Xbox Lounge

[Angela]

For fans of Microsoft's titan

[Angela]

I just got a 360 for Christmas and am playing Infinite Undiscovery. So far so good, tho it takes some time getting used to the controller after years and years of playing Playstation only.

[Angela]

Ok....two weeks out of the box and I've already got an issue with my Xbox. It has suddenly decided it doesn't want to read my Infinite Undiscovery disc, and has chosen to torment me with its "Open Tray" message. It will read other games just peachy, so I took to the net in search of answers and have heard multiple reports that this is a precursor to the red ring of death....

4-6 wks in repair shop....Thank you Microsoft...pleasure doing business with you.

[Ginger Snapcookie]

keep us updated-- my stepson has one-- (i've been playing lego indiana jones^^)
i didn't know it had issues-- although the old xbox couldn't be moved without losing some function-- why do people have to be so greedy as to charge a chunk of money for crap?!?-- is anything quality anymore?!? really! i'd almost rather make my own! XD

[Angela]

I hear you there... Luckily, my sister has an Xbox as well, and brought her console out the other day to let me check and see if it is just the disc, and seemingly so far it is. We're both a bit confused as to why it just suddenly stopped working and while it may not be as irritating as a poorly made system, something about it still feels a bit shady. Guess I'll have to be extra vigilant when handling everything since it all seems to be rather delicate................

[Slappy]

Our Xbox has been *knock on wood* just fine. Yes I admit I was leery with the RROD fail this generation. Our old Xbox was tough as nails too although I had heard people having issues. We bought an elite about 6-8 months ago (stimulus check) and we have absolutely loved it. I admit the last Xbox I played little if ever especially because the old Xbox controller was even harder to go from PS to Xbox but the new 360 controller I have less problems with, I play the 360 more than my Wii anymore. I do admit though I have had my complaints outside of the RROD, like if both the hubby and I want to get online I have to have a gold account, luckily I found two this Xmas for just a little more than the price of one but yes Microsuck has succeeded in nickel and diming me. As much as little crap from them does piss me off I grudingly take the abuse to get my addiction fed.

Gamertag is Mirsulli

[Angela]

The other thing that got under my skin, is the $99 network adapter for wireless internet connection. My router is a good distance away and I hate having to string my Ethernet cable across half the house just to connect to Xbox live. I know I can short cut it through my laptop, but that's a pain in the ass too. This is where I love my PS3. It automatically searched for and found my router within a matter of seconds. No cords, no adapters. So while agree that even the Xbox doesn't initially cost as much as a PS3, Microsoft will get it from you.....eventually.

[Slappy]

Oh agreed like I said they love to nickel and dime, although I think they decidedly went without wireless in the beginning to be as good as PS3 in graphics but still cheaper. Wii though has wireless and came out to begin with half or more the price than the other two so I think that is a cop out on 360's part. Like I said I grudingly love my 360, I try not to gripe too much because hey I am the fool that falls for it and why Microsuck gets away with it on everything. In our case though the 360 is on the wall where the router so it wasn't a big deal anyway. Actually because we didn't have a wireless router we had to pay for an adapter for the Wii so that it can get online, I think like most things they really should consider putting both wired and not on them it can't cost that much. The hubby is still leery of wireless with the drain of an MMO on it, I keep arguing we can still hardwire the MMO playing machines and wireless everything else O.o; One day I will win.

[Angela]

Okay...I know long time ago I complained and griped about one of my games getting fried in my Xbox....and well, it happened to me again. Yes, I was 2 hours away from finishing Eternal Sonata and the system just froze. The disc was unreadable. YEAH AGAIN!!! So naturally I inspected the disc and found a scratch burned into the middle with perfect precision. It almost looked like data. So this got me thinking, I pulled out the previous game that had been fried and sure enough, the same type of scratch was found. With a little further investigation I found that this is caused by a lack of padding around the lens, which Microsoft doesn't believe to be the fault. It's not their equipment folks, it the way we handle it. (Apparently I moved the system while the disc was spinning.....I'm an avid gamer, I do know better.) But I discovered that if you install the game to the hard drive (provided you have a large enough one) then the disc will not spin while you play, thus seeming to eliminate my scratching problem. It's also recommended that you have the system in a horizontal position rather than vertical. Not all systems have this flaw, I guess I just got lucky. Anyway, if you find this ever happens to you, don't junk the disc. Microsoft has a replacement program for eligible titles (ie the ones primarily made through them) and if it's not on the list, I know Game Stop will trade them in as defects. You'll get half of the trade in value but it's better than nothing.

[Slappy]

I haven't had this problem but love the info in case I ever do. Thanks for sharing yet another Microsuck fail for us to watch out for.