Microsoft faces new Xbox 360 reliability accusations

[DSM4Life]

Fix would have cost 50c per machine, suit claims

By Mike Smith

Remember last week's story about Jason Johnson, the Illinois man who sued Microsoft over his Xbox 360's alleged habit of scratching his game DVDs?

Documents unsealed in his court case revealed Microsoft discovered its Xbox 360 could scratch discs before it went on sale in 2005, and even got as far as considering three possible solutions to the problem, the Seattle Tech Report revealed today.

The characteristic circular scratches can occur whenever the orientation of the console -- which is designed to be used in either a horizontal or vertical position -- is changed while the drive is spinning. Johnson filed his suit after his console scratched three store-bought game discs, and is seeking $50,000 in punitive damages.

Testimony obtained from a Microsoft program manager indicates that Microsoft became aware of the problem months before the 360's launch when retail demonstration consoles malfunctioned. The company examined three solutions: strengthening the magnets that hold the discs in place, slowing the rotational speed of the discs, and installing rubber bumpers to cushion the discs, but rejected them all. Installing the bumpers could have cost as little as $0.50 per console, the suit claims.

It's not the first time Microsoft has come under fire for alleged foreknowledge of Xbox 360 hardware issues, either. Back in September, an expose penned by VentureBeat writer Dean Takahashi claimed systemic failures in Microsoft's design and quality assurance processes lead to the Xbox 360's now-infamous overheating "Red Ring of Death" failures.

http://videogames.yahoo.com/feature/...ations/1274293

[firmechicano831]

great news DSM.

[g0dsend]

That makes me mad, I ruined 2 games when I had the 360 because I bumped the system when the game was playing, scratched the whole CD.

[Kratos]

why would you be flipping your x-box while it's playing a disc...I'm gonna call frivioulous on that one. The death light is another story but they usually fix that for free.

[Ernst]

Mine has gotten bumped and killed a couple games. It doesn't take much.

[zimmy]

why would you be flipping your x-box while it's playing a disc...I'm gonna call frivioulous on that one. The death light is another story but they usually fix that for free.

Yep...yet some more of our court money going into the pocket of a weisle

[scibble]

"our court money?" LOL

[Sir Lifts-a-lot]

gta4 got scratched that way... pisssssssssed me off

[Voice of Reason]

That's funny, I bought the 2 year Black Tie warranty for an Xbox 360 I purchased last night cause the kid at the checkout told me this news story. So not a bad deal $40 for 2 years worth of protection, I just hope the Geek Squad doesn't trip and is cool with me if/when I mod it with some firmware and install a stronger 12v fan.
I been checking out some aesthetic mods aswell some of these look pretty cool.

http://unrealitymag.com/index.php/20...360-case-mods/

.

[DSM4Life]

That's funny, I bought the 2 year Black Tie warranty for an Xbox 360 I purchased last night cause the kid at the checkout told me this news story. So not a bad deal $40 for 2 years worth of protection, I just hope the Geek Squad doesn't trip and is cool with me if/when I mod it with some firmware and install a stronger 12v fan.
I been checking out some aesthetic mods aswell some of these look pretty cool.

http://unrealitymag.com/index.php/20...360-case-mods/

.

There goes your warranty...

[Bryan2]

yeah you cant mod it dude if it does break they send you a refurbished one.... asumming it hasnt been moded.