To replace the games console

[openjoy]

This week, we went to a friends house and my DS took his games console. I unplugged, bagged and moved the console and monitor and reset it up in the house. It was a little temperamental after we set it up and we had to jiggle the wires a few times due to getting a black screen but thought little of it. I then disconnected it all and drove home with it all bagged up again.

Since we’ve been home, the console no longer works. We’ve tried multiple different cables and set ups but it’s not working. The internet tells me it’s a hard drive issue and not something we can repair.

My DS is autistic and is finding this upsetting as he feels it is broken through no fault of his own and he would like it replaced. He is struggling to understand the situation.

I am in a position to replace the games console for a second hand one from one of those second hand electrical shops.

I can’t decide if I’m doing the right thing by simply just replacing what is an expensive item due to it breaking. Am I teaching him that expensive items can just be replaced? Or any other negative lesson. I feel it’s relevant that it doesn’t appear to be broken due to poor care from him and it probably is over 5 years old.

So am I being unreasonable to replace this item?

I guess he feels it is broken through no fault of his own because it IS broken through no fault of his own

How old is he? I don’t understand why you wouldn’t replace it, to be honest (assuming you can afford it, which you have said you can).

YANBU. Your DS didn’t break it, and you can afford to replace it. I would do the same. If he’d broken it in anger or through carelessness, it might be a different matter, but that’s not the case here.

I would definitely replace it. He hasn't broken it and it's something he clearly uses.

Why wouldn't you replace it?

If it's something he loves and uses regularly?

If your hairdryer broke would you simply do without one from now on? Or get another?

I'm not understanding the reluctance?

Definitely not unreasonable.

I don't see what's wrong with teaching him that expensive items can be replaced anyway. If the TV broke, you would get another one, surely?

Thank you for your replies. He’s 10.

I guess my only hesitance really is because I feel it’s a luxury item - a birthday present type item. I don’t see it as the same as a hairdryer.

I do want to replace it for him but I can be a bit quick sometimes to try and “fix” things for my DS and to make life easier so I just wanted to sound board.

I can’t see any reason not to replace it really.

As your son didn’t break it and you can afford to replace it then I would too unless it’s his birthday very soon.

We go to CEX or similar and buy second hand. Go for it. Get your DS what helps him function daily to keep calm. In moderation these are great to occupy the DC

Some people would consider a hairdryer a luxury item.

I think it would be unkind to not replace it if you are able to, personally.

Did you suggest/ask him to take it, or did he insist?

The only time he should have any responsibility is if he insisted on taking it, when you didn't want to. Then I would perhaps think about it and explain to him that this was one of the reasons you didn't want him to take it.

But, yes, get him another.

Edited to see, I see a hairdryer as luxury. I think we have one somewhere. I'm not sure where. Dd has waist length hair, and I have long hair too.

@openjoy

yes, replace it.

he didn't break it, he doesn't understand why/how it's broken. You can afford to

buying a new upgrade or different console is a 'birthday' item, replacing one that's stopped working is just like replacing any other household item the stops working, if you can afford to. Especially when the child has SEN & doesn't understand why it's not working. It's no different to a tv which I'm sure you'd replace if it just stopped working.

Thanks for the clarity, I’m taking him to pick up a replacement.

Oh, I'm glad. I hope he's happy with it.

Hopefully if you sign back into the account, it will recover his account data and saves. I had to replace mine not too long ago and everything was on the cloud waiting.

Hope you've checked it's not just a faulty cable first?

The OP says that they have tried multiple cables

Double post

" Son, I have moved and broken your console"
"Can I have another one, please?"
" No. Actions have consequences. "
" But I didn't break it, you did?"
" Yes. Let this be a lesson to you."

I hope he's back playing his new console today OP 🌻

It might just need the display settings to be reset. It could be stuck in a mode that only the friend's TV can display. It's usually as simple as holding down an extra button when it's next switched on. Just google the console name + reset display settings

Don't bin the old one. Which machine is it? If it is just a hard drive issue then hard drives are replaceable - ps3/4, xbox one are like this. Easily done by the knowledgeable or probably your nearest phone repair shop. Then sell it I guess.

If it's an Xbox Series something or a PS5 or a Switch then it's not possible to replace the internal 'hard drive'. You can still cash the corpse in for 'spares or repairs' money on ebay though.