbox is the controllers. They have issues where the wires are coming apart at the controller. but other than that, the thing is built like a tank. only if the xbox360 was built as well.....

dont worry, i have 2 xboxs from 2004- late 2003 , and 1 from 2002 the one from 2002 due to constant use the disc drive needs cleaning other then that it works, and the other 2 work flawlessly , same ofr one i bought used at a pawn , not sure when that one was bought originally so ya i also have one from 2005