Is your Xbox 360 an E74 victim?

Considering the Red Ring of Death (to put it kindly) debacle, we're going to be extremely careful with what we say here. We're starting to see and receive numerous reports from readers, friends and in forums like this of Xbox 360s becoming the victims of an error labeled by the console as "E74." We've received only a few of these reports (two in '07; one in '08) prior to the recent barrage of complaints. When contacted, a Microsoft rep told Joystiq she wasn't familiar with the problem (the company is currently looking into it), so here's what we've been able to piece together by ourselves:
The E74 error seems to be related to video problems. It's occasionally caused by a faulty AV cord, but more often than not, the solder on the ANA/HANA (in HDMI models) scaling chip has come loose. In fact, many have reported creating a temporary fix by wrapping pennies in electrical tape and weighing the ANA/HANA down. (For the record, we're not suggesting you do that.) Before the error, the system usually starts showing graphical problems like lines across the screen or snow. It's accompanied by one red light in the lower right-hand quadrant.
So, we've got a poll right after the break where you can weigh in with your own experience. Also, if you've got more details, we'd love it if you would email us here.
[Update 1: Our friends at Negative Gamer just sent this interesting Google Trends result our way. As you can see, E74 was basically a non-issue until August of 2008. Interesting ...]






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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
coffins outside the door @ Mar 17th 2009 11:49AM
"wrapping pennies in electrical tape"
Who thinks of these things?!
Obie @ Mar 17th 2009 11:59AM
MCGUYVER BITCH!
coffins outside the door @ Mar 17th 2009 11:59AM
Ok - how about: "whoever thought of that was a fucking genius!" ?
Tiptup300 @ Mar 17th 2009 12:21PM
What if I don't have the RROD/E74 and I'm not a big fan of clicking things. =/
Kind of one-sided there. If you don't like clicking things.
Cody @ Mar 17th 2009 12:28PM
McGuyver??
Man it's all about MacGruber!!!
http://www.hilarious.net/the-complete-macgruber-snl-video-collection/
Killiam XXIII @ Mar 17th 2009 12:29PM
@Tiptup
In Soviet Russia, click things click you!
TheDemiurge @ Mar 17th 2009 1:18PM
Is everyone extremely pissed about the quality of the xbox 360 yet? I mean, how many problems can one console have? It has great games but it is the absolute worse peice of trash hardware I have ever bought.
TheDemiurge @ Mar 17th 2009 1:22PM
*piece
Troy Powers (PSN: TroyPowers) @ Mar 17th 2009 1:52PM
Hey, but it only costs $200!!!
Alex @ Mar 17th 2009 3:56PM
Isn't Killiam a bit late on the 'Soviet Russia' jokes? I haven't seen one of them for a good while now... I thought they had just died out.
Nebinator @ Mar 17th 2009 4:46PM
@Alex
Soviet jokes did get old, but this one seems relevant considering that the E74 warning was written in Russian
Chase @ Mar 17th 2009 4:49PM
@ TheDemiurge: I bet you haven't bout something from Ebay.
TheDemiurge @ Mar 17th 2009 5:55PM
@ Chase: Nope. I usually stay away from Ebay, especially for electronics. You never know what you're actually going to get.
mynk @ Mar 18th 2009 6:15PM
the xbox 360 is to us as a hot stud is to a high school girl...*
he's unreliable, but damn if he isnt hot. we just keep going back to him again and again, no matter how many times he fails us.
*from previous joystiq article
JAmerican @ Mar 19th 2009 12:09AM
Ever since my mod here...
No serious problems. Like my console may freeze once in a blue moon. Does it a little more since NXE but still not often. NO RROD or Error messages.
http://www.jamerican.net/?p=48
blacklab3l856 @ Mar 19th 2009 3:43PM
yeah i just got e74 like 3 weeks ago... they sent me a new xbox but it's running weird idk. I didn't have any problems until NXE then it started running badly.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Mar 17th 2009 11:50AM
from one thing to another. God I hope my 360 doesnt get RRoD or E74. Considering I dont use it as much as others it SHOULD be fine for a while. one thing is certain. PLENTY of people are getting this error and it could easily be the new RRoD if this keeps up.
Greg @ Mar 17th 2009 6:50PM
I'm in the same boat. In order for my xbox to rr or e74 i'd have to turn the thing on every once and a while, I haven't really had a reason to for a while though.
Duke @ Mar 17th 2009 12:08PM
I find it odd they wouldn't know of this problem. E74 has been around for a while and has been talked about a bit as of late. In fact, http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941377 is a support page for it. Yeah, that page is newly updated but I remember reading one when I had rrod that discussed E74.
I too haven't had this error, but am worried to get a new unit with the HDMI and have this error pop-up. Though, the rrod issue really was nothing more than an inconvenience for me (took hardly any time to get my 360 back). Hopefully they will stand behind these units and not screw everyone for repair costs in the future.
Latin_Trident @ Mar 17th 2009 12:08PM
I actually used to get the e74 error (more like just the one red light) and it only happened twice on my 360 but it was weird because I never had to send it in to get repaired. I just turned off the console and turned it on. Then the 360 started to slow down so I wiped the hdd clean and sold my 360. Now i have a new arcade so I am hoping to be fine for a long time*.
*Long time referring to forever or until the next xbox comes out
MarkHawk @ Mar 17th 2009 12:19PM
At least RRoD is covered under a 3 year warranty. This isn't. I was less then 2 weeks out of warranty when this happened and Microsoft refused to fix it for free. I made a post on Page 2 of my experiance with E-74.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Mar 17th 2009 12:21PM
how cheap are the HDMI ports tho for it to loosen to the point where its causing problems??? I mean I suppose this happens more to people that move their 360 around a lot and in turn repeatedly remove and re-insert the HDMI cord weakening the port, but that shouldnt be happening at all. If its cause by what I'm thinking mine should be fine as I dont plan on moving it again until I move in a house later this year. hell I HOPE thats the cause of it and not something as simple as the HDMI cord weighing the port down
Cody @ Mar 17th 2009 12:36PM
"I find it odd they wouldn't know of this problem."
Duke, this IS Microsoft's customer support we're talking about here.
Troy Powers (PSN: TroyPowers) @ Mar 17th 2009 12:37PM
I think this whole thing is really going to come back to bite MS in the ass when they release their next console. People are really feeling burned. They're going to have to jump through some serious hoops to sell the Xbox 720 (or whatever it will be called). I'm thinking Gears of War 3 in super-hi-definition 3D, and a warranty backed by Jesus Christ himself. And I mean Jesus actually showing up at your house to fix your shit if it breaks. :D
Cody @ Mar 17th 2009 1:22PM
You know Troy, you raise an interesting point to consider.
What IS Microsoft's plan for next generation? Super ultra 1080p gaming? They really have set themsleves up for a stale offering next go around. They will definitely sell to the gamers that are looking for NOTHING more than a better spec'd 360, but that will undoubtably not be another 30+ million customer base offering.
Wii on the other hand has so much momentum going into the next console race. Think Wiimote version 2 with built in WiiMotionPlus, better speaker and rumble, better IR. Of course increased horsepower and more expansive online, but the capabilitis of the Wii Remote for a second generation? I can't wait.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Mar 17th 2009 1:28PM
Troy Gears 3 is most likely coming out on the 360...lol
Troy Powers (PSN: TroyPowers) @ Mar 17th 2009 1:48PM
Smellivision! On the next-gen version of Gears (Gears 4 or 5?) you actually be able to smell gunsmoke...and FEAR!
Warranty still backed by Jesus Christ.
Duke @ Mar 17th 2009 2:27PM
Cody, c'mon, we all know you only show love to Nintendo, so don't bother railing against MS in yet another post. Its just so typical.
The Baron @ Mar 17th 2009 2:56PM
That was literally the funniest thing I've read all day.
"Super 1080p awesome graphics? What a cheap improvement. Now a better speaker in my Wiimote - that's progress!"
You weren't being sarcastic? ..oh.
joshua @ Mar 17th 2009 5:32PM
lol... RRoD can happen at anytime bro.. now the E74 thats up to you how good you take care your shit.. cause they are ppl that don't know how to plug in things.. its sad but its true.. ppl are careless with electronics. if your a whatever person you bound to get your shit fucked up.. if you value your things you may not have shit fucking up..
fatalhashbrown @ Mar 18th 2009 3:40PM
I think it's BS that MS can even begin to claim that they know nothing about it. I distinctly remember photos of 360 kiosks sitting dead with the E-74 error before the system even launched!
E-Rock @ Mar 19th 2009 2:57AM
God, first the RRoD was people who couldn't handle their hardware, which was total BS. Now the e74 only happens if you're rough on 'em? BS again.
I have a repaired unit that does this about 8/10 times you turn it on IF the TV input is not switched to the 360 before you turn it on. Even then, you switch the TV input, cycle the 360 and it's fine. This was on a VGA connection as this unit doesn't have HDMI.
That's just my experience. I chalk it up to them not fixing the repairs very well, which was the repeating RRoD problem too.
Daveeed @ Mar 19th 2009 8:53AM
I dont use mine as much either and I've still had to send it back 3 times :(
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Mar 19th 2009 9:10AM
Daveed dont tell me that dude!!!!
I'll be mad as hell if I go to play some shit later down the road and it just ups and RRoDs on me and I dont use it like that
Mr Khan @ Mar 17th 2009 11:52AM
If it is as big a problem as its being made out to be, Microsoft should move quickly to come clean, and then move on. Don't drag the brand through the mud again
Roto13 @ Mar 17th 2009 2:10PM
Won't happen, though. Not until there's a class action lawsuit.
KillaRizzay @ Mar 18th 2009 10:31AM
The brand was dragged through the mud the moment they made the CrapBox PleaseFixMe. Everymonth it seems like theres a new widespread issue. Theres no "keeping the brand out of mud" when you manufacture a straight up piece of sh*t and show no regret nor learn from your mistakes. Vote me down....i dont care, you're all delusional if you cant accept the fact that all these issues plaguing the Xbox PleaseFixMe should be rediculous and should make you mad as consumer owners of a very poorly manufactured product
Sexualchocolate @ Mar 17th 2009 11:53AM
BWAHAHAHAHAHA I'm saying nothing!...
Except: BUY A FUCKING PS3 FOOLS!
Cosmo @ Mar 17th 2009 11:56AM
Believe it or not, but the PS3 (at least earlier models), have their own build quality issues, such as the YLOD (yellow light of death) or Blu-Ray drive crapping out and no longer being able to read Blu-Ray discs but can still read CDs and DVDs (which happened to my 60gb PS3).
Only issues I have with my Xbox 360 is I never play it since I built a gaming PC and its DVD drive is now starting to make loud grinding noises while playing games or movies, its unsettling.
Cosmo @ Mar 17th 2009 12:07PM
Why did I get voted down? Its a fact that the PS3 has its own share of build quality problems, maybe not as bad as the 360 but many systems still are affected.
I know that since the RROD, PS3 owners prided themselves on having a more solid well built system but many units suffer from their own technical issues and PS3 fanboys should not sweep it under the rug. I hope Sony will come clean and fix the Blu-Ray drive issue for instance when older systems are outside warranty, paying their asking repair fee of around $150 is ridiculous.
Neuromancer @ Mar 17th 2009 12:12PM
Cosmo, Sony fanboys can be a fickle mistress
greg (peevmyster) @ Mar 17th 2009 12:13PM
The PS3 has nowhere near the fail rate as the 360 has. I have 3 friends who got RROD the same month. Out of my friends that have a PS3, none have failed.
Bissy Boy (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Mar 17th 2009 12:16PM
Cosmo
The Wii also had problem from reading dual layerd DVDs around the release of SSBB. The thing is that ALL consumer electronics are going to have some sort of failure rate or technical issues. There is an acceptable percentage of affected users (I believe it's less than 1%) when it comes to failure rates. I think you were voted down because it seemed you were trying to equate a small percentage of failures with the PS3 to the larger amount of failures the 360 had. I don't think it was because you simply stated the facts that some launch model PS3s are affected with the YLOD and BD failure. Thats my take anyway.
Cosmo @ Mar 17th 2009 12:21PM
Unfortunately, I think the failure rate of PS3 consoles is greater than 1% and is something Sony should acknowledge and offer free repairs for like MS finally did with the RROD fiasco.
For instance, look at these threads about Blu-Ray drive failures and YLOD in the PS3.
http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=ps3&thread.id=3675590
http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=ps3&thread.id=3549879
http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=ps3&thread.id=3766935
Even if the failure rate is nowhere near the 360s (which I'm sure of), it is a sizeable number that I feel Sony should issue a recall. One thing for sure is that Sony and PS3 fanboys cannot hide this problem, sweep it under the rug and make it go away. Its not as widespread and high-profile as the RROD, but still a sizable issue nonetheless. I don't mind my unit breaking eventually, but I will not be happy at Sony charging $150 for the repair outside the 1 year warranty and then only offering a 90 day warranty.
Demon G Sides @ Mar 17th 2009 12:29PM
Greg, problem being that you only have one friend with a PS3. So, the data's kinda skewed.
Troy Powers (PSN: TroyPowers) @ Mar 17th 2009 12:29PM
Really, Cosmo? You want to compare the PS3 failure rate to the 360's?
To say that, "Well, hey, some PS3s fail too!" is kind of silly. Every product has a certain failure rate. Some are acceptable. Some are not.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Mar 17th 2009 12:39PM
I had my Blu-ray drive die on my 60GB (the co-called BRoD).
The early PS3s are starting to show optical drive problems. Which is annoying but also unsurprising. Every console does this. I had to replace my 360 on my own dime due to a bad optical drive (after 4 RRoD swaps) and my Wii has the optical drive that can't read dual-layer discs. So I'm shooting 3 for 3 with the current consoles.
I dunno if Sony should recall the systems. I think they should probably consider doing something. The repair cost of a PS3 is damn near the price of a 360 now. They might want to consider at least lowering that so as to discourage defections.
Troy Powers (PSN: TroyPowers) @ Mar 17th 2009 12:41PM
lol @ Demon G Sides
Good point.
Cosmo, forums are a magnet for whiners and complainers. I wouldn't say any forum thread is indicative of the overall performance of a product.
Ryan @ Mar 17th 2009 12:44PM
Yep my release day 360 hasn't had a single problem (knock on wood) but my PS3 that I purchased a year and a half ago that has only been used to watch bluray movies crapped out over the weekend... I wonder how much it is going to cost me to fix that.
I've been extremely lucky with electronics... except Sony... PS died, PS2 drive stopped reading discs, now the PS3... maybe its just me. Anyway you cut it if they don't fix my PS3 for free I'm done with Sony as a whole.
Bissy Boy (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Mar 17th 2009 12:51PM
Cosmo
No one is doubting that some launch model PS3's are affected with certain issues. Just because it happened to you doesn't mean it's a widespread problem. Look at it this way: There are roughly 21 Million PS3's in the wild give or take a few and the acceptable 1% would be in the ballpark of 210,000 consoles. You were one of those 210,000 (or less) people who were affected with one of the issues (I think your chin-poh and it was the BD failure).
In contrast, lets say that 15% of the roughly 28 million 360's are affected with hardware issues: That would give us a total of 4,200,000 consoles that have failed. Now, none of us know the 360 failure rate and it has been rumored to be as high as 33% (9,240,000), in the middle around 15% (4,200,000) and as low as 7% (1,960,000) total but we just don't know because numbers haven't been released. If you simply look at anecdotal evidence (from this site for instance) you will see that all the bloggers have had at least 1 failure and most of the readers have had at least one as well. We just don't see that with the PS3 or the Wii.
Microsoft has done a great job in owning up to their mistakes and fixing most consoles affected by failure. If PS3's were failing at the rate of PS2's and 360's then I'm sure you would hear more anecdotal reports of it and Sony would own up to it. You see even with hardware revisions the 360 is still plagued with hardware issues. The PS3 issues seem to be isolated to the launch models and within those models they are still a rare occourence.