Oh, Microsoft, how I loath thee now.
I used to LOVE Microsoft. I shouted my joy many times on this blog about Windows XP, and everyone knows I’m Rock Band chick.
Except, I’m not Rock Band chick anymore.
!@)(*#$@#$)&!!!
I had the 3 rings of death, AKA RROD 3 weeks ago. I haven’t even been playing any games on it, lately, because I’ve just been too darn busy. But, I have used it as a refuge from my crazy life on occasion to stream a movie from my desktop computer.
So, I dutifully sent in my XBox Elite, sans cables and hard drive. And waited.
And waited.
And, I got it back on Friday, with a form letter that stated that I’d tampered with the box, and they weren’t honouring my RROD warranty. WTF Microsoft? I haven’t touched my beloved XBox. I don’t even have the right sized screw driver to do that, and why would I? I know you people would refuse to touch my hardware (okay, that sounded funny) if I did such a stupid thing?
So, I called Microsoft. I tried to be nice. They put me on hold for 20 minutes (while my cell time ticked away, I might add) only to be told that they weren’t going to help me. They wouldn’t even let me pay for repairs!!! I asked for a supervisor, and she wouldn’t even do that for me!
I’m now forced to try the infamous ‘towel trick’ — I’m about 15 minutes into baking my XBox back to life… Keep your fingers crossed for me! I’ll report back soon with the results.
[grumble]
5:15pm: Okay… two lights flashing, XBox smells appropriately melty now. Time to turn off and wait for 15 minutes. Crossing fingers. I know this is a temporary fix, but it’ll tide me over until I get a new one…
5:40pm: WAHOO! It worked… It’s on! Let’s see how long it lasts. I’m wondering if I should just LEAVE it on, instead? I know now that it was definitely the crappy design allowing the board to twist when hot, breaking the solder. If I leave it on, then the board can’t bend out again, right? Hmmm…
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
2 things…
1. Based on this experience, why on Earth would you again give your money to Microsoft…I know, I know…all your games are for XBox…but companies will never change this way.
2. Who the hell come up with the Towel Trick, and what were they smoking when they did?
Hey Dale…
Firstly, I’d LOVE to bypass Microsoft and buy a Playstation, but I have hundreds of dollars invested in the XBox extras (hardware and software) and there’s simply no way I’m re-investing in all of that.
Also, it’s the primary part of my entertainment system. The majority of the time, I use it to stream video content or music from my desktop, which I refuse to bring to the livingroom.
So, I’ll take the towel trick! It worked for me, and I’ll just leave the unit on until it kicks the bucket, and then I’ll just have to suck it up and buy another.
Besides, if you think about it, $350 for the box, over 2.5 years of solid use, is a pretty decent return on my investment. I still hate MS for their crappy design, however. Grrrr…
The other theory is that the heat sink gunk is not spread very evenly on the CPU and GPU – ie to conduct heat away.
Some people pop the box open and add some more between the two processors and the relevant heatsinks. The stuff comes in a little tube for a few dollars.
Hey Tanya, et al,…
Thank you SO much for this simple, and rashbre’s slight more intricant, methods of repairing the xBox 360 RROD!
I have not been lucky enough (yet) to get this, but IF I do, I now know where to come and seek a repair! Like you, I have a bucket load of CD’s on my hard drive, and would hate to have to redo it. I would live to be able to stream videos as well, but for some reason, the lonking thing will not happen! More research…
Cya!
@rashbre – Yep, I considered that, but, I wanted to try the easy trick first (not much to lose if the video chip was fried) — Next step, is the mod to stop the MB from bending.
@Bernie – I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you! If you have it in a cabinet rather than out open like mine is, you may be more susceptible. I use mine a lot — which is probably why it didn’t last. From now on, unless it’s messed up, I’m leaving it on so it doesn’t heat up and cool off like that. Have you shared your Media Player library on your desktop with your xbox? It’s really easy (google share library xbox desktop — you’ll find lots of quick easy steps to do this!)
I don’t ever want to lose Rock Band!
Well, if you are going to leave the XBox on, I’d be sure you have adequate fire insurance first.
@Raul – darlin’ don’t you worry… It’s back! For now, at least!
@Rog – Yep. I definitely have fire insurance. Wow, that’s not even a funny thought.