Archive for June, 2009

Xbox Repairs

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

The Xbox is a brilliant console but there’s lots than can go wrong and Xbox repairs can cost as much as $150 plus shipping and handling – meaning you could be without your Xbox for weeks. There are some simple steps you can take to fix common problems and prevent the dreaded ring of death.

Red Ring Of Death/3 Red Lights

This is about the worst thing that can happen to your Xbox – prevent it by keeping it in a well-ventilated area and free of dust. If this happens you can try switching off the console, unplugging all cables, switching it back on and reconnecting cables.

If this doesn’t help then you’ll have to give Microsoft a call and request a repair, if you still have your warranty. If not – try cleaning it inside and out, but be aware that opening the Xbox will void your warranty.

E74 Error/1 Red Light

This can be caused by a hardware fault in the scaler chip that controls the graphics. Try the tip for the ring of death – switching off the console, unplugging all cables, switching it back on and reconnecting cables.

If it’s still happening it could be a problem with one of the accessories, so try switching off the console, unplugging all controllers, memory cards, hard drive, etc and switching it back on. If the error has gone then the problem is with one of the accessories.

If not you will have to submit a repair request to Microsoft.

2 Red Lights

This is caused by overheating and you can solve it by switching the console off and letting it cool down for a couple of hours. Make sure your Xbox is in a well-ventilated area, that way you can prevent overheating and the red ring of death.

4 Red Lights

This means the AV cable is not attached or not being detected. Unplug and reconnect the AV cable and make sure the largest part of it is almost touching the console.

Xbox repairs can take weeks and be quite expensive, so make sure you take steps to avoid them.

Click The Following Link To Learn About The Xbox 360 3 Red Lights

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Having problems with your console?

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

If you’re having problems with your console and are looking for an Xbox repair, take a look at some of the major problems and how to fix them.

E74 Error – 1 Red Light

The scaler chip is responsible for the graphics on your games and a burn out causes the E74 error – a general hardware failure – which shows up as one red light. You should contact Microsoft customer support if this happens, but before doing that try turning the console off and disconnecting all cables, then turning it back on again and reconnecting everything. Next try this without accessories – turn console off, disconnect memory cards, controllers, hard drive etc, then turn back on. This should tell you whether the problem is with the console or one of the accessories. Sounds simple, but it works!

Two Red Lights – Overheat

If your Xbox is overheating you will see two red lights – this is fairly simple to fix, just turn the console off for a while.
If you’re getting this regularly then try cleaning the Xbox inside and out to remove dust and always play in a well-ventilated area – these steps can also prevent the dreaded ring of death.

Ring Of Death – Three Red Lights

Three red lights mean a serious hardware failure – this is a big problem with Xbox consoles and the best thing to do is to get in touch with Microsoft to request a repair.
You can also try turning off the console and disconnecting everything as with the E74 error and leaving it to cool down again. If this doesn’t resolve it then you have a serious problem.

Four Red Lights

Not as bad as the ring of death – four red lights mean that the AV cable is either not plugged in or isn’t being detected by the console.
To fix this just unplug and reconnect the AV cable, making sure it is fully inserted – the largest part of the cable should be almost touching the console.
To avoid having to do an Xbox repair always play in well ventilated areas and try to keep the console free from dust.

Click The Following Link If Your Xbox 360 Is Freezing

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Contact Microsoft To Let Them Know How You Feel

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

The dreaded ring of death or RROD is a nightmare for alot of gamers. We feel that gamers have got a raw deal and think that everyone who has the ring of death should voice their dissent to Microsoft by contacting them through the contact section of their website: http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/support/contact

According to the Wikipedia website, 68 out 100 consoles were found to be defective.

The more Xbox 360 users who do this the better the message we send out to the Microsoft Corporation. We feel that as consumers deserve a better deal.
It was only until 2007 that Microsoft recognized the problem the 3 red lights was giving gamers.

Is still doesn’t make it right. It took Microsoft a couple of years before they recognized the problem.

If your Xbox 360 isn’t under warranty, either send it to a reputable repair centre – Google it if you want to find one close by, or consider a DIY repair guide. You can check these on our homepage Click Here

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Xbox 360 Freezing: What Can I Do?

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

I hate freezing. If you’re one of those poor souls who has had the freeze problem then your one of many, infact almost a third of Xbox 360 users have had this problem, surprising when you consider that Microsoft the big corporate giant should have prevented these kind of hardware problems from the start.

You can and should send your guide back if you have a warranty, the problem with that is time. You don’t want to have to wait weeks before a Microsoft repair centres ships it back to you.

Your other option is to get your hands on one of the reputable Xbox 360 Repair Guides online.

There are 2 main reasons why the Xbox 360 Freezes:

1. Too many computations at once. E.g if you play on for hours with four players playing the same game at the same time, then you’re asking quite a lot from your Xbox 360. As time passes, it stresses out the system and will eventually overheat and shut down. All types of devices do this when it is pushed to the limit.

2. Internal hardware burning up is another cause of the crashes and freezes. This is due to faulty cooling systems in the unit. For this problem, you can try sending it back to Microsoft and get it repaired. But, if you have a bit of technical know-how and you also have a few hours to spare as well as the needed tools to repair electronic equipments, then you will be able to repair your Xbox 360 yourself.

The key is to be aware of the problems from the beginning. Although Microsoft should have put in better cooling systems, you have to make sure your allowing your Xbox 360 as much time to recover as possible.

Just to reiterate, either send your Xbox 360 back, or get your hands on an Xbox 360 Repair Guide.

Click The Following Link If your Xbox 360 is Overheating

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Sales of Xbox 360 Tops 30 Million

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

Microsoft has confirmed that they’ve sold over thirty million consoles worldwide. Wow. 20 million of those users have accessed nearly 1 billion items of downloadable content.

Don Mattrick the senior Vp for Microsoft said, “We expect our growth to continue to accelerate” said Don Mattrick, Senior VP, Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft. “Our news at E3 next week will underscore our commitment to bringing blockbuster entertainment experiences to everyone and to growing the Xbox entertainment brand globally.”

Microsoft has also said that they have the highest attatch rate for all consoles on the market, with each gamer purchasing on average eight games.

It seems that Microsoft have their marketing strategy just right, especially considering the UK arm of Microsoft are close to concluding a deal with british broadcast Sky, which will see gamers being able to view film, sport and TV on their Xbox 360’s. More to follow on this very soon.

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Xbox 360 Repair Guide: Xbox 360 Scratched Disc

Saturday, June 6th, 2009

You’ve just spent a hefty sum on your Xbox 360 game, next thing you know the game you’ve just brought isn’t playing. Just when you thought the red ring of death was your biggest worry- the Xbox 360 scratched disc problem is becoming a bit of a pain in the ass for alot of gamers.

Gamers have reported hearing a grinding sound coming from the console, before the game stops playing. Take a look at the disc, and you may also see a large circular scratch around the disc.

This appears to be a common problem to owners of the 360 globally. So much so that the EU Consumer Commissioner has written to Microsoft to express their concern about the amount of complaints they are getting.

Microsoft claims that the scratched disc problem is due to gamers handling their consoles roughly and shock vibrations. However researchers in the UK have carried out tests to see if this is the case and concluded that vibrations and general movement of the console did not cause the Xbox 360 to scratch the discs.

It seems that Microsoft is putting the blame firmly on the consumers.

Again, as we always reiterate, use your warranty.

Have you heard of Microsoft’s Disc Replacement Program?

Microsoft Disc Replacement

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