Important info for ALL Xbox 360 owners...

Here's the issue - I have just got done posting for one of you the information in regards to the "OPUS Model" of the Xbox 360. This is what M$ is replacing consoles with when you sned yours in for repair. This is the so called "Zombie Configuration" and does not have HDMI because they are trying to use up their surplus of the old Zephyr Motherboards.

Following is my response to someone who just sent their console in for repair and recieved their replacement console manufactured August of 2008 - with NO HDMI!!!

Read on as this could potentially affect anyone sending their console in for repair.

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You got the OPUS configuration - this has been nicknamed the "Zombie Configuration". All be forewarned that this can happen to anyone sending their 360 in for repair.

Google the "OPUS model Xbox 360" to find out more. The long and short of it is that what M$ in their great wisdom has decided to do for replacement consoles right now - is take the new CPU (65nm) and use the old Motherboard (Zephyr) instead of throwing out their surplus parts. I heard this was coming but you are the first I know that it has happened to.

The new replacement consoles will not have HDMI until M$ runs out of the old Motherboards. I think this is a horrible idea on their part as it totally screws over the customer who is already frustrated because they just had to send their unit in for repair - then they get back an inferior replacement. Way to go M$.

So I would call M$ and complain to upper echelon management or as high as you can get - let them know that the unit you sent in had HDMI and you expect to have HDMI on the unit you get back. Don't take no for an answer - as I believe legally you could file suit if neccessary with your attorney generals office. M$ is opening themselves to huge potential for class action suits by doing this - as they can't just downgrade the hardware you paid for legally.

Sorry to hear this - like I said you need to call and do not stop complaining until you get what you want.

Here is a brief link that also talks briefly about OPUS - however it's not a very long or technical article (which there are those too - just google it) - but it confirms what I just told you. Also I believe GS themselves talked briefly about the OPUS model within the last couple of months.

Here's a link:

http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2008/06/18/opus-model-360s-begining-to-flow/

it does beg the question, why?JJpenguin

Exactly! I mean I understand M$ wanting to liquadate their surplus - but at what expense???

I mean all they are going to do is make their customers EXTREMELY angry - customers that are already upset by having to send their console in. And then what - M$ just pours salt in the wound.

I honestly think this may be the worst business decision M$ has ever made - at least in regards to the 360.

When I heard they were going to do this (I live in Seattle so our local papers reported on this awhile ago) - I almost couldn't believe it and honestly I figured they would never go through with it. But I guess the day has arrived - as people are asking, "how can my new replacement console dated in mid to late 2008 not have HDMI ports?"

It frosts me pretty bad that they would do this.

Yeah, exactly. I wonder if anyone will withhold sending in 360's for repairs in case they get a replacement instead of a fixJJpenguin

All I know - and I'm serious - is that if they didn't rectify the situation to my satisfatcion - giving me what I paid for I would be calling my State Attorney Generals Office. However I think their strategy may be to give customers units with HDMI "IF" they call and demand it. I mean they would have to legally since that's what the customer paid for. And then the uninformed or unsuspecting less educated gamers who get replacements will go on without realizing there is an issue - and M$ will just keep doing this over and over until the Zephyr boards have run out.

No matter what this is just one of the worst things I've ever heard of from a business stand point. I know Uncle Bill is completely retired now - but this has to make him sick. I wonder if Ballmer is even aware of this or if it's been kept hush, hush by the games division?

I take that back - as I said - I first read about it in the Seattle PI - so I have no doubt that an educated man like Steve Ballmer is aware.

Just a bad decision all the way around on their part - it will come back to haunt them I have no doubt.

What do they care? they are a multi-billion dollar company that knows the people (us) will buy their products, it is almost as if they are drug dealers and we're the addicts.

YES - this happens to people who send in HDMI models - that's why it's an issue. People who are sending in HDMI models are getting non-HDMI models back. Like I said I would hope that all it would take is a little complaining and that they would rectify the issue - however that would involve then sending your replacement console back to them and waiting again for another replacement that includes HDMI. So no matter what it will be frustrating - and is just bad business.

As far as Elites go (that's what I have as well) - I think that may be the one model that is safe. The reason I say that is that since ALL Elites have always had HDMI they would have to actually manufacture a new black case without HDMI ports - while that is possible it is unlikely that they will spend even more money on selling Elites without HDMI - it wouldn't be cost effective for them since the Elite case would have to be different from every other Elite ever made.

The drug dealer reference had me laugh - but it's pretty true - the 360 is like cocaine - the problem is that when the dealer sells you something and tells you it's cocaine but really gives you baby powder - well people will quit buying from that dealer REAL quick.

All the way around this is horrbile from M$'s point of view. While some may say "what do they care - they have so much money anyway?" - The issue is that if they use these types of tactics people WILL quit buying the product and it will influence their market share - at least for gaming consoles.

It's just sad because while it is frustrating to wait for a replacement or repair - overall M$ has been pretty good with their warranty service. They extended the RROD warranty to three years. I've even heard of people with other than RROD issues getting their consoles repaired outside the 1 year warranty. M$ has seemed to be very responsible when it comes to repair...

Until Now.

To make this an official policy they must have a lot of these old boards left, otherwise they could have slowly leaked them back into supply without people really noticing. Does this only apply to replacement units, or could it mean that 360s sold in stores no longer have HDMI as well?Avenger1324

I have been wondering that too - It's kind of scary if everyone who has been thinking about getting a console and thinks that now all 2008 consoles have HDMI - goes to the store and gets one of these - I don't even know how I would react in that situation.

I do however "believe" that they are only doing this for replacement consoles.

It's hard to say though. Who knows what they are going to try and pull with this stunt.

It's disturbing is all I can say - and I feel for the guy that I know it's already happend to and whoever else this may happen with.