Help Me Kill My XBOX 360 - White Vertical Lines & Screen Freezes Issue - DON'T REPAIR

[Mr.Faxanadu]

So here's the issue, I bought a Xbox 360 Elite just over a year ago. I've probably played less then 40 hours on it as my gamer score is only 1400 or so.

The other day my friend and I were playing Culdacept Saga when the game froze and white vertical lines appeared. A couple of day's later I was just in the arcade section when it froze again. Now it happens all the time.

This is what it looks like:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v423/Hockey07/lines.jpg

I did some research and found that the video card is messed up and it has to be sent in for repair. Many people said it was the last thing they saw before the RROD.

HERE'S THE ISSUE -

I called the repair line and found that it will cost $99! I obviously asked about extended 3 yr repair at which point they told me it was only for RROD problems.

SO, I ask, is there anyway to get my machine to start RRODing? Or, have any of you had this problem and were able to find another solution?

I just can't see paying $100 more (it cost me $629 with tax and came with bonus controllers and battery packs) into such a crappy machine. I only used the thing sparingly... man, I can almost say it cost me $5 per game I've played :(

[Mason P.]

couldn't you just cover it with a blanket? Let it over heat?

[cityside75]

This comes up every now and then, and I think the best answer is just to tell them that it already is red-ringing. I haven't heard any cases where this was questioned, and when they get the xbox and see the lock ups, I doubt they'll question that it's red-ringed for you.

When I called about my 2 (which actually did red ring, but one was intermittent), they just asked a few standard questions and then sent the box. They didn't do anything to verify that I really was getting the RROD aside from the questions.

[Oobgarm]

Keep using it. I had the same error briefly before the machine gave up the ghost entirely. Leave it on for a long time.

FYI your link is busted

[Mr.Faxanadu]

Ok.. I fixed the link.

For the last hour I've been able to play it with no problems ??? The last 5 or 6 times it froze within 5 mins of play... even just sitting at the dashboard.

I wonder if it will just go away. I did go out and buy an external rear fan. It did freeze one time with the fan on so that doesn't seem to help.

If it keeps up, I like the idea of sending it in saying it's RROD... even if I don't see them. The worse thing to happen is they charge me a full repair price anyway.

Keep the comments coming :)

Thanks

[carlcarlson]

If you bought the Intercooler then that's a step towards RROD right there. Either way, I wouldn't expect the problem to "just go away". I would leave it on for the next couple days and see what happens. If it doesn't die then I would just send it in.

[G-Boobie]

This comes up every now and then, and I think the best answer is just to tell them that it already is red-ringing. I haven't heard any cases where this was questioned, and when they get the xbox and see the lock ups, I doubt they'll question that it's red-ringed for you.

When I called about my 2 (which actually did red ring, but one was intermittent), they just asked a few standard questions and then sent the box. They didn't do anything to verify that I really was getting the RROD aside from the questions.

I hate to be an advocate for cheating, but when my disc drive started killing my games and pulling up a 'disc read error' every time I tried to play it, I cried RROD and got it fixed for free.

There's an implicit understanding that you can get the coffin for just about anything; just claim red ring. Hit Xbox.com and get it sent out.

[DKTheArcadeRat]

If you really want it to red ring, just leave it on for an extended period while covering the fan. IF you want to kill it however...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx0f5zY6O-8 try something like that.

[fishsandwich]

What a POS. I can't believe this is STILL an issue after all this time.

[Mr.Faxanadu]

LOL.. that's a funny video. I think they would be able to tell that I tampered with the system.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx0f5zY6O-8

[ProgrammingAce]

The system keeps a log of the errors it's gathered. If your system has ever RRoD'd, they can tell and will repair without question.

You can cause a RRoD just by randomly unplugging things, ejecting discs in the middle of games, etc..

[Gameguy]

You could use the Xbox 360 for other purposes besides playing video games, I'll post a site with useful suggestions. :)

http://the-minusworld.com/2008/08/05/the-xbox-360-red-ring-of-death-apology-manual/

[cityside75]

The system keeps a log of the errors it's gathered. If your system has ever RRoD'd, they can tell and will repair without question.

You can cause a RRoD just by randomly unplugging things, ejecting discs in the middle of games, etc..

Does it keep the error log in flash memory or something? I know I specifically was told NOT to include the HDD when I sent my xbox's in for repair.

[ProgrammingAce]

It's in a NAND on the motherboard.

[Mr.Faxanadu]

It's in a NAND on the motherboard.

WOW... So the idea of lying about the RROD and sending it in won't work then? If the problem persist I think I'll try the old towel wrap technique and see if it generates the RROD. They should be able to see this then.

[Mr.Faxanadu]

You could use the Xbox 360 for other purposes besides playing video games, I'll post a site with useful suggestions. :)

http://the-minusworld.com/2008/08/05/the-xbox-360-red-ring-of-death-apology-manual/


LOL... ya i began noticing all the hilarious fixes and suggestions when I was googling. Almost more funny stuff then helpful stuff out there.

[ProgrammingAce]

WOW... So the idea of lying about the RROD and sending it in won't work then? If the problem persist I think I'll try the old towel wrap technique and see if it generates the RROD. They should be able to see this then.

According to some reports from people who have sent in their consoles, they don't bother to check if they're RRoD or not. YMMV

[heybtbm]

According to some reports from people who have sent in their consoles, they don't bother to check if they're RRoD or not. YMMV

YMMV is right. It's not a guarantee, but it seems to work out that way. I've had three friends send in their 360's with non-RRoD problems, but claimed RRoD for the "free" repair. All three received new (refurbished) consoles no questions asked.

[Nebagram]

If you really want to RRoD it then as said before keep playing it, leave it on, treat it to marathon sessions, basically give the damn thing a heart attack.

Neba"4 days since they received my 360 and not a bloody word"gram.

[Half Japanese]

Wrap it in a towel. My roommate did that when his died and it was fixed no questions asked. Of course then it developed that whole issue with the disc tray not opening...

[shopkins]

Am I the only one that got a CSR that tried to be a dick about this, then? He had me run through all the tests, which RR'd my Xbox twice, but because on the final test it just hung at the Xbox logo instead of RR'ing he told me they wouldn't fix it for free. I had to keep insisting that even if it wasn't red-ringing right now, it had done it several times that day and during that same phone call. After talking with his supervisor or something for about ten minutes he finally came back on the line and completed my repair order.

The freezing and maybe even the lines was something mine did in the day or two leading up to its death. I was thinking "damn, is Fallout 3 glitchy." Does it beep when it freezes? Mine did that. Anyway, maybe you can leave it on a day or so running some software that will tax it and heat it up and see what happens. It might just be ready to go.

[Half Japanese]

Am I the only one that got a CSR that tried to be a dick about this, then? He had me run through all the tests, which RR'd my Xbox twice, but because on the final test it just hung at the Xbox logo instead of RR'ing he told me they wouldn't fix it for free. I had to keep insisting that even if it wasn't red-ringing right now, it had done it several times. After talking with his supervisor or something for about ten minutes he finally came back on the line and completed my repair order.

The freezing and maybe even the lines was something mine did in the day or two leading up to its death. I was thinking "damn, is Fallout 3 glitchy." Does it beep when it freezes? Mine did that. Anyway, maybe you can leave it on a day or so running some software that will tax it and heat it up and see what happens. It might just be ready to go.

Microsoft has some of the worst customer service reps from my experience (of course, Sony and Nintendo's reps might be ass too, but their products are built reliably enough that I've never once had to talk to anyone from either company). I had an original Xbox with a glitch that caused certain games to freeze and requested the code necessary to wipe the hard drive. I must have spent at least 20 minutes convincing the guy that I knew such a code existed, with him doing his best to dodge the issue. I ended up with it after asking multiple times for a supervisor, who eventually told him to just tell me the damn code.

[ProgrammingAce]

Does it beep when it freezes? Mine did that. Anyway, maybe you can leave it on a day or so running some software that will tax it and heat it up and see what happens. It might just be ready to go.

I've heard people talk about the system "beeping" before, but there's no internal speaker. I'm not sure what else could cause it.

[Gameguy]

I've heard people talk about the system "beeping" before, but there's no internal speaker. I'm not sure what else could cause it.

I think I might have found the answer.
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169216&page=2


Update:

Over the past few days, I had been getting more beeps while playing Mass Effect. Today, I tested a new setting for streaming videos, and it was beeping like crazy (once every minute or so). So, I got out the stethoscope and pinned down the source: the hard drive. There's also a thread on Xbox UK about it meaning the HDD is dying.

I don't know if it's dying or not, but I have my doubts that a HDD failure would cause the RROD problem. If it gets to be supremely annoying, I may call Microsoft and request a new HDD.


Is the RROD caused by temperature differences? Like when the system heats up, the board flexes causing the solder joints to come loose? If that's so, would putting it in a freezer for a couple of hours first and then playing it cause it to RROD? Just trying to help kill the Xbox 360. :)

[Daria]

My brother-in-law's disc drive permanently ceased functioning during a game of CoD (don't feel bad for him though, he's a convicted CHEATER). Anyways he had the same problem that MS wouldn't fix it for him, so he lost his temper and chucked it out the front door. It was actually really funny.

It's RRoDed shortly after though. I don't think he tried any special tricks, but I'd never seen anyone so happy to get a fatal system error before.

[carlcarlson]

Just fill out the repair order online and you won't have to deal with any CSRs. My first replacement took two days to put in motion (over the phone), this second one took five minutes (online).

[shopkins]

I think I might have found the answer.
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169216&page=2




Is the RROD caused by temperature differences? Like when the system heats up, the board flexes causing the solder joints to come loose? If that's so, would putting it in a freezer for a couple of hours first and then playing it cause it to RROD? Just trying to help kill the Xbox 360. :)

I think when mine beeped it was just coming through the TV's speakers. The screen would freeze accompanied by a high pitched beep. I kept my hard drive after the RROD incident, of course, and it still works fine.

[Mr.Faxanadu]

THAT'S IT. The system just froze 2 more times this morning during my game (lost hours of game play) I'm trying the towel trick to get the system to RROD. I'll then finish submitting the claim online (I already began by submitting it over the phone).

I'll post what happens so this can be documented.

[Mr.Faxanadu]

This isn't going that well. I did the towel trick but it only produces 2 red lights. The repair agent told me that only 3 red lights is covered.

I need to find a way to produce the full RROD (3 red lights).

Man, it's pathetic the lengths M$ goes to try and avoid having to take it in. Apparently, even if I do get the RROD, I have to further troubleshoot the system. I have to borrow "my friends" cables to cross verify that my cables are functioning properly! First off, most of my friends have PS3's and Wii's so that doesn't help. And really, I can't think of anyone that would want to unhook their system set up and pull out the wires for me to do this.

Also, just to put this in for future reference. It's a good idea to start the repair process online by going to support.xbox.com and clicking on the repair a console link. I started on the phone and now when I try to request support online, I get an error that my console is already registered and I'm not sure how to access my registered console online. I didn't set up and email or password when I called them?!?!?

[Mr.Faxanadu]

Ok... so here's what I found off the net:


When a Microsoft Xbox 360 console experiences a "general hardware" failure or "core digital" failure, three flashing red lights appear (known as the "Red Ring of Death") around the power button, in lieu of the four green lights indicating normal operation. Warning signs may include freeze-ups, in which the screen has strange, spontaneous graphical problems in the middle of gameplay, such as checkerboard or pinstripe patterns on the screen, the sound is frozen and changed to a strange, static-like sound, and the console only responds to pressing the power button to turn it off. These events may happen once or several times until the general hardware failure occurs, when the user attempts to turn the console on, and the three red lights are seen and the console will not function.


So, as some of you already pointed out, this freezing screen with white lines is a precursor to the RROD.

That being said, if your system is not under warranty anymore, it's probably not a good idea to send this "freezing" problem or 2 red light problem into xbox as it will cost a full $99 ($110 CDN) to get it repaired.

So I think I'll just let it run while I'm here at home and see if the RROD occurs. I'll update this thread with my findings.


NOTE - I also changed the title of this thread for future users.

[Gameguy]

I think when mine beeped it was just coming through the TV's speakers. The screen would freeze accompanied by a high pitched beep. I kept my hard drive after the RROD incident, of course, and it still works fine.

From what I found when I searched for the beeping, different people experienced them at different times. Some people heard beeps through the TV, others heard the console beeping even when both the TV and console were turned off(the console was just plugged in). A lot of consoles were still working even when the beeping occured every few minutes.

So many different errors to diagnose with this system.

[shopkins]

Put Fallout 3 in it. That's the game that I was running that killed mine. I'd say it might tax the system a little more than, say, Hexic, at least.

[squirrelnut]

i say shake it like its a newborn. that should break something. TAke out your HDD first though.

[XianXi]

Do the Paperclip trick.

Remove the HDD, you will see the holes on the top of th console. If you shine a light in there you will see some transistors. With a long paperclip short them out, of course do this while the console is on. It may take you several tries. There are 2 places to do it, one on the left side and one on the right.

If you do it correctly, next time you power on your console the fan won't come on and you will be greeted with the 3 red rings. If your fan comes on then you didn't do it enough.

Also the RROD can be tricky. Even though your console displays the RROD, if you send it off to MS and it boots right up they will send it right back. If your RROD still has the fan come on there is a good chance it will still boot when it's sent to MS.

Here's a vid of what mine did:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phOPum0aAN0

[SegaAges]

WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hold on. Don't listen to any of them. Don't destroy your console.

RRoD = turn your console on without the av hooked up. RRoD right then and there.

Then just send it in.

What will that do, they will repair it, and if they check for RRoD, they will see that it happened.

Simple.

[carlcarlson]

WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hold on. Don't listen to any of them. Don't destroy your console.

RRoD = turn your console on without the av hooked up. RRoD right then and there.

Then just send it in.

What will that do, they will repair it, and if they check for RRoD, they will see that it happened.

Simple.

I don't know this for a fact, but I'm going to call that 100% not true. You WILL get a red light, but it's not the three red lights. I doubt it's even stored as an error.

[heybtbm]

I still say just send it in claiming RRoD. Worst case scenario they charge you $99. Best case, they send you a working unit. You're over-thinking the whole thing.

[fishsandwich]

If your system is not under warranty anymore, it's probably not a good idea to send this "freezing" problem or 2 red light problem into xbox as it will cost a full $99 ($110 CDN) to get it repaired.

So I think I'll just let it run while I'm here at home and see if the RROD occurs. I'll update this thread with my findings.

NOTE - I also changed the title of this thread for future users.

And there you have it.

[XianXi]

WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hold on. Don't listen to any of them. Don't destroy your console.

RRoD = turn your console on without the av hooked up. RRoD right then and there.

Then just send it in.

What will that do, they will repair it, and if they check for RRoD, they will see that it happened.

Simple.

4 RROD means no AV hookup, they will send it right back to you.

[Solertia]

Just call 'em again and tell them it RROD'd. That's it. It works, trust me. I've had at least 3 friends do this when they had non-RROD issues.

[XianXi]

If that's true they were very lucky because the techs are supposed to turn them on to verify, it's either that or the rule of 3.

[Evil E]

Get a Wii....

[SegaAges]

I don't know this for a fact, but I'm going to call that 100% not true. You WILL get a red light, but it's not the three red lights. I doubt it's even stored as an error.

If it is not a red ring, then my mistake, and my bad.

I know some red lights come from it.

[zektor]

Just call 'em again and tell them it RROD'd. That's it. It works, trust me. I've had at least 3 friends do this when they had non-RROD issues.

This is what I would do. Even if they do call you after they receive it and tell you that it is not exhibiting the RROD on their end, how can they prove that it did not when it was in YOUR hands?

[Lothars]

Well I would say just keep trying and it will eventually rrod, I bought my elite in april of last year after dealing with my 360 red ringing three times before and getting it back, I sold that system and bought the elite,

I am sending my elite after getting the coffin but It did exactly the same thing it was for you and than the next morning after freezing it red ringed.

But I really wish Microsoft would give something as a bonus to people that have called in with more than 1 rrod such as a year of live or something because it's really pissing me off how shitty the quality of the hardware of the 360 is.

[ProgrammingAce]

This is what I would do. Even if they do call you after they receive it and tell you that it is not exhibiting the RROD on their end, how can they prove that it did not when it was in YOUR hands?

Because the system logs all critical errors, if anyone actually bothers to check.

[Mr.Faxanadu]

YES! Today is a happy day for me! After 3 weeks of these white pinstripes, I finally got the 3 light RROD!

I started up my system only to get a white pin stripe freeze once again BUT SOMETHING WAS DIFFERENT THIS TIME - I was lazy so I tried to hold the center xbox button on the controller to do a restart. Obviously this wouldn't work cause the system was frozen. When I pressed this button the screen changed and showed a green checkerboard pattern! I've read something about this particular pattern. Anyway, I got up to restart my system and am now getting the 3 light RROD.

SO there you have it, the white pin stripe error is a confirmed precursor to the 3 light RROD.

On another note, how pathetic is that when a gamer WANT'S his system to die. M$ is pathetic!

[XianXi]

You might be waiting a long time for it to actually RROD. When my couosin's 360 did this it took about 4 months for it to finally get the RROD.

Paperclip is the only way to ensure it happens quicker.

[Mr.Faxanadu]

You might be waiting a long time for it to actually RROD. When my couosin's 360 did this it took about 4 months for it to finally get the RROD.

Paperclip is the only way to ensure it happens quicker.

Ya, I read your paperclip idea and was unsure how to do it. But if you read my last post, I was saying it finally RRODed after about 6 weeks of freezing with this white vertical lines (pin stripes)

[Cryomancer]

Looks like I'm in this boat now. Getting the white lines. Hopefully it'll RRoD soon for free repair. I'm out of warranty now, while in warranty, I sent it in for a faulty disc drive, but never a RRoD.

edit: Hah, just got up and plugged it back in and 3 flashing red lights. to xbox.com i go.

[skaar]

On another note, how pathetic is that when a gamer WANT'S his system to die. M$ is pathetic!

Yes... they're the pathetic ones here. Obviously.

[Hari Seldon]

Get a Wii....

He already has a paperweight, doesn't need to get another one.

[duffmanth]

Save yourself a lot of aggrevation and get rid of it altogether.