Microsoft addresses Xbox 360 kiosk malfunction [update1]
by Ross Miller 
{ Oct 24th 2005 at 4:00PM }
The Xbox 360 kiosks have been popping up everywhere lately, spreading from retail chain to
retail chain, but not without a few bumps along the way.
Namely, there have been reports of kiosks being shut down because of the interference with the stores' PA
systems.
The official word from Microsoft is that many retailers "have discovered that their network-based inventory management
systems can be impacted by products using modern wireless signals," one of which is the new Xbox 360 console.
Furthermore, "a solution to this issue was developed within 24 hours of identifying the issue and we are currently
deploying the fix to the affected locations."
Microsoft also addresses any concern that one might have of the Xbox 360 affecting their home entertainment systems.
"This issue is specific to the equipment used in a few retail environment," says the press release, and that the Xbox
360 has met all FCC/ETSI requirements "for operation in the 2.4GHz band." In other words, other devices that also
comply - cell phones and laptops, for example - will be okay. So unless you have a device lying around that does not
comply with the FCC/ETSI rules of operation (don't we all?), you should be fine.
Here is a copy of the updated press statement on the issue of the Xbox 360s difficulty in the Wal-Mart environment. It turns out the Q&A version of the release that was posted here yesterday was not written for public consumption. Heres the new version:
Our Xbox 360 retail kiosk program rolled out this week and we encountered some minor wireless interference issues at a small number of retail outlets that are specific to some retail environments. Since the advent of 2.4 ghz signals, such as those found in next generation consumer electronics like cordless phones, wireless routers and now, Xbox 360, some retailers have discovered that their network-based inventory management systems can be impacted by products using modern wireless signals. While retailers are constantly updating their internal management systems, sometimes new products being introduced into the market can cause this kind of temporary interference. We are working closely with retailers to provide a software solution that mitigates this problem within their retail environments. Adjustments and tweaks to kiosks of any kind are quite common once theyre deployed in a live retail environment. We consider making such adjustments a standard part of the launch process.
A solution to this issue was developed within 24 hours of identifying the issue and we are currently deploying the fix to the affected locations.
If youve got Joystiq feeds, you should still have a copy of the older version of the post in your feed reader.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Laughing Man @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Given that my Motorola Razr causes the broadcast monitor next to my G5 for editing work to sometimes distort picture or make a buzzing sound (even when the monitor is OFF but has power)... This doesn't really make me feel good about a console about to launch in mere weeks. Especially given that I, an avowed MS hater as cast in that role by other commenters, thought the story last night was b.s. regarding Walmart stores. Now they confirm it?
Also considering the power supply issues and the Thompson DVD drive issue with the previous Xbox... This does not bode well or fill me with any more confidence about the 360. Since Microsoft's reaction to the busted Thompson drive is charge you $100 or ask you if your discs are dirty and to clean them... I figure maybe we'll see a patch on Live that you need the harddrive for or they can replace the whole wireless kit and kaboodle for $200.
As an owner of all consoles here's my take on 360: get yourself a PSP and Grand Theft Auto LCS, then pick up Shadow of The Colossus. Grab Burnout 3 and Far Cry for your Xbox. Chill out and wait until after the holiday season and this horribly bungled launch (remember Elijah Wood and the Killers! Hip!) for MS to figure out what the hell they're doing and for some good games to hit that weren't rushed to meet the launch deadline. By then the price point willl be down anyway.
Remember with the original Xbox it took them awhile to replace the controller when the original Manwich sucked ass.
Not Impressed (Dmitri) @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Laughing Man.
You know you're a redneck when you tell people to get a PSP
Osiris @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Its not so much the fault of the XBOX360 hardware, more the non FCC/ETSI complying hardware that Walmart were running.
I dont think anything will be a problem with home appliances.
FaceOff @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
I think the fix was wired controllers. :p Simple! What is the need for wireless when they are attached to a cabinet. Also, why do people keep saying its the wifi. What wifi? I know you can buy a wifi adaptor but the machines are not using Live in anyway are they?
CrAzY American @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Yeah i totally agree. Whos the hell tells someone else to buy a psp? They aren't very good.
Yeah... im convinced you work for Sony.
FaceOff @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
I think the fix was wired controllers. :p Simple! What is the need for wireless when they are attached to a cabinet. Also, why do people keep saying its the wifi. What wifi? I know you can buy a wifi adaptor but the machines are not using Live in anyway are they?
jc @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
confuse, distract and spin... it is so nice to see such brilliant marketing.
"It is possible that devices that do not comply with FCC/ETSI rules of operation" and a solution to this issue was developed within 24 hours of identifying the issue" in the same page.
Personally I would like to know what the solution is, in case it acts up in my house.
xbair @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Dmitri - LMAO
Ohhh Burrrn!
ROG27 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
At least some upcoming consoles will use Bluetooth instead of the most common wireless frequency used in homes today...the 2.4 ghz ban, of course!
ROG27 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
At least some upcoming consoles will use Bluetooth instead of the most common wireless frequency used in homes today...the 2.4 ghz ban, of course!
I mean why would anyone in your household ever dare to be talking on the phone the same time you're playing your beloved XBOX360? :)
Owns @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Gee, let's listen to the MS hater and buy Sony products! In fact, let's just torch MS headquarters and be done with those bastards! Dude, get a grip. Xbox 360 is a masterful console, and while your playing Burnout 3 on an old system, I'll be busy playing the "rushed" Oblivion on my brand new 360. If that's what a "rushed" game looks like, I can't wait to see a normal game.
Xbox360 Doooom @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
#7
Dmitri LMAO
Ohhh Burrrn!
Did you say burn? look at this melting xbox 360 picture. xbox 360 is too hot to handle. LOL
Good job, MS
http://media.spelfeber.se/2005/ajajaxbox.jpg
(JD)XeqtioneR @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
I'm not even sure if it's the 'wireless' controllers that's causing the issue. In pictures, the 360 wireless controller has the battery compartment at the bottom, it sticks out a little obviously.
But anyone who's been to the kiosk and grabbed the controller can tell you that even with the Safety Arm attached to it, the bottom of the controller is rather flat and not bulky, like... no battery compartment, So...it's a wired controller to begin with.
Just seems odd that the stores that are getting hit with big crowds are the ones having problems. As fellow poster here, CrAzY American can tell you, the Walmart me and him live by hasn't brought it a huge crowd yet, and everything is in GREAT working order.
But then a reader to my site, www.XeqtioneR.net, where I have pics of the kiosks up at, tells me that his store had a ton of people, and little kids, coming to play the 360, and now all of a sudden, the "Demo disk has malfunctioned"
And yeah, why insult someone and tell them to get a PSP? LoL @ CrAzY American.
Alex @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
ROJ27... you're an idiot. Bluetooth also operates on the 2.4 ghz band. Look it up.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth
SONY_RULZ @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Just FYI, Sony PSP does rock the roll. It whips DS. And oh yeah, skip the 360 because it costs $400 and the PSP is only $250. Save the $250 and get a better system with more games.
PSP AAA Titles
-Lumines
-Metal Gear
-Dark Stalkers
DS AAA Titles
-Yoshi (Yes, sadly thats it)
Before you start hatin' the player, first you gotta hate the game.
MS has never made a decent game or product. I even think that they make bad stuff just so people will buy good stuff.
OtakuCODE @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Do FCC/ETSI rules of operation cover not having a free nonoverlapping channel for the controllers to use? I think that will be most peoples problem. And remember, 2.4GHz doesn't stop outside your house, you have to factor in every device your neighbors have as well.
Neil Katin @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Microsoft says "we obey all FCC rules", but the FCC rules say "everyone is on their own" in the 2.4 Ghz ISM band (where WiFi, Bluetooth, xbox 360
controllers, etc are found).
So the Microsoft statements about non-interference are completely without any value: they say (correctly) that they obey all FCC rules, but the FCC does not care if you interfere in this band.
Not Impressed (Dmitri) @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
SONY_RULZ you are a complete retard. The DS has Advance Wars DS, Nintendogs, Castlevania, Kirby, Meteos, Mario 64, Metroid Prime, Electroplankton, Jump Superstars, and Sonic Rush.
Not Impressed (Dmitri) @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
And btw, SONY_RULZ, $250 + $250 does NOT equal $400. It is $500. You sure show your Sony fanboyism.
BigKountry @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Seconded
TiaMaster @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Laughing Man, please read articles fully. Not trying to be mean but you come off appearing ignorant when you quickly post like that.
The problem is NOT with the 360, which is compliant, but with Wal-Marts wireless scanners/PA, which are not in compliance.
The last part of the article explains how having a 360 doesn't impact anything at your home.
The1 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
This is strange, when I was at Wal-Mart playing I used a WIRED controller.
retro @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
14..i remember another handheld that was more powerful than the nintendo handheld. everyone said nintendo was going down big time, because it didnt have the better looking screen.
seriously, anyone else remember the hype that surrounded game gear when it came out? and how everyone loved it? yet nintendo was able to blow it out of the water with its less powerful hardware, because the games were fun, and the battery life was good.
let me pause here and save everyone a bit of trouble:
"ZOMG NINTENDO FANBOI U R GAY SONY OWNS J00!!!"
But back in reality, who cares what system you like? theres enough room for more than one handheld in the world you know. just like theres room enough for more than one console. So if you buy a certain console game A might not be as sharp as on another console or game B might not even be on the other console...
for every game B that's not on the console you have there's a game B that's exclusive to the console you have. Who cares what hardware other people buy, as long as they enjoy it?
retro @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
people talk about how much they would support a certain company, be it sony, nintendo, or microsoft. but how many of those people that go apeshit obsessive over a piece of hardware is going to put in a modchip the second one becomes availiable, ripping their beloved company off?
Laughing Man @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Again, despite the fact that reactionaries think I'm obsessively blinded with hatred towards MS, that isn't the case. I have issues with how gamers are treated with consumers and think they're the ones blowing it the most. The Nintendo DS does not suck in my opinion. It's a great little machine. Specious console hatred it has been noted before at joystiq is just immature and irrelevant. But if there are specific things that bother you than by all means state them. The DS has been slow to roll out its wifi, but other than that what have Nintendo really done awfully with the thing?
Yes I believe the PSP is a great system for its money. It's definitely the best handheld ever made - the software has been a problem, though. But it is picking up. I would easily say that for handheld gaming Virtua Tennis, Ridge Racers, Lumines, Metal Gear Acid (if you like strategy, and I mean really slow paced strategy), Burnout Legends are all amazing titles. If you like GTA I can't see how you wouldn't like LCS from everything that's been reported. GTA still has crappy graphics, weird glitches, horrible control issues, but undoubtedly is absolutely at the top of gaming these days.
What is so awful about suggesting to people to wait while a launch irons its issues out, gets some decent titles, and pointing to MS' track record previously combined with things we know are happening right now? Why do some of you get so ridiculously emotional? And seriously, how many of you are HD ready?
This issue given how soon the launch is worries me because of the number of other devices I've had that are wireless that just act horribly with each other. The Motorola Razr is the biggest piece of junk I've ever bought, and I will admit I'm one of those idiots who picked one up when it was $500 and you can now get them for free. Sometimes with Bluetooth on it reboots mid-call depending on what gizmos I have on in the house.
Given that Microsoft are having problems in retail sectors rolling this thing out impressively, that's not a good sign.
$ony HATAZ 4 LIFE YO @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
THIS IS ALL LIES COMING FROM $ONY AND THE $ONY FANBOIS. THEY MADE THIS LIES UP.
OF COURSE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SEXBOX 360 FFS!1 ITS THE BEST AND ITS AMERICAN, NOT JAPANESE JUNK.
READ THE ARTICLE. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE XBOX AND IF YOU STILL THINK SO ILL THROW THE PSU AT YUO!
ALSO DONT BUY A FUCKING PSP. ONLY FARMES AND PARIS HILTON OWN ONE AND IF YOU BUY ONE YOUR LIKE A GAY JAPANESE MAN AND STUFF!
MS 4 LIEF YO!1
KirbyMeister @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
If you hate 360 so much realize you could buy a PSP AND A DS with the money for one 360. And then you wouldnt have to be a fanboy because you have BOTH.
But no, you dont have the money or the testis to actually buy both. You're just a stupid little fanboy, MR. SONY_RULZ.
How come the nintendo fanboys at least use facts? It's like democrats versus republicans in this place.
Laughing Man @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
TiaMaster -
I read the article. And given that when I called Microsoft tech support when 3 brand new games just out of the sealed shrinkwrapped packages were giving me a dirty disc error on the XBox, and their phone support were telling me my discs were dirty, instead of saying what had already become a class action lawsuit... Coupled with the marketing spiel we got that didn't explain in any rational sense how the harddrive issue was good for consumers... Makes me take Microsoft's word about as seriously as I do regarding ties between 9/11 and Iraq.
In fact if I recall rightly, at E3 MS reps were telling us that the Xbox controllers work on a proprietary system so unique that they could never interfere with any spectrum issues.
Too bad, it's a damn nice and comfortable controller ergonomically.
John @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
The wireless aspects of the Xbox360 have been tested thoroughly. I've had the Xbox360 at home among many other 2.4GHz devices (bluetooth, 802.11b, 802.11g, cordless phone) and never had a single problem. If you read around the net, you'll see that Walmart has a tradition of new devices screwing up their wireless systems. I'd bet that MS's fix was shutting off the wireless controller dection system.
BennyX @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
WiFi, Bluetooth, and anything else using the 2.4 GHz band supposedly uses spread-spectrum transmission so as to avoid channel interference.
I'd believe Wal-Mart's equipment would be the more likely culprit in this mess, and not the Xbox360...
LMAO @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
The only problem I have with the Walmart kiosk is that the screen is position so high that it gave me neck strain, else I'd be there for hours LOL. Bluetooth devices are expensive FYI.
Russ @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
w00t!
ledorky @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
PSP? I own one and it's collecting dust. Friend bought me Burnout two weeks ago but I've played it already on my Xbox and it doesn't appeal to me much anymore (been there, done that and suffered thru the loading times). If you love racers, by all means, get a PSP. That's the only genre it's been great for. The rest have been 'meh'. I prefer the fast paced gameplay of Meteos over Lumines. If you want great games NOW (and games $10 less and a bit more fun), get a DS.
As for the Xbox, as if Sony's support with the PSP has been any better (massive amounts of dead pixels anyone? All 4 of my PSP owning co-workers have had >5 dead/stuck pixels and Sony support just thumbing their noses at us. Two shipped theirs back only to come back with even more dead/stuck pixels). Let's face it, Nintendo seems to be the only one with any decent sort of customer support and QA.
XenoCorpse @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Xbox 360 Dooom... You lying idiot, that Xbox 360 melted because some dumbass Wal*Mart employee stuck a 100-watt lightbulb in the display case with it, and NOT because MS made the 360 wrong.
Don't be such a fanboy jerk.
Glenn @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Microsoft issued a press release? When has Microsoft ever acknowledged a problem right away? Aren't they usually tight lipped until a solution is released??
James @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Yup, that picture looks like deformation from an outside source and not from internal source.
vc @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Glenn: they acknowledged the problem right away because this could have caused major disruption in the 360 launch if the rumor had been allowed to snowball. This was good, quick work by MS PR.
ROG27 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Alex Blue Tooth has up to 79 selectable/scannable channels (deviations of 1 mhz)in order to avoid interference. I believe the proprietary controllers on the XBOX360 are fixed channel.
BlackYoshi @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Hahah thats cute Sony Rulez. Metal Gear ACid blows. Enjoy your card game. Lumines is good though. Haven't had a chance to play Darkstalkers however. Anyways, ever hear of Meteos? Advance Wars DS? Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow? Kirby? Nintendogs? All scoring more crtical acclaim than any PSP title. And with Mario Kart DS and Hunters on the horizon, expect more.
Daniel @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Neil (#16), there are actually plenty of rules regarding use of the 2.4 GHz band. It doesn't require a license for the user, and it's available for any use, but there are regulations, such as the required use of Spread Spectrum technology (usually frequency hopping is used) if you're transmitting above a certain power. And certification is required on any device that transmits radio signals, no matter what band it's in.
soco @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Laughin Man:
all customer support is like that. they've got a protocol to follow and start with the simpler things. i've gotten the same shit from sony for two different products ("Is it plugged in?" ...) there are complete idiots out there so they always start with the basics. they also probably wouldn't have known about the class action lawsuit or have been able to recognize it anyway.
the same has come up against sony before. remember the drive errors on the original playstation where they would get read errors and you could somewhat fix it turning the playstation upsidedown. god knows they had a few recalls in the beginning for the PS2. it's always a problem with the early hardware as no one can test it nearly as well as they'd like to.
plus i know people who've had their drives replaced for free by microsoft. did you ever try again?
epobirs @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
It's one thing to recommend waiting for a price drop on a new product. But to suggest one should instead buy another product that has itself yet to see a price drop? Logic?
KirbyMeister @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
You know for every person that is mad because the help desk is asking obvious questions, there's a person who actually fails those obvious questions. It happens to everyone. Even my dad, who has been in construction for 15 years sometimes forgets to plug things in.
In my opinion the obvious questions are an idea someone had to process requests faster.