XBOX 360 Red Ring of Death FAQ: Soon to be known as the Red Dot of Death! :P

[quote name='VGI-Shinobi']I just received my Xbox 360 back from MS. The replacement unit has a manufactured date of 2008-08-31 (pretty new). It appears the unit is a Falcon (14.2A); however, I don't see an HDMI port on the back. Based on the manufactured date, even a Xbox 360 Core/Arcade should get an HDMI port, right?[/QUOTE]

You probably got an Opus chipset, which is essentially Falcon without HDMI.
 
so which games usually make it RROD?? i got my first RROD while playin GoW and my friend just got a RROD recent while playin Gears online. he got it once he said but then it works fine still. he was askin me about it. if he got it once, is it safe to say that eventually it is just gonna get RROD again where he would have to send it in?
 
[quote name='anarchyburger']so which games usually make it RROD?? i got my first RROD while playin GoW and my friend just got a RROD recent while playin Gears online. he got it once he said but then it works fine still. he was askin me about it. if he got it once, is it safe to say that eventually it is just gonna get RROD again where he would have to send it in?[/quote]


No one game is directly linked to the Red Ring of Death.
Heck people have reported getting RROD after playing XBL Arcade games.
 
My poor xbox has red-ringed. It was so young! I got it in January '08. It had all the label signs of a Falcon... An elite with a manufacture date of 10/08/2007, Lot no. 0741, Team: FDOU... I never could figure out what I was looking for with the flashlight test. I was playing LEGO Batman and it froze with some pinstriping. Rebooted and got the ring. Called a friend to let them know I wasn't going to be on to play, then remembered to get my disc. Turned it back on, and it booted up. About 30 minutes later, it froze again with a checkerboard effect. Then the ring returned. The UPS slip e-mail is on it's way. It was just so young... Oh well.
 
[quote name='ITDEFX']No one game is directly linked to the Red Ring of Death.
Heck people have reported getting RROD after playing XBL Arcade games.[/QUOTE]

Yup. My RROD occurred after playing Braid for a few days. As a matter of fact, I don't think I've played a disc-based game for about two months on my 360.
 
[quote name='ITDEFX']No one game is directly linked to the Red Ring of Death.
Heck people have reported getting RROD after playing XBL Arcade games.[/quote]

True. In fact my one and only RROD experience occurred when I started up my system after two months of not using it. No game in the tray. Immediate RROD.
 
Xbox customer service must have gotten their shit together or something. I sent my RROD system to them on Monday, I received word it got their today at 8AM EST, and just about 6 hours later (today) the status has changed to "Device Shipped to Customer". I checked the tracking number and it's on its way back home.

Plus they're adding in a free month of live...I don't know how I could hate them now.
 
[quote name='OkSoWhatIPoop']
Plus they're adding in a free month of live...I don't know how I could hate them now.[/QUOTE]

Just wait until you have to send it in again.
 
UN-FREAKIN-BELIEVABLE my 4th console since launch just died, RROD and nothing comes on and no warning signs at all... This makes 3 RROD and 1 dead dvd drive for me... I saved the coffin and looking at the date which I received it this one lasted 7.5 months. That's about my average so far so way to keep my streak alive. Only good thing, IF there can be a good thing. Is according to the note I taped inside my systems original box my M$ warranty expires 11/2008.

Really sucks as I was just about to check out the new stuff added to the CoD5 beta before popping in Saints Row 2 I rented today on my gamerpass. Plus i'm planning on getting NBA 2k9 later today..... Damn fragile piece of oh so fun shit!
 
omg I hate the outsourced M$ crew this fucker is BREATHING so freakin heavy into the phone I can't hear myself think. Then he bitches he can't clearly hear me. I told him to stop sucking on his mic and hung up. Second shot at somone who speaks English now..... Well "Mary" is at least slow and clear, I can deal with her. haha on the phone now....

EDIT: Quick and painless they know the drill all to well.... RROD NOOBS SAVE YOUR COFFINS, it's just a matter of time. This way on your next return you just call and have them email you a prepaid return label and you save 4 days waiting for the coffin to come to you.

I was just in time as my warranty expires in November so I can't really complain to much as I knew it'd die again eventually. I'm just happy it died with hopefully enough time to get back before the massive wave of new games start releasing Oct 28th.
 
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[quote name='$hady']UN-FREAKIN-BELIEVABLE my 4th console since launch just died, RROD and nothing comes on and no warning signs at all... This makes 3 RROD and 1 dead dvd drive for me... I saved the coffin and looking at the date which I received it this one lasted 7.5 months. That's about my average so far so way to keep my streak alive. Only good thing, IF there can be a good thing. Is according to the note I taped inside my systems original box my M$ warranty expires 11/2008.

Really sucks as I was just about to check out the new stuff added to the CoD5 beta before popping in Saints Row 2 I rented today on my gamerpass. Plus i'm planning on getting NBA 2k9 later today..... Damn fragile piece of oh so fun shit![/quote]


If this is your 4th, it's time to talk to the esocations department number (in the faq) and talk to them nicely about getting a brand new Elite because you are tired of getting units breaking down too fast.
 
[quote name='ITDEFX']If this is your 4th, it's time to talk to the esocations department number (in the faq) and talk to them nicely about getting a brand new Elite because you are tired of getting units breaking down too fast.[/quote]

Yup when I get the refurb in the mail that will be system #5 since release date. I assume the info below is what you are referring to? I didn't see that and I did reread the first post before calling just to see what was going on if anything was new.. I'm pretty used to the process and didn't know about that number. I'm going to call now and nicely voice my concerns about their fragile machine and see what happens. Have others received a brand new system and even an upgrade? My unit is the pro, old school 20gb model...

Thanks for your help and thanks much for all the info in the thread. This is a huge help to return newbs and vets as well. :applause:

EDIT: tried to call and they are open M-F 6a-7p PST. Will call back monday.... My system ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS breaks going into a weekend. Seriously I know the last 2 for a fact have been fridays lol.

Yes, however you will need to call the outsourcing number (1800-4my-xbox) tell them your problem, get the reference number, end the call (nicely, DO NOT HANG UP ON THE PERSON!) wait about 10-15 minutes, then call 866-506-3826 and give them your reference number. Be very polite when talking with them and do NOT made demands for an HDMI unit or better unit. Best thing you can get out of them is overnight shipping and priority repair so you might get it back in less than 1 business week.

Thanks to JJSP and the Consumerist for the information.
 
[quote name='$hady']Yup when I get the refurb in the mail that will be system #5 since release date. I assume the info below is what you are referring to? I didn't see that and I did reread the first post before calling just to see what was going on if anything was new.. I'm pretty used to the process and didn't know about that number. I'm going to call now and nicely voice my concerns about their fragile machine and see what happens. Have others received a brand new system and even an upgrade? My unit is the pro, old school 20gb model...

Thanks for your help and thanks much for all the info in the thread. This is a huge help to return newbs and vets as well. :applause:

EDIT: tried to call and they are open M-F 6a-7p PST. Will call back monday.... My system ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS breaks going into a weekend. Seriously I know the last 2 for a fact have been fridays lol.

Yes, however you will need to call the outsourcing number (1800-4my-xbox) tell them your problem, get the reference number, end the call (nicely, DO NOT HANG UP ON THE PERSON!) wait about 10-15 minutes, then call 866-506-3826 and give them your reference number. Be very polite when talking with them and do NOT made demands for an HDMI unit or better unit. Best thing you can get out of them is overnight shipping and priority repair so you might get it back in less than 1 business week.

Thanks to JJSP and the Consumerist for the information.
[/quote]

As far as I have read, I think only 2 people have posted that they have gotten a brand new system (not refurb), but like in a brand new sealed retail box system. I think one cag went thru 13 units before they finally gave them a new retail unit. 13 deaths that's just too much.
 
[quote name='Wolve11']woohoo fixed my first red ring of death today....using the xclamp fix. I definitely recommend it.[/quote]

I also used the xclamp fix on my launch system a couple of weeks ago. I can't believe there are still so many people having this issue with new systems.
 
Talked to a friend and he ordered several of those Xclamp fix things. He has 2 RROD 360 and no warranty on either. He offered to do mine since he's supposed to try one of his when he gets a chance but i'm sticking with the warranty till it expires. I'd never heard of the Xclamp but after a lil research and watching videos it seems to be a much better fix than the towel option.

Never received my shipping label so I gotta call back again and one more time tomorrow to the main support line as adviced by ITDEFX. 13 replacements..........DAMN i'd choke someone!
 
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Got back my 360 on Friday. Not sure what they did, but I have the same serial number (basically, the outer shell is my original) and it works now. Now...what to do with the arcade that I bought to replace my rrod 360.

Also...i'm pretty sure I am keeping my 2 360's. The thing is....should I play my games on the refurbished one or the arcade? I know both we die someday (especially the refurb one).
 
Keep it Zero, you know you'll need it again! I'd play on the refurb and keep the arcade as a spare. Wouldn't get a warranty on it till it becomes a problem then call them up and buy a warranty wait a few days and then call for a repair to maximize your warranty coverage. I've been so damn tempted to buy a arcade bundle. I don't wanna spend the money right now though with all the big releases coming and i'm spending way to much already. Even flipping games it's still more than i'd like to spend.



Just got off the phone, 35 minute call, gave them my reference number from yesterday and of course this assclown wants to go through the whole process over again from stratch. Told him i've been through this 4 times already I know the routine since my system dies about every 8 months and it's dead I knew and did all the checks before I called. Said it's the RROD like a million other people have and the reason he has such a busy day at work every day. :D

He told me since it's my 4th time sending it in he's going to give me his supervisor after he takes all my info and escalate my return. So the supervisor comes on and goes through the spill and tells me they are sending my case to a Xbox repair and support specialist to handle my return personally and make sure I get a working unit and am satisfied with my replacement. Asked the best time to call and told me to expect a call within 48 hours and my escalated shipping label within 24 hours... Wonder if that is overnight or still 3 day select, I was watching the football game and forgot to ask...... Oh well least i've got my long overlooked PS3 and Wii..
 
[quote name='$hady']13 replacements..........DAMN i'd choke someone![/quote]

Three should be the limit then it should be a brand new retail box.

Seriously this stupid repair/refurbish cycle should stop. Once they get a unit in and test it for a RROD, just send out a new retail box (hard drive and all). Yea it's gonna cost MS a lot more in the long run, but this is MS we are talking about, they could loose 2 billion dollars and not even worry about it.
 
[quote name='ZerotypeX']Got back my 360 on Friday. Not sure what they did, but I have the same serial number (basically, the outer shell is my original) and it works now. Now...what to do with the arcade that I bought to replace my rrod 360.

Also...i'm pretty sure I am keeping my 2 360's. The thing is....should I play my games on the refurbished one or the arcade? I know both we die someday (especially the refurb one).[/QUOTE]

Well, I thought about that myself after my "less than 24 hour" 2nd Xbox death, but I decided I'd keep my arcade on ice for a bit, since it's a Falcon, and abuse my 3rd elite until such time as to shoot it behind the barn. ;) I've not had any issues thus far with it, and have been playing quite a bit of Culdcept Saga and Infinite Undiscovery... *knock on compressed corkboard*

I liken the Arcade to my old PS2 fat backup (a slim). It's insurance so I can keep gaming should the inevitable occur again. And at $200, the Arcade was a steal... :D
 
Yea, I think I'll keep it. Even though I won't be able to fully pay off my card for the first time (unfortunate/stupid mistake on my part), but its nothing serious I can't recover from. I got the arcade from the GS promo where you trade in your ps2, extra controller , and 4 games and got it for $100 which isn't bad at all. I guess I will just put it downstairs for HD DVD movies and if i have guests over that want to play.
 
I got my label today via email and it was regular UPS ground... Called the 866 number, no help at all even though they spoke English. The guy said he would have to cancel that label and then send me an actual box to receive upgraded shipping. Wouldn't email the label, what is with these unhelpful support people? Screw it I kept the label, looking on UPS.com ground is 3 days guaranteed anyway to that zipcode.

I tried to sweet talk the dude about how I love the system but these continued problems and knowing it's a matter of time before it happens again really has me turned off and thinking of jumping to the darkside with a PS3. He was like we don't want you to do that and I understand your frustration as i've been through the process only 6 months ago. I was like EVERYONE I know with a 360 has had it die and i've read about a million others on the internet. He said yea they have alot of trouble with their systems and they working on getting the old swapped out with better components. He wouldn't do anything to help me out though just said he tagging a note on my account that this is my 4th repair and will try to make sure I get a quality replacement and expedited return. I'm not holding my breathe......

Oh well the wait continues AGAIN. Hoping to have my baby back by next tuesday for Fallout 3:drool:
 
The repair specialist called me this afternoon and I told her my dramatic life changing story. She flagged my return and added special instructions to my reference number for her to be notified once my 360 is received and then she will call me personally that day. She said there is nothing she can do until the console arrives but since i'm having so much trouble she is going to look into compensation for my continued troubles. I expressed my concern for my warranty expiring next month and my system probably breaking again in 8 months and how i'd really prefer to get a brand new much more stable system. She said she understands and again give her time to look into me being compensated for my troubles....... :whistle2:k

Better not be 2 free months of Live... lol we shall see... I urge everyone to call the number and thanks again ITDEFX for pointing me in the right direction.

Oh yea and um i'm weak, I bought a new 360 arcade bundle. Got that and Gears of War 2 CE for $170 so I can't complain, gotta love Gamerush. :bouncy:
 
[quote name='$hady']The repair specialist called me this afternoon and I told her my dramatic life changing story. She flagged my return and added special instructions to my reference number for her to be notified once my 360 is received and then she will call me personally that day. She said there is nothing she can do until the console arrives but since i'm having so much trouble she is going to look into compensation for my continued troubles. I expressed my concern for my warranty expiring next month and my system probably breaking again in 8 months and how i'd really prefer to get a brand new much more stable system. She said she understands and again give her time to look into me being compensated for my troubles....... :whistle2:k

Better not be 2 free months of Live... lol we shall see... I urge everyone to call the number and thanks again ITDEFX for pointing me in the right direction.

Oh yea and um i'm weak, I bought a new 360 arcade bundle. Got that and Gears of War 2 CE for $170 so I can't complain, gotta love Gamerush. :bouncy:[/quote]

Glad to hear that Microsoft is paying close attention to this. Hopefully you will get something that you want.

Don't feel bad...I was weak too, lol. Nice snag on the arcade and GOW2 CE for $170. Special promo going on there?
 
In July Xbox fixed my console for the RROD. 2-1/2 weeks ago my system gives me "disc is unreadable", after 2 repair order cancellations(by Xbox) I finally get the system to them last Friday. Today I received a replacement Xbox with only a 3 month warranty. Happy because I have a Xbox but worried about what's in store.
 
[quote name='ZerotypeX']Glad to hear that Microsoft is paying close attention to this. Hopefully you will get something that you want.

Don't feel bad...I was weak too, lol. Nice snag on the arcade and GOW2 CE for $170. Special promo going on there?[/quote]


There is always a "special promo" going on there. It is called they give stupid credit amounts for games you can buy cheaper at Gamestop. Combine with b2g1f coupon and enjoy. Check out the Gamerush/Blockbuster thread in the deals forum. ;)

Glad you got a working system Shiznit and we all know the feeling of playing with the ticking timebomb.
 
Man, just got my refurb back today, and I gotta say I'm not impressed. I didn't even have to turn the thing on to know that I'm going to call and complain. My serial number is the same, so I can only assume it's actually MY box. But first off, the system is dirty as hell. It has black smudges all over it (it was clean when I sent it in).

And more importantly, the goons at MS somehow managed to break the little flap door off that covers the USB ports on the front, because it is now missing (was completely in tact when I sent it in). This is just completely unacceptable. How can they break a part off of my system and send it back to me??? I know it's a small thing, but it just really rubs me the wrong way. Now I'm guessing I get to mail it off to them again all because they're fucking retarded. Great!

EDIT: Well, "Chip" tried to make me send my 360 all the way back to them, but I asked if they could just send me a new faceplate (since that's what contains the flap), he had to check with his supervisor like 3 times, but finally said they could do it. (duh!) So now, after cleaning off the system myself, and waiting 7-10 business days, I'll have a 360 that doesn't look like I bought it at a yard sale! Yay! :roll:
 
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[quote name='OkSoWhatIPoop']Xbox customer service must have gotten their shit together or something. I sent my RROD system to them on Monday, I received word it got their today at 8AM EST, and just about 6 hours later (today) the status has changed to "Device Shipped to Customer". I checked the tracking number and it's on its way back home.

Plus they're adding in a free month of live...I don't know how I could hate them now.[/quote]


[quote name='captainfrizo']Just wait until you have to send it in again.[/quote]


True that:rofl: Even though I'm about to send my second system in I prefer the 360 over all the consoles.
 
I need help. This morning my Xbox 360 got an error code E74 and one red light. I am covered under the Circuit City advantage plan. But their repair website says that you have to send in your hard drive along with the console. I don't want to lose all my saved data.

I have also 1 month left on Microsoft's 1 year warranty.

What should I do?
 
[quote name='dsingh2007']I need help. This morning my Xbox 360 got an error code E74 and one red light. I am covered under the Circuit City advantage plan. But their repair website says that you have to send in your hard drive along with the console. I don't want to lose all my saved data.

I have also 1 month left on Microsoft's 1 year warranty.

What should I do?[/quote]

Buy a separate hard drive and swap that bitch out.
 
How quickly does the service.xbox.com website update?

I had my first RROD last week, I got my coffin Thursday and packaged/shipped that box out same day. Girl @ UPS said it would ship on Friday. I came home and read the fine print on the packaging instructions. "Get a receipt & copy the Tracking number." I didn't do either. Its been almost a week now and Nevada is not too far from Texas and the website still hasn't updated saying they have received the coffin.

Can I call them and find out if they have received the package? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
[quote name='naiku']How quickly does the service.xbox.com website update?

I had my first RROD last week, I got my coffin Thursday and packaged/shipped that box out same day. Girl @ UPS said it would ship on Friday. I came home and read the fine print on the packaging instructions. "Get a receipt & copy the Tracking number." I didn't do either. Its been almost a week now and Nevada is not too far from Texas and the website still hasn't updated saying they have received the coffin.

Can I call them and find out if they have received the package? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.[/quote]

It was up to date when i sent mine in like 3 weeks ago. Tracking number is essential. You could try calling Microsoft again and see if they can provide you the tracking number. Hope you wrote down your reference number for a speedy look up on your repair service file.
 
Just got my first on a 20gb console that I've used for about two months. Yay microsoft.

I turned it back on and it seems to be working. Am I still screwed?
 
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[quote name='mitch079']Just got my first on a 20gb console that I've used for about two months. Yay microsoft.

I turned it back on and it seems to be working. Am I still screwed?[/quote]

Assume you mean your first RROD. If it was 3 red lights then you are probably just a matter of time from seeing it again. If it was 4 red lights maybe your video cable had came loose or something. Every system is a ticking timebomb.:bomb:

M$ received my 360 wednesday and i've been playing phone tag with the repair specialist assigned to me. The support still says console received not shipped back or anything like that. I'm eagerly awaiting to see what her compensation for my troubles will be, she kept saying she was looking into what she was able to do since i'm had so many problems. Here's hoping for the best and a upgrade to a new elite or something like that. :pray:
 
[quote name='mitch079']Just got my first on a 20gb console that I've used for about two months. Yay microsoft.

I turned it back on and it seems to be working. Am I still screwed?[/quote]

That happened to me three days ago, and my system just shit the bed this morning. Brace yourself.
 
Oi. My console has been sitting in "returned to customer" for two days now. But the tracking number they provided on the service status update still shows "billing information received" so it looks like they haven't sent it back to me yet.

No Fallout for me. :(
 
I got my first RRoD last night. Everything with customer support seemed to go mostly smoothly, as much as I could understand her... but.. Microsoft isn't sending out coffins anymore? I guess I am left to my own devices to find a suitable box and send it off.. Is that right?
My friend called again for me, assuming I was an idiot and heard wrong, and he got the same answer. Get your own box and follow the instructions in the email. ...I'm a bit worried, I'm not the most competent packer, and if they're running so low on boxes are they going to reuse the same one I send it in?
 
^
I got that same crap from them...I went to service.xbox.com to request a repair. Got my coffin in the mail. The coffin comes w/ the shipping label, tape, everything. Just need to put a broke console inside. Best to do it on the website imo...in true cheapass fashion.
 
Got a RRoD on my refurbished Xbox 360 tonight. The first one happened on the original that I bought a few years back which was replaced by my current refurbished one. What are the odds this has to happen the day I get Fable II and just a week and a half before Gears of War 2 comes out. :bomb:

Shit was working fine last night so I don't know how it suddenly craps out on me. I ordered a coffin online and it cost me nothing so I don't know why the above poster couldn't get one.
 
Ack, really? Huh.. I already got my shipping label emailed to me, and I called them just this morning. Maybe I should call again and request them to send me a box? I understand being short on boxes, but that doesn't seem quite right.


UPDATE: Okay, I called again.. and they're sending me a box. The agent told me that they stopped handing out boxes a long time ago, and people are supposed to go find their own. When I pointed out that my co-worker got a box just last week for his broken 360 he said "Some agents follow the rules and some don't" ...huh.
 
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I noticed something disturbing last night while playing Fable 2. When my original Elite was starting to go, the video splash screen of my console wouldn't show up on my TV, and only after it logged into live did I see a screen. Add to that some ghosting with the menus for Fable and I suppose I'll be in for console #4 soon. :( I can't say for sure if this one is going to suffer the same fate, but looking back, one of the first symptoms before the random lockups was the "missing" splash logo screen. Ugh.

Did anyone else notice that happening with their consoles before they RRoD'ed?
 
my buddy must be on his 8th one that repair, well i guess last night he had enough of it about 12 am i heard a shotgun going off ran outside to see what it was and it was my buddy shooting his 360 saying "red ring that mother fucker" needless to say i don't think he's going to send it back for repair.
 
Wow, mine was shipped fast.

I sent in the request on 10/14. Shipped 10/18, they received it on 10/25, and they already shipped my replacement. Hopefully I'll get it back before Gears2 comes out.
 
10/13 - Requested Coffin
10/16 - Coffin Arrived + Dropped off @ UPS Store
10/17 - Coffin Ships to Texas
10/24 - Coffin Arrived in Texas
10/25 - "Device shipped to customer"

Do they email you a tracking number? Just wanna be around when the xbox arrives. Dont want those crazy halloween kids to think its a gift.
 
[quote name='naiku']10/13 - Requested Coffin
10/16 - Coffin Arrived + Dropped off @ UPS Store
10/17 - Coffin Ships to Texas
10/24 - Coffin Arrived in Texas
10/25 - "Device shipped to customer"

Do they email you a tracking number? Just wanna be around when the xbox arrives. Dont want those crazy halloween kids to think its a gift.[/quote]

go to the xbox repair center site and punch in the reference # and your zip code in the required fields. Then in the next page, there should be a link linking to the UPS tracking # of your package.

www.xbox.com -> Support -> Check Repair Status
or
https://service.xbox.com/servicehome.aspx?scrx=1
 
My first RROD console has apparently been repaired/replaced and is now on its way back to me. Just so I'm prepared for what's to come, when I log into my Xbox Repair online account, it says "repaired" and lists the same serial number on this unit COMING back to me as the one I sent them.

This does absolutely mean I'm getting back my original console, or will I just have to wait and see what shows up when it comes?
 
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