Topic '[Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure' in forum 'Rants, Raves, and Praise' - dslreports.com http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23308614 en Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:14:17 EDT Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:14:17 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23346903
They basically outlawed lead in all electronic devices. Well guess what...solder's main component is lead. They did basically NO research on the impact of such a directive before enacting it, and it has completely wiped out entire industries. Other industries, such as microelectronics manufacturers, have suffered greatly. They now have to use lead free solder. Microsoft makes all of their consoles with this new lead free solder so that they can be legally sold all around the world (including Europe). Unfortunately, we Americans also get these same consoles. Lead free solder causes ALL KINDS of problems in electronics, which you can research for yourself. This lead free solder is suspected by many to be the root cause of the RROD problems with the Xbox 360. Actually, since the enactment of RoHS, the average lifespan of all microelectronics worldwide has taken a huge dive. Bottom line...due to RoHS, there are no micro electronics created these days that will last forever like the old systems such as SNES and Genesis did. They will all eventually fail due to the problems with lead free solder.

Of course, certain applications that HAVE to last a long time can apply for an exemption (such as military equipment).

The whole thing is a HUGE crock, and you really should read up on it. It's incredible the damage that government agencies can do when they are allowed to over-regulate. They hardly ever do thorough research on impact before making one of their stupid ideas into a law. The ironic thing is that they did this to "prevent pollution". As a result, the shortened lifespan of electronics (and specially cell phones) has made thousands of tons MORE garbage to fill up the landfills. Great idea.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23346903 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:24:07 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23337899
It's not worth the hassle imo.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23337899 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:05:12 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23320103
»www.dosbox.com/

Just thought I'd throw that link for fellow retro gamers. Works wonderful under Linux and Windows.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23320103 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:16:36 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23320050 said by Selenia:

btw, Windows has not been out for 25 years quite yet. It was released as 1.0 in 1985 and was not much more than a crude DOS shell with no mouse functionality He didn't say he was using Windows for 25 years, he said "MS operating systems". ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23320050 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:05:11 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23319967
btw, Windows has not been out for 25 years quite yet. It was released as 1.0 in 1985 and was not much more than a crude DOS shell with no mouse functionality(ahh memories).]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23319967 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:49:41 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23318787 said by Selenia:

They would all be insult to injury for me. MS all in all makes a crap OS, no matter which version it is. I thought xp/2k were great, but once you get serious about Linux, BSD, OS X and research what you need for software(different OS after all), you can never go back. At least I couldn't but for FFXI. Now that I have a ps3 along with a few wine installations that can now run it, I don't need that crutch anymore. Mind you, that one game was my hold up from 100% ditching Windows for a few years. Still my fav MMO.

It's not so much that 2k/xp are really that bad. They are just too old. Vista/7 are the biggest pieces of bloatware I have seen. Do you want to buy new hardware then dedicate much of the new specs to running an OS? I'd rather save the resources and blaze through my video editing, etc. Notice I am not endorsing just a single UNiX derivative because all the ones I mentioned are great. I prefer Linux. Most people who use Windows never get to see what else is out there, which is a sad thing.
I have no desire to see what else is out there. I've been using MS operating systems for twenty five years and have no desire to use anything else.
Now perhaps if there was something that had as much of the market as MS my view would be different. But nothing comes close.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23318787 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:09:32 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23314480
It's not so much that 2k/xp are really that bad. They are just too old. Vista/7 are the biggest pieces of bloatware I have seen. Do you want to buy new hardware then dedicate much of the new specs to running an OS? I'd rather save the resources and blaze through my video editing, etc. Notice I am not endorsing just a single UNiX derivative because all the ones I mentioned are great. I prefer Linux. Most people who use Windows never get to see what else is out there, which is a sad thing.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23314480 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:23:12 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23314334 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23314334 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:56:37 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313963 said by dvd536:

said by Technogeez:

said by nokken:

Hey guys,

Never used this forum before but seems like a good time to start.

So...

[RANT]

I heard about a sweet deal Walmart was running today from 8am to 12pm in their electronics department. They were selling new Xbox360 Arcade editions for $199 with a free $100 Walmart gift card. If one was planning on picking up an extra controller or a game or two with their new console, this essentially meant the console only cost $100. I just couldn't pass this one by...

So I get to the store at 9:30am. If there were any left in stock, I was gonna buy one. I get there and there are 3 left. So I pick one up along with Halo 3 and an extra controller. I get home, unbox the console, hook it up to my SDTV 480i Piece of Crap, and proceed to import my Games for Windows - LIVE Gamertag over into Xbox LIVE Silver. I'm really digging the dashboard user interface of the 360. I spent about 10 minutes creating my avatar (what a total copy/paste job of Nintendo's Mii concept) and then go take a break to watch the Bama/LSU game on TV.

After the football game, I decided to fire up Halo 3. I really liked Halo and Halo 2 on the original Xbox and was very excited to play the 3rd installment in the series. I press the 'Eject' button on the console. I place the game on the disc drive tray. I press the 'Eject' button on the console again to close the drive. Halo 3 starts up and it appears the intro movie had tried to start in the background. However, a message from Xbox LIVE showed up and told me about an update that was available. Before I even got a chance to tell the system to download the update, my console freezes. No response from any controller buttons. Still image. All I could do was turn it off. So I turned it off.

I think to myself, "Hmm ... well that's happened on my Wii before ... it's probably nothing." I turn the system on again. A big pixilated system error message shows up. "System Error. Please contact Microsoft Customer Support" is displayed in several languages. At the bottom is the error code "E 74"

Oh great.

So I turn the system off and on again.

This time there is no video output and 3 of the 4 lights around the power button are flashing red - the ever-ominous "Red Ring of Death". According to the Official Manual and many Internet sources, this is the error code for hardware failure. I called Microsoft and submitted their version of an RMA and I have to ship the console to them for service. They are paying for a shipping label.

Brand new broken system, out of stock retailer, 3 weeks to get it sent back to me in working condition. AWESOME!

[/RANT]

I guess the moral of the story is you get what you pay for.
Maybe Microsoft will throw in a free copy of Windows 7 for you...?
Add insult to injury?
Only if they threw in a copy of XP. XP is crap compared to Vista and Win7. I had seven machines with Vista, zero problems. I now have six machines with Windows 7 and it has been excellent so far.
This was never the case with crappy XP. Altough Xp was better than ME or 95.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313963 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:49:40 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313953 said by Madtown:

said by Ken:

Did the box already look opened? It's very unusual for a system to die that fast. I'm betting someone returned that unit, and Walmart put it back on the shelf.
That's exactly why I refuse to shop at Walmart anymore. Not just Xbox 360 but anything, I won't even buy clothes there no more.
BestBuy is the place where I've had items sold to me as new that were not. I've never had that problem at Walmart. But either way, both BestBuy and Walmart will replace it, without any questions. Only walmarts return policy is 90 days instead of the 45 days I get from bestBuy.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313953 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:47:51 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313938 said by Toadman:

said by Kearnstd:

i have to ask, why is it that the modern systems seem to have more quality issues then the older gen like the NES and SNES era? is it simply greater volume of sales(ie more chance of bad units due to greater number reporting), or is it lower quality workmanship in construction/coding/
Because the NES and SNES were better quality builds. The boards were made in Japan and I do believe final assembly was done in Malaysia during that time. Now all of it is sourced into China, and quality standards are lower. It seems now a days if you have a TV that lasts longer than 3 years or a electronic kids toy that will work for longer than what that batteries would last, it is a miracle.
Welcome to the walmart nation!
Then I have a bunch of miracles. Every piece of electronics i've purchased from walmart has worked for many years.
I also have other devices made in china that has worked well too. It really has more to do with the design of teh product than where it was made. A product made in Japan can be crappy too if it has a bad design.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313938 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:46:07 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313913 said by nokken:

Hey guys,

Never used this forum before but seems like a good time to start.

So...

[RANT]

I heard about a sweet deal Walmart was running today from 8am to 12pm in their electronics department. They were selling new Xbox360 Arcade editions for $199 with a free $100 Walmart gift card. If one was planning on picking up an extra controller or a game or two with their new console, this essentially meant the console only cost $100. I just couldn't pass this one by...

So I get to the store at 9:30am. If there were any left in stock, I was gonna buy one. I get there and there are 3 left. So I pick one up along with Halo 3 and an extra controller. I get home, unbox the console, hook it up to my SDTV 480i Piece of Crap, and proceed to import my Games for Windows - LIVE Gamertag over into Xbox LIVE Silver. I'm really digging the dashboard user interface of the 360. I spent about 10 minutes creating my avatar (what a total copy/paste job of Nintendo's Mii concept) and then go take a break to watch the Bama/LSU game on TV.

After the football game, I decided to fire up Halo 3. I really liked Halo and Halo 2 on the original Xbox and was very excited to play the 3rd installment in the series. I press the 'Eject' button on the console. I place the game on the disc drive tray. I press the 'Eject' button on the console again to close the drive. Halo 3 starts up and it appears the intro movie had tried to start in the background. However, a message from Xbox LIVE showed up and told me about an update that was available. Before I even got a chance to tell the system to download the update, my console freezes. No response from any controller buttons. Still image. All I could do was turn it off. So I turned it off.

I think to myself, "Hmm ... well that's happened on my Wii before ... it's probably nothing." I turn the system on again. A big pixilated system error message shows up. "System Error. Please contact Microsoft Customer Support" is displayed in several languages. At the bottom is the error code "E 74"

Oh great.

So I turn the system off and on again.

This time there is no video output and 3 of the 4 lights around the power button are flashing red - the ever-ominous "Red Ring of Death". According to the Official Manual and many Internet sources, this is the error code for hardware failure. I called Microsoft and submitted their version of an RMA and I have to ship the console to them for service. They are paying for a shipping label.

Brand new broken system, out of stock retailer, 3 weeks to get it sent back to me in working condition. AWESOME!

[/RANT]

I guess the moral of the story is you get what you pay for.
Why would you send it in for repairs? get walmart to replace it. I picked up one from walmart saturday too. To replace my Arcade from 2007 that uses alot more power.
If it were to have red ringed on me when I tried it out on Saturday, i would have brought it back to walmart and they would have replaced it right away, or allowed me to wait for them to get stock in.
You don't send a brand new system in for repairs. You get it replaced.
And Walmart has a generous return policy.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313913 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:42:04 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313862 said by DarkLogix:

said by ElecGuru :

The new edition has chips designed and produced by Intel, and also better heatsinks.. there are no problems with the newer editions 360s.
You sure about that
I'm fairly sure that the XBOX360 chips are amde by IBM
seeing as Microsoft paid IBM a ton to design and build the 1st ones

and that the CPU/GPU is based on the same design as the PS3's CPU (from the same IBM project)

it would be a major architecture change to go to intel chips
That is possible, infact it does sound better. I'll have to pull out my tech specs on the system next time I'm in the office, though I'm positive microsoft went their own route on the 1st gen chips, instead of having IBM on them (if infact it was IBM), it was a cost saving measure that turned out to literally bite them in the ass since all 1st gen consoles have this problem. Generally, the more "hardcore" group will notice the issue first, the "casual" group may not see the issue until the unit is well out of warranty, even the extended warranty.

The second gen is what Microsoft SHOULD of done the first time around (consulting IBM), and would of saved a whole bunch trouble and money.

Again, I will try to find the tech specs again between the two, its been awhile, but there were some very detailed design differences and a outside chip company on the 2nd edition.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313862 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:35:24 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313875 said by Madtown:

When you buy stuff at Walmart, they don't sell you a "Walmart version" of the product what happens is that it not reliable, stable, anything of that nature.
They do for most things, electronics included. How do I know? One of my good friends was a regional store manager for Target; he said Target orders the same basic items from the same Chinese manufacturers, but Target will pay for things like double-stitching or tighter controls and testing on electronics.

Having said that, since Microsoft and not Wal-Mart (Target, et al) is ultimately responsible for warranty repair costs, I highly doubt they get a version that is any different that any other manufacturer, especially since Microsoft controls the price the unit is sold for.
--
trafficcloak.com - pptp/sstp vpn services]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313875 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:35:23 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313773 said by ElecGuru :

The new edition has chips designed and produced by Intel, and also better heatsinks.. there are no problems with the newer editions 360s.
You sure about that
I'm fairly sure that the XBOX360 chips are amde by IBM
seeing as Microsoft paid IBM a ton to design and build the 1st ones

and that the CPU/GPU is based on the same design as the PS3's CPU (from the same IBM project)

it would be a major architecture change to go to intel chips]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313773 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:18:10 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313698 said by nokken:

Update:
I dropped back by Walmart this afternoon and checked to see if they had somehow gotten some more 360 arcades in since yesterday. They had received 2 of the brand new SKU boxes (no mention of the now obsolete "Pro" version on the packaging).
I brought the broken console to customer service to see if they would exchange it as defective and it took about 30 minutes for the cashiers at customer service to figure out how to swap the old box for the new box. They called some guy from electronics to make sure I put everything back in the box and he compared the serial #s on my receipt and the console. Something about yesterday's free $100 gift card deal almost screwed up the return exchange because the computer wanted to give me ANOTHER $100 gift card. They eventually figured out how to process the return w/o issuing another gift card.

+1 to Walmart.

After I got home I canceled the service request and called Microsoft to un-register the defective console.
The new console works fine. :D
Glad you got it sorted. This was the route I would have taken, too.

The replacement console Microsoft would have sent you would probably have been a refurbished unit with a 1-year warranty, whereas I believe your new console had a 3-year warranty on the specific E 74 / RRoD condition. Bad deal.

Although the RRoD is a known issue, it's very uncommon for it to occur on the first day of use. You must have gotten a console that was defective or damaged either during manufacturing or transit.

Anyway, enjoy it!
--
"I'll follow the law until it's just stupid." -Ted Nugent]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313698 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:59:25 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313489 said by Weirdal:

said by dvd536:

said by Selenia:

Not defending the system, but the 360 does have some known issues if you researched it. Seems you did, since you know about the RRoD. The other 2 consoles are more reliable, if that's what you seek. Not saying not to buy it, but you knew it was a risk. Seems MS is handling the situation properly and I doubt they'd be as likely to give you a broken console as you were to get a bad one from a store.
I wonder if the replacement unit is going to be another walmart model where every conceivable corner was cut or a good one.
Have any evidence that Microsoft makes different 360s for sale at Wal-Mart?
This is actually somewhat true. It was the 1st edition of the xbox360 with the RRoD error. The newer revised edition does not have this. Walmart is trying to make a quick buck basically by trying to sell off some of the older faulty systems.

Microsoft tried to cut some corners on the first edition and is paying for it. Opting to handle chip design and production itself. Big mistake. There is heat dissipation issues with the GPU in the first edition. This causes the motherboard to warp slightly and cause hairline cracks in solder joists. This issue is actually very fixable to any person that is good with computers and electronics, though, if your under warranty, you can just send it to Microsoft, who will replace it with another 1st edition faulty system..... I have heard of people getting replacements up to 7 times. In the end, you should just fix the problem yourself. Disassemble the 360, remove heatsinks, scrape off all old thermal compound, replacing with artic silver, add properly sized washers to the underside where the special X connectors hold the heatsinks (for a tighter fit), Turn on box with fans disconnected, letting it run for about 15mins (until you get 2 ring over heat error, this reseals the broken solder joints), Re-assemble box, clear all error codes, problem solved permanently.

The new edition has chips designed and produced by Intel, and also better heatsinks.. there are no problems with the newer editions 360s.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313489 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:13:20 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313422 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313422 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:51:47 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313123 said by Anonymous_:

said by Ken:

Did the box already look opened? It's very unusual for a system to die that fast. I'm betting someone returned that unit, and Walmart put it back on the shelf.
it's illegal
to sell open box as new

(some states any how)
such as CA

that is why Newegg has "open box" items

as the come out of CA and if it's from another state such as NJ your screwed unless you payed by Credit Card
never stopped walmart OR bestbuy in the past
there stories all over the place of people getting "new" stuff that was a return ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313123 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:49:34 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313101 said by Technogeez:

said by nokken:

Hey guys,

Never used this forum before but seems like a good time to start.

So...

[RANT]

I heard about a sweet deal Walmart was running today from 8am to 12pm in their electronics department. They were selling new Xbox360 Arcade editions for $199 with a free $100 Walmart gift card. If one was planning on picking up an extra controller or a game or two with their new console, this essentially meant the console only cost $100. I just couldn't pass this one by...

So I get to the store at 9:30am. If there were any left in stock, I was gonna buy one. I get there and there are 3 left. So I pick one up along with Halo 3 and an extra controller. I get home, unbox the console, hook it up to my SDTV 480i Piece of Crap, and proceed to import my Games for Windows - LIVE Gamertag over into Xbox LIVE Silver. I'm really digging the dashboard user interface of the 360. I spent about 10 minutes creating my avatar (what a total copy/paste job of Nintendo's Mii concept) and then go take a break to watch the Bama/LSU game on TV.

After the football game, I decided to fire up Halo 3. I really liked Halo and Halo 2 on the original Xbox and was very excited to play the 3rd installment in the series. I press the 'Eject' button on the console. I place the game on the disc drive tray. I press the 'Eject' button on the console again to close the drive. Halo 3 starts up and it appears the intro movie had tried to start in the background. However, a message from Xbox LIVE showed up and told me about an update that was available. Before I even got a chance to tell the system to download the update, my console freezes. No response from any controller buttons. Still image. All I could do was turn it off. So I turned it off.

I think to myself, "Hmm ... well that's happened on my Wii before ... it's probably nothing." I turn the system on again. A big pixilated system error message shows up. "System Error. Please contact Microsoft Customer Support" is displayed in several languages. At the bottom is the error code "E 74"

Oh great.

So I turn the system off and on again.

This time there is no video output and 3 of the 4 lights around the power button are flashing red - the ever-ominous "Red Ring of Death". According to the Official Manual and many Internet sources, this is the error code for hardware failure. I called Microsoft and submitted their version of an RMA and I have to ship the console to them for service. They are paying for a shipping label.

Brand new broken system, out of stock retailer, 3 weeks to get it sent back to me in working condition. AWESOME!

[/RANT]

I guess the moral of the story is you get what you pay for.
Maybe Microsoft will throw in a free copy of Windows 7 for you...?
Add insult to injury?
--
When I gez aju zavateh na nalechoo more new yonooz tonigh molinigh - Ken Lee]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313101 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:31:07 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313011 said by Madtown:

When you buy stuff at Walmart, they don't sell you a "Walmart version" of the product what happens is that it not reliable, stable, anything of that nature.
What the hell are you talking about? I think you're smoking crack or something.
--
said by Metatron2008:

But people who download thousands of movies and games.... Yes, they are as bad as any murderer
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23313011 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:48:21 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312921 said by Weirdal:

said by dvd536:

said by Selenia:

Not defending the system, but the 360 does have some known issues if you researched it. Seems you did, since you know about the RRoD. The other 2 consoles are more reliable, if that's what you seek. Not saying not to buy it, but you knew it was a risk. Seems MS is handling the situation properly and I doubt they'd be as likely to give you a broken console as you were to get a bad one from a store.
I wonder if the replacement unit is going to be another walmart model where every conceivable corner was cut or a good one.
Have any evidence that Microsoft makes different 360s for sale at Wal-Mart?
When you buy stuff at Walmart, they don't sell you a "Walmart version" of the product what happens is that it not reliable, stable, anything of that nature. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312921 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:26:41 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312919 said by Ken:

Did the box already look opened? It's very unusual for a system to die that fast. I'm betting someone returned that unit, and Walmart put it back on the shelf.
That's exactly why I refuse to shop at Walmart anymore. Not just Xbox 360 but anything, I won't even buy clothes there no more. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312919 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:25:21 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312612 said by Anonymous_:

it's illegal
to sell open box as new It's also irrelevant. Just because it's illegal doesn't mean it doesn't happen. In the case of the XBOX and most electronics, the box should have a seal on the tabs. You can't open the box without either cutting the seal or having it peel the cardboard apart. If it didn't, maybe, just maybe, it was actually a returned unit. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312612 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:47:21 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312602 said by Matt:

He noted the retailer was out of stock. Not sure where the OP lives, but 1) there may be more than one Wal-Mart within a reasonable driving distance and 2) Wal-Mart likely will receive add'l units quicker than 3 weeks (I think that's what they told him it would take through the warranty processing).]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312602 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:43:54 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312421 Edit: (Lots of room to breathe, flat, horizontal surface.)

And yes, it was a Jasper ... 12,A marking on the label. Manufactured in May 2009.

Update:
I dropped back by Walmart this afternoon and checked to see if they had somehow gotten some more 360 arcades in since yesterday. They had received 2 of the brand new SKU boxes (no mention of the now obsolete "Pro" version on the packaging).
I brought the broken console to customer service to see if they would exchange it as defective and it took about 30 minutes for the cashiers at customer service to figure out how to swap the old box for the new box. They called some guy from electronics to make sure I put everything back in the box and he compared the serial #s on my receipt and the console. Something about yesterday's free $100 gift card deal almost screwed up the return exchange because the computer wanted to give me ANOTHER $100 gift card. They eventually figured out how to process the return w/o issuing another gift card.

+1 to Walmart.

After I got home I canceled the service request and called Microsoft to un-register the defective console.
The new console works fine. :D
--
"The key to flying is falling and not hitting the ground."]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312421 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:44:15 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312393 said by Toadman:

said by Kearnstd:

i have to ask, why is it that the modern systems seem to have more quality issues then the older gen like the NES and SNES era? is it simply greater volume of sales(ie more chance of bad units due to greater number reporting), or is it lower quality workmanship in construction/coding/
Because the NES and SNES were better quality builds. The boards were made in Japan and I do believe final assembly was done in Malaysia during that time. Now all of it is sourced into China, and quality standards are lower. It seems now a days if you have a TV that lasts longer than 3 years or a electronic kids toy that will work for longer than what that batteries would last, it is a miracle.
Welcome to the walmart nation!
my China tv is going on 5 years

next year

manufacture date of Feb 2005]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312393 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:35:30 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312364
Also, are you sure it's a jasper?

The information tags on the back of the console will be able to tell you.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312364 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:28:25 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312235 said by Kearnstd:

i have to ask, why is it that the modern systems seem to have more quality issues then the older gen like the NES and SNES era? is it simply greater volume of sales(ie more chance of bad units due to greater number reporting), or is it lower quality workmanship in construction/coding/
Because the NES and SNES were better quality builds. The boards were made in Japan and I do believe final assembly was done in Malaysia during that time. Now all of it is sourced into China, and quality standards are lower. It seems now a days if you have a TV that lasts longer than 3 years or a electronic kids toy that will work for longer than what that batteries would last, it is a miracle.
Welcome to the walmart nation!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312235 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:56:47 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312227 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312227 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:54:20 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312126 said by Ken:

Did the box already look opened? It's very unusual for a system to die that fast. I'm betting someone returned that unit, and Walmart put it back on the shelf.
it's illegal
to sell open box as new

(some states any how)
such as CA

that is why Newegg has "open box" items

as the come out of CA and if it's from another state such as NJ your screwed unless you payed by Credit Card]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312126 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:35:30 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312062 said by Kearnstd:

i have to ask, why is it that the modern systems seem to have more quality issues then the older gen like the NES and SNES era? is it simply greater volume of sales(ie more chance of bad units due to greater number reporting), or is it lower quality workmanship in construction/coding/
Neither you listed, really.

It more has to do with the fact that older systems had less points of failiure. On top of this, there were no moving parts on older systems. Ontop Ontop of this older systems weren't running nearly as complicated hardware as lets say a PC (At the time). It was some PCB with a few chips slapped on there and the interface for the cartridge. Modern consoles have components that need cooling, many more components, mechanical in nature devices (The hard drive, and disc drive), etc..

Those were the good ol' days. I remember punting my NES into the wall whenever a game pissed me off. Sure, the case got some cracks in it - But there weren't any moving parts in there to break. If you punt something like a 360 into a wall you have ~ points of failiure. (Multiple PCB's interconnecting to eachother at different points, a hard drive, a DVD drive, fans)
--
THIS IS SPENCER. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED - I HAVE JOE. RETURNING TO BASE.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23312062 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:17:44 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23311483 said by Rob:

You do realize that although the Xbox 360 was $199, and you got a $100 Walmart gift card, that now you'll end up spending $400-$900 dollars on a new TV? :D
Shhhh, That's the surprise for later. :D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23311483 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:05:28 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23311468 --
Whats smells like blue?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23311468 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:03:30 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23311454 said by Hall:

Failed the same day you bought it and you took the Microsoft route of getting it fixed ? Not me.... Back to Wal-Mart it would have went. I would have told them it worked for a few hours, show the receipt showing it was just bought the same day, and get a different one. No mention of "RRoD" or error codes either (not that they'd have meant anything to the returns people).
He noted the retailer was out of stock.
--
trafficcloak.com - pptp/sstp vpn services]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23311454 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:59:30 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23311296 said by Hall:

Failed the same day you bought it and you took the Microsoft route of getting it fixed ? Not me.... Back to Wal-Mart it would have went. I would have told them it worked for a few hours, show the receipt showing it was just bought the same day, and get a different one. No mention of "RRoD" or error codes either (not that they'd have meant anything to the returns people).
This is what I did with my first two 360s. They both died within 30 days of purchase at Wal-Mart, and I just exchanged them, no questions asked.
--
dslr tools | »Orangeface has RETURNED (for firefox users)

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23311296 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:21:09 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23311255 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23311255 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:10:15 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23310283 said by nokken:

Hey guys,

Never used this forum before but seems like a good time to start.

So...

[RANT]

I heard about a sweet deal Walmart was running today from 8am to 12pm in their electronics department. They were selling new Xbox360 Arcade editions for $199 with a free $100 Walmart gift card. If one was planning on picking up an extra controller or a game or two with their new console, this essentially meant the console only cost $100. I just couldn't pass this one by...

So I get to the store at 9:30am. If there were any left in stock, I was gonna buy one. I get there and there are 3 left. So I pick one up along with Halo 3 and an extra controller. I get home, unbox the console, hook it up to my SDTV 480i Piece of Crap, and proceed to import my Games for Windows - LIVE Gamertag over into Xbox LIVE Silver. I'm really digging the dashboard user interface of the 360. I spent about 10 minutes creating my avatar (what a total copy/paste job of Nintendo's Mii concept) and then go take a break to watch the Bama/LSU game on TV.

After the football game, I decided to fire up Halo 3. I really liked Halo and Halo 2 on the original Xbox and was very excited to play the 3rd installment in the series. I press the 'Eject' button on the console. I place the game on the disc drive tray. I press the 'Eject' button on the console again to close the drive. Halo 3 starts up and it appears the intro movie had tried to start in the background. However, a message from Xbox LIVE showed up and told me about an update that was available. Before I even got a chance to tell the system to download the update, my console freezes. No response from any controller buttons. Still image. All I could do was turn it off. So I turned it off.

I think to myself, "Hmm ... well that's happened on my Wii before ... it's probably nothing." I turn the system on again. A big pixilated system error message shows up. "System Error. Please contact Microsoft Customer Support" is displayed in several languages. At the bottom is the error code "E 74"

Oh great.

So I turn the system off and on again.

This time there is no video output and 3 of the 4 lights around the power button are flashing red - the ever-ominous "Red Ring of Death". According to the Official Manual and many Internet sources, this is the error code for hardware failure. I called Microsoft and submitted their version of an RMA and I have to ship the console to them for service. They are paying for a shipping label.

Brand new broken system, out of stock retailer, 3 weeks to get it sent back to me in working condition. AWESOME!

[/RANT]

I guess the moral of the story is you get what you pay for.
Maybe Microsoft will throw in a free copy of Windows 7 for you...?
--
Read your contract and TOS before signing anything.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23310283 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:56:46 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23309489
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jaspi···skar.jpg]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23309489 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:03:41 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23309287 --
CheckSite.us | YourIP.us | Reverseip.us ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23309287 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:37:39 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23309198
Sounds like you just had bad luck this time.
--
ISP: CableOne 5 mbit/500 kbit]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23309198 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:24:35 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23308993 said by dvd536:

said by Selenia:

Not defending the system, but the 360 does have some known issues if you researched it. Seems you did, since you know about the RRoD. The other 2 consoles are more reliable, if that's what you seek. Not saying not to buy it, but you knew it was a risk. Seems MS is handling the situation properly and I doubt they'd be as likely to give you a broken console as you were to get a bad one from a store.
I wonder if the replacement unit is going to be another walmart model where every conceivable corner was cut or a good one.
Have any evidence that Microsoft makes different 360s for sale at Wal-Mart?
--
dslr tools | »Orangeface has RETURNED (for firefox users)

]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23308993 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:56:30 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23308983
Wonder if they were trying to tell you something.

:D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23308983 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:51:47 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23308973 --
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23308973 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:48:11 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23308960 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23308960 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:41:00 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23308884 said by Selenia:

Not defending the system, but the 360 does have some known issues if you researched it. Seems you did, since you know about the RRoD. The other 2 consoles are more reliable, if that's what you seek. Not saying not to buy it, but you knew it was a risk. Seems MS is handling the situation properly and I doubt they'd be as likely to give you a broken console as you were to get a bad one from a store.
I wonder if the replacement unit is going to be another walmart model where every conceivable corner was cut or a good one.
--
When I gez aju zavateh na nalechoo more new yonooz tonigh molinigh - Ken Lee]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23308884 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:00:56 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23308682
Something's gotta give.
--
"The key to flying is falling and not hitting the ground."]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23308682 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:20:08 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23308681 --
[65 Arcanist]Filan(High Elf) Zone: Broadband Reports]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23308681 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:19:25 EDT Re: [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23308671 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23308671 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:13:34 EDT [Rant] Brand New 'Jasper' Xbox360 - RRoD Hardware Failure http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23308614
Never used this forum before but seems like a good time to start.

So...

[RANT]

I heard about a sweet deal Walmart was running today from 8am to 12pm in their electronics department. They were selling new Xbox360 Arcade editions for $199 with a free $100 Walmart gift card. If one was planning on picking up an extra controller or a game or two with their new console, this essentially meant the console only cost $100. I just couldn't pass this one by...

So I get to the store at 9:30am. If there were any left in stock, I was gonna buy one. I get there and there are 3 left. So I pick one up along with Halo 3 and an extra controller. I get home, unbox the console, hook it up to my SDTV 480i Piece of Crap, and proceed to import my Games for Windows - LIVE Gamertag over into Xbox LIVE Silver. I'm really digging the dashboard user interface of the 360. I spent about 10 minutes creating my avatar (what a total copy/paste job of Nintendo's Mii concept) and then go take a break to watch the Bama/LSU game on TV.

After the football game, I decided to fire up Halo 3. I really liked Halo and Halo 2 on the original Xbox and was very excited to play the 3rd installment in the series. I press the 'Eject' button on the console. I place the game on the disc drive tray. I press the 'Eject' button on the console again to close the drive. Halo 3 starts up and it appears the intro movie had tried to start in the background. However, a message from Xbox LIVE showed up and told me about an update that was available. Before I even got a chance to tell the system to download the update, my console freezes. No response from any controller buttons. Still image. All I could do was turn it off. So I turned it off.

I think to myself, "Hmm ... well that's happened on my Wii before ... it's probably nothing." I turn the system on again. A big pixilated system error message shows up. "System Error. Please contact Microsoft Customer Support" is displayed in several languages. At the bottom is the error code "E 74"

Oh great.

So I turn the system off and on again.

This time there is no video output and 3 of the 4 lights around the power button are flashing red - the ever-ominous "Red Ring of Death". According to the Official Manual and many Internet sources, this is the error code for hardware failure. I called Microsoft and submitted their version of an RMA and I have to ship the console to them for service. They are paying for a shipping label.

Brand new broken system, out of stock retailer, 3 weeks to get it sent back to me in working condition. AWESOME!

[/RANT]

I guess the moral of the story is you get what you pay for.
--
"The key to flying is falling and not hitting the ground."]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Rant-Brand-New-Jasper-Xbox360-RRoD-Hardware-Failure-23308614 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:54:05 EDT