After two and a half years, we've had another Xbox 360 die. For the record, with two 360s in the house, we have seen:
- Two Red Rings of Death
- A video card failure
- Frequent freezing
- A faulty DVD drive eject button
Meanwhile, also last year, we finally gave in and had the other launch 360 repaired due to incessant freezing since launch (probably due to overheating) but no Red Ring of Death. It was fixed, but came back with a faulty eject button which we never bothered to get it re-repaired since we can open and close it with a remote - though it's on our to-do list.
We're actually going to hang onto that one for now, since the other replacement/repaired-once-already 360 died tonight unexpectedly with three red lights blinking rapidly. The only clue I had that there was any problem was when Grand Theft Auto IV hung during a mission load screen this afternoon for more than 5 minutes. I finally ejected the disc, cleaned it and put it back in. It seemed fine after that. But when I turned it back on this evening, it didn't come back up. Well, it will load without a hard drive attached, but the support person said it's done for and to send it in.
You know it's bad when they offer to let me ship it in my own box instead of insisting I wait for them to send me an authorized shipping container. Fortunately, I saved one of their cardboard coffins from last year.
So it looks like I might have a chance to see how the Xbox 360 transfer process works, assuming they replace the console. Not that I'm looking forward to manually redownloading 800+ pieces of content ranging from Rock Band songs to Obliviion mods and (mostly free) gamer pics, themes and videos. But it would solve the problem of having to wait for a year to buy a console after consolidating my licenses.
Here's hoping the other 360 can hold out three weeks without going all Red Ring on us. Heck, I'll just be happy if it can survive through my 40th birthday this weekend.
-=Gamewatcher
Happy Birthday! Granted I know some people frown upon their 40th. Oh the woes of the 360. I have a 2005 launch I had to have my DVD drive replaced last year, since it wasn't a RROD I have to pay out of pocket. But other than that is has been solid. I know I don't have to say it, but keep us updated. I have considered getting a new Xbox and giving my old one to a friend who doesn't have one. I have not heard as many horror stories about the Elites… Have you?
Thanks for the birthday wishes! I'm trying not to sweat it. I mean I'm still young at heart, but have the benefit of a little life's wisdom, right?
Regarding our 360 woes: We actually bought Microsoft's extended warranty for our consoles, but they are up this November. Red Ring of Death is covered for three extra years, which I think means we're good until 2010. But other issues aren't, so if we can extend the warranty another year or so we will.
If you're looking to buy, I believe most if not all of the new Xbox 360s out there at retail now:
So they're basically Elites without the fancy black case and bigger bundled hard drive. If you need a bigger hard drive and HDMI, then it's a good deal. If you already have a 120GB drive and just want a more reliable, HDMI-capable console then look for the HDMI logo on a standard unit and swap the hard drive before passing the old one on to your friend.
I've been thinking of giving my brother, who can't afford the console on his cop's salary, a 360 - either a hand-me-down or new one if the price drop rumors prove true. I'll have to wait and see what happens with our two consoles. I expect that the summer heat coupled with a lot of extended GTA IV and Rock Band play brought on the Red Ring this week.
I suspect our other 360 received improved heatsinking when it was repaired last year for the intermittant freeze ups, but even with that I wonder if it will survive the next three weeks while the first console is repaired or replaced.
-=Gamewatcher