Microsoft extends Xbox 360 warranty
Microsoft has extended and enhanced the warranties for all Xbox 360 consoles.
In fact, that news is as stale as the toast I had for breakfast this morning, but don't blame Peter Moore for only just catching on; he's just a little slow is all.
In an open letter to the gaming community, Peter Moore has admitted that Microsoft has let gamers down in regard to the support network and reliability of the Xbox 360. By way of apology he's graciously offered to give 360 owners an "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."
Very nice of him, but maybe it's a case of too little, too late.
"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."
Common sense suggests that any console sent in for repair will probably get a new heatsink added in to help prevent over-heating in the future, which is what some believe the red rings of death problem to be caused by. Other theories however include it may be a problem with the motherboard. Microsoft has set aside US$1 billion to cover existing and future claims, which sounds like a lot but when you consider the number of units sold and a failure rate of up to 33%, it's actually about right. Ouch!
Got 360? Had problems with it in the past, or have you avoided the console for this very reason? Is this too little, too late or is it enough to restore your confidence in Microsoft? Unleash your fanboy urges in the discussion page.
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Discuss in the forums ReplyThis I think is a good move, while Microsoft have not directly admitted there is a fault in the design or implementation of the cooling system, it would be interesting to know if Sony would have done the same had the roles been reversed??
Kimbie
Like myself you mean?
Having rang Microsoft 3 times to try and get a free repair stating fit for purpose and other terms I was denied a free repair even though I was only 1 week out of warranty.
Rather than pay over the odds for something that should have been free, I opted for a local, much cheaper repair which was done sameday.
I decided that instead of waiting for my 360 to over heat and die I'd change out the fans . I put some talismoon replacment fans in it, they have about 50% more airflow than the stock 360 fans. I voided the **** out of my warrenty but I haven't had any problems.
Touch Wood mines been ok apart from it crashing or locking up when playing Rainbow Six vegas, Overlord or any Demo I have downloaded and Saints row locks up.
5-6 months to go before my 1 year is up, but at least I have another 2 years if needed. My original xbox started to play up on reading DVD's but I have not to date had any console completly die on me and I hope my 360 is not going to start a new trend.
Yeah and if you get four, then my friend you win a flaming 360 as its on fire :)
I would contact them and tell them your situation. They may reimburse you with some games or something. It really isn't fair. This warranty is MS basically admitting there is a big problem with the reliabilty of their hardware and you're a victim of it.
Hehe yeah. Every one said the GC was a failure but at least the profited from it.
MS is also making money off console sales.
this is a nice move for MS, i hope they try to make a more efficient cooling system, more like the one on the PS3.
I see this move as more of a way for them to avoid having to go back in the console themselves and do it right. By extending the warranty for 3 yrs on this particular and most prominent problem with the 360 they now have a reason to not actually address the issue on future manufactured 360's since 70% of it's live span is already warrantied.
It's probably cheaper in the long run to fix broken 360's than remanufacture with a proper cooling system.
So bear this in mind when u consider where to buy one.
I have to admit I have lost heart with microsoft's little baby, I love the console to bits, but reliabilty is a real issue here, I consider myself to be a casual gamer, my console is not usually on for many hours in a go.
I also notice that www.cex.co.uk are buying modded 360's in which have been fitted with the talismoon light and fan kit for an extra few quid more, which suggests it's encouraging you to do it.
Mine ran out like 6 months ago. Not had any major problems yet, but I had already decided that if it breaks after the warranty expired, I'd just fix it myself. Kind of glad now that it hasn't broken beforehand as now Microsoft will fix it for me.
If it's seriously the motherboard, they should do some kind of recall for all failing systems(that haven't been tampered with) with enough replacements to cover any that are turned in.
Brilliant move by Microsoft, they addressed their problem that was quite apparent and are offering free repair if you have that specific problem.
http://www.boots.com/shop/product_details.jsp?productid=1065134
http://kotaku.com/gaming/e307/peter-moore-on-recall-versus-warranty-278400.php?autoplay=true