Microsoft has today responded to a number of misleading stories in the UK's mainstream press earlier this week regarding alleged 'red ring' problems with the Xbox 360 Elite console that have been experienced by numerous UK gamers.
Microsoft has now issued the following official response to these stories, which appeared in the Daily Mirror and the Daily Telegraph:
"Recent reports in the UK media regarding Xbox 360 contain inaccuracies and pure speculation, as well as news that is a year old.
"Prompted by what Microsoft viewed as an unacceptable number of repairs to Xbox 360 consoles, a year ago Microsoft announced an expansion of its Xbox 360 warranty. Effective 5 July, 2007, any original retail Xbox 360 customer who experiences a general hardware failure indicated by three flashing red lights is covered by a three year warranty from date of purchase, with all other issues remaining covered by the standard one-year warranty."
Why the red ring?
Microsoft's official statement also reiterates the company's initial comments from July 2007 that they had "conducted extensive investigations into potential sources of general hardware failures," and that after "identifying a number of factors which can cause the general hardware failures, Microsoft has made improvements to the console."
So what do those evil three red lights actually mean? Many reports seem to think that they indicate a single overheating problem, but according to Microsoft, this is not the case.
"The three flashing red lights error message does not signal a single issue and can be caused by a combination of factors. For competitive reasons, we do not provide specifics about hardware components.
The statement adds: "We encourage anyone who is experiencing issues with their Xbox 360 console to call the customer support centre. Our customer service team is well equipped to ensure that all Xbox 360 repairs go smoothly."
No endemic problem
TechRadar has contacted the Daily Mirror, the Telegraph and a number of leading UK games retailers to find out more on the alleged 'numerous problems' with the Xbox Elite.
Both stories quote a 16-year-old Jamie King from Sussex. If you happen to know or be that James King from Sussex, then please drop us a line to news@techradar.com and tell us more about the problems you have had with your Xbox 360 Elite.
Your comments (6) Click to add a new comment
tim_ver
February 1st
6. I have heard of a new issue that has been effecting XBOX 360 consoles. They will not always boot up. If you unplug the power from the wall for a few days or sometimes as little of 30mins plug it back in it will then boot up fine. What does Microsoft have to say about this issue?
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sgtheadhole
July 15th 2008
5. ill had my 360 since may 07 no 1 red ring but it was just hot and a few disk tray grinding noises
that have stoped my xbox is played on alot and it fine
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nigel
July 9th 2008
4. I have an xbox elite had it since December played or trying to play it to death as yet no problems even after 28 hours none stop many a time and this is played a lot, the only problem I have is the media extender will not connect or reconnect have now given up with that and the DVD as a player is a joke but works I will say that the built quality is crap compared to the PS3 which my son has, as for the problems with all these faulty xboxes it’s about time Xbox was honest about the poor quality of cheap parts been fitted in these doggy xboxes that pelage the lives out of so many a good person if how ever it does go on me it will also go in the bin and a PS3 will be paid for as a better replacement I do hope this is not the case but perhaps people should be telling Xbox the same good luck to you all that have an xbox and a shame on you Xbox you’re a disgrace to the gaming industry.
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craigwhitney
July 8th 2008
3. I am currently sitting here with my elite packaged to be sent off to germany for repair. I can confirm that it does suffer from the RROD. I have owned the console less than 10 months now. First signs of failure was when I was playing PGR4 as the console would freeze with the diplayed image on screen. Now it will not boot up without RROD. Images and video of elite can be provided if required.
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tommymordecai
July 8th 2008
2. i purchased a new xbox 360 core in april and used it once to play a dvd and a quick go of a game, as the game was awful i didnt play it for the rest of the month, in may i put in a dvd and it began to stutter - i thought it was a scratched dvd so checked it - no it was fine - then all of a sudden the xbox had a 3 red ring - confused i returned it to game where it was purchased to be told told that someone shouldve told me the problem was common and that i shouldve taken out insurance on it - i had it replaced free of charge for a second hand premium one that luckily plays fine however it does get quite warm - my advice is when buying any videogame unit to now ask if there are any known faults, you may not get the answer that instills you with confidence but at least you will be aware - that is if the staff member is telling the truth!
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calcio
July 8th 2008
1. I've done a little digging into the Xbox Mirror stuff and - in what would be a staggering conincidence - a JAMES King has a post on his blog about a RRoDed Xbox from August last year.
Now call suspicious - but does that seem a little odd to you?
http://thejameskingshow.blogspot.com/2007/08/diary-of-broken-xbox.html
Hmmmmm.
Me smells tabloid crapness
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