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Original poster

XBox 360-Ring of Death!

52 replies

SugaryTits · 27/12/2008 19:48

Does anyone know if this is fixable? Does it have to be sent back to Microsoft? Have read lots on google about self fixes but these look a bit suspect! DH would be eternally grateful to MN if anyone can help! TIA

OP posts:
aGalChangedHerName · 27/12/2008 19:52

Ds2's had it just before xmas. DH did the heat shrink paste fix. Still not working so ds2 did the wrapping in a towel to overheat it and it works now.

We got ds2 an xbox Elite for xmas (with 3 ytr warranty) as folk reckon it only works for a wee while.

base · 27/12/2008 19:52

Do you have the three red rings? We had this, phoned microsoft up who collected it, fixed it and delivered it back to us.

I wouldnt try to fix it yourself, get microsoft to do it for free. If you with it then they might not fix it.

aGalChangedHerName · 27/12/2008 19:53

Oh and Microsoft were shite btw. DH phoned but was less than impressed

aGalChangedHerName · 27/12/2008 19:53

Microsoft wouldn't do anything for us tho.

base · 27/12/2008 19:54

I thought Microsoft were great for us. We also tried the towel thing but it only worked for a bit and then broke again

Original poster
SugaryTits · 27/12/2008 20:02

Thank you, I think you were lucky base, from what I have read on the net Microsoft don't seem to be doing much to help but I will give them a call Monday on the off chance!
I was wondering about claiming on the home insurance if no joy with Microsoft or fixes...

OP posts:
aGalChangedHerName · 27/12/2008 20:04

I don't know anyone who has been helped by Microsoft tbh.

We pid £40 for a warranty so that we know it will last for 3 years instead of 18 months this time.

Bloody arses!!!

Original poster
SugaryTits · 27/12/2008 20:08

Well, I have E-mailed Microsoft but don't hold out much hope!

OP posts:
aGalChangedHerName · 27/12/2008 20:10

You would have thought someone had died in our house i tell you!!!

Thank god he's back online with his mates lol

Original poster
SugaryTits · 27/12/2008 20:15

The worst thing is he has never even had it online! We couldn't connect for some reason- something to do with Telewest modem I think...we just never got round to sorting it out. He wanted me to get him a Live subscription for Christmas but I completely forgot! I'm quite glad about that now as god only knows how long it will take to get it repaired or replaced!

OP posts:
aGalChangedHerName · 27/12/2008 20:16

How old is it? Not under guarantee i assume?

Original poster
SugaryTits · 27/12/2008 20:22

I can't remember when we bought it- I think it was around 4 years ago. Definitely not under guarantee. I probably have the receipt put away somewhere but even if we took the extended guarantee I'm pretty sure it would be out by now.

OP posts:
jollyoldstnickschick · 27/12/2008 20:24

CAN U EXPLAIN THE HEAT PASTE SHRINK THING?? AND THE TOWEL THING? please (sorry for shouting )

Original poster
SugaryTits · 27/12/2008 20:26

There are videos of the towel thing on you tube. Don't know about the heat paste one though

OP posts:
jollyoldstnickschick · 27/12/2008 20:31

ty sugarytits

SantasNuttySTaff · 27/12/2008 20:43

i wouldnt touch it/ try to repair it yourself tbh

microsoft will not repair it for you if you do and it invalidates any warranty etc

if you have the red rings/a fault they will be happy to repair it for you or send you a new one (although it takes 3 weeks) we have had it replaced/repaired x3 each time dh has been like a lost puppy lol

though since we have bought the elite we have not had a single problem, i highly reccomend the elite

base · 27/12/2008 21:18

Ours is about three years old.

Microsoft extended the warranty for many Xbox as there was a fault with them that meant they were likely to suffer the three rings of death.

That is why it is worth contacting microsoft as yours may be one, like ours was, that had had its warrenty extended

jollyoldstnickschick · 27/12/2008 21:50

well we just tried the towel thing .....

  • it works
Heated · 27/12/2008 21:56

Look on xbox.com and it tells you what to do when you get the 3 rings of death.

It took 10 days - 1st repair was poor, machine came back sounding like a harrier jumpjet- so had another one sent out - & dh got a month's free xbox live as 'compensation'. The ppl at Microsoft are robots.

jollyoldstnickschick · 27/12/2008 22:13

twas only temporay the dreaded rings are back

hopelesshousewife · 27/12/2008 22:30

We've got the three rings too Christmas eve(!), and if you go onto the Xbox website it seems for ring of death things there is a three year warranty.

Ours is two years old, so I filled in a form and was emailed a UPS form, and offered free repair as long as the three red lights are there when they test it.

Hope that helps! I find websites sometimes easier than call centres - think I'm easily confused

SantasNuttySTaff · 27/12/2008 22:39

Jolly - the towel thing is rarely successful for long, basically the red rings usually happen due to overheating or a fault with the motherboard in the first place so when you do wrap the xbox in a towel your essentially frying the motherboard and causing more damage to the components

aGalChangedHerName · 27/12/2008 22:52

Yep i agree with Santasnuttystaff the towel thing isn't going to last any length of time which is why we got ds2 an Elite with an extended warranty.

Microsoft (again) were useless. They would have fixed it but wanted £140 for the privelage. Fuck that!!

It was only £210 to get the Elite.

jollyoldstnickschick · 27/12/2008 23:37

ahh well nothing lost it wasnt working anyway.

maddoguk · 27/12/2008 23:43

out of curiosity do you have the xbox on its side or flat? I was told by an xbox engineer that flat helps. I want an elite so I am holding out for mine to fail but will miss it when it goes!

I think there is a step change due as well in q1 2009 from what i hear.