Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Microsoft kills 'coffin' policy, time to pack your RRoD Xbox yourself]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/microsoft-kills-coffin-policy-time-to-pack-your-rrod-xbox-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/microsoft-kills-coffin-policy-time-to-pack-your-rrod-xbox-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/microsoft-kills-coffin-policy-time-to-pack-your-rrod-xbox-you/#comments
Microsoft - the manufacturer of the RRoD-prone Xbox 360 - has confirmed to Joystiq that it's discontinued its policy of providing a prepaid box with shipping label, more commonly referred to as the "coffin," for all Xbox 360 repairs. As of May 26 the policy was discontinued "in an effort to expedite the repair process." Customers will have the option of receiving an e-label to slap on the box they ship their bricked consoles in, but the days of the "coffin" are now over. A Microsoft spokesperson tell us, "Customers can now ship their consoles themselves using an e-label provided by Microsoft and do not need to wait for an empty box to be shipped to them."

Apparently Microsoft's accountants were getting tired of that budget line item signifying thousands of dollars spent on providing cardboard boxes to the millions of consumers with defective units (often multiple times). We likely should have seen the writing on the wall when we recently contacted Microsoft to find out what recourse customers had if customer service wasn't offering coffins.

Our advice: Mail it to Microsoft in whatever packaging you've got lying around (remember: they're going to fix it regardless) and save the special, custom-fit packaging they mail it back to you in. Odds are you'll use it again.

JoystiqMicrosoft kills 'coffin' policy, time to pack your RRoD Xbox yourself originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coffinmicrosoftrepairrrodwarrantyxbox-360Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Reminder: Xbox 360 repairs should always have the option of a 'coffin']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/reminder-xbox-360-repairs-should-always-have-the-option-of-a-c/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/reminder-xbox-360-repairs-should-always-have-the-option-of-a-c/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/reminder-xbox-360-repairs-should-always-have-the-option-of-a-c/#comments
We discussed it at the end of Episode 111 of X3F yesterday, but we continue to hear from folks that Microsoft's repair support isn't offering "coffins" to return busted consoles. Just to retread this issue, Microsoft confirmed to us a couple weeks ago that postage-paid boxes should be offered in "all scenarios, regardless of the repair." Furthermore, "this policy is global, not region-specific."

To help those out who continue to have issues with this explicitly stated service, we've contacted Microsoft PR to ask what recourse customers have who are not being offered coffins. We will update as soon as we receive a response. We've placed the policy after the break for reference.

Continue reading Reminder: Xbox 360 repairs should always have the option of a 'coffin'

JoystiqReminder: Xbox 360 repairs should always have the option of a 'coffin' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coffinmicrosoftrepairrrodwarrantyxbox-360Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dallas News goes inside the belly of the GameStop repair beast]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/01/dallas-news-goes-inside-the-belly-of-the-gamestop-repair-beast/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/01/dallas-news-goes-inside-the-belly-of-the-gamestop-repair-beast/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/01/dallas-news-goes-inside-the-belly-of-the-gamestop-repair-beast/#comments
If you've ever wondered how GameStop is capable of breathing new life into your battered and bruised console trade-ins, you might want to check out a recent pictorial submitted by Dallas News staff photographer Louis DeLuca. If your mental image of the GameStop console repair ward involved kind, bespectacled seniors (and possibly jolly, miniscule elven craftsmen), you may find the snapshots a tad jarring. There seems to be very little Keebler-esque magic going on within that warehouse -- though it certainly looks like they've figured out the science behind the mass resurrection of corpsified consoles.

JoystiqDallas News goes inside the belly of the GameStop repair beast originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dallas-newsgamestoplouis-delucaphotospictorialrefurbishedrepairWed, 01 Apr 2009 19:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 repairs should always have the option of a 'coffin']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/20/xbox-360-repairs-should-always-have-the-option-of-a-coffin/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/20/xbox-360-repairs-should-always-have-the-option-of-a-coffin/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/20/xbox-360-repairs-should-always-have-the-option-of-a-coffin/#comments
With all this talk of the Xbox 360's E74 error, and the continued presence of the RRoD, we are reminded of former Microsoft executive Peter Moore's request that we not focus on the Xbox's problems, but rather on the quality of the repair service. To that end, we've received conflicting reports about whether consumers are being offered the option of receiving a box -- which has come to be known as "the coffin" -- from the company, when dealing with Microsoft's customer service in India. When we took a quick sampling earlier this week using Twitter, answers were all over the map, so we followed up with Microsoft to get a clear and direct answer.

Reports that the company now requires consumers to find their own packaging when sending in an Xbox 360 for repair are "inaccurate," a Microsoft spokesperson told us. The company has always given two options and "this policy is global, not region-specific." Customers have the choice of either printing an e-Label (and providing their own box) or receiving a coffin from the company (this should take about five business days).

The representative did "confirm that the same policy applies to all scenarios, regardless of the repair." So, just to clear up any future confusion: There should always be the option of receiving a coffin when dealing with an Xbox 360 repair scenario.

Reference -- Official Microsoft repair FAQ
Reference -- Online console repair support

JoystiqXbox 360 repairs should always have the option of a 'coffin' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>customer-servicee74microsoftrepairrrodXbox-360Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Dirty disc drive lens? Nintendo has your back]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/14/dirty-disc-drive-lens-nintendo-has-your-back/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/14/dirty-disc-drive-lens-nintendo-has-your-back/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/14/dirty-disc-drive-lens-nintendo-has-your-back/#commentsFiled under: ,

Reasons not to smoke:
  1. Increased risk of lung cancer, high blood pressure, bronchitis, emphysema.
  2. It smells.
  3. Wii lens damage!!1!
Rather than lecture you on the first two (because hey, they're your lungs, bucko), we want to concentrate on the latter. Back in February, Japanese gamers reported that Wiis were having trouble reading newly purchased copies of Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Nintendo's intervention was swift, with the company blaming dirty console lenses -- Brawl was the first Wii game to release on a dual-layered DVD, and therefore especially sensitive to this issue.

Nintendo's first practical solution was ... not so swift. As in, it just came out now. The Wii Lens Cleaner Set is available to order on Nintendo's Japanese site for ¥800 (around $8) or Play-Asia for a tenner. It should leave your console lens sparkling and your Brawl career resurgent. Whadd'ya mean everyone plays Mario Kart now? Hush!


[Via Kotaku]

JoystiqDirty disc drive lens? Nintendo has your back originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoriesbrawldisc-errorlensrepairsmash-bros-brawlssbbTue, 14 Oct 2008 19:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo adds Update 3.3 to repaired Wiis, internet not happy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/nintendo-adds-update-3-3-to-repaired-wiis-internet-not-happy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/nintendo-adds-update-3-3-to-repaired-wiis-internet-not-happy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/nintendo-adds-update-3-3-to-repaired-wiis-internet-not-happy/#commentsFiled under: ,


Usually, the news that Nintendo updated the firmware on your Wii while it's away for repair would hardly count as news at all. Since yesterday, however, when everybody caught wind of how the latest Wii Menu Update knocked the Twilight Hack and Freeloader on the head, Nintendo's meddling hasn't been as appreciated.

A group of disgruntled Wii owners whose consoles have been repaired and updated with new firmware congregated on the forums of GBAtemp.net, in a thread titled "CURSE u NINTENDO!," to howl about Nintendo's repair team and their habit of adding unwanted updates. While we can only sympathize with them, we should probably let this serve as a warning to others: if you are a homebrewer or importer with a Wii that's conked out, you might want to think twice about sending your machine to Nintendo.

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqNintendo adds Update 3.3 to repaired Wiis, internet not happy originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>firmwarefreeloaderpalrepairsystemupdatetwilight-hackupdatewii-menu-updateWed, 18 Jun 2008 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Opus-model 360s begining to flow?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/opus-model-360s-begining-to-flow/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/opus-model-360s-begining-to-flow/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/opus-model-360s-begining-to-flow/#commentsFiled under:

Thanks to a tipster in our last post, we've now heard our first real world tale of the previously rumored "Zombie Repaired" 360, code named Opus. The Opus "model" is for those who have had their 360's red ring and have sent them off to Microsoft for repair. In an effort to use (instead of toss) the older Xenon motherboards, Microsoft is basically upgrading repaired 360's with the Falcon model chips (65nm CPU, 90nm GPU) and one of the older motherboards that doesn't have have HDMI, effectively creating a zombie 360 that cannot be purchased in stores.

According to a specific poster over at GameTrailers, when a repaired RROD is now returned to its owner it includes a slip of paper marked "OPUS" as well as a new power supply. So if you've recently had a 360 red ring, keep an eye out for that little slip of paper when it returns, as it basically says that your 360 is now of the undead, and thus is quite unlikely to ever die again.

JoystiqOpus-model 360s begining to flow? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>falconhardwarejasperopusrepairrrodWed, 18 Jun 2008 01:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Need to repair a broken power switch?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/19/need-to-repair-a-broken-power-switch/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/19/need-to-repair-a-broken-power-switch/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/19/need-to-repair-a-broken-power-switch/#commentsFiled under: , ,

For the majority of us, repairing a broken DS Lite (which is a fairly rare thing, unless you happen to be friends with G4 or something) is accomplished through doing nothing more than picking up the phone and calling Nintendo. But, some are more brave than us, taking the responsibility of maintaining the integrity of their precious handheld upon themselves.

Enter flickr user shalf, who has a daughter that broke the power switch on her pink DS Lite. Like a good dad, he isn't going to make her wait for the time it takes to ship the handheld to Nintendo and get it back repaired, he's done it himself! And, thankfully, he's taken tons of pictures and placed them on his flickr page for all to see. Hopefully, some of you out there thinking about taking apart your DS Lite can learn a thing or two from his efforts.

This isn't the first time we've featured other folks repairing their handhelds. You can check out how to replace a screen here, as well as how to take apart the whole thing here. Heck, you can even make your own Rumble Pak! Some people love the DS so much, they even try to turn other handhelds into one.

JoystiqNeed to repair a broken power switch? originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 May 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brokebrokenpinkrepairrepairsswitchMon, 19 May 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Are you a bad enough dude to replace your DS Lite's screen?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/are-you-a-bad-enough-dude-to-replace-your-ds-lites-screen/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/are-you-a-bad-enough-dude-to-replace-your-ds-lites-screen/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/are-you-a-bad-enough-dude-to-replace-your-ds-lites-screen/#commentsFiled under: ,

Having problems with the touchscreen on your DS Lite? Are you also a crazy person? If so, you may want to attempt to replace the touchscreen yourself using an aftermarket screen. To help future DS repairers (or perhaps just to document a successful replacement), selectbutton forum member Sushi K has created an illustrated guide to the process.

Since we have some experience replacing screen covers on handhelds, we'll offer one warning. Unless you live in one of the clean rooms used to manufacture computer chips (and you don't, because it wouldn't be clean with people living in there!) you are going to get dust under your screen. This is a certainty unless you are profoundly lucky. Still, if you can't get Nintendo to fix your DS, a speck or two of dust is a small price to pay for a working touchscreen, although there's always the potential cost of completely wrecking your system.

JoystiqAre you a bad enough dude to replace your DS Lite's screen? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>repairtouch-screentouchscreenWed, 09 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Even more problems with MS customer service]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/06/even-more-problems-with-ms-customer-service/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/06/even-more-problems-with-ms-customer-service/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/06/even-more-problems-with-ms-customer-service/#commentsFiled under:


Microsoft just can't seem to do much right on the customer support front. So much so that we're rather tired of hearing about it. This time however, the story has more than a few new wrinkles that made it insightful enough to take a second look. The story begins with a review of the whole crazy situation and in it the author remains relatively fair and calm. Then comes the fifth paragraph, and specifics about repeat failures begin to surface.

Things like the fact that the 3-year warranty won't extend to any problem other than the RROD for any replacement console that you are sent by Microsoft. Things like the fact that if Microsoft sends you a replacement console that does not function, you're then stuck with the original 1-year warranty that came with your first 360. Basically, if your 360 RROD'd between 366 and 1095 days after purchase (just over one year to three years) then Microsoft will send you a replacement console. But if that one has something wrong with it other than the RROD, then it'll cost you $100 to send it back to Microsoft to get it fixed. Remember kids, it's wrong to screw people over if you're not a multinational corporation.

JoystiqEven more problems with MS customer service originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 Apr 2008 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftrepairrrodwarrantySun, 06 Apr 2008 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Backwards compatible PS3's in Europe have long waits for replacement]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/02/backwards-compatible-ps3s-in-europe-have-long-waits-for-replace/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/02/backwards-compatible-ps3s-in-europe-have-long-waits-for-replace/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/02/backwards-compatible-ps3s-in-europe-have-long-waits-for-replace/#commentsFiled under:

Here's a wake-up call for all you early PS3 adopters: months of waiting to replace a broken backwards-compatible unit. At least, in Europe for one guy. Member "oo Kosma oo" over at the NeoGAF forums posted a story about his busted 60GB PS3. He sent it in for repairs a month and a half ago, called up Sony, and got this message: "Sorry we don't have any stock of the 60GB left and we don't know when a shipment will arrive to replace your unit. Call back in 2/4 weeks for an update." Uh-oh.

All we can say is: take good care of your backwards-compatible units, guys and gals. Keep them well-ventilated, buy something to clean them with (compressed air should suffice), and as tempting and harmless as it may sound, don't leave it on all the time. You never know what will set off an error or damage something. We wouldn't want you to have to wait around 3 months to even know when you'll get a new PS3. That's torture.

JoystiqBackwards compatible PS3's in Europe have long waits for replacement originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backwards-compatibil...repairrepairsWed, 02 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft apologizes for 360 'cleaning' with Bill Gates-signed replacement]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/22/microsoft-apologizes-for-360-cleaning-with-bill-gates-signed-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/22/microsoft-apologizes-for-360-cleaning-with-bill-gates-signed-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/22/microsoft-apologizes-for-360-cleaning-with-bill-gates-signed-r/#commentsFiled under:


Most companies in the gaming industry never really atone for their egregious errors -- if so, Nintendo would have sent us a check for the $180 in hard-earned allowance money that we blew on the retina-singeing Virtual Boy by now. However, our poor investment in Nintendo's unwieldy system can't compare to the tragedy endured by Nathaniel, whose personalized 360 was wiped clean during a RROD repair. Luckily, Bungie jumped to the rescue with an equally collectible Halo care package -- and a recent delivery from Microsoft served as the caboose to Nate's apologetic gravy train.

Included in said delivery was a handful of games and, most notably, a new 360 signed by the Xbox team, Bungie (including replacement artwork by Rooster Teeth Comics' Luke McKay) and, with the flourish of a solid gold pen, Bill Gates. Whether you call it an act of kindness or a lesson in public relations, we think it's a neat gesture from the folks at Microsoft -- a gesture young Nathaniel will only enjoy for the next four months, of course, at which point the button above Gates' John Hancock will blink a menacing scarlet, leaving Nate with a highly collectible paperweight.

JoystiqMicrosoft apologizes for 360 'cleaning' with Bill Gates-signed replacement originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 22 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360BillGatesbungiehalomicrosoftrepairrrodXbox-360xbox360Sat, 22 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Smash Bros. Brawl not working on some Wiis, Nintendo responds]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/09/smash-bros-brawl-not-working-on-some-wiis-nintendo-responds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/09/smash-bros-brawl-not-working-on-some-wiis-nintendo-responds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/09/smash-bros-brawl-not-working-on-some-wiis-nintendo-responds/#commentsFiled under: ,


While we're sure most of us would describe Wii fanatics as the most lighthearted of the console enthusiasts, we can only imagine that being forced to wait nearly two years for the most highly anticipated game on your console, only to come home from a midnight launch to discover you cannot extract the frenzied multiplayer mayhem stored on the disc you've purchased might incite one's dander to "get up". Alas, many a brawler-to-be recently found themselves in this lamentable situation, as Super Smash Bros. Brawl has reportedly had performance anxiety in a number of Wii consoles.

Nintendo has swiftly replied with a North American repair form, explaining that the double-layer disc can only be read by a squeaky-clean disc drive lens. They implore you not to try to clean said lens on your own, and to send in your crudely adhered Gamecubes to Nintendo HQ for a thorough purging. We're sure they'll get your newly spruced console back to you in a timely manner -- which will likely offer little consolation to a Nintyfan scorned.

[Thanks to all the unlucky souls who sent this in. Our thoughts are with you during these trying times.]

JoystiqSmash Bros. Brawl not working on some Wiis, Nintendo responds originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 09 Mar 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brawldiscnintendonintendowiirepairsmashbrossmashbrosbrawlssbbwiiSun, 09 Mar 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Disc errors plague some unlucky Brawlers, Nintendo offers repairs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/09/disc-errors-plague-some-unlucky-brawlers-nintendo-offers-repair/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/09/disc-errors-plague-some-unlucky-brawlers-nintendo-offers-repair/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/09/disc-errors-plague-some-unlucky-brawlers-nintendo-offers-repair/#commentsFiled under:


Did you pop in Brawl early this morning, only to find out that it wouldn't play? You're not the only one.

A number of Wii owners on this side of the globe are reporting problems similar to ones seen in Japan -- disc errors, supposedly caused by dirty laser lenses. Since Smash Bros. is the Wii's first game that's on dual-layered DVD, it's extra sensitive to such problems.

The good news is that Nintendo will fix the problem for you. The bad news is that it might be a few more weeks before you get to play Brawl ... or any Wii game, for that matter.

Nintendo is urging people experiencing this problem to fill in this form and send in their Wiis for repair. They'll be footing the bill for the shipping and repair costs (as they should), so the only thing you'll be losing out on is quality time with your new copy of Brawl.

Are any of you affected by this problem? If so, feel free to rant about it here. Just let it all out.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

JoystiqDisc errors plague some unlucky Brawlers, Nintendo offers repairs originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 09 Mar 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brawldisc-errorlensrepairsmash-bros-brawlssbbSun, 09 Mar 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision to fix Guitar Hero sound issues with new disc]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/07/activision-to-fix-guitar-hero-sound-issues-with-new-disc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/07/activision-to-fix-guitar-hero-sound-issues-with-new-disc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/07/activision-to-fix-guitar-hero-sound-issues-with-new-disc/#commentsFiled under:

People who bought the Wii version of Guitar Hero III have been (justifiably) annoyed by the lack of stereo and surround sound in Activision's popular music game. However, Wii owners can at least take some comfort in knowing that the problem will soon be fixed.

Activision's customer support has replied to many irate users with an email stating that re-mastered discs should be available by early 2008. This means that customers who buy the game after the re-mastered version is available should get the fixed copies, while those who already own the game can get replacement discs at no charge.

The last time we announced a disc swap for a glitched Wii game, many of you expressed your desires to have a simple downloadable patch instead. While we agree that a patch would be more convenient, we're still glad that there will be a fix available in the near future.

[Thanks, Langst!]

JoystiqActivision to fix Guitar Hero sound issues with new disc originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Dec 2007 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionbugdolbyfixgh3ghiiiglitchguitar-heroguitar-hero-3guitar-hero-iiimonomusicneversoftred-octanerepairrhythmsurround-soundFri, 07 Dec 2007 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Audio proof of one man's 11 dead Xbox 360s]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/27/audio-proof-of-one-mans-11-dead-xbox-360s/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/27/audio-proof-of-one-mans-11-dead-xbox-360s/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/27/audio-proof-of-one-mans-11-dead-xbox-360s/#commentsFiled under: ,


As Microsoft dances around the Xbox 360 hardware failure class action lawsuit just begging to happen, 1UP has one more piece of "anecdotal" evidence to throw on the pyre. They offer up the tale of Justin Lowe and his 11 failed Xbox 360s. "No, that's impossible!" scream the fanboys in their best Luke Skywalker impression. Ah, but Lowe went ahead and got audio evidence to prove it's true. The recording (found below) covers his conversation with Xbox India support as they walk through every single one of his failed consoles. Although the recording is long and just goes through the motions, evidence isn't always sexy, sometimes it just proves a point.

Now, we're sure that Lowe keeps his Xbox 360 wrapped in an old shag carpet, standing vertically, in a room that has the humidity of the Amazon rainforest ... oh, and the electrical system in his house consistently causes spikes. Did we cover everything there? 1UP went through the motions, like every media outlet pretty much has done at this point, and received the standard wall of there being nothing wrong and that the newly installed heatsinks are merely part of the regular updating of components in consoles. As Microsoft previously asserted, they "do not provide details on these updates." Lowe, who is on console number 12 now, says, "I still like Microsoft, as much as that may astound people. There's no real hate towards the company for what I have experienced." And we just keep telling ourselves: Don't focus on failure, focus on repair.


Lowe Recording:

JoystiqAudio proof of one man's 11 dead Xbox 360s originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jun 2007 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>failurerecordingred ring of deathrepairrrodserviceXbox-360xbox360Wed, 27 Jun 2007 11:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Continuous Play? protects your system from your evil little sister]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/21/continuous-play-protects-your-system-from-your-evil-little-sist/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/21/continuous-play-protects-your-system-from-your-evil-little-sist/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/21/continuous-play-protects-your-system-from-your-evil-little-sist/#commentsFiled under:


You know those extended service warranties that Best Buy tries to force on you? Well, it looks like Sony's also getting into the business, with their new Continuous Play service in Europe. The service gives "full protection for your PlayStation system from damage caused by mishaps." Impressively, they'll offer "a full replacement for your PlayStation system within two working days of your call."

The asking price for the service seems fairly reasonable: £2.49 a month. Honestly, if we wanted to sign up for a service similar to this, we'd much rather do it with Sony than the retailers at Best Buy.

[Via PlayStation]

JoystiqContinuous Play? protects your system from your evil little sister originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jun 2007 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>continuous playContinuousPlayrepairserviceThu, 21 Jun 2007 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Anecdotal: Microsoft low on Xbox 360 coffins]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/06/anecdotal-microsoft-low-on-xbox-360-coffins/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/06/anecdotal-microsoft-low-on-xbox-360-coffins/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/06/anecdotal-microsoft-low-on-xbox-360-coffins/#commentsFiled under: ,



For the most part, we've given up on reporting every single time one of our colleagues in the gaming press has an Xbox 360 die on them. Frankly, we'd be writing a piece every couple weeks. A brilliant recent example was the Weekly Geek Show's Xbox 360, which we covered, died again in late May. Exactly one month and six days after being "repaired." But, like Peter Moore asked of all of us, we shouldn't focus on the failure rate of Xbox 360s, but on the service in repairing them. And so, we have the story of Officer Craig Ravitch of the New York Police Department.

Officer Ravitch discovered last Friday that his Xbox 360 died on him in a classic New York "You gotta' be frickin' kidding me!" moment. He loves his Xbox 360, it's his "favorite system," but the "constant breaking down is amazing" to him. He called Microsoft, as he's done three times before. This next console will be his fourth since the 360 launch. He bought the $60 two-year warranty after his last failure and also received a 50% repair discount after arguing the last time. Microsoft support told him he'd have his box by Tuesday. After not receiving a confirmation that this Xbox 360 coffin was sent (which he received the last time he did this), he decided to call support again. They informed him his box wasn't sent because "the service department is running very low on boxes, so it will take a little longer than expected to get that box" out to him. Ravitch was shocked. Is Microsoft getting back so many defective systems that they don't have a fresh supply of coffins anymore?

We spoke with Officer Ravitch, who has a 26,000 point Gamerscore and buys about four games a month, and he told us, "As a consumer, I'm extremely, extremely disappointed with the way these consoles are dying. I don't have small children, I'm married, I get my three hours of gaming in when I can." He points out that the time he's lost in the back and fourth transit of his Xbox 360 has cost him three months of Xbox Live and he's thankful that he bought the warranty last time around, despite it being an unnecessary expense. Ravitch was mostly concerned that Microsoft is running low on coffins and now his repair has been delayed by a full week. Ravitch says, "I hate to badmouth the 360, its one of my favorite systems, but this burns me."

JoystiqAnecdotal: Microsoft low on Xbox 360 coffins originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jun 2007 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>failureofficer ravitchOfficerRavitchpeter moorered ring of deathRedRingOfDeathrepairxbox 360Xbox-360Wed, 06 Jun 2007 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo's Zelda replacement policy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/09/nintendos-zelda-replacement-policy/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/09/nintendos-zelda-replacement-policy/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/09/nintendos-zelda-replacement-policy/#commentsFiled under:

Have you been plagued by the Zelda: Twilight Princess sky cannon bug? We've got good news and bad news for you. The bad news is obvious: you were plagued by the sky cannon bug. The good news is that Nintendo will replace your disc, allowing you to pick right back up where the bug torpedoed your game.

If you're suffering from this bug, just send your game disc to Nintendo, along with a note containing your name, address, phone number, and the circumstances of the error, and Nintendo will ship you a replacement.

The shipping address:
NINTENDO OF AMERICA
ATTN: CS ADMIN
4900 150TH AVE NE
REDMOND WA 98052-5171

JoystiqNintendo's Zelda replacement policy originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Apr 2007 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bugbugserrorglitchnintendonintendo wiiNintendoWiiprincessrepairrepairsskycannontwilightwiizeldaMon, 09 Apr 2007 20:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Ring of Death: An Xbox 360 story -- Part 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/22/ring-of-death-an-xbox-360-story-part-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/22/ring-of-death-an-xbox-360-story-part-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/22/ring-of-death-an-xbox-360-story-part-3/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Previously on Ring of Death: The red ring of death visited a colleague's Xbox 360 for the second time. He followed the rules of Xbox replacement under warranty, received the coffin exactly "five business days" later and shipped his Xbox 360 off for repair -- again.

Yesterday, the same Xbox he sent off returned to him exactly 20 days after calling to report the issue and 7 days after shipping the unit. The shell was the same (secretly marked in a few places to be sure), with some new innards that aren't broken.

And so ends this Xbox 360's red ring of death story. Although there is anecdotal evidence regarding a disproportionate amount of problems with the system, emphasized by some nation's consumer advocacy programs, at least we can say the repair process (despite taking 20 days) is relatively painless. Here's hoping the anecdotal evidence doesn't start piling up after the one year warranty expires and people start having to drop $139 (plus box) to have their Xbox 360 repaired.

After the break check out the "Xbox Quality Survey" sent back with the unit.

See also:
Ring of Death: An Xbox 360 story -- Part 1
Ring of Death: An Xbox 360 story -- Part 2

Continue reading Ring of Death: An Xbox 360 story -- Part 3

JoystiqRing of Death: An Xbox 360 story -- Part 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Feb 2007 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conclusionmcallenrepairtexasxboxXbox-360Thu, 22 Feb 2007 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ring of Death: An Xbox 360 story -- Part 1]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/01/ring-of-death-a-xbox-360-story-part-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/01/ring-of-death-a-xbox-360-story-part-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/01/ring-of-death-a-xbox-360-story-part-1/#commentsFiled under: , ,


A tragedy befell a colleague yesterday. For the second time during his tenure of owning an Xbox 360, he experienced the red Ring of Death. This isn't some new system he picked up at the store inexplicably dying on him, this was a system he received directly from Microsoft after his original console kicked the bucket a month after launch.

Now, this blogger has his own personal problems with the Xbox 360's loading tray. The Microsoft Xbox 360 defense force said I must have messed with my loading tray to make it not work properly, because obviously when you own a $400 piece of equipment you try to break it and experience all the joy of warranty red tape. Well, as much as this blogger might try to keep his system out of harm's way, it in no way compares to my colleague -- he is über-tech-master-extreme. With a projection HDTV in his incredible loft, everything is neat and proper in a perfect place. Unless he has some form of technological Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome, he certainly didn't mess with his system.

So, last night he called up India (what, you didn't know Xbox support is in India?), and now he waits to receive the box from support which should arrive in 4 to 5 days, to send his Xbox 360, once again, to Texas for repair. We'll be tracking the progress of his system. Last time it took a few weeks to get the console back, let's see how long it takes this time. It'd be more comforting to know these tales of Xbox 360 malfunctions were the stuff of message boards and YouTube videos, instead of people with one or two degrees of separation from each other having problems.

JoystiqRing of Death: An Xbox 360 story -- Part 1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Feb 2007 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360customerindiarepairrings of deathsupportxboxXbox-360Thu, 01 Feb 2007 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Buy a PS3, fix your PSP for free]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/25/buy-a-ps3-fix-your-psp-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/25/buy-a-ps3-fix-your-psp-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/25/buy-a-ps3-fix-your-psp-free/#commentsFiled under: ,

I was browsing the PlayStation forums when something caught my eye: a thread called "Sony is nice." What? As a fanboy, I like Sony's products, but even I wouldn't go as far as to call the company "nice." Maybe Ken Kutaragi gave this kid a high-five? I had to find out more.

psp-frog describes how he bricked his system, and called Customer Support. Although the warranty was over, the forum poster was able to get his system fixed for free! How, you ask? He told the representative that he was buying a PS3 and couldn't afford to fix his PSP. The representative then did something surprisingly "nice." He let the user get his system fixed for free!

While this is most likely not common practice, it's interesting to hear the story of a Sony representative bending the rules. Maybe they'll do anything to get those PS3s off the shelves?

JoystiqBuy a PS3, fix your PSP for free originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Jan 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>customer supportCustomerSupportplaystation 3Playstation3ps3repairsonyThu, 25 Jan 2007 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft extends 360 warranty to 1 year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/22/microsoft-extends-360-warranty-to-1-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/22/microsoft-extends-360-warranty-to-1-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/22/microsoft-extends-360-warranty-to-1-year/#commentsFiled under:

Microsoft announced today that the 360's 90 day warranty in the US and Canada has been officially expanded to an entire year. Even better, Microsoft has stated that the new warranty is retroactive, and all customers who were forced to pay for repairs out-of-warranty will be reimbursed. Reimbursements are to be automatically distributed and no action is required on the end of the customer. Reimbursement checks should be distributed within 10 weeks.

It wasn't that long ago that Microsoft offered free repairs to owners of consoles that were manufactured in 2005, and we think this new warranty extension is a great move on Microsoft's part. Sure, it seems generous, but a 1 year warranty will also make prospective buyers much more comfortable when deciding to plunk down $400. It's probably not a coincidence that the new warranty now matches the PS3's warranty either.

How many of our readers are expecting a check from MS?

Full press release after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft extends 360 warranty to 1 year

JoystiqMicrosoft extends 360 warranty to 1 year originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Dec 2006 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>repairwarrantyxbox 360Xbox360Fri, 22 Dec 2006 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo: no love for Phat crack]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/11/nintendo-no-love-for-phat-crack/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/11/nintendo-no-love-for-phat-crack/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/11/nintendo-no-love-for-phat-crack/#commentsFiled under:



Reader Kirk Winters has a problem. His DS Phat has succumbed to crack. As we previously reported, those of us who were still clinging to our Phats lost the high ground when they began to suffer the slings and arrows of cracked hinges, but we never thought it would come to this. Nintendo, it seems, is not repairing the Phats for free, as they are with the DS Lite.

Ninty, where's the love? We thought we had something special.

Kirk was heartbroken when his DS developed the same crack that raised such a stink with the Lites, but when he called Nintendo, he expected to get the same deal. No dice -- they'll haggle, but it's still not going to be a free ride if you end up in the same boat. But there's a light at the end of the tunnel. At first, Nintendo planned to charge for Lite repair, so maybe if we raise enough stink, we'll get the same treatment for the Phat.

[Thanks for tipping us off, Kirk!]

JoystiqNintendo: no love for Phat crack originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Sep 2006 16:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crackdamageDSDS LiteDS PhatDsLiteDsPhatfeehingeLiteNintendoPhatrepairMon, 11 Sep 2006 16:24:00 EST