Ok, I'm going to get an Xbox 360. I'm worried, though...

I've seen a lot of this: "Oh my god, my Xbox is broken! It gives me red blinking lights and won't read my discs!"  This happened with my old Xbox after 5 years of having it, and I was just wondering if this problem is often encountered. If so, what can I do to avoid it? I don't want to buy a system that's just going to break down on me!

Well I don't want to live in fear every day of having it, y'know? I don't have a lot of money, and I can't seem to find a job. So I was looking towards ebay...

 Not all of the deals there have warranties, but some do.  Isn't there another solution besides warranty? Can't I prevent it (or help prevent it) somehow?

I think (hope) that with the newly produced 360's its a lot beter. The producing have been improved quite a lot since the release.Ruben360

The elites, or the normal premiums? I can't afford the elites : / 

If it gives you that much anxiety, don't buy one. It's not like I make any royalties off of it.

Just keep in mind that the failure rate of the consoles is lower than it had been previously (which was high), and that most people are morons that don't take care of their stuff. Then there's the console wars. So you get people who legitimately have faulty gear, people who do something dumb and break their perfectly fine gear (i.e. picking up the console while a disc is spinning in it and then saying the 360 scratched their disc) or you get people who bought a PS3 and want everyone else on Earth to do the same thing so they say their 360 has broken even though they don't have one.

All in all, I don't care what you buy and I'm not going to do MS's marketing for them. But all in all, I'm really impressed with what they've done this time around. I'm not a Microsoft fan by any stretch but all the same I give credit where it's due. This is the best console this generation so far hands down. 

If it gives you that much anxiety, don't buy one. It's not like I make any royalties off of it.

Just keep in mind that the failure rate of the consoles is lower than it had been previously (which was high), and that most people are morons that don't take care of their stuff. Then there's the console wars. So you get people who legitimately have faulty gear, people who do something dumb and break their perfectly fine gear (i.e. picking up the console while a disc is spinning in it and then saying the 360 scratched their disc) or you get people who bought a PS3 and want everyone else on Earth to do the same thing so they say their 360 has broken even though they don't have one.

All in all, I don't care what you buy and I'm not going to do MS's marketing for them. But all in all, I'm really impressed with what they've done this time around. I'm not a Microsoft fan by any stretch but all the same I give credit where it's due. This is the best console this generation so far hands down.

Generic_Dude

lol well, I can't simply pass up Halo 3. Despite even if it had a high faulty rate, I would still get it. I just wanted to know before hand if there's anything I can do to prevent it's faultyness.

edit: Alright I took some pics with my webcam where I would put the Xbox 360. Point of the picture:

Picture one: It's open, not compact and it's on a hard surface. Good, right?

There is a lamp and a bay window where the sun ventures in to the right of the picture below (but never seems to shine past the edge of my computer desk, so the console would be safe from heat). And...I don't think the lamp would cause any heat issues...

PS. It's a webcam, so the picture quality ain't perfect. 

Listen, from all the broken 360 topics out there, the console still sells. I have my console from launch and I take very good care of it. You should have no problems at all.. 

It seems that the more something cost(PS3), people take better care of it and have not problems. But with something that cost less(360), its mistreated.

Example. If you have two cars, a 2005 Hyundai and a 2006 Mercedes Benz. The Hyundai would get treated like crap where you would baby the Mercedes Benz.

I've seen a lot of this: "Oh my god, my Xbox is broken! It gives me red blinking lights and won't read my discs!"  This happened with my old Xbox after 5 years of having it, and I was just wondering if this problem is often encountered. If so, what can I do to avoid it? I don't want to buy a system that's just going to break down on me!

Skullheart

Well I don't want to live in fear every day of having it, y'know? I don't have a lot of money, and I can't seem to find a job. So I was looking towards ebay...

Skullheart

not to be a know-it-all about money but I consider myself good with money. You say that you don't have a lot of money and that you can't seem to find a job. I would suggest you not spend $400 on a xbox360 and another $100 on warranty and put money to the side for an emergency. Then when you have enough saved up for an emergency fund, then save for the 360. From past experiences, I went out and bought something with just enough money for the system and the next day my car broke down. Its the way most people in America get into debt so quick. Just my 2 cents :) 

[QUOTE="Skullheart"]

Well I don't want to live in fear every day of having it, y'know? I don't have a lot of money, and I can't seem to find a job. So I was looking towards ebay...

Kounterfit

not to be a know-it-all about money but I consider myself good with money. You say that you don't have a lot of money and that you can't seem to find a job. I would suggest you not spend $400 on a xbox360 and another $100 on warranty and put money to the side for an emergency. Then when you have enough saved up for an emergency fund, then save for the 360. From past experiences, I went out and bought something with just enough money for the system and the next day my car broke down. Its the way most people in America get into debt so quick. Just my 2 cents :)

Oh dude it's not like that. I'm jobless because I'm 16, I've never had a job before. I still live with my family and everything, lol.

buy a 360, it comes with a years free warrenty (or at least it does here in the uk) in my first year it broke twice, its just gone out of warrenty but i cant b bothered to buy a new warrenty at the moment! just dont move it around alot, i used to take mine up my dads all the time but since i got my 3rd 360 i havnt moved it and it has had not a single problem, when im playing i have it in an open space. if you do that then you shouldnt have a problem unless your really unlucky!

[QUOTE="Kounterfit"][QUOTE="Skullheart"]

Well I don't want to live in fear every day of having it, y'know? I don't have a lot of money, and I can't seem to find a job. So I was looking towards ebay...

Skullheart

not to be a know-it-all about money but I consider myself good with money. You say that you don't have a lot of money and that you can't seem to find a job. I would suggest you not spend $400 on a xbox360 and another $100 on warranty and put money to the side for an emergency. Then when you have enough saved up for an emergency fund, then save for the 360. From past experiences, I went out and bought something with just enough money for the system and the next day my car broke down. Its the way most people in America get into debt so quick. Just my 2 cents :)

Oh dude it's not like that. I'm jobless because I'm 16, I've never had a job before. I still live with my family and everything, lol.

oh well then I will shutup! Wasnt sure if you were just a lazy guy who possibly could get into debt or a younger guy. Well I guess my advice might help someone else or maybe you in the future. Lol Sorry 

Listen, from all the broken 360 topics out there, the console still sells. I have my console from launch and I take very good care of it. You should have no problems at all.. 

It seems that the more something cost(PS3), people take better care of it and have not problems. But with something that cost less(360), its mistreated.

Example. If you have two cars, a 2005 Hyundai and a 2006 Mercedes Benz. The Hyundai would get treated like crap where you would baby the Mercedes Benz.

dapmediainc

I have had my 360 since launch also without any problems whatsoever. Some people are just unlucky with faulty consoles. Some people treat their consoles like dirt. Bottom line is get an extended warranty.

If it gives you that much anxiety, don't buy one. It's not like I make any royalties off of it.

Just keep in mind that the failure rate of the consoles is lower than it had been previously (which was high), and that most people are morons that don't take care of their stuff. Then there's the console wars. So you get people who legitimately have faulty gear, people who do something dumb and break their perfectly fine gear (i.e. picking up the console while a disc is spinning in it and then saying the 360 scratched their disc) or you get people who bought a PS3 and want everyone else on Earth to do the same thing so they say their 360 has broken even though they don't have one.

All in all, I don't care what you buy and I'm not going to do MS's marketing for them. But all in all, I'm really impressed with what they've done this time around. I'm not a Microsoft fan by any stretch but all the same I give credit where it's due. This is the best console this generation so far hands down. 

Generic_Dude

As with ANY electronics purchase, I would HIGHLY recommend buying whatever extended warrenty you can. Honestly, lets say you buy your XBOX 360 at Best Buy and they offer an extended warrenty for 2 years for another $100. Isnt that worth it for your piece of mind? Id say yes!! That way if it conks out on you, you can simply go back and get a new one!! No biggie!!kungfuchaos

Holy Smokes. $100 for 2years. I paid $29 bucks from Microsoft at launch in 05 and its good through December 2008. Once that runs out, its another $29.00 for another 2years.

Don't trust best buy.  

[QUOTE="Generic_Dude"]

If it gives you that much anxiety, don't buy one. It's not like I make any royalties off of it.

Just keep in mind that the failure rate of the consoles is lower than it had been previously (which was high), and that most people are morons that don't take care of their stuff. Then there's the console wars. So you get people who legitimately have faulty gear, people who do something dumb and break their perfectly fine gear (i.e. picking up the console while a disc is spinning in it and then saying the 360 scratched their disc) or you get people who bought a PS3 and want everyone else on Earth to do the same thing so they say their 360 has broken even though they don't have one.

All in all, I don't care what you buy and I'm not going to do MS's marketing for them. But all in all, I'm really impressed with what they've done this time around. I'm not a Microsoft fan by any stretch but all the same I give credit where it's due. This is the best console this generation so far hands down.

xX0LDSCH00LXx

Why, thank you. You are a very well-mannered and sensible person! :P

@TC: You'll need to read my post again. Just take care of your stuff. I have mine on top of a receiver (which gets pretty damned hot), and I have it next to a window... and I live in Florida so it's not like I'm lacking for sunlight in that window. Just take care of your stuff. The rest, like all things, is left up to chance. I've had my console well over a year and have had no problems. I'd rate the 360s reliability on par with the iPod... not fantastic, but not as bad as people say it is. How many people have an iPod?

You basically can't do anything to prevent it. Just keep it in an open space, not a closed small space. Other then that it's just bad luck if you ended up with one of the faulty consoles. It used to be around 5% of the consoles that broke down. That percentage has shrunk significantly over time. Small chance you end up with a faulty one. If so, just send it in for repair or buy a year warranty with it and you should be totally fine.FearlessSpirit

that is totally false. even 360s that are produced today are breaking down. i should know, i had one that broke down on me 2 weeks ago, produced 11/06. the % is much higher than 5 

Well I don't want to live in fear every day of having it, y'know? I don't have a lot of money, and I can't seem to find a job. So I was looking towards ebay...

 Not all of the deals there have warranties, but some do.  Isn't there another solution besides warranty? Can't I prevent it (or help prevent it) somehow?

Skullheart

Me personally I wouldnt trust a used 360. You just dont know the condition it was kept in. If its a money issue, I would just hold out untill I had enough to get a brand new console. At least you know it comes with a warranty and its brand spanking new. As far as the hardware failure issues, M$ stated a 5% failure rate, 5% of 10 million is 500,000. The newer units seem to be more reliable. Just keep it well ventilated  and dont move it around while its on.

definitely get the warranty, i am on 360 number 7

It just seems lately like almost everyone has their Xbox break on them. Or maybe I'm worrying too much?Skullheart

Nah, I'm going to sell my Wii. I'm not interested in it anymore. Besides, there's no way I can save up for an elite without a job. I've been looking for MONTHS, too. Think of this as a sort of, last resourt...but not a desperate kind of last resourt. I just am simply not interested in the games that are coming out (and going to come out) for the Wii.

I'm not going to go into further detail on that, because I may attract fanboys and angry people, and then this will get off-topic and possibly locked. 

SkullHeart, maybe you have you job standards WAY too high?

I've been doing a paper route since I was 11, I make 240 a week. I have to work everyday but thats not the point; I like my job, but I still wish I could get off every once and awhile (I get like 5 days off in a year ahaha). But it has it's perks eventhough it's not the best job, for instance; I have to work everyday, but I'm not such an obese peice of crap rather than a hulking over weight average joe since it's such a laboring job.

And everychristmas I average over a thousand dollars on tips, but thats only because my customers have known me for such along time. so in the end it still nice.

CONSIDER A PAPER ROUTE! :P.

I'm sure there is a decent job out there for you someplace though, dude.

SkullHeart, maybe you have you job standards WAY too high?

I've been doing a paper route since I was 11, I make 240 a week. I have to work everyday but thats not the point; I like my job, but I still wish I could get off every once and awhile (I get like 5 days off in a year ahaha). But it has it's perks eventhough it's not the best job, for instance; I have to work everyday, but I'm not such an obese peice of crap rather than a hulking over weight average joe since it's such a laboring job.

And everychristmas I average over a thousand dollars on tips, but thats only because my customers have known me for such along time. so in the end it still nice.

CONSIDER A PAPER ROUTE! :P.

I'm sure there is a decent job out there for you someplace though, dude.

 

Kaihato

Oh dude it's not that, it's just a lot of the places around where I'm at are looking for people with more experience (as far as I know), and I'm just looking for my first job. I totally forgot about the paper route though...but I haven't seen a paper route around my neighborhood for months. 

[QUOTE="Kaihato"]

SkullHeart, maybe you have you job standards WAY too high?

I've been doing a paper route since I was 11, I make 240 a week. I have to work everyday but thats not the point; I like my job, but I still wish I could get off every once and awhile (I get like 5 days off in a year ahaha). But it has it's perks eventhough it's not the best job, for instance; I have to work everyday, but I'm not such an obese peice of crap rather than a hulking over weight average joe since it's such a laboring job.

And everychristmas I average over a thousand dollars on tips, but thats only because my customers have known me for such along time. so in the end it still nice.

CONSIDER A PAPER ROUTE! :P.

I'm sure there is a decent job out there for you someplace though, dude.

 

Skullheart

Oh dude it's not that, it's just a lot of the places around where I'm at are looking for people with more experience (as far as I know), and I'm just looking for my first job. I totally forgot about the paper route though...but I haven't seen a paper route around my neighborhood for months.

Ah, alright dude. 

Sorry I'm taking awhile to respond everytime ahaha, I'm just playing Gears right now ^_^.

Well, you could take in your Wii and all of your games and stuff, and be like "I want to sell this, this, this and this." And they'll give you a price. Certain games sell for different prices. 

Sorry I'm taking awhile to respond everytime ahaha, I'm just playing Gears right now ^_^.

Well, you could take in your Wii and all of your games and stuff, and be like "I want to sell this, this, this and this." And they'll give you a price. Certain games sell for different prices.

Kaihato

*Jealous* I just played that game the other night. Another reason why I MUST have an Xbox ASAP. Do you by chance have windows live messenger or something? I really need to discuss this with someone without having to wait for a reply on the forums all the time X X