Repair or buy new?

[Hyper_Eye]

I have a day one 360 console and I have had no problems with it before tonight. I just had my first experience with the red ring of death. Of course my unit is out of warranty and MS wants to charge me $130 to repair it. I am sure they would end up sending me a refurb that could very well turn out to be defective as well. I am not very interested in this process. I have gotten my money's worth out of this unit up to this point. But, being a launch day console, it has a dvd drive that sounds like a tornado and it runs hot enough to heat a small room. I am debating whether I should just go buy a core (as I have everything that came with my premium) or send it in for repair. What do you guys think?

[moycon]

Urg! Another one bites the dust? I'm glad I snagged the extra warrenty. For $30 a year its worth it to me. My unit it covered until 2009. I havent had any issues with the console I have now (I returned my original console right away because it froze up on one game) but I swear the 360 is the worst when it comes to having to be serviced.

The core is probably the cheapest way to go since you have all the HD anyways, keep in mind tho I think when you switch units you will still be able to play all your Arcade games, but it seems to me you will have to be logged into Live to play the full versions bought on the other console. At least I think that's what I've heard, I never really tested this tho. I know I have a few Arcade games I bought with my first unit i'll have to check one day if i can play those games if I am not logged in. God it makes me sick to hear how many people have issues. Definately if you get a core unit spend the extra bucks to get an extended warrenty. The 360 is fun, but damn, too fragile.

[Starscream]

Good time to get the Elite

 

Seriously, I can now say everyone I can think of has had one die. I called on Sunday and still haven't got my coffin. So how big of an idiot am I that I am going to spend another $480+ to buy another one that will surely die in an unreasonable amount of time?

[Hyper_Eye]

I am not interested enough in HDMI to buy the elite. I am happy with 720p and my next pj will be another 720p. When I finally do go 1080p it won't be an issue as I am using VGA anyway.

[Bilnick]

That is odd, when my launch day console died Microsoft exchanged it with a refurbished unit. It was 15 months old when it died and they replaced it for free. Was very quick and painless. The operator got the serial # and manufacture date and in 5 minutes she was sending me a cardboard box to return it in. I am surprised Microsoft is charging you. I thought that Microdsoft repaired any 360 built before 1-1-06 for free.

Edited April 5, 2007 by Bilnick

[Mendon]

I have a day one 360 console and I have had no problems with it before tonight. I just had my first experience with the red ring of death. Of course my unit is out of warranty and MS wants to charge me $130 to repair it. I am sure they would end up sending me a refurb that could very well turn out to be defective as well. I am not very interested in this process. I have gotten my money's worth out of this unit up to this point. But, being a launch day console, it has a dvd drive that sounds like a tornado and it runs hot enough to heat a small room. I am debating whether I should just go buy a core (as I have everything that came with my premium) or send it in for repair. What do you guys think?

 

You know, in reading your post, that has to be one of the saddest questions I've ever seen posted on the AA forums.

 

The simple fact that someone is asking themselves if they should trust the repair by the manufacturer or should they buy a new system every 16 months (or so) is really, really a remarkable question. And I ask myself, is this really the state we want gaming to be in??? Wow!

 

Without going any further into my personal views of MS and the 360, I would recommend that if you are intent on staying with the 360 format, then buy a Core and wait things out.

 

Even though MS is now stating that they are repairing and returning YOUR 360 rather than sending refurbs, who knows how long it will take for this program to actually be in effect. And based on the unreliability of current refurbs (i.e. repaired units) sent out to existing customers, I'm not totally sure how effective the repairs are. Though it may cost you more dollars at the moment, in the long run buying a new Core might be cheaper than repairing your old unit.

 

One last comment.. and this is just my opinion..... I would not jump and buy an Elite. Why? At first, I couldn't figure out why MS was releasing the Elite at this point in time. I mean, why bring out an "upgraded" (bigger HD, HDMI) system now with no real internal changes, when MS has stated that they will soon be using a new chipset that runs cooler, more reliably, and is cheaper to manufacture?

 

Then I realized that the Elite is NOT about gaming at all.. its a system created entirely for those who are into downloading movies & TV shows off of Marketplace. It does nothing for 360 gaming that the current systems don't do.

 

MS is really pushing the TV and movie aspect of Marketplace and they needed a system (bigger HD and HDMI) to showcase this feature. Voila.... the Elite.

 

I still believe that there will be another version of the 360, possibly later this year, that will have the new chipset in it and may be much more reliable and durable than the current 360's. I believe you would be better off waiting for that system to appear rather than just jumping at the Elite.

 

But the choice is yours.

 

 

 

Mendon

[Hyper_Eye]

The simple fact that someone is asking themselves if they should trust the repair by the manufacturer or should they buy a new system every 16 months (or so) is really, really a remarkable question. And I ask myself, is this really the state we want gaming to be in??? Wow!

 

Really I hope this won't be the same fate of the unit I am replacing it with and I don't believe it will. Regardless, they aren't making them like they used to. Consoles are not made today to last 30+ years.

 

Without going any further into my personal views of MS and the 360, I would recommend that if you are intent on staying with the 360 format, then buy a Core and wait things out.

 

Without going too far into my personal view of Sony and the PS line, I would replace my 360 a hundred times and still not be interested in switching.

 

Even though MS is now stating that they are repairing and returning YOUR 360 rather than sending refurbs, who knows how long it will take for this program to actually be in effect. And based on the unreliability of current refurbs (i.e. repaired units) sent out to existing customers, I'm not totally sure how effective the repairs are. Though it may cost you more dollars at the moment, in the long run buying a new Core might be cheaper than repairing your old unit.

 

I don't know how long it would take and I don't know how effective the repair would be. That is why I went last night and picked up a core. I am debating whether I might send the broken unit to MS and then use it as a second box (in other words it would be something to mod.)

 

One last comment.. and this is just my opinion..... I would not jump and buy an Elite. Why? At first, I couldn't figure out why MS was releasing the Elite at this point in time. I mean, why bring out an "upgraded" (bigger HD, HDMI) system now with no real internal changes, when MS has stated that they will soon be using a new chipset that runs cooler, more reliably, and is cheaper to manufacture?

 

Then I realized that the Elite is NOT about gaming at all.. its a system created entirely for those who are into downloading movies & TV shows off of Marketplace. It does nothing for 360 gaming that the current systems don't do.

 

MS is really pushing the TV and movie aspect of Marketplace and they needed a system (bigger HD and HDMI) to showcase this feature. Voila.... the Elite.

 

This is exactly what I stated in the PS3 forum a couple days ago. http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?s...t&p=1266926

 

I still believe that there will be another version of the 360, possibly later this year, that will have the new chipset in it and may be much more reliable and durable than the current 360's. I believe you would be better off waiting for that system to appear rather than just jumping at the Elite.

 

But the choice is yours.

 

I have no interest in the Elite for the reasons I put in my post above and in the thread I linked. Eventually (2 or more years) I may be interested in getting a unit with the upcoming chipset. Right now I just want a working unit and I solved it the way I like to solve things... quick and easy. It may have cost me $300 but it is worth it to not have to hear the guy at MS support figure out what he wants to say. He was American but he had no business being a support rep (in the past I was a support rep for a hardware/software company that developed a very technical software platform on Linux.) The guy would stop mid-sentence and sit in silence for a good minute over and over. Very annoying.

 

Anyway, this experience doesn't change my mind about the current gen consoles at all. I do my serious gaming on the 360 and computer. I have my Wii and the novelty of it won't wear off for some time. Anything else (whether it be another console or any of the handhelds) I am not interested in.

 

When the PS2 comes down in price another $30 I will finally get one of those for the first time.

Edited April 5, 2007 by Hyper_Eye

[Mendon]

I hope all goes well with your new system, Hyper, and that you encounter no further problems at all. Seriously!

 

And the reason I didn't want to make personal comments about MS or the 360 is not because I think a Wii or PS3 is a better value or system. Just simply I have some issues with MS right now concerning the 360 & their policies and anything I say about either could be construed as biased. Which is probably right.......

 

Oh, and I hadn't read your comments about the Elite until you posted the link. Heheheheh... wasn't stealing your thunder but I guess we just think along the same lines on some things.

 

Mendon

[Hyper_Eye]

Since I already purchased another 360 and my old 360 is out of warranty it is going under the knife today. I will let you guys know how it turns out.

[Hyper_Eye]

Success. It is now working flawlessly. It looks like one of my friends just got incredibly lucky. I am giving it to him for a PS2 (guess I don't need to wait for the price to drop anymore.) I thought this would make me feel better but it really doesn't. I wish I had the guts to go in yesterday. I wouldn't be out $300.

[moycon]

Success. It is now working flawlessly. It looks like one of my friends just got incredibly lucky. I am giving it to him for a PS2 (guess I don't need to wait for the price to drop anymore.) I thought this would make me feel better but it really doesn't. I wish I had the guts to go in yesterday. I wouldn't be out $300.

 

What exactly did you have to do to get it working?

Also I mentioned the Elite was for movie watching and for not game playing like close to 2 weeks ago!!

 

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?s...4013&st=25#

 

Mendon, if you couldn't figure out why MS was doing releasing the Elite until now it wasn't because you read the 360 forum!

Edited April 6, 2007 by moycon

[Hyper_Eye]

Replaced the x clamps holding the heat sinks in place with some washers and screws then turned it on without the fans to allow the chips to heat up enough to repair the connections. The x clamps cause the board to bend and after many times of heating up and cooling down those solder points break. Replacing them with screws and washers removes that pressure so after heating up those points (with the chips themselves) and allowing them to cool in place it shouldn't happen again. Here is a link to a tut:

 

http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=594487

 

I am pretty sick with the outcome. If I had done this last night I would feel a whole lot better.

 

Total cost of repair: $5.00

Edited April 6, 2007 by Hyper_Eye

[moycon]

Total cost of repair: $5.00

 

Wow that is awesome! And it'll probably keep it from happening again.

Why not just take the new 360 back to the store and get a refund? I'm sure your friend will understand. $300 is a lot of dough. You can pick up a used PS2 off ebay for under $50 I'd think.

[Hyper_Eye]

Total cost of repair: $5.00

 

Wow that is awesome! And it'll probably keep it from happening again.

Why not just take the new 360 back to the store and get a refund? I'm sure your friend will understand. $300 is a lot of dough. You can pick up a used PS2 off ebay for under $50 I'd think.

 

I got the new 360 from Rhino Games turned Gamestop. The return policy states that an open console can only be returned for the same item. I am out of luck on that. I made a mistake on this one. I have opened, modded, fixed, tweaked so many consoles and for some reason I just didn't think I should open the 360. Of course I was mad at the time due to the thing breaking in the first place and I wasn't thinking very clearly. That leads to throwing down $300 to make the problem go away. By today my mind was clear again and I realized that I had probably made a mistake. After going in and doing the repair then watching the thing fire up without any problem I realized that I was right. In a few weeks I won't care anymore. Right now I am pretty pissed at myself though. My wife is throwing support my way though. I am surprised because she basically said, "No problem. Just go buy another one." After I fixed the problem she said, "Well, now you have a new warranty." I am trying to decide if what I got today was a $300 warranty or a $300 PS2.

[PuddWakkr]

Cost of warranty = $50

Cost of used PS2 = $50

______________+______

 

$100

 

See there you're only out $200. Feel better?

[moycon]

My wife is throwing support my way though. I am surprised because she basically said, "No problem. Just go buy another one." After I fixed the problem she said, "Well, now you have a new warranty."

 

Yeah, My GF would probably say the same thing. The 360 keeps me out of trouble and she enjoys a lot of the games (Thanks Viva Pinata) herself especially the old school games we can play co-op. (Robotron, Smash TV etc...) You probably should have sulked for a few more days, she probably would have bought the new one.

 

I dunno, I have actually debated snagging the elite and keeping both for a while before eventually giving one to my brother. I would like to hook them together and try a head-to-head set-up. Might be pretty sweet for when folk come over. Of course if it's too cool my brother might be SOL.