Microsoft Says Worst of RROD Has Passed

[John Funk]

Microsoft Says Worst of RROD Has Passed

Speaking with Edge-Online [http://www.edge-online.com/features/can-gamers-stop-worrying-about-red-ring], Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg says that the worst days of the Xbox 360 "Red Ring of Death" fiasco are now behind them - or so they hope.

For all that Microsoft succeeded with the Xbox 360 - successfully challenging established and entrenched competitors, truly bringing online gaming to the living room, among others - the console's legacy will be forever tarnished by the "Red Ring of Death": The three red lights that warn gamers of a critical hardware failure.

To its credit, the company announced a fiscally painful plan to try and save face, promising an extended warranty to any Xbox 360s that suffered from the dreaded three lights. Even after allotting approximately $1.1 billion USD, reports and anecdotes abounded about supposedly "fixed" refurbished 360s that worked fine for a while - before RRODing again.

However, Greenberg is confident that the Redmond-based computer giant has isolated the problem, and that the new "Jasper" hardware should be much less prone to failure. Any 360 units that are returned to the company with RROD problems will have their hardware upgraded to the latest model, says Greenberg:

[blockquote]"...What we do in general, the way that it works, is that they will fix it with the latest [hardware] improvements that we've applied [to current Xbox 360s]. Obviously we're continuously improving the technology inside the box, not to get too technical. So they'll apply that when they make the increments to your system."[/blockquote]

While it's nice to see some optimism about the situation, I can only hope that Greenberg is telling the truth - if my 360 happens to croak on me while I'm hankering for some Street Fighter IV? There will be hell to pay, oh yes.

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[ffxfriek]

my friends had an xbox since it came out and his RROD last week.....and my second console is on its last leg itself that was replaced last year... im doubtfull

 

[DragunovHUN]

They really do upgrade the hardware, why would they not? It would be silly of them to stock outdated parts.

I just sent mine in last month (it's a 2006 model. Purchased february 2007. Been going fine untill recently, and i often played it for 12 hours straight). They gave me the newest motherboard, the upgraded GPU cooling and the current DVD drive. Covered by the 3-year RROD warranty.

My RROD warranty won't last forever, but it's a relatively easy fix so i'm not afraid.

 

[Zippy1313]

"Microsoft Discovers Unicorns, Flying Pigs."
In other words, I'll believe it when I see it.
Not that I care, I'm not a 360 owner.

Exactly my thoughts.

 

[Gormers1]

I thought the 360 models since late 2008 already had most of the RROD problem fixed?

 

[Jack and Calumon]

Tomorrow's news

A virus is sweeping the Xbox 360's across the world, causing at least 6 million RRODs in the USA alone. People with alot of friends on their friends list are guaranteed an RROD within the next 12 hours. We now go to Nintendo and Sony whom are upset, as they received the Virus during their annual Halo 3 match.

 

[Ionami]

Tomorrow news

A virus is sweeping the Xbox 360's across the world, causing at least 6 million RRODs in the USA alone. People with alot of friends on their friends list are guaranteed an RROD within the next 12 hours. We know go to Nintendo and Sony whom are upset, as they received the Virus during their annual Halo 3 match.

What?

 

[ffxfriek]

Tomorrow news

A virus is sweeping the Xbox 360's across the world, causing at least 6 million RRODs in the USA alone. People with alot of friends on their friends list are guaranteed an RROD within the next 12 hours. We know go to Nintendo and Sony whom are upset, as they received the Virus during their annual Halo 3 match.

What?

seconded

 

[meglathon]

had to send mine dis week, and is my second one so not all, are roses and honey at MS Xbox 360.

 

[Jack and Calumon]

Tomorrow news

A virus is sweeping the Xbox 360's across the world, causing at least 6 million RRODs in the USA alone. People with alot of friends on their friends list are guaranteed an RROD within the next 12 hours. We know go to Nintendo and Sony whom are upset, as they received the Virus during their annual Halo 3 match.

What?

Was it the grammar? Or Sony and Nintendo's favourite tradition since Halo for Xbox?

 

[GonzoGamer]

About frikin time. But haven't they said that a couple of times already?

Either way. It's too late for me. I waited a while because I wanted to see if they would fix it and there were a couple of features I really liked on it. But I ended up getting a PS3 which is good because I like those weird playstation games like Noby Noby Boy coming out and the xbox exclusives I really wanted, I'd rather play on my PC.

 

[JimbobDa3rd]

The matter of fact is that microsoft should have fixed all major herdware problems before they ever realesed the console at all instead of trying to fix it and patch it up every few months. And before anyone thinks im just console bashing im not, i love my 360, i liked it so much i bought another one after my first one RROD even thought i could have easily afforded a PS3, but if truth is told microsoft fucked up bad by realesing it before it was ready

 

[JimbobDa3rd]

had to send mine dis week, and is my second one so not all, are roses and honey at MS Xbox 360.

Ive never done this before because I would hate to be hypercritical as I myself dont always use proper english, but dear god man, this has got to be on of the worst uses of english on a forum in a long time

 

[FistsOfTinsel]

I had my first RROD incident a few weeks ago, with one of the early Elites (early 2007 mfg. date). Does anyone know how I'll be able to tell if it has the Jasper hardware when I get back the refurbed unit?

 

[Lord_Ascendant]

my 360 hasn't RRODed yet. I make sure to let it rest profusely and say soothing words to it in a motherly voice.

 

[Ionami]

Tomorrow news

A virus is sweeping the Xbox 360's across the world, causing at least 6 million RRODs in the USA alone. People with alot of friends on their friends list are guaranteed an RROD within the next 12 hours. We know go to Nintendo and Sony whom are upset, as they received the Virus during their annual Halo 3 match.

What?

Was it the grammar? Or Sony and Nintendo's favorite tradition since Halo for Xbox?

It wasn't the grammar... it's the fact that what you're saying doesn't actually make sense.
Let me break it down:

1. A virus is causing RROD in Xbox 360's. (Really? Or is this something you made up?)

2. This virus is for some reason upsetting Nintendo and Sony. (What, why?)

3. The virus that was exclusive to Xbox 360's has mysteriously attacked Sony and Nintendo, while the companies played an Xbox 360 exclusive game. (What the eff are you talking about?)

 

[mokes310]

I'd give it a year to prove itself, then I'll believe it!

 

[Ranooth]

My brother's Xbox just RROD half an hour ago.

Now hes trying to convince the idiot on the phone that were actually not in Scotland.

 

[Anton P. Nym]

I had my first RROD incident a few weeks ago, with one of the early Elites (early 2007 mfg. date). Does anyone know how I'll be able to tell if it has the Jasper hardware when I get back the refurbed unit?

You should be able to tell by the power requirements on the back of the unit; if they're lower, then you've got the new chips. OXM had an article on that this month, actually, with photographs of the chipsets and mobos. Alas, in my cold-addled state I can't seem to find the actual numbers save that it should have been manufactured after last October.

-- Steve