Xbox 360 owners rejoice (ring of death? look here)

[firmhonda]

I'm so freakin happy about this I can barely stand it. Microsoft will be extending the factory warranty to all xbox 360's sold to date, which means that if you've sent yours in for hardware failure - expect a refund. If you experience another hardware failure within the new warranty, expect it to be fixed for free (shipping included from my understanding).

If you'll excuse me, I have a phone call to make about my broken xbox 360.

Originally Posted by Peter Moore - Microsoft

To our Xbox Community:

You've spoken, and we’ve heard you. Good service and a good customer experience are areas of the business that we care deeply about. And frankly, we've not been doing a good enough job.

Some of you have expressed frustration with the customer experiences you have had with Xbox 360; frustration with having to return your console for service after receiving the general hardware error message on the console.

The majority of customers who own Xbox 360 consoles have had a terrific experience from their first day, and continue to, day in and day out. But when anyone questions the reliability of our product, or our commitment to our customers, it's something I take very seriously.

We have been following this issue closely, and with on-going testing have identified several factors that can cause a general hardware failure indicated by three flashing red lights on the console. To address this issue, and as part of our ongoing work, we have already made certain improvements to the console.

We are also implementing some important policy changes intended to keep you in the game, worry-free.

As of today, all Xbox 360 consoles are covered by an enhanced warranty program to address specifically the general hardware failures indicated by the three flashing red lights on the console. This applies to new and previously-sold consoles. While we will still have a general one year console warranty (two years in some countries), we are announcing today a three-year warranty that covers any console that displays a three flashing red lights error message. If a customer has an issue indicated by the three flashing red lights, Microsoft will repair the console free of charge—including shipping—for three years from the console’s purchase date. We will also retroactively reimburse any of you who paid for repairs related to problems indicated by this error message in the past. In doing so, Microsoft stands behind its products and takes responsibility to ensure that every Xbox 360 console owner continues to have a fantastic gaming experience.

If we have let any of you down in the experience you have had with your Xbox 360, we sincerely apologize. We are taking responsibility and are making these changes to ensure that every Xbox 360 owner continues to have a great experience.

This will take a few days to roll out globally, and I appreciate your continued patience as we launch this program. I've posted an FAQ that should address some additional questions, and we'll update it over the next few days.

I want to thank you, on behalf of all us at Microsoft, for your loyalty.

[illusionstwice]

What happnes if no proof of purchase?

[firmhonda]

Link, btw.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/petermooreletter.htm

[firmhonda]

Originally Posted by illusionstwice

What happnes if no proof of purchase?

When I called a month ago about my hardware failure I told them that I had no proof of purchase either, but they were still willing to fix it.

I'm about to call and see what the deal is, and I'll update then.

[illusionstwice]

Sounds good man. thanks!

[e60.deluxe]

wait there are people who've run out their warranty?
how long has it been out? xmas 05 right? less than a 1.5 year warranty?
that pretty crappy.

even more reason to stick to my PC.

[firmhonda]

The original warranty was for 1 year. There was an optional extended warranty but I didn't purchase it because I spent all my money on the console, extra stuff, and games on launch date.

BTW, I would stick to computer games too... if I had a badass alienware computer and stuff.

On a side note, the microsoft hold music is playing some crazy ass egyptian sounding music.. wtf is really going on? It went from some dj scratching "jump around" to this stuff. I haven't heard this since the last time I needed a monster.

[e60.deluxe]

Originally Posted by firmhonda

The original warranty was for 1 year. There was an optional extended warranty but I didn't purchase it because I spent all my money on the console, extra stuff, and games on launch date.

BTW, I would stick to computer games too... if I had a badass alienware computer and stuff.

On a side note, the microsoft hold music is playing some crazy ass egyptian sounding music.. wtf is really going on? It went from some dj scratching "jump around" to this stuff. I haven't heard this since the last time I needed a monster.

you dont need an alienware computer. honestly an emachines computer that costs $400 with a graphics card upgrade that costs $200 will do perfectly fine.

and youve got like 3 year warranty?

ive talked to XBOX and PS2 owners who say in 5 years they are on their 3rd or 4th system.

ask how many peoples graphics cards have pooped out...ever.

[firmhonda]

still on hold.

[firmhonda]

After 55 minutes and 47 seconds on the phone, my pre-paid box will be shipped tomorrow for me to ship my xbox 360 back and have it fixed for free.

They didn't ask a single thing about having a proof of purchase, so I highly doubt that will be a problem (if you don't have it, as I don't).

Also, there was a recording that stated that anyone that had their xbox 360 fixed by microsoft in the past and had to pay money did not need to call, the refund will automatically be sent out in the form of a check to the same address that the repaired xbox 360 was sent to.

If anyone would like to listen to the recording call 1-800-4my-xbox
.................................................. ................1-800-469-9269

[Shiggidy75]

I had mine fixed right before the last time they upgraded the warrenty. I had to pay out of my pocket then but after they upgraded I got a refund without anf complaints from them. Took like 2 months though.

[Dark.GEAR]

yea....about time...i mean with a 33% estimated failure rate so far, i would be hoping they're gonna do something like this

[firmhonda]

Originally Posted by Dark.GEAR

yea....about time...i mean with a 33% estimated failure rate so far, i would be hoping they're gonna do something like this

I agree, and I'm really happy that they are. The sad thing is, playstation 2 is still considered the worst launch of a console in history because of it's absurd failure rate.. if it's higher than 33% then I'm glad I've never owned one.

[hoanger]

man I bought my 360, brought it home and the red light of death came on right away for hard drive failure. exchanged it for another one and so far so good.

so the original warranty is for 1 year? wow... I guess I'm a little more at ease now... But I heard that if microsoft can't fix it, they send you a refurbished unit.. which totally sucks.

[Undispu7ed]

Dude I got mine from launch and it's still working great. Now everyone is claiming that they have gone through a few systems with the red lights of doom, makes me feel unique that mine hasn't crashed yet! *Knock on wood*

[firmhonda]

Originally Posted by Undispu7ed

Dude I got mine from launch and it's still working great. Now everyone is claiming that they have gone through a few systems with the red lights of doom, makes me feel unique that mine hasn't crashed yet! *Knock on wood*

Same here, until a month or so ago. The shitty thing is, mine got the death ring the day I had my surgery, which was also the day that I got Forza 2. I had it all planned out, I was supposed to be in bed for a few days so I was going to just play forza and smell funky.. After my xbox broke I slid out the door and went to a friends house and camped out there to play forza.

[firmhonda]

I fiiiiiinally got my 360 back the day before yesterday. I think that they're just sending out refurbs to shorten the turnaround on the units with hardware failures, because that's what I got.

Either way I'm happy as hell, and I've been jamming out on some old school games too (as old school as 360 games get, I guess). I love tiger woods.

[jeremy0203]

my brother just had to send his in to get it fixed

[firmhonda]

Originally Posted by jeremy0203

my brother just had to send his in to get it fixed

If he had an extended warranty tell him that microsoft says they will transfer the remaining bit of it to the new unit, if he does get a refurb like I did.

I know some people knock refurbs, but it doesn't bother me in the least bit.

[chullen]

well my xbox 360 went up recently so instead of waiting the 4 to 6 weeks for it to come back to play a game I bought a core system and now will have two. Gonna be nice! I still sent it out for repair so when it comes back...