Microsoft settles individual Xbox 360 bricking

by Alexander Sliwinski { Aug 6th 2007 at 5:25PM }

Next-Gen reports that in mid-July Microsoft settled with Kevin Ray, a California resident, regarding his Xbox 360 lawsuit. Ray originally filed a class action lawsuit against Microsoft saying that their Oct. firmware update bricked his system. The case was settled out of court and dealt individually instead of a class action suit. Ray originally sought $5 million when it was a class action suit and Microsoft has since repaired his Xbox for free.

Although the October update may have killed Ray's system, it was probably just coincidence and the straw which broke his Xbox 360's already calcium-deficient back. In time we may learn what kills Xbox 360s, but for now it could be anything.

Tags: lawsuit, rrod, settlement, xbox360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Stef Geiger @ Aug 6th 2007 5:29PM

Ugh, this is the problem with the American legal system. You get people filing absurd lawsuits all the time, like that guy who tried to sue Wal-Mart for millions for stocking a CD that had foul language in it.

You barely see any of this stuff in Canada.

Frowelishnu @ Aug 6th 2007 5:47PM

Agreed,

it would be much easier to file in small claims court for the cost of replacement/repair.

Bonus tip: if the defendant doesn't show up, the ruling is in your favor by default.

Much cheaper for M$, much faster for consumer guy.

Matt B @ Aug 6th 2007 10:42PM

The fact that it took legislation to decide it is the most sad part.

Truepatriot @ Aug 6th 2007 5:32PM

i do wonder though say a game or an update from the manufactures ruins your system dont they HAVE to replace it since they broke it? i know id be pissed if an update bricked anything i owned and the company wasnt held responsible,i dont need millions i just want what was broken not to be.

Mr Khan @ Aug 6th 2007 7:17PM

I think that wanders into the realm of "implied warranty" which is a hazy legal realm at best

Certainly they "should" from an ethical standpoint, but from a legal standpoint, its debatable

DWells55 @ Aug 6th 2007 5:37PM

We already know what kills 360s, it's the combination of the heat, poor solder, and motherboard flexing from the X-clamp.

Spartacus @ Aug 7th 2007 12:00AM

Specifically heat from the GPU, which has virtualy zero air circulation under the DVD drive and no active cooling mechanism...

I'm going the water cooling route...

Grindstone @ Aug 6th 2007 5:38PM

I work in a lawfirm that churms out complaints on a daily basis (working on one right now). I think the legal system needs an overhaul as I find it ridiculous to write a 7 page complaint, alledging permanent injury, pain and suffering on a "paint transfer" collision (meaning, the paint from the defendant's car bumper was transfered to the plaintiff's bumper).

As for what kills 360s, I am sure we can think of something creative. Voodoo?

pete @ Aug 6th 2007 5:42PM

My launchbox 360 works fine, but I am mighty happy with the extended warranty. Still, I guess it will be best if it bricks sometime in January (08), so I could trade it in for a new, heat-sink-errific/65nm-ish box. Yays.

ahatter @ Aug 6th 2007 6:36PM

I said something lmost exactly like this in a comment a few days ago.. my console bricked that night. no lie I am waiting for my coffin to come in the mail. thankfully I live in oklahoma and it is coming from texas so it should not take the expected 4 to 6 weeks.

GRANTED @ Aug 6th 2007 5:42PM

i hate ms but i think i hate kevin ray more

3cubed minus 3squared plus1 @ Aug 6th 2007 5:45PM

I got my 360 Christmas '06 and its worked great evertime.
I also don't play for extensive periods and since I bought Forza 2 in May, it really hasn't been turned on. Too bad F2 wasn't better.

3cubed minus 3squared plus1 @ Aug 6th 2007 5:48PM

'evertime' should be 'every time.'

colin @ Aug 6th 2007 5:49PM

no no no, you're all wrong.
the number 23 is what kills the xbox 360.

think about it.

assuming X to be 10 and "bo" to be 00,
X + "bo" + X ~~~ 10 + 00 + 10 = 20
3 from 6 plus 0 = 3
xbox + 360 = the number 23

2.23.2012, believe it.

rdj75 @ Aug 6th 2007 5:55PM

@ Colin

You made me a believer

unosturgis @ Aug 6th 2007 5:55PM

makes sense...here is the video proof!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 6th 2007 6:14PM

Rick Roll'D! Dang nabbit!

MAL @ Aug 6th 2007 5:59PM

My friend’s xbox360 died a few weeks ago, its funny because he thought all the 3 rings of death was due to abuse and could not understand how so many Xbox consoles would just stop working.

My 360 died Sunday, it was working fine all of last week and almost out of nowhere it stopped working and has been giving me the 3 rings of death for the last couple of days.

I think I know how mine's took a crap; I think I accidentally turned it off and on quickly. When I pressed the center button to turn it on Sunday morning, I might not have pressed it all the way down and it briefly turned on and turned back off. I tried pressing it again and I have gotten the red rings ever since. That's my theory.

Thank god for Wii' Mario Strikers or I would have nothing to play.

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 6th 2007 6:17PM

(tries whistling nonchalantly)
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20070801/137224/

Grindstone @ Aug 6th 2007 6:49PM

That link was posted at Kotuka earlier today. Basically, heat is the problem, and the 360 isn't optimized enough to compensate for the heat created. Of course, I think we have all come to that realization.

hvnlysoldr @ Aug 6th 2007 7:44PM

Do not speak the competitor's name. AOL's Weblogs, Inc. is in fierce console I mean game blog war with Media Gawker.

ingestiblebulk @ Aug 6th 2007 6:29PM

you know, i hate frivolous lawsuits and all, but i think that microshaft getting the lifeblood sued out of them is just what they need to step up and admit that they rushed their console. putting in the new heatsink and extending the warranty is all well and good, but they need to make a formal apology to the gaming community. i'm personally afraid to buy a 360 for fear of the red ring of death, and disc scratches.

Daran @ Aug 6th 2007 8:22PM

Exactly.

Although, what would have made this suit seem less frivolous is if the defendant wanted to sue Microsoft for the 5 million, won it and then would donate it to charity. Just to show Microsoft that they need to fix their problems and own up to their mistakes. As they'd eventually need to do anyway.

aaron @ Aug 6th 2007 8:04PM

5 Million? Maybe for a defective (and expensive) car that was not repaired properly the first three times, but for a $400 item?

I'd bet fellow Californians are proud they live in such a screwed up state and have idiots like the man in the article represent them in some way.

"California."-John McClane

HineyWipe @ Aug 6th 2007 9:34PM

For when my 2nd 360 decides to become the Halo-Cinderblock, I also have a PS3. Then, I'll just "Keep on Gaming" with the power of the Cell...

legios @ Aug 6th 2007 11:15PM

I kid you not, I received the RROD tonight. I knew it was coming since my xbox has been freezing up on me all weekend.

I'm bummed because I used my 360 not just as a console, but also as the media hub. Here are the things that I can't do for the next month or so (while it is being fixed).

1. watch shows recorded on media center on my 62 inch TV. (my media center computer is upstairs)

2. show friends my digital photos on the above mentioned 62 inch tv

3. watch HDTV on my HDTV. The antenna is plugged into the media center computer upstairs, and it's kind of a pain to move.

4. listen to my digital music on my in-wall surround sound system.

5. watch DVD's. My backup DVD player does not upscale and does not have a optical audio connection for surround sound. Yuck!

Man I really loved the 360's capabilities...but this is really ticking me off. Ugh.

ok...enough complaining...time to go rewire some stuff.