After 10 months my 360 is dead!!!

[MurphyMan]

At the current prices they charge for the systems and games for those systems, I would not buy any Next-Gen-Console. I already have the Gamecube and I love it, underrated. I did get a new system for the holidays, but it is a FC Twin. An FC Twin combines NES/SENS in the same system. So far I am highly pleased with it and enjoy most of the old stuff better than the modern stuff. When I worked for Microsoft they used to tell us only 10% of users ever called the Tech Support center, if you believe them many people have no System problems. I considered it part of the Microsoft Propaganda campaign they would try and feed us on a regular basis. I best stop here before my real feelings for my Ex-Employer really show too much.

Ex-Tech-Support for Xbox,

MurphyMAN

 

[Deleted User]

At the current prices they charge for the systems and games for those systems, I would not buy any Next-Gen-Console. I already have the Gamecube and I love it, underrated. I did get a new system for the holidays, but it is a FC Twin. An FC Twin combines NES/SENS in the same system. So far I am highly pleased with it and enjoy most of the old stuff better than the modern stuff. When I worked for Microsoft they used to tell us only 10% of users ever called the Tech Support center, if you believe them many people have no System problems. I considered it part of the Microsoft Propaganda campaign they would try and feed us on a regular basis. I best stop here before my real feelings for my Ex-Employer really show too much.

Ex-Tech-Support for Xbox,

MurphyMAN

You can't blame them, since companies like Sony are just as bad if not worse when it comes to those things. And I'm actually pretty certain only about 10% of customers call Tech Support, considering how I have yet to call tech support in my life, and most average people are too lazy to and most people don't have issues with their systems anyways. I'd probably guesstimate that only 5% of X360 customers have had system issues so far, but usually it gets blown out of proportion by media and news.

 

[LongDong]

You can't blame them, since companies like Sony are just as bad if not worse when it comes to those things. And I'm actually pretty certain only about 10% of customers call Tech Support, considering how I have yet to call tech support in my life, and most average people are too lazy to and most people don't have issues with their systems anyways. I'd probably guesstimate that only 5% of X360 customers have had system issues so far, but usually it gets blown out of proportion by media and news.

'

Seems a low estimate, I would say a solid 50% of the 360 owners I know have had issues. Granted I only know half a dozen or so, but still. The law of averages would put that number much higher than 5%

 

[Deleted User]

'

Seems a low estimate, I would say a solid 50% of the 360 owners I know have had issues. Granted I only know half a dozen or so, but still. The law of averages would put that number much higher than 5%

Actually, I doubt it would. Seeing as how about 0% of the 360 owners I know have had problems. Law of averages would say that's about 5-10% at most.

 

[Iceman]

XBox support are completely useless. I haven't been able to connect to Live since I bought it about a month ago. I've spent hours on the phone to them and they really don't have a clue and are extremely slow. It's driving me crazy.

 

[TKing]

Man I hope I don't have trouble with my 360. By the sounds of it, if I do, there won't be any help.

 

[Deleted User]

XBox support are completely useless. I haven't been able to connect to Live since I bought it about a month ago. I've spent hours on the phone to them and they really don't have a clue and are extremely slow. It's driving me crazy.

You have the Xbox wireless adapter, right? Or is the connection wired? I'd also recommend, if it's wireless, that you do not use anything along the lines of a Range Expander for Linksys or similar systems. They garble the signal and make it impossible to connect to Xbox Live. I'd also make sure that there is nothing metal directly above the adapter, that'll kill the signal as well.

If it's wired, I have no idea. You just have to make sure that you have your connection is set up so it allows outgoing signals.

 

[LongDong]

Actually, I doubt it would. Seeing as how about 0% of the 360 owners I know have had problems. Law of averages would say that's about 5-10% at most.

0% for you, 50% for me = 25% on average.

Math is easy

 

[Deleted User]

0% for you, 50% for me = 25% on average.

Math is easy

Yes, but seeing as how there are probably multiple other people who know know Xbox 360 owners, which there are.. and most of them won't have 50% of everyone they know with a 360 having problems, that would place the average much lower.

I'm guessing at max, most people know 1/10 X360 owners who have had problems. Throw in people who know none like me and the very few who know 50% or more, and I would guess that would place it around 10% or a wee lower.

 

[amazingfantasy15]

Including me, I know 4 people with a X-Box 360 and none have had problems.

 

[Deleted User]

There you go Long Dong, if we were to include only the people in this thread.. that lower the average to around 12.5%. But even then, I'm plenty sure there are more that know people with no problems or very few with problems than those with half having problems.

 

[Ken Kutagari]

Why don't you two just get a room and furiously shove the law of averages into each other's anus and find the percentage of penetration?

 

[Deleted User]

Why don't you two just get a room and furiously shove the law of averages into each other's anus and find the percentage of penetration?

I really don't care about the law of averages. Mainly because the fact that two or three people and the average of people they know who have 360 problems means bull****. Truth is, less than 1/10 of customers have had problems more than likely.

He brought up the law of averages, though, so I had to play along with it. Like I said though, the average of a few people on a ****ing forum means near nothing, though.

Don't be a dick.

 

[Ken Kutagari]

Happy New Year

 

[Deleted User]

Happy New Year

Have a nappy yew hear?

 

[DACMAN]

Pretty much all of my problems revolved around the games more than the system. And I seem to have less problems when I lay my system down instead of standing it up.

MS told me to lay it down.

 

[RedIsNotBlue]

Yeah I have it layed down and the problems have decreased but still there are a few but I would say they are from Live and the game itself.

 

[LongDong]

There you go Long Dong, if we were to include only the people in this thread.. that lower the average to around 12.5%. But even then, I'm plenty sure there are more that know people with no problems or very few with problems than those with half having problems.

I would also think that there are more who know those who have had problems, so what who cares.

the people at teamxbox.com did a pole and found that slightly less than 25% of the 360's that were out there were returned for warranty purposes.

"Since the launch of the Xbox 360 on November 22nd 2005, things haven’t exactly turned up all roses for Microsoft. The enthusiasm for the new high-definition gaming console soured slightly after many consumers were unable to purchase one on launch day due to massive console shortages amongst retailers. Soon after, stories of faulty consoles and other technical complications began to run rampant on Internet forums, including those here at TeamXbox.com.

The Internet age has opened up opportunities for people of all flavors (and mental capacities) to freely voice their opinions, good or bad. Quite often, many of these claims are unsubstantiated and get blown out of proportion. Microsoft stated, soon after launch, that the return rate of Xbox 360 units were well below the average of 3-5% for consumer electronics. Yet, where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire. A recent poll here at TeamXbox.com has shown that nearly 25% of Xbox 360 owners have had their consoles freeze due to a technical issue. So where does the truth lie? Probably somewhere in between.

There’s no question that there are faulty Xbox 360s out there in the market – it’s the nature of consumer electronics. But is there a legitimate “glitch” in Microsoft’s new console that is causing these widespread issues? Not so according to a Microsoft spokesperson. Contacted yesterday, Microsoft still claims that Xbox 360 return rates are well below industry standards to date and there is absolutely no systemic issue with the console. The reasons for the returns appear to be varied, ranging from console overheating to Xbox Live connection issues, and everything in between.


Overheating

It’s a safe assumption that with the heat that the Xbox 360’s multi-core processor architecture is capable of pumping out, that there will be some units that simply fail to cool as intended. We’ve experienced this problem first hand with one of our Xbox 360 console heating up well above normal – causing games to freeze on occasion. Simply put – if the system’s internal cooling system fails in any way, you can always cook up breakfast on your Xbox 360.

Other reports at The Inquirer.net and other sites have focused on overheating of the Xbox 360's massive power supply. The "Ghostbuster trap" as it has been called, can generate a lot of heat if not properly ventilated. As is common amongst many home audio/video setups, cord organization can be an issue that many consumers overlook. The Xbox 360 manual states to avoid sources of heat, pinching or sharply bending the power supply cords. While this may seem like common knowledge to most, there are many gamers whose setups resemble the mainframe at NORAD in WarGames.

To avoid problems, be sure to follow the manual's ventilation guidelines and just be smart. Give your Xbox 360 room to breathe and you shouldn't have a problem.

​

Too hot to handle?​

Disc Scratching

Widespread reports of game discs being scratched by the Xbox 360 are running rampant amongst the online community. This problem stems from moving the console from a vertical to horizontal position (or vice versa) with a disc loaded in the console; something the Xbox 360 manual specifically warns against.

We don’t consider this a real technical issue, simply because it doesn’t happen under normal use of the console. In our minds, if you’re stupid enough to move your console while a disc is in use, you deserve to have it scratched.


Recall?

A recent rumor that has been gaining momentum has suggested that after the holiday season, Microsoft will issue a recall of all Xbox 360 units to address consumer complaints. “I can assure you that this is 100% false. There will be no recall.” a Microsoft spokesperson told TeamXbox.com.

The moral - take what you read on Internet message boards with a grain of salt.


Customer Service

Although Xbox 360 shortages continue to be a hot topic, it appears that Microsoft’s customer service is doing their part to accommodate current owners experiencing problems. Various Xbox 360 owners that we’ve spoken to commented that replacement units have been issued swiftly. One TeamXbox.com reader reported receiving a free hard drive when his Core package was replaced, courtesy of Microsoft.

All Xbox 360 owners experiencing serious technical issues are urged to contact Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Support Center at 1-800-4MY-XBOX. In the instance that an Xbox 360 console is faulty, return packaging is overnighted to the customer with prepaid shipping. Customers can expect a repaired or replaced Xbox 360 unit within 5-7 days. How can this be possible with the current shortage? It is standard procedure to allot replacement inventory for any consumer electronic, and so there are Xbox 360 units available to accommodate the current needs.


Conclusion

Do faulty Xbox 360s exist? Absolutely. Is there one, universal issue that will cause Microsoft to recall the system? Absolutely not. A few faulty units always slip through the cracks – Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, iPod, cordless phones, microwaves or otherwise. Proceed with caution when taking forum posts as gospel.

Ah, the power of the Internet. Aint’ it grand?

Do you have an Xbox 360 technical issue? Have you had a great Microsoft customer service experience? Tell us about it here in the TeamXbox.com forums."

Anyway I highly dount it is 3-5% like Microsoft claims, however I dont really care. I would wager it is probably closer to 20% or so ESPECIALLY going off of what and who I know who owns the machines. Would that stop me from buying one? No, as I always buy the extended waranty from Best Buy as well as use my credit card which has some great insurance built into it and covers every purchase for 3 years.
Anyway, you have had good luck and it seems your friends have had good luck, so good for you guys. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[LongDong]

MS told me to lay it down.

Yeah the manager at Game Crazy said to lay it down as well, never play it up as the machine tends to do it's damage in that position. Seems odd to me as you would think MS would have ran multiple tests to make sure it could run in the upright position without messing up your games or throwing the laser out of alignment. I am wagering that most of the returns he had gotten from people who said they had it upright must have done something stupid while the unit was running. Hell I started putting my launch unit PS2 in that position during the summer but my nephew kept knocking it off the shelf, 3 times during the 2 weeks he stayed with me. I never stood it up after that. Did not want to risk screwing something up in it.

 

[Deleted User]

I would also think that there are more who know those who have had problems, so what who cares.

the people at teamxbox.com did a pole and found that slightly less than 25% of the 360's that were out there were returned for warranty purposes.

Anyway I highly dount it is 3-5% like Microsoft claims, however I dont really care. I would wager it is probably closer to 20% or so ESPECIALLY going off of what and who I know who owns the machines. Would that stop me from buying one? No, as I always buy the extended waranty from Best Buy as well as use my credit card which has some great insurance built into it and covers every purchase for 3 years.
Anyway, you have had good luck and it seems your friends have had good luck, so good for you guys. Nothing wrong with that.

They didn't ever say that it was slightly less than 25%, they said it was probably somewhere between the two figures. Which would be anywhere from 6% to 24%.

 

[MurphyMan]

IN regards to Iceman/Psylocke's problem with LIVE, what is the problem?
Is there anything exactly you can tell me other than just "It does not work?"

Here are some tips,

1) Make sure you are using a ISP compatible with Live. Not all are and if you are using ones not on the list Microsoft tells their agents they cannot help you any further.
2) Make sure your equipment is compatible, if it is not once again Microsoft trains their agents to send you elsewhere pretty much.
3) Xbox Training is about 4 weeks and people who fail the Exams are still allowed to be agents, they hire everyone who goes into the training.
I failed my test for the first half, but passed the LIVE Exclusive Exam with flying colors.
4) Just like ISP and Equipment, make sure you are using the proper cabling.
5) If this sounds like your phone call with Tech Support, it is because I am an ex-Tech-Support agent and just making sure you had been put through all the scripting most are put through.
6) I hated the Microsoft script for Tech Support and was one of the few who broke the rules and did not use it.
7)If you are using the Internet Connection Sharing you will need to enable it on the PC you are using. This can be done through the Windows Control Panel and Network Connections. If you need further help with this perticular problem tell me and I will go into further details.
8) If you are using Wireless did you make sure the Wireless Router was switched to Infrastructure if there is such a switch on the router you are using.
9)If you are using a Wireless to Ethernet Bridge, you should check the Infrastructure switch on that as well.
10) Make sure the name of your Wireless network is entered in the settings manually and you WEP protection key, if using Wireless.
11) Check your NAT and MTU in the Connection test, if it is failing open the Firewall Ports on your router, if you have one. If an MTU fails upgrade your MTU in your Router setup page, usually located at 192.168. something. something. It differs between the different Router brands and unit models.
12) If your IP fails try resetting all equipment and starting again. If it still does not work, try a direct connection. This may not work and I never got 100% of Xbox Live problems solved because there are so many variables of this that could be wrong. With LIVE, sometimes in my experience after you troubleshoot everything and do all you can, and even throw in Networking fixes it may still not work. It is in my opinion a VERY UNSTABLE system, but that is just my opinion of Xbox Live.

 

[L.A.]

Man the shipping sooo slow! I sent it on the 2nd and they just got it today

 

[spidey-dude]

It's only happened to two people on these forums in the last few months. So I don't think it is happening that frequently, but I'd say still not as great as wanted.

happened to me just before xmas aswell, microsoft were bvery good about it and didnt charge me even though the 1 year warranty was up, got it back within 2 weeks

 

[Iceman]

You have the Xbox wireless adapter, right? Or is the connection wired? I'd also recommend, if it's wireless, that you do not use anything along the lines of a Range Expander for Linksys or similar systems. They garble the signal and make it impossible to connect to Xbox Live. I'd also make sure that there is nothing metal directly above the adapter, that'll kill the signal as well.

If it's wired, I have no idea. You just have to make sure that you have your connection is set up so it allows outgoing signals.

Yeah I've got both adapter and ethernet. Not too bothered about which method works as long as one of them does. There's no metal near the adapter and I'm not using the systems you mentioned. Not sure what you mean by allowing outgoing signals. How do I do that?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Iceman]

IN regards to Iceman/Psylocke's problem with LIVE, what is the problem?
Is there anything exactly you can tell me other than just "It does not work?"

Here are some tips,

1) Make sure you are using a ISP compatible with Live. Not all are and if you are using ones not on the list Microsoft tells their agents they cannot help you any further.
2) Make sure your equipment is compatible, if it is not once again Microsoft trains their agents to send you elsewhere pretty much.
3) Xbox Training is about 4 weeks and people who fail the Exams are still allowed to be agents, they hire everyone who goes into the training.
I failed my test for the first half, but passed the LIVE Exclusive Exam with flying colors.
4) Just like ISP and Equipment, make sure you are using the proper cabling.
5) If this sounds like your phone call with Tech Support, it is because I am an ex-Tech-Support agent and just making sure you had been put through all the scripting most are put through.
6) I hated the Microsoft script for Tech Support and was one of the few who broke the rules and did not use it.
7)If you are using the Internet Connection Sharing you will need to enable it on the PC you are using. This can be done through the Windows Control Panel and Network Connections. If you need further help with this perticular problem tell me and I will go into further details.
8) If you are using Wireless did you make sure the Wireless Router was switched to Infrastructure if there is such a switch on the router you are using.
9)If you are using a Wireless to Ethernet Bridge, you should check the Infrastructure switch on that as well.
10) Make sure the name of your Wireless network is entered in the settings manually and you WEP protection key, if using Wireless.
11) Check your NAT and MTU in the Connection test, if it is failing open the Firewall Ports on your router, if you have one. If an MTU fails upgrade your MTU in your Router setup page, usually located at 192.168. something. something. It differs between the different Router brands and unit models.
12) If your IP fails try resetting all equipment and starting again. If it still does not work, try a direct connection. This may not work and I never got 100% of Xbox Live problems solved because there are so many variables of this that could be wrong. With LIVE, sometimes in my experience after you troubleshoot everything and do all you can, and even throw in Networking fixes it may still not work. It is in my opinion a VERY UNSTABLE system, but that is just my opinion of Xbox Live.

Thanks, I'll look into all of this and respond later when I've got the Xbox in front of me.