360 Problems, discuss them here

[Ridgeberg]

Has anyone had any experience with Sam's Club and their warranty? I got the 3 red lights this morning. I purchased a 1 year warranty from Sam's Club but they told me that their warranty does not kick in until the 3 year Microsoft warranty expires. I really don't want to send it back to Microsoft, 1) because I don't want to wait and 2) because I want a newer model, if I can get one.

Could I take the malfunctioning Xbox to Sam's and exchange it or will they give me a hard time like the warranty department did?

Any tips?

Should I just bite the bullet and deal with MS?

Thanks.

[Pared]

Quote: Originally Posted by Quint75

I am about 8 hours into Bioshock, and am convinced it is one of the best games I have ever played. Imagine my joy when I was greeted by the Red Rings Of Death upon turning on my 360 today. I called the service department and they said normal turnaround time from the moment I called until I have the 360 back in my hands is 3 to 3 1/2 weeks. Wonderful. In the meantime, my son was a bad boy today and got grounded by mom, so I may be putting my hard drive onto his 360 and going that route for a little while. But it is still a major pain in the hinder. I had been getting some game freezes lately, mostly in NCAA Football, which I exchanged for another copy. I had one in Bioshock and the game actually froze and gave me the red lights during a game of APF2K8. Majorly bummed...

**** man, that sucks so bad. Sorry to hear that. The turnaround time isn't too bad... but it shouldn't even happen.

Quote: Originally Posted by candymanGT

This thing is a POS..............one big POS. It reminds me of the PS2 during the early days when people had nothing but trouble.

The PS2 units would at least still work with DVD's. It was the CD games where people would have issues. Remember the Playstation? I remember at one point I had to turn the thing upside down until I opened it up and fixed it myself!

Anyway I got my system back this weekend. I sent it in about the 6th and I got it back on the 24th. Three weeks is about right.

So does anyone know what happens to my warranty now? Do I have 3 years from now again? 1 year?

Oh, and my system came with the original number and all but in a different case with a different number on the outside. What the heck does that mean?

[dave360]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ridgeberg

Has anyone had any experience with Sam's Club and their warranty? I got the 3 red lights this morning. I purchased a 1 year warranty from Sam's Club but they told me that their warranty does not kick in until the 3 year Microsoft warranty expires. I really don't want to send it back to Microsoft, 1) because I don't want to wait and 2) because I want a newer model, if I can get one. Could I take the malfunctioning Xbox to Sam's and exchange it or will they give me a hard time like the warranty department did? Any tips? Should I just bite the bullet and deal with MS? Thanks.

I would take it into Sam's and not tell them it was the "red rings". Tell them it was something else and they should give you another one. Part of the beauty of an in-store warranty should be that you don't have to deal with Microsoft on it.

[Ridgeberg]

Quote: Originally Posted by dave360

I would take it into Sam's and not tell them it was the "red rings". Tell them it was something else and they should give you another one. Part of the beauty of an in-store warranty should be that you don't have to deal with Microsoft on it.

Thanks for the tip Dave. Took it in, had to jump through a couple of hoops, walked out with a new Premium 30 minutes later. Setting it up now.

WOW!

[ac11367]

I took the advice of someone here who posted that he lifted his 360 up with a rubber eraser on each corner while laying it horizontally. That way, every vent is utilized. I used a similar approach. I used the cardbox box that the iPod was packaged with, and placed it under the 360 like a undersized platform. I notice that the back of the machine is not as hot anymore (it's still pretty warm) when I play, and when I retrieve the disc from the tray, the disc isn't as hot either.

[Rodster]

Quote: Originally Posted by ac11367

I took the advice of someone here who posted that he lifted his 360 up with a rubber eraser on each corner while laying it horizontally. That way, every vent is utilized. I used a similar approach. I used the cardbox box that the iPod was packaged with, and placed it under the 360 like a undersized platform. I notice that the back of the machine is not as hot anymore (it's still pretty warm) when I play, and when I retrieve the disc from the tray, the disc isn't as hot either.

That would be me.

[ac11367]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rodster

That would be me.

Great idea.

I bet when MS first tested the 360 prototype for potential heating issues, the machine was probably suspended in midair by strings. Testers would confirmed that IF all the vents are unobstructed, heat will not an issue.

[Rodster]

Quote: Originally Posted by ac11367

Great idea. I bet when MS first tested the 360 prototype for potential heating issues, the machine was probably suspended in midair by strings. Testers would confirmed that IF all the vents are unobstructed, heat will not an issue.

Actually if they had included front air vents like the PS2 or PS3 the RROD would not be as big a problem as it is today. They sealed off the unit with the exception of the back effectively turning it into a self baking oven.