Blogger at THEBBPS Jim Squires was in for a rude awakening while playing
Rock Band when the included 4-port USB hub began fuming during a 10-minute play session. Playing with four instruments connected and plugged into an open wall outlet the device began to smoke as the wires burnt through the casing. Upon notifying the EA Support site of the situation Squires received a form letter -- which is basically an automated response -- urging him to plug the unit in and try again.
"Congratulations EA, your form letter just killed me," Squires wrote in his story about the problem. A second reply pointed Squires to an automated replacement site ignoring his request for information regarding the electrical fire. Let's hope that warranty isn't expired otherwise he may be forced to pay for the luxury of another blaze.
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
10-21-2008 @ 8:40AM
MDJ2010 said...
Bit of an over reaction, you hear one story out of all the people that have boughgt it and you aren't using it anymore. Ive played hours upon hours with the hub and its fine. I will take hat back when I am on fire though, lol
10-21-2008 @ 6:07PM
SaNcTuS said...
well I don't use it because of these kind of articles but I just don't have use for them. I use my hd dvd player for the extra port I need. So when I was going to use it, I didnt and the next day I saw this article. so yea...
10-21-2008 @ 8:44AM
jon.sue97 said...
Like any electrical cord, if the wire was damaged by a sharp kink or partial cut that allowed two of the wires inside to touch without a protective coating between them, it will short and either trip your breaker or, if the short does does not cause a large enough surge to trip the breaker, get hot. I wonder what kind of shape the cord was in and how long he had it before it shorted out.
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10-21-2008 @ 10:56AM
Thrombo19 said...
I have used my hub a bunch of times, and just on Friday played for a couple hours with it with 3 instruments plugged in, and the fourth plugged into the other USB port on the front of the 360.
So if you are worried, I have had no problems with that setup anytime I have used mine.
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10-21-2008 @ 9:39PM
yolarrydabomb said...
If you are worried about this.
1. Unplug when not being use or at home.
2. Buy another one at wal-mart.
I think all kinds of USB hubs would work.
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