Microsoft extends Xbox 360 warranty
July 6, 2007 | 10:27
It's not exactly breaking, red-hot news that the Xbox 360 has suffered from an incredibly unreliable hardware set-up to the extent that some specialists now refuse to repair the console.
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.
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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