MS Charging $140 to fix Busted Xbox 360's following Update

[Zeus]

Gamers at the official Xbox forums are angered by MS who are charging $140 to fix broken Xbox 360's, which the respective gamers are claiming happened due to the fall update.


Definately screwed mine up as well. It froze imediately after the update. Every time I shut it down and restarted, it would freeze again within five minutes, whether I was in a game or just in the dashboard. After trying the Microsoft advised steps for solving the problem (remove all cables and reconnect, remove hardrive, etc.) I get the three red lights and nothing else. I called support but they want $139 for breaking my machine. I had at least 200 hours of error free game play and within 5 minutes of downloading the update it crashed. MS said it was coincidence?


News Source: <A href="http://forums.xbox.com/2/7864073/ShowPost.aspx#7864073" target="_blank">Xbox</a>

[LordX]

Games Loading ? even for 1min , you can see dashboard ? if yes this is just coincidence.

[Retroboy]

this is one thing i dont like about MS. updates

you get a pop up saying a update is available, and your forced to download it, if not your signed out.

It doesnt even tell you what the update is, and my past experience with Windows Updates windows automatically replaces drivers and prevent the device from working.

It should tell us what the updates are, as we have no idea what its for, and if this is true im disconnecting from xbox live full stop, im not having updates feck me 360 up, PC's are ok because i can remove them if needed.

[WalkingTiger]

Just one of the many reasons I dislike Microsoft's attitude even more than Sony's attitude...

I am eternally reminded of the "I, Robot" movie, where the robots would periodically exhibit a glowing red light in their chest, while they downloaded "updates" from USRobotics corporation...

Of course, the updates wound up driving them psychotic, but humans always trusted the corporation to always deliver "whatever" updates were needed, without ever questioning what was being updated, or anything about these updates...

It's the same philosophy at Microsoft... It's none of your business and you don't need to know anything about what's in our software or updates, just trust that we know what's best for your system, and take whatever updates we put out...

And if this story people's 360's crashing after an update is true, Microsoft denying the issue was caused by an update is very disturbing...

~WalkingTiger

[FeistyGirl]

The exact same thing happened to me in last Novembers big update.... after the update it froze... from that point forward it would always freeze up within 5 minutes or so... worked flawlessly before that.... I had to escelate all the way up to Major Nelson... they did eventually fix it for free, but I would be SEVERELY pissed if they wanted me to pay...

Fight it and take it as far as you can... a 'mandatory' update that kills your machine should certainly be repaired for free.

[mattrb]

Relating this issue to sony would be foolish because of the issue relating to the PSP, what sony does is worse because they disable a useful feature which is kinda worse then possibly breaking the entertainment device.

SONY=We dumb down features with updates (homebrew), subpar online interface
MS=We break systems with updates
Nintendo=We need higher marketshare, some of our games are subpar(Wii sports will bomb, bad controls)

[rizzles]

Definately screwed mine up as well. It froze imediately after the update. Every time I shut it down and restarted, it would freeze again within five minutes, whether I was in a game or just in the dashboard. After trying the Microsoft advised steps for solving the problem (remove all cables and reconnect, remove hardrive, etc.) I get the three red lights and nothing else. I called support but they want $139 for breaking my machine. I had at least 200 hours of error free game play and within 5 minutes of downloading the update it crashed. MS said it was coincidence?

the EXACT same thing happend to my brother 360, i rang up microsoft yesturday after getting round to it and said that i tried everything and there giving me a replacement when i send it off, with no fees, thank god im the UK for once

[Robotron]

The exact same thing happened to me in last Novembers big update.... after the update it froze... from that point forward it would always freeze up within 5 minutes or so... worked flawlessly before that.... I had to escelate all the way up to Major Nelson... they did eventually fix it for free, but I would be SEVERELY pissed if they wanted me to pay...

Fight it and take it as far as you can... a 'mandatory' update that kills your machine should certainly be repaired for free.


It's funny you mention Major Nelson. After they had my first 360 for 6 weeks they refused to tell me the status or when I would even be getting one back. I too had to go to Major Nelson and contact non-xbox departments to get my system back.
The sent me a brand new 360 with a Samsung drive....which was awesome...until their update fried it.
I'm now on my 4th 360. A crappy refurb.

[gonepostl]

Just one of the many reasons I dislike Microsoft's attitude even more than Sony's attitude...

I am eternally reminded of the "I, Robot" movie, where the robots would periodically exhibit a glowing red light in their chest, while they downloaded "updates" from USRobotics corporation...

Of course, the updates wound up driving them psychotic, but humans always trusted the corporation to always deliver "whatever" updates were needed, without ever questioning what was being updated, or anything about these updates...

It's the same philosophy at Microsoft... It's none of your business and you don't need to know anything about what's in our software or updates, just trust that we know what's best for your system, and take whatever updates we put out...

And if this story people's 360's crashing after an update is true, Microsoft denying the issue was caused by an update is very disturbing...

~WalkingTiger

Damn. I'm starting to notice how clever this guy really is.:)

[wigsplitta]

Just one of the many reasons I dislike Microsoft's attitude even more than Sony's attitude...

I am eternally reminded of the "I, Robot" movie, where the robots would periodically exhibit a glowing red light in their chest, while they downloaded "updates" from USRobotics corporation...

Of course, the updates wound up driving them psychotic, but humans always trusted the corporation to always deliver "whatever" updates were needed, without ever questioning what was being updated, or anything about these updates...

It's the same philosophy at Microsoft... It's none of your business and you don't need to know anything about what's in our software or updates, just trust that we know what's best for your system, and take whatever updates we put out...

And if this story people's 360's crashing after an update is true, Microsoft denying the issue was caused by an update is very disturbing...

~WalkingTiger
And Sony's attitude is... we will make people update to play games or they can't play at all (psp). Also, let's install spyware on your computer without telling the end user at all and let's also make it really hard for them to remove it once they find out its there.

Microsoft will admit when there is a problem. If you read that message board it sound like all of them are the overheating issue. Of course the rep on the other end is going to think it's that and not the update since it sounds 100% like a dead console due to heat. Also, a lot of them are saying MS is fixing the console for free. I feel for them and it sucks that this is happening. I went through the same thing due to overheating. I was upset but they fixed my console for free and I know some other company that won't admit there is an issue even though there are laptop batteries exploding and catching fire. Both companies are capable of wrong doing and you should realize that.

[Raist3d]

Relating this issue to sony would be foolish because of the issue relating to the PSP, what sony does is worse because they disable a useful feature which is kinda worse then possibly breaking the entertainment device.


Sony makes the PSP have the same functionality you paid for + extra features. Breaking your machine is in a total different category.

- Raist

[Raist3d]

Microsoft will admit when there is a problem. If you read that message board it sound like all of them are the overheating issue. Of course the rep on the other end is going to think it's that and not the update since it sounds 100% like a dead console due to heat. Also, a lot of them are saying MS is fixing the console for free. I feel for them and it sucks that this is happening. I went through the same thing due to overheating. I was upset but they fixed my console for free and I know some other company that won't admit there is an issue even though there are laptop batteries exploding and catching fire. Both companies are capable of wrong doing and you should realize that.

If you think Microsoft is a company that admits a problem when they have it, you are new to the computer / tech world.

- Raist

PS: I"ll give them credit for fixing broken 360's for free. But they shouldn't charge for these, like they didn't before.

[mattrb]

Sony makes the PSP have the same functionality you paid for + extra features. Breaking your machine is in a total different category.

- Raist

Raist, according to many, homebrew PSP is the best thing ever

[WalkingTiger]

Both companies are capable of wrong doing

Oh, absolutely, I do agree that both companies are definitely capable of wrongdoing; My primary distaste for Microsoft comes from years (continuing constantly, might I add) of seeing their philosophy of how they handle software/hardware/licensing/aquisitions/etc... in the PC world...

I absolutely agree that Sony's just as tricky, requiring you to take updates that block out homebrew software just to play new titles;

And I also must say that the spyware/root kit incident with Sony infuriated me... I'm very privacy and security minded when it comes to any PC hardware/software, and Sony's secretive methods angered me greatly;

I just happen to have an overall greater distaste for Microsoft, because of the other policies/actions they've taken over the years, though Sony's rapidly climbing a ladder of arrogance:)

I do hope, though, that Microsoft is indeed taking effort to repair 360s that may have been affected adversely by the newest update... Even if they don't ever truly say that the update was the cause, as long as they issue repairs, that's the correct action to take to ensure loyal customers, really;

Damn. I'm starting to notice how clever this guy really is.:)

LOL! :) I didn't think I was that clever :eek: , but thanks :D

~WalkingTiger

[SSChevy2001]

That funny my xbox360 used to always get the red rings 0102 on cold boot, but it worked just fine for hours with the lights blinking. Now after Falls updates no more red lights 0102 on cold boot. :)

Anyway it sounds like 0102 error which would be by coincidence. If ms doesn't want to help you can always try the heat gun trick.

[wigsplitta]

If you think Microsoft is a company that admits a problem when they have it, you are new to the computer / tech world.

- Raist

PS: I"ll give them credit for fixing broken 360's for free. But they shouldn't charge for these, like they didn't before.

Here we go again. :rolleyes: Microsoft does admit if there are problems especially when compared to Sony. That's not saying they admit every single fucking thing under the moon and stars. They are just as capable of wrong doing. Of course they have to do what's in the best interests of their profits but then again when the odds stack up and it's quite apparent that the whole world knows theres something wrong they have enough sense to come out and admit it. Sony just waits a little longer I guess. Yeah, I'm new to the computer / tech world. I started out using a vic20 programming for hours on end with my dad just to do simple things like make a doorbell chime. Games like Radar Rat Race were my fav.I guess that wasn't too long ago. You're Mr. Fucking know it all computer genius aren't you? :D

"A small percentage of consoles were affected negatively by the fall update (less than one percent have reported issues). We're working with those affected to get them back up and running, whether that be by providing another console or fixing their existing console. We're committed to resolving this issue."
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6160850.html?sid=6160850&part=rss&subj=6160850
They may downplay the 1% but that's pretty swift to admit something went wrong. They could have handled that any way they wanted....including ignoring the issue.

The 360 had a rocky start as did every other console (excluding ancient ones and the Gamecube). Remember that, and next week when people are crying about issues with their PS3s we will see how quickly Sony responds to them.

"Owners of early PS2 models purchased from launch until spring 2002 commonly reported faulty optical drives in their consoles. The earliest drives suffered from a constantly misaligning laser lens but later defects were the result of a shift in voltage to the laser itself. The first problem was relatively easy to remedy, but it required opening the machine's casing and tweaking a cog that controlled the lens' distance from the discs it was supposed to read, thus voiding the warranty. This usually didn't matter, as in most cases the warranty already had expired by the time such problems began to appear. The second fix involved the use of an oscillator. As time went on, more and more drives began breaking down and a class action lawsuit was filed against Sony. They had the option of either paying the requested fines in damages, or offering free repair and replacements at their discretion.[11] Sony chose the latter and, until February 2005, they honored their agreement. In the UK owners suffering from this flaw must pay Sony £50 (as of spring 2005) to get their machines repaired.

A second lawsuit is being filed against Sony for all of the above, plus claims that defective hardware is damaging media discs. The first hearings were set to commence in April and May, 2005.[12]

Also, over time, the PS2 will stop reading DVD's.

As of August 9, 2006, Sony is offering exchanges of factory-refurbished consoles for broken out-of-warranty consoles for a charge of US $45."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_2#Technical_Issues

[Scorpion3]

The exact same thing happened to me in last Novembers big update.... after the update it froze... from that point forward it would always freeze up within 5 minutes or so... worked flawlessly before that.... I had to escelate all the way up to Major Nelson... they did eventually fix it for free, but I would be SEVERELY pissed if they wanted me to pay...

Fight it and take it as far as you can... a 'mandatory' update that kills your machine should certainly be repaired for free.

Same thing happened to me, I never had any problems with heat, just that damn update. Which is why I am waiting to update. And I hope they stop updates soon like they did with the Xbox.

As for PS2 not reading DVDs anymore, isn't it something around 1 out of 1,000 PS2 Launch consoles had problems with burning out DVD Lenses? I just started playing backed up games on my Xbox, which is a Verson 1.0, which is the most noteable for lens problems, and the DVD Drive is just NOW braking. Which is pretty good because out of the Thompson drives, 1 out of roughly 300,000 had problems.