We asked just last week if the seemingly escalating Red Ring of Death issue was coming to a head. Now that Microsoft has changed the Xbox 360 warranty policy and even offered a public apology, it appears that the answer is a resounding yes. The timing for the announcement couldn't be better, as Microsoft would have undoubtedly been barraged with questions about the issue during next week's E3 media event. Such questions are likely still to be asked, but this act gives Microsoft some ammunition. Whether the act will be seen as an act of generosity or an outright admission of faulty hardware (or both) remains to be seen. Rather than put up a standard poll about the new policy, we're just going to open up the comment threads for discussion. What do you think of all this? For those of you that have shelled out for repairs, will refunds affect your opinion of Microsoft or the Xbox 360? If you've been sitting on the fence about an Xbox 360, will a three-year warranty convince you to buy with confidence? What else can MS do to improve the image of the Xbox?
New 360 warranty: is it enough?
We asked just last week if the seemingly escalating Red Ring of Death issue was coming to a head. Now that Microsoft has changed the Xbox 360 warranty policy and even offered a public apology, it appears that the answer is a resounding yes. The timing for the announcement couldn't be better, as Microsoft would have undoubtedly been barraged with questions about the issue during next week's E3 media event. Such questions are likely still to be asked, but this act gives Microsoft some ammunition. Whether the act will be seen as an act of generosity or an outright admission of faulty hardware (or both) remains to be seen. Rather than put up a standard poll about the new policy, we're just going to open up the comment threads for discussion. What do you think of all this? For those of you that have shelled out for repairs, will refunds affect your opinion of Microsoft or the Xbox 360? If you've been sitting on the fence about an Xbox 360, will a three-year warranty convince you to buy with confidence? What else can MS do to improve the image of the Xbox?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
7-05-2007 @ 5:36PM
SITO said...
It's about time - you'd think a company like Microsoft would head off an issue like this much earlier.
The damage that has been done will take time to heal, but at least it's been addressed.
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7-05-2007 @ 5:38PM
machrc said...
they care.. they need us.. and move forth with their master plan of console domination..
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7-05-2007 @ 5:38PM
Gemini Ace said...
I'm glad I will be getting my money back. I had a launch console and had to pay for repairs. This is the best way to fix the problem, I think. They can't go in there and just re-design the box. That would piss off more people than the Elite did. I personally love my 360 and was happy even when I had to pay to have it repaired. I bitched a lot about it, but I still love my beautiful white box.
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7-05-2007 @ 5:40PM
Tony said...
You know, overall I'm happy with it. I was wondering what they could do. They've more or less denied it forever, it's becoming more of an issue as more people buy the things... but how can you recall 10,000,000 systems without ruining your company? Just like how can you continue to deny a growing problem?
It's not going to make every one happy, but it's probably the best thing they can do without completely destroying their market presence.
I feel that at least the problem has been addressed properly. They have admitted (surprisingly humbly, at that) that this is an issue and are doing reasonable things to take care of it. I actually am waiting for the box to send mine in and I can't tell you what a load it is off my mind to know I'll be getting that $140 back.
And even then, I'm only a year and a half into my warranty. That's nice to know. In the letter, Moore claims they've narrowed down the potential issues and newer systems are having this taken care of... I hope he's right and that eventually this warranty won't even really be necessary.
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7-05-2007 @ 5:40PM
Greg said...
Still having a launch console and never had it serviced, it's a good thing that the warranty was extended for those that have experienced it. Was it due to E3, no.
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7-05-2007 @ 5:41PM
docaquatic said...
I'm already on my 2nd, but it was covered; even S&H, but i know 7 out of the 10 360 owners who I'm friends with, have had issues requiring repair...at least they are finally trying to make amends...
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7-05-2007 @ 5:43PM
Rasta4eye said...
MY CD DRIVE DON'T OPEN!! should I send it in and say that I have the red ring??
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7-05-2007 @ 5:47PM
Ben said...
Ever since I had my console repaired a couple of months ago, I havnt been playing as often. When i do play i try to keep my gaming time down to as short as possible for fear that it would break again. My warranty expires this week i think so knowing this i can go back to gaming like i used too. Im very happy about this.
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7-05-2007 @ 5:47PM
digiguru said...
Put it this way, after pay £300 for a console, another couple of hundered for a few games, more for 4 controllers... I've paid out so much already I was forced to pay for the repairs £80 repairs after it popped. This announcement came just at the right time for me.
Now if only they could start rolling out a video marketplace to non-US citizens...
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7-05-2007 @ 5:49PM
THA1icarus said...
And I just send in my 360 cause of disk read failures. I'm happy cuzz my 360 was actually already older than a year. But I hope now all my problems will be fix and I will not get it back and get the 3 redl lights......
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7-05-2007 @ 5:53PM
Scotty2Hotty said...
Outstanding! I didn't think MS would do this. This is costing them quite a bit of $$$, and I think it is pretty generous.
MS is my best big buddy.
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7-05-2007 @ 5:55PM
LimeyHoya said...
I guess I've been lucky with my system. However, that said, MS should really address the underlying HW weaknesses in the system. The noise and heat put out by the 360 is way beyond excessive; and it's not like it's a secret as we've been complaining long enough!
Cool it down, shut it up and this truly could be their Trojan Horse into the living room.
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7-05-2007 @ 6:09PM
Brian said...
Well done. Competition is good for us all
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7-05-2007 @ 6:16PM
Peff said...
very very nice MS. i applaud you for doing this for us. i just got mine back from them. with a 1 month gold card, which was very generous. and now i have three more years to send it back if i need to. very very nice.
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7-05-2007 @ 6:17PM
jslakes said...
This is certainly great news for folks like me who have had to pay the $140 out-of-warranty repair cost. Now, MS needs to get on the ball and fix the Marketplace content DRM problem so that people like me who are on replacement boxes can reauthorize their Arcade games and other content on the new box so it will work offline on the replacement console.
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7-05-2007 @ 6:17PM
KC said...
Take note that Peter Moore says the extended warranty is only for the 3 red rings of death. If you have other problems I think you will still be SOL.
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7-05-2007 @ 6:18PM
Aj Collins said...
@Comment number 7
I was having the same problem. Just lightly hit your 360 where the drive is and it will open. After awhile, the problem will go away.
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7-05-2007 @ 6:24PM
blamecanada said...
I have a friend who's DVD drive just went kaput right out of the 1 year warranty, he's still screwed?
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7-05-2007 @ 6:26PM
Pixelantes Anonymous said...
It's better than nothing, but the XBox 360s will still continue bricking at the same rate than before until they fix the problems causing the failures.
When that happens, then I'll accept Moore's apology.
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7-05-2007 @ 6:53PM
Tony said...
"I have a friend who's DVD drive just went kaput right out of the 1 year warranty, he's still screwed?"
If he's not getting the 3 red lights, yeah. After a year that's it.
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