Yeah.. so my xbox 360 crapped out on me for the 4th time with the 3 rings of death.... Waiting on Microsoft to send me my FIFTH console.

The lifespans of these things have been less than 1 year for me... WHAT THE HECK!?!?!?

You know, I could forgive Microsoft if they learned from their mistake and built them more solidly, but it seems like they're going to make them cheaply for this entire generation, no matter that they end up spending so much money to fix them all. I would even pay more for a higher-quality version (that is also quieter), but they hate us.

The high failure rate of the Xbox makes me want to stick with a PS3 for my HD gaming console, but Halo keeps me wanting to buy one.

There are so many great games on the 360 at this point. I couldn't do without it.

At least you constantly have a new one!
Until RROD do us apart...

I've got a 3 year old console that hasn't destroyed itself yet luckily...you might consider one of those 3rd party intercoolers to keep the heat down (cause of RROD).

We're on our 3rd console. The first 2 went at 6 months like clockwork. This one has been good for ~10 months now, knock on wood (* * * raps fist on forehead ).

We're overdue. Good thing I ponied up for the 2 year extended warranty. $59 well spent.

Scott

I've had three RROD's also... {{{WARNING: STRAIGHT LINE APPROACHING!}}} and my unit doesn't get all that much use.

The new models of the 360 fix all the previous heat sink and noise problems. IIRC they are the new Jasper xbox 360 units. My xbox 360 is also messed up badly. I am thinking of sending it in and I am sure it will not be covered under warranty. I have been getting all sorts of disk unreadable errors with games and my Halo 3:ODST will not even load a map or level anymore. Its a big problem. There is a big thread on the Bungie website discussing this issue.

Bottom line the hardware is junk.

Buy "Uncharted 2" you won't miss Halo at all after that. At least not until you finish it.

As I mentioned in my previous post in this thread that I was having problems with Halo 3: ODST. Issues such as freezing, lag, sound delay/cutting out and worst of all frequent disk unreadable errors. As of this point the game sluggishly loads to the main menu with the sound cutting in and out and when I go to load a map it only goes to around 27% or less and then gives me a unreadable/unable to read disk error everytime.

I contacted Microsoft support and they are aware of this issue and are providing me with a free fix. I am still not sure what is causing the problem though (maybe they do not know either, so they might use this as a troubleshooting console). I should expect a shipping label and instructions within a few business days.

Here is quite a long thread on this issue and a response has been given by Bungie. The resolution takes place on the last few pages.

http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=37231830

Maybe they're failing less, but I've still heard people mentioning their Jaspers dying. As for the noise, I thought the DVD drives were still loud as heck. Did fan noise actually improve?

Microsoft told me that they would be sending me a shipping label (or I could print it from the internet). I told them that they needed to send me a box as well, because I wasn't about to pay for packing supplies for a console that is a piece of junk. They sent a box (I call it a coffin) all the other times but I guess they had changed the policy.

After enough bitching, they agreed to send the coffin and also agreed to use expedited shipping through fed ex, as opposed to their standard ground shipping with UPS for both ways with the box.

I also told him that I wanted a more reliable unit, preferably one that has HDMI... but we shall see what happens. I plan on calling back in a day or two and bitching some more, until I get a free game or controller.

I received kameo when my first xbox broke, an xbox live arcade unplugged game the second time, and a wireless controller the 3rd time. I think they send out 1 month free gold memberships with the return unit as well (at least they did my last two times). If you bitch politely to the proper people they usually give you something for your trouble. They are lucky that I even keep buying games for their piece of junk console.

Indeed Microsoft support can be frustrating but I always stay polite and try not to show any frustration. Their representatives respond strictly to the troubleshooting guide that apppears online (which is useless) and this new problem with consoles and ODST that I was experiencing was not in his system. After a brief discussion with the agent I asked to speak to a supervisor because I was not going to get a resolution with the agent. After a brief wait I recapped my issue and told him that a Bungie representative stated the console has to be taken into Microsoft for repair as per thread above. The troubleshooting specialist agreed and was delighted with the information he received about this problem from me and stated the repair will be free of charge.

I really do not care about getting free stuff I just want my console fixed. And yes the fact they are not sending out the coffins and packing materials anymore is strange and does not make any sense but overall I am pleased with the outcome. We will see how it plays out.

I won the new one (arcade edition) and haven't opened it yet. I'm thinking of selling it since I just got a PS3.

how did you win it?

He submitted an essay on the superiority of the PS3.

I have my coffin all assembled with foam inserts and xbox ready to be shipped for repair. Still waiting on the shipping labels to arrive in the mail...

can they not email it to you? The technician I spoke with said you could print a shipping label off of the internet.

MY coffin (with shipping label) is out for delivery with UPS as we speak. I will pack it up and ship it out tomorrow. Console is being shipped to repair center via next day air.

Want to race to see who gets their 360 fixed first?

Good question. The rep did not mention that option to me. However, the shipping label I am receiving is pre-paid by Microsoft (since the repair incurs no cost on my behalf) so I am not sure if that makes any difference for using the online service for printing off labels? I am hoping to receive the shipping stickers tomorrow and send it off for repair.

If you don't get the label soon I would call and ask about the printing option.

I received my coffin today. I am including the letter below with my xbox... maybe they will give me console that won't die in a few months.

I won it at a Microsoft launch event I was at a couple weeks ago.

I am hoping to get a replacement Jasper unit. Either way I doubt we get the same console shipped backed.

out of the 3 boxes I have sent in so far, 1 was replaced with a different unit and the other 2 times the same one was "fixed" and sent back to me.

We shall see what the future has in store for console number 5.

Once again, I recommend a Nyko intercooler as added insurance.

Do those things really work? I heard that they may cause more harm than good... How is the fan noise?

I haven't read about any harm they may cause... they remove heat much more efficiently than the standard fan. Nyko's latest version has a temp sensor that turns on automatically and stays on about 30 secs after power down. I'd say the fan noise is a little louder than when the drive is spinning (in other words, with both the DVD drive spinning and the fans running it is louder than without the intercooler), so there is that to consider.

I remember reading that, too, on several gaming blogs a long time ago. I haven't read anything on it for ages, though.

360 is now off for repair.

I swear I remember reading years ago about intercoolers, 360's and the term melting all in the same sentence.

The Nyko TS version has its own power supply, and won't void the warranty. I haven't used the Xbox much since I got the intercooler, so I can't say yay or nay on whether it's beneficial.

People are reporting they are receiving the new Jasper units that run much quieter with manufacturing dates in 2009 with regards to the ODST disk unreadable issue as per their free repair from MS. If this is the case in my situation, I could not ask for any better resolution...pleaaaaassssssssseeeeeeeee make this happen (fingers crossed)

I got my shiny new xbox 360 back from repair. It has an Oct 09 date on the back by the Serial #. This puppy should be up to the Jasper specs . Just waiting to let the console warm up a bit and then I will install the hard drive and then run the component and optical cables through a rats nest of cables . First test will be ODST :). Great service by MS btw.

Wtf? My 4th RROD and my console is still in"repair". MS is garbage!

My new xbox runs like a top and I would say it is an improvement. It is much quieter and does not rev up like my old xbox did. The oustide case looks brand new as well as the disk drive. ODST is running flawlessly, load times are fast, no sound stutters/delays, freezing etc.

If you get one of the newly manufactured or refurbed models that are Jasper spec'd you should be very happy with the end result. Make sure to check the date on the back. There is a very noticeable reduction in the noise with the newest model I have received here.

You said it's hooked up by component video, does this new one you've got have HDMI?

How do you get HDMI? Through unprotected connections?

Component

Geez, I am on my third and I thought that was bad. The first one was warrantied (although took seven weeks, argh) and after it happened again a few months back out of warranty, I bought a new one from Best Buy for $150 on sale and sold the broken one for $40 on Ebay. Cost me $20 more than fixing it through Microsoft and much faster, and has HDMI.

As much as this thing blows in reliability, it makes up for in entertainment. Forza 3 is next for me, and COD:MW 2

Well, I got my 360 back last night via UPS next day air. They kept my console in "repair" status for a week, and then just turned around and shipped me a replacement unit. The serial number sticker doesn't show a manufacturing date, but has a "service" date above the serial number of 5-07-2009. I am pretty sure it is just a refurbished piece of junk similar to my last one. Hopefully it will last longer this time... we shall see.

Thats very promising. The refurb should be up to the latest "technical requirements" considering the date on the console. The difference in the latest models is the chipset and that it requires less power. The motherboard can easily be modified or a new one dropped in on a refurb. You can identify a new jasper unit sold in stores by its power spec. 12v-12,1A;5V-1A

Do you notice any difference in the fan noise?

I didn't notice a difference on the fan noise but wasn't really paying careful attention. I was playing forza 3 and had the sound cranked up so I could hear the rumble of the engine

The biggest problem I have with the 360 is the dvd noise.

One of the 4 times I had my console repaired they had me send in my powersuply unit... this last time they did not.

The power supply I have is listed as 203 watts.

I'm sure this has been mentioned but... install your active game to hard drive and your dvd won't be constantly whirring! Much less noise!

Yeah... Problem is I have a launch 20 gig HD... I had to delete tons of arcade game demos just to make room for the 1.9GB of stuff that you are required to install for Forza 3. (there is a second disc that has the tracks and cars that you must install).

Buying a new Hard drive is next on my to do list

The console they gave me is a piece of junk. Lately it has sounded like a jet engine taking off with a horrible grinding noise to boot. This is with or without a DVD in the tray. I called microsoft and they overnighted me yet another box. 6th xbox here i come.... GRRRRRR.

Can you say HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE for a HORRIBLE product?

Man, David, I haven't had nearly your bad luck, and I'm still upset about the 360. I can't imagine how you feel.

Sigh!

It is a flawed product. Was the grinding coming from the disk drive when you were either opening or closing it? My last console I had was really loud like what you describe. The new one I have is quieter. Does your console still function, like reading games or dvds?

Six failures warrants a refund or a brand new one as far as I'm concerned!

Indeed! Although I don't think any company will refund your money after a certain time period. However, a non refurbished (brand new) replacement console would be a nice gesture in good faith after all the troubles/console failures.

After 6 failures, they should also be paying for anger management classes.

The grinding noise came when the console was turned on, with our without a DVD in the tray. The box runs at it's normal volume 80 percent of the time, but every once in a while it is obnoxiously loud. I have the shipping box here but since it sounds ok right now I am going to wait a bit to ship it out. I spoke with a "resolution specialist" who is supposed to call me back on Monday. I am requesting a new console, but I requested a new one the last two times as well. My console is out of it's original warranty but I have a 90 day warranty that came With the refurbed xbox.

I think that was your teeth.

Honestly, I'm surprised that there has been no class action suite against MS around the 360s.

Ironically enough there is one occuring against sony and the PS3. There was an update that ruined consoles and they are not replacing them for free and owners that had this happen have to pay full replacement fee (the last time I read about this).