Should I Red-Ring?

[Causedawg 83]

For the past week or more, I've noticed a loud grinding noise coming from my XBox when it's turned on. It's been getting louder and louder, and it's so annoying, that I can't hardly even turn it on without my wife going crazy.

I called XBox to find out what the problem was. They seem to think I have a fan going out. I told them I wanted it fixed, and they said that wouldn't be a problem, and it would cost me $100 to send it in. Bullshit. Bullshit is exactly what I told the guy. Then I asked to speak with his manager.

His supervisor told me the same thing, only that he could offer me a 25% discount, so I could get it fixed for $75. Bullshit again. That's what I told him too.

Anyway, I asked the guy about the 3 year extended warranty on all XBoxes, and I found out that if you Red-Ring, you get your XBox fixed for free, but if you have a bad fan, it costs you boo-coo's of money. It seems like a load of crap to me, so I spent a good while on the phone with this guy figuring out what I could do to get it fixed for free.

After a while, he began to tell me how to avoid Red-Ringing, and how it's bad because then you can't play your XBox. Basically, he told me what not to do, so I would know exactly how to kill my XBox and get it fixed for free. Apparently, he's helped several people with this same dilemma. The idea is to throw a towel or something over my box, and play Oblivion (or any high-res game) for about 5 or 6 hours, and that would pretty much kill it.



So what do you guys think? Is it horribly unethical to kill my own XBox? I've been thinking about it over the weekend, and I'm leaning towards killing it soon. I really can't handle the noise, because it's ruining the gaming experience for me, and annoying my wife. I refuse to pay $75 dollars, when it's probably on it's slow way out anyway, and wouldn't cost me a damn thing if I just waited.

Thoughts?

[KEEZY]

I am in a similar situation. My Elite is insanely loud, and I have an extended warranty at GameCrazy (if they're still around). I love how the guy on the phone helped you out.

You know... it may be unethical, but this whole RRoD fiasco isn't exactly fair either. Let us know how it turns out?

[Causedawg 83]

Yeah, I'll definitely keep everyone up to date. Fortunately, Wood was telling me the other day that the process of getting your Box back is much quicker now, as they email you a shipping label, and you just take it to UPS. So, that's nice.


The only thing I'm concerned about is finding 5 or 6 hours to play Oblivion. I guess I could think of it as my going away present.

[Epyon MX]

Turn around is quick these days. I'd do it. My 360 red-ringed in the middle of Christmas vacation when I was planning on playing games for the next week. You get to chose this way.

[Crippler]

If you have a HDDVD drive, wrap the towel around it and let a movie play while you do something else. That will crush it. Or you can simply by a new 80mm fan and replace the old one for about $8.

[namehater]

i wouldnt open the xbox myself, that would void any kind of warranty you had. dont feel any kind of guilt for making your box RRoD, they are they ones that designed this POS lol.

id do it in a heartbeat

[Crippler]

Hell, the refurbs are such a crap shoot. Replacing a fan yourself may end up saving you further headaches down the road. I also know of 2 peeps that had broken warranty labels and MS replaced those when they red ringed. no questions asked. These units were purchased used from local shops.

[Causedawg 83]

I don't have an HDDVD drive, Crip, but I liked your idea of replacing the fan. I'm with Name, though. I don't want to void any warranties I plan on defrauding them with. Wow, that sounds so bad.

I was going to wait till after this week, Ep, because I've got a whole lotta nothing going on this week. However, I've been sort-of getting back into my DS, so it's probably a good time. Then, when I get her back, I can buy Braid.

[Epyon MX]

Originally Posted by Causedawg 83

However, I've been sort-of getting back into my DS, so it's probably a good time. Then, when I get her back, I can buy Braid.

Back to the DS, huh? :P And as for Braid, Target this week is selling 1600 MS Spacebucks for $15, so Braid is really $10.

[Snake1399]

Originally Posted by Causedawg 83

Yeah, I'll definitely keep everyone up to date. Fortunately, Wood was telling me the other day that the process of getting your Box back is much quicker now, as they email you a shipping label, and you just take it to UPS. So, that's nice.


The only thing I'm concerned about is finding 5 or 6 hours to play Oblivion. I guess I could think of it as my going away present.

can ya throw it in while at work and just let it run its course?

[Causedawg 83]

Originally Posted by Epyon MX

Back to the DS, huh? :P And as for Braid, Target this week is selling 1600 MS Spacebucks for $15, so Braid is really $10.

Braid would be a good DS game. This is so off topic.

Let's try that friend code thing out this week. I want to give it a shot. I also don't have any idea what Skype is.

[Causedawg 83]

Originally Posted by Snake1399

can ya throw it in while at work and just let it run its course?

Good question. I meant to ask that and was hoping someone might have the answer.

[namehater]

sorry to contribute to the off topic-ness, but i need to get my friends codes all posted so i can play DS with you guys

[Prophet0ne]

In other news today, firefighters in Wichita Falls, Texas responded to a house fire call. Upon ariving at the scene they found a home completely engulfed in flames. After questioning the owner detectives have come to the the conclusion that the man unwittingly started the said fire while trying to "red-ring" his X-Box 360. Upon further questioning the man refused to respond and would only repeat, "red-ring", over and over. A tragic new trend? Or just the desperate actions of a desperate gamer? You decide America.

[Causedawg 83]

You bring up a good point, Prophet. I'll be sure and supervise it whenever I do it.

Speaking of that, I'm having a hard time making myself do it.

[namehater]

its pretty simple, wrap it in a towel, turn on, enjoy the last few hours you have with it

dont think to far into it buddy, you think microsoft knows you by name? they dont care about you, why care about them? i know thats a bad outlook to have, but its gotten me this far in life