XBOX 360 Malfunction - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

Monrozombi · 07-28-2007, 02:48 AM

Has any had the unfortunate experience of their 360 giving them the 3 red flashing lights around the power button on their console? I'm reffering to the error message that Microsoft came out earlier this month and said that they were extending the warranties of their machines to 3 years for this particular error code?

Mine just today starting to give me problems, freezing and showing the blinking lights while playing. Does anyone know if I have to send my machine in to be fixed/replaced if I have to send my HD with it or if I do will my gaming history be erased?

Thanks, i'll attempt to call Microsoft in the morning but wanted to ask you folks first

samhell · 07-28-2007, 03:14 AM

Same thing happened to me a couple of months ago. The dreaded three rings. I called customer support, jumped through the hoops and they sent me out a shipping box within a week. They had me detach the HD and the only thing I sent in was the core machine. Within 2 weeks I got my machine back and its playing great(fingers crossed).

MoonSka0 · 07-28-2007, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monrozombi

Mine just today starting to give me problems, freezing and showing the blinking lights while playing. Does anyone know if I have to send my machine in to be fixed/replaced if I have to send my HD with it or if I do will my gaming history be erased?

They are very specific about making sure you only send the console itself. No cables, faceplates, and most importantly, no hard drive. I just sent my first system in last week for the same issue. When you call 1-800-4MY-XBOX, you have to go through a voice-prompted diagnostic process, but you can skip it by saying 'agent' about halfway through and skip all of the suggestions that are presented to try and fix your system.

As a side note about the shipping, when you get the box, they will have a page about how to pack your console up. It also states that when they ship your system back to you that it must be signed for. Make sure that you provide them with an address where someone will be able to do so.

Monrozombi · 07-28-2007, 04:23 AM

Thanks guys, reading your responses make me feel better about sending it out. I was worried about my harddrive disappearing if I had to send it and then about how long it would take, looks like its only a 2 week or so process.

Did you get the same console back or did they just swap it out and replace it?

MoonSka0 · 07-28-2007, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monrozombi

...looks like its only a 2 week or so process.

I have a friend who's still waiting for his console to make it back to him after just over 3 weeks now. I think the recent warranty extension means that the wait time will most likely increase a bit. Unfortunate, but if it means I don't have to pay to have the issue fixed, I can live with it.

MooglePorn · 07-28-2007, 09:28 AM

*wipes brow and says silent thank you for never having the red rings*

Agalloch · 07-28-2007, 03:35 PM

Just a couple days ago I got the 3 Red Lights of Death. I had got them once before, but turning my machine off and on again seemed to do the trick, now, it's every time. Like the others mentioned, I called MS, jumped through hoops, and they said they'd mail the shipper. I remember reading that in their new warranty they were 'guarantee'ing' a repair and shipping turn around time of 5 days, however, the rep told me to expect the shipper in two weeks, and the console back 4 - 6 weeks after that. I'm hoping they're just covering their butts some and it won't take that long, I just bought an HDTV and of course, my 360 is dead so I can't try it out.

Oh well, at least all the repairs etc. are free.

MoonSka0 · 08-03-2007, 09:56 AM

Hope things went smoothly for you Monrozombi. My system will be returned to me next week according to the UPS tracking information that MS provided me. And the serial number is different than what I sent in, so I'll be getting a refurbished unit most likely.

sub780lime · 08-03-2007, 09:08 PM

Friends system jut went DOA with the Red Ring. He contacted MS and they are sending him a box. I will let you know how long everything takes.

Titleist · 08-03-2007, 10:32 PM

I can't believe I'm thinking this, but I have a release day system, never 3-ringed me, always worked great. But it's noisy, like noisier than a standard 360. I'm almost considering covering it with a blanket to brick it on purpose to get a repaired one in the hope it'd come back in better shape.

sub780lime · 08-03-2007, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titleist

I can't believe I'm thinking this, but I have a release day system, never 3-ringed me, always worked great. But it's noisy, like noisier than a standard 360. I'm almost considering covering it with a blanket to brick it on purpose to get a repaired one in the hope it'd come back in better shape.

just make sure you pull the harddrive out before wrapping it. No use taking the chance.

Monrozombi · 08-04-2007, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sub780lime

just make sure you pull the harddrive out before wrapping it. No use taking the chance.

I finally got through today, everytime I called 10-15 on hold and would give up, today it was right away. Turnaround time from today is 3-4 weeks, it'll take 4-5 bus days to get my lil coffin box and take it to the UPS store. A buddy of mine said his friend took his to the UPS store and the UPS store guy look at him and without his friend even making it to the counter said "another xbox 360 huh?"

Ruined · 08-04-2007, 12:19 AM

One thing is for sure. I bet the bean counter that decided to cut costs on the original cooling solution got fired.

MooglePorn · 08-04-2007, 02:08 AM

I still wonder how many people with red rings kept their system in a position where it was more likely to overheat. I always see 360s tucked in tight entertainment centers in people's "look at my HT" threads.

Either that, or how many reg rign sufferers play marathon sessions of more than a couple hours.

supercutz · 08-04-2007, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooglePorn

Either that, or how many reg rign sufferers play marathon sessions of more than a couple hours.

Consoles should definitely be able to withstand a gaming marathon. BTW, people may have their 360s on for other reasons like DLing and watching movies or TV shows, trying demos, listening to music AND playing games, all in one session. If the 360 can't handle that then MS made a real POS.

187ontheVHS · 08-04-2007, 07:27 AM

It is impossible for mine to have been in a more open space than it was, ventilation was not the problem, it was the console. And I never played for more than 90 minutes at a time.

MooglePorn · 08-04-2007, 12:53 PM

If they're all made the same, or at least they WERE made the same, I just wonder why mine can last for so long with no problem and other people go through two, three, four or even more consoles.

Seems like human error could be at least a factor in some of them.

Ruined · 08-04-2007, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooglePorn

If they're all made the same, or at least they WERE made the same, I just wonder why mine can last for so long with no problem and other people go through two, three, four or even more consoles.

Seems like human error could be at least a factor in some of them.

Well not necessarily human error, but just the practicality of some people's living arrangements. My XBOX 360 happens to be sitting on a black milk crate next to my PS2, where I put all my consoles - I came up with this idea because the original Dreamcast overheat when you put it on a carpet. The milk crate allows ample ventilation on all sides of the console, even the bottom.

Of course, it looks a bit shoddy and I don't expect others to use such a solution. That being said, I have a launch 360 and nearly 20k gamerscore - I've played it for a very long time now and have had 8hr+ gaming sessions (thanks enchanted arms). Not a single problem.

I believe the RRoD error was a combination of heat, flex, and HSF pressure - so if you put your console in a tighter space it is more likely to heat up, more likely to flex, and therefore the pressure of the HSF was more likely to detach the CPU/GPU from the mainboard. Thankfully MS has fixed this, and hopefully they were able to get some reimbursement from whoever made the design/component decisions that resulted in the problem.

187ontheVHS · 08-04-2007, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooglePorn

If they're all made the same, or at least they WERE made the same, I just wonder why mine can last for so long with no problem and other people go through two, three, four or even more consoles.

Seems like human error could be at least a factor in some of them.

And I'm sure it often is, but not in my case, no way, I was damn near paranoid with my console

ganthc · 08-08-2007, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MooglePorn

If they're all made the same, or at least they WERE made the same, I just wonder why mine can last for so long with no problem and other people go through two, three, four or even more consoles.

Seems like human error could be at least a factor in some of them.

Actually, I think the fact that MS had to do extensions on warranties shows that the problem was widespread and due to poor build quality. You have made such claims about the build quality before. They were cutting costs and it affected the quality of the product. On one hand, it's costing them millions to fix. But on the other hand, they are the leader in the gaming console race. Looks like the gamble paid off.

***1138*** · 08-08-2007, 10:10 PM

My GF and I sat down to play some Guitar Hero last night and *BAM*, got the red lights. On the phone waiting right now.

It's going to work out nicely in that I was planning on getting her a 360 and with the new price cuts, we're going to go get it today. We can use that until the repair is finished.

MooglePorn · 08-09-2007, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ganthc

Actually, I think the fact that MS had to do extensions on warranties shows that the problem was widespread and due to poor build quality. You have made such claims about the build quality before. They were cutting costs and it affected the quality of the product. On one hand, it's costing them millions to fix. But on the other hand, they are the leader in the gaming console race. Looks like the gamble paid off.

Oh yes, it's cheaply made piece of crap, I have always said as much... but I treat it like a cheaply made piece of crap and it never gives me a problem. I switched to an Elite a little while ago though and sold my OG console, so who knows, maybe it was about to die and some guy got screwed.

In any event, I do think a lot of people shove that puppy in a tight entertainment center and watch it fry.

MoonSka0 · 08-09-2007, 06:42 AM

I received my replacement system today. It appears to simply be a brand new system, as the manufacture date on the rear of the system is 7-20-2007. Works perfectly, and they even sent me another faceplate (basic white) and a one month Xbox Live membership, which I promptly added to my existing subscription. Start to finish the entire process took just about 3 weeks.

Monrozombi · 08-09-2007, 02:20 PM

I called saturday for my box and I was tracking it online and it should be here today, seems a little long but at least its free. So i'm hoping to send it out later today if it comes early enough.

187ontheVHS · 08-09-2007, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoonSka0

I received my replacement system today. It appears to simply be a brand new system, as the manufacture date on the rear of the system is 7-20-2007. Works perfectly, and they even sent me another faceplate (basic white) and a one month Xbox Live membership, which I promptly added to my existing subscription. Start to finish the entire process took just about 3 weeks.

Does it have HDMI?

http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/08/m...x-360-premium/

MoonSka0 · 08-09-2007, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 187ontheVHS

Does it have HDMI?

http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/08/m...x-360-premium/

No. That was the first thing that I looked for, but no dice.

187ontheVHS · 08-09-2007, 05:36 PM

Hmmm, that's too bad.
So I was wondering, if the premium console now has HDMI, what makes the Elite so elite? A bigger hard drive? The color black? They really need to rethink the Elite now, maybe throw in an HD-DVD drive?

Ruined · 08-09-2007, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 187ontheVHS

Hmmm, that's too bad.
So I was wondering, if the premium console now has HDMI, what makes the Elite so elite? A bigger hard drive? The color black? They really need to rethink the Elite now, maybe throw in an HD-DVD drive?

At this moment in time an internal 360 HD DVD drive is not technically possible because the current 1x HD DVDROM drives only have DVD read speeds of 8x.

HD DVD movie playback might be a good option for the future once 2x HD DVD drives arrive, but for now it is not a feasible option for the elite.

07-28-2007, 02:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
Monrozombi Only wearing 15 pieces of Flair Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Wishing it was Pittsburgh	XBOX 360 Malfunction Has any had the unfortunate experience of their 360 giving them the 3 red flashing lights around the power button on their console? I'm reffering to the error message that Microsoft came out earlier this month and said that they were extending the warranties of their machines to 3 years for this particular error code? Mine just today starting to give me problems, freezing and showing the blinking lights while playing. Does anyone know if I have to send my machine in to be fixed/replaced if I have to send my HD with it or if I do will my gaming history be erased? Thanks, i'll attempt to call Microsoft in the morning but wanted to ask you folks first __________________ Jack Bauer once got Helen Keller to talk, she said "Please stop breaking my fingers, I am deaf." "Zombies man, they creep me out" ~ Dennis Hopper Land of the Dead

07-28-2007, 03:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
samhell Fantasy Football Champion Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Longview, Texas	Same thing happened to me a couple of months ago. The dreaded three rings. I called customer support, jumped through the hoops and they sent me out a shipping box within a week. They had me detach the HD and the only thing I sent in was the core machine. Within 2 weeks I got my machine back and its playing great(fingers crossed). __________________ "The function of socialism is to raise suffering to a higher level." -- Norman Mailer

07-28-2007, 04:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
Monrozombi Only wearing 15 pieces of Flair Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Wishing it was Pittsburgh	Thanks guys, reading your responses make me feel better about sending it out. I was worried about my harddrive disappearing if I had to send it and then about how long it would take, looks like its only a 2 week or so process. Did you get the same console back or did they just swap it out and replace it? __________________ Jack Bauer once got Helen Keller to talk, she said "Please stop breaking my fingers, I am deaf." "Zombies man, they creep me out" ~ Dennis Hopper Land of the Dead

07-28-2007, 03:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
Agalloch Actor Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Eugene, OR	Just a couple days ago I got the 3 Red Lights of Death. I had got them once before, but turning my machine off and on again seemed to do the trick, now, it's every time. Like the others mentioned, I called MS, jumped through hoops, and they said they'd mail the shipper. I remember reading that in their new warranty they were 'guarantee'ing' a repair and shipping turn around time of 5 days, however, the rep told me to expect the shipper in two weeks, and the console back 4 - 6 weeks after that. I'm hoping they're just covering their butts some and it won't take that long, I just bought an HDTV and of course, my 360 is dead so I can't try it out. Oh well, at least all the repairs etc. are free. __________________ Just as eating against one’s will is injurious to health, so study without a liking for it spoils the memory, and it retains nothing it takes in. -Da Vinci

08-03-2007, 09:56 AM	#8 (permalink)
MoonSka0 Actor Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Aurora, Colorado	Hope things went smoothly for you Monrozombi. My system will be returned to me next week according to the UPS tracking information that MS provided me. And the serial number is different than what I sent in, so I'll be getting a refurbished unit most likely. __________________ "A single fact can spoil a good argument."

07-28-2007, 09:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
MooglePorn Actor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA	wipes brow and says silent thank you for never having the red rings

08-03-2007, 09:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
sub780lime Can't Spell Bilbo Join Date: May 2002 Location: A Galaxy Far Far Away	Friends system jut went DOA with the Red Ring. He contacted MS and they are sending him a box. I will let you know how long everything takes. __________________ love comes and goes, but an avatar . . . that's forever. - Pirate

08-03-2007, 10:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
Titleist "Wanna buy a Denon?" Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: In the basement, cuz that's where all the bass went.	I can't believe I'm thinking this, but I have a release day system, never 3-ringed me, always worked great. But it's noisy, like noisier than a standard 360. I'm almost considering covering it with a blanket to brick it on purpose to get a repaired one in the hope it'd come back in better shape. __________________ "You know what's interesting? I've only been alive for six weeks, I know nothing of the world beyond this dogs stomach ... and I still find Six Feet Under is pretentious." --My Collection --Titleist's Home Theater--

08-04-2007, 12:19 AM	#13 (permalink)
Ruined It's Good to Play Together Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: NJ, USA	One thing is for sure. I bet the bean counter that decided to cut costs on the original cooling solution got fired. __________________ For every shadow, no matter how deep, is threatened by morning light.

08-04-2007, 02:08 AM	#14 (permalink)
MooglePorn Actor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA	I still wonder how many people with red rings kept their system in a position where it was more likely to overheat. I always see 360s tucked in tight entertainment centers in people's "look at my HT" threads. Either that, or how many reg rign sufferers play marathon sessions of more than a couple hours.

08-04-2007, 07:27 AM	#16 (permalink)
187ontheVHS Actor Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ottawa, ON	It is impossible for mine to have been in a more open space than it was, ventilation was not the problem, it was the console. And I never played for more than 90 minutes at a time. __________________ * I reserve the right to contradict myself.

08-04-2007, 12:53 PM	#17 (permalink)
MooglePorn Actor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA	If they're all made the same, or at least they WERE made the same, I just wonder why mine can last for so long with no problem and other people go through two, three, four or even more consoles. Seems like human error could be at least a factor in some of them.

08-08-2007, 10:10 PM	#21 (permalink)
*1138* Producer/Admin Careful, or I'll ban myself... Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: San Jose, CA	My GF and I sat down to play some Guitar Hero last night and BAM, got the red lights. On the phone waiting right now. It's going to work out nicely in that I was planning on getting her a 360 and with the new price cuts, we're going to go get it today. We can use that until the repair is finished. __________________ Administrator I got a rock and roll band. I got a rock and roll life. I got a rock and roll girlfriend. And another ex-wife.

08-09-2007, 06:42 AM	#23 (permalink)
MoonSka0 Actor Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Aurora, Colorado	I received my replacement system today. It appears to simply be a brand new system, as the manufacture date on the rear of the system is 7-20-2007. Works perfectly, and they even sent me another faceplate (basic white) and a one month Xbox Live membership, which I promptly added to my existing subscription. Start to finish the entire process took just about 3 weeks. __________________ "A single fact can spoil a good argument."

08-09-2007, 02:20 PM	#24 (permalink)
Monrozombi Only wearing 15 pieces of Flair Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Wishing it was Pittsburgh	I called saturday for my box and I was tracking it online and it should be here today, seems a little long but at least its free. So i'm hoping to send it out later today if it comes early enough. __________________ Jack Bauer once got Helen Keller to talk, she said "Please stop breaking my fingers, I am deaf." "Zombies man, they creep me out" ~ Dennis Hopper Land of the Dead

08-09-2007, 05:36 PM	#27 (permalink)
187ontheVHS Actor Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ottawa, ON	Hmmm, that's too bad. So I was wondering, if the premium console now has HDMI, what makes the Elite so elite? A bigger hard drive? The color black? They really need to rethink the Elite now, maybe throw in an HD-DVD drive? __________________ * I reserve the right to contradict myself.