The real reason behind the recall?

Now, I'm no Microsoft fan, I can read the label from that image. It says to call the 800 number if the switch trips and the Xbox won't turn on anymore. Sounds like they intend to take care of it if it happens? That seems more practical than replacing _every_ Xbox that could possibly be affected.

As for starting a fire.. that sounds like pure speculation to me. But I'm no electrical engineer. Are you?

Hmm.. maybe the powercords were just faulty? Sounds like a good explanation to me. Trying to come up with some conspiracy theory requires far too much free time.

what the cr*p!
There has been some changes in the rules by 'whichever' governing body.
Dell and a whole other people are changing adapters recently for the same reason. Its just that because it is microsoft it is getting flamed. Christ!

It had to be more than just the power cord that was the problem. Why would Microsoft spend the R&D resources to develop this new power cord with the trip box? Wouldn't they just replace affected cords with a regular cord.

What R&D resources? That is a standard off the shelf product with some Microsoft labeling. It's just CYA thoroughness is vastly less expensive than litigation.

Crazy! This happened to my xbox it sparked a couple times then it smelt funny and my xbox didn't turn back on. The xbox is really easy to get into and is just like any pc if you built one before. So I googled it and just ordered a used power supply from these guys http://www.llamma.com/xbox/ and it works fine now. My recommendation is not to plug it straight into the wall have a powerstrip or a surgeprotector in between because the only time I saw archs or sparks is when I plugged it in to wall outlet.

Lawsuit costs > R&D costs

by alot.

"It had to be more than just the power cord that was the problem. Why would Microsoft spend the R&D resources to develop this new power cord with the trip box? Wouldn't they just replace affected cords with a regular cord."

What power cords these days for anything fairly advanced DOESN'T come with a trip box?

My usb2/firewire hard drive has one, my power cord for my Creative Zen mp3 player has one, my laptop has one...

I guess since Microsoft has one it must be a big conspiracy theory to hide the fact they are implanting tracking devices in the powercords to gain access to your checking account.

It's time to take off the tinfoil hat.