Xbox power cord--special??

[bargora]

I have an Xbox. I have an Xbox power cord. It looks like the power cord that plugs into the back of my boom box, except that there's a plastic cylinder about three inches from the end that plugs into the Xbox. In fact, I have another cord with the exact same plug shape, just minus the plastic cylinder.

So what's up with the mysterious plastic cylinder? Is it a surge protector? A fuse? Is that where all the mysterious "Power of Xbox" is stored? If I use my plain-Jane no-magic-cylinder-having cord to power the Xbox, will it explode into flames? (I need a second cord because my wife keeps hijacking the Xbox to the bedroom to play movies, and I pheer the rat's nest behind my gaming TV.)

Should I just go down to Muncholand and pay ten bucks for another cord?

[omnedon]

I got my Xbox busted and wireless. I found a power cord at Goodwill for a dollar that works great, and fits perfect. It's probably from an electric frying pan or something, but it works fantastic, and fits like it was made to go there. No dongle on the cord at all.

[Tom61]

It's just toroid loop to help reduce EMI. If you're plugging the X-Box into a high-end Surround system, and the power comming into your house isn't well conditione, not having it there may cuase static or poping with the system turned up loud. With a plain jane stereo it shouldn't be a problem.

[bargora]

Hey, thanks guys. Since there are exactly zero high-end stereo systems in my house, I will go ahead and use the dongle-less cord.