My Experience with the "Red Ring of Death"

I got my Xbox 360 on November 12, 2006. I had not even gotten my first job at that time, so it was a major purchase for me. It worked till about mid-February. Then I got the red ring of death, and immediately tried to figure out what was wrong, but I couldn't. I thought I was out of the warranty period, but unbeknownst to me, Microsoft had extended the warranty period to a full year instead of 90 days. When I called, I did get someone whose command of English was limited, but I still was able to get them to send me a box to mail the Xbox back for repair. I got the box about a week later, and it said Cliff instead of Chris, but this was no obstacle. I sent the Xbox out and they returned it to me (mine, not a totally new console, could tell by slight scuff it had when i sent it out)fully functional in about 3 weeks. I have had no problems with my Xbox since, so I don't worry about it any more.

I see a lot of PS3fanboys making gross generalizations and arguing based anecdotal evidence, i.e.horror stories, but my experience was much more positive. The total time I personally spent resolving the problem (including self-troubleshooting, phone calls, unplugging, boxing, unboxing, hooking it up, etc.) was less than 1.5 hours. By comparison with the great games I've played, this issue is insignificant.

I'm tired of seeing "but teh hardware failures" threads that ignore the complexity of the issue (the actual failure rates, the extension of the warranty, prevelance of problems on older consoles, etc.)Those TCs are trolls who are merely trying to distract from their ownsystem's inadequacies.

though it may not be as bad as some make it out to be, i still find about a 33% failure rate unacceptable. i mean that 1 out of every 3. its sux that you have to send it back and wait 3 weeks to get it back. lol i can imagine a the halo fan loading up halo3 for the 1st time and the rings show up. CHAOS!!!!

I've had my 360 since last November, and so far have had no serious problems. But even if I had, I've got THREE years on the warranty for red light-related issues. How can you not feel confident in a system if you know you'll have a working system at least for the first 3 years???

I've had my 360 since last November, and so far have had no serious problems. But even if I had, I've got THREE years on the warranty for red light-related issues. How can you not feel confident in a system if you know you'll have a working system at least for the first 3 years???

SeanBond

That three year warranty is valid only if they can re-produce the RROD, otherwise, say even if your 360 stop's giving you V/A output, or your disc-tray won't open, but you don't have the RROD, you're high-and-dry and have to pay for repairs yourself.

I said that the TCs were trying to distract from their console's inadequacies, not PS3 fanboys. Sheep and hermits are also perfectly capable of trolling.

Also, your deluding yourself if you think that the PS3 has only one problem. Every system has at least 4-5 major identifiable weaknesses when compared with the other three, Xbox 360 included.

[QUOTE="SeanBond"]

I've had my 360 since last November, and so far have had no serious problems. But even if I had, I've got THREE years on the warranty for red light-related issues. How can you not feel confident in a system if you know you'll have a working system at least for the first 3 years???

AnFangs_Endes

That three year warranty is valid only if they can re-produce the RROD, otherwise, say even if your 360 stop's giving you V/A output, or your disc-tray won't open, but you don't have the RROD, you're high-and-dry and have to pay for repairs yourself.

Unless you bought a warranty like me.

[QUOTE="AnFangs_Endes"][QUOTE="SeanBond"]

I've had my 360 since last November, and so far have had no serious problems. But even if I had, I've got THREE years on the warranty for red light-related issues. How can you not feel confident in a system if you know you'll have a working system at least for the first 3 years???

ProductNumber49

That three year warranty is valid only if they can re-produce the RROD, otherwise, say even if your 360 stop's giving you V/A output, or your disc-tray won't open, but you don't have the RROD, you're high-and-dry and have to pay for repairs yourself.

Unless you bought a warranty like me.

Ya for spending money for something that Idealy you shouldn't need.

I honestly want a Xbox 360[or a PS3]for EA's Skate. The RRoD appears to bea major issue amongst many people. I personally only know one person(mys sister's boyfriend) who's refurbished Xbox 360 caught a side of hardware failure. He's going to purchase another Xbox 360.

[QUOTE="SeanBond"]

I've had my 360 since last November, and so far have had no serious problems. But even if I had, I've got THREE years on the warranty for red light-related issues. How can you not feel confident in a system if you know you'll have a working system at least for the first 3 years???

AnFangs_Endes

That three year warranty is valid only if they can re-produce the RROD, otherwise, say even if your 360 stop's giving you V/A output, or your disc-tray won't open, but you don't have the RROD, you're high-and-dry and have to pay for repairs yourself.

[QUOTE="ProductNumber49"][QUOTE="AnFangs_Endes"][QUOTE="SeanBond"]

I've had my 360 since last November, and so far have had no serious problems. But even if I had, I've got THREE years on the warranty for red light-related issues. How can you not feel confident in a system if you know you'll have a working system at least for the first 3 years???

GundamGuy0

That three year warranty is valid only if they can re-produce the RROD, otherwise, say even if your 360 stop's giving you V/A output, or your disc-tray won't open, but you don't have the RROD, you're high-and-dry and have to pay for repairs yourself.

Unless you bought a warranty like me.

Ya for spending money for something that Idealy you shouldn't need.

Ok Sure Captain Obvious :P

ok so the 3 year warranty is only for RROD...

others have said it and i'll say it... if you're having another problem with the console just turn it on and wrap a towel around the console. give it time. soon enough you will have the red rings.

the hardware inside is not built to withstand the consoles heat. given time it damages the hardware. damaged hardware means the hardware fails. hardware that fails = hardware failure. hardware failure = RROD.

new console/ refurb comes in 3 weeks.

gg

I've had my 360 since last November, and so far have had no serious problems. But even if I had, I've got THREE years on the warranty for red light-related issues. How can you not feel confident in a system if you know you'll have a working system at least for the first 3 years???

SeanBond

REFURBISHED. Enough said. Refurbished = lame. Not to mention Microsoft customer "service" is horrible.

[QUOTE="AnFangs_Endes"][QUOTE="SeanBond"]

I've had my 360 since last November, and so far have had no serious problems. But even if I had, I've got THREE years on the warranty for red light-related issues. How can you not feel confident in a system if you know you'll have a working system at least for the first 3 years???

ProductNumber49

That three year warranty is valid only if they can re-produce the RROD, otherwise, say even if your 360 stop's giving you V/A output, or your disc-tray won't open, but you don't have the RROD, you're high-and-dry and have to pay for repairs yourself.

Unless you bought a warranty like me.

I got my Xbox 360 on November 12, 2006. I had not even gotten my first job at that time, so it was a major purchase for me. It worked till about mid-February. Then I got the red ring of death, and immediately tried to figure out what was wrong, but I couldn't. I thought I was out of the warranty period, but unbeknownst to me, Microsoft had extended the warranty period to a full year instead of 90 days. When I called, I did get someone whose command of English was limited, but I still was able to get them to send me a box to mail the Xbox back for repair. I got the box about a week later, and it said Cliff instead of Chris, but this was no obstacle. I sent the Xbox out and they returned it to me (mine, not a totally new console, could tell by slight scuff it had when i sent it out)fully functional in about 3 weeks. I have had no problems with my Xbox since, so I don't worry about it any more.

I see a lot of PS3fanboys making gross generalizations and arguing based anecdotal evidence, i.e.horror stories, but my experience was much more positive. The total time I personally spent resolving the problem (including self-troubleshooting, phone calls, unplugging, boxing, unboxing, hooking it up, etc.) was less than 1.5 hours. By comparison with the great games I've played, this issue is insignificant.

I'm tired of seeing "but teh hardware failures" threads that ignore the complexity of the issue (the actual failure rates, the extension of the warranty, prevelance of problems on older consoles, etc.)Those TCs are trolls who are merely trying to distract from their ownsystem's inadequacies.

Mintshebang

threre's a sticky for this.