If you're a 360 owner please read this

[njiska]

From xbox360fanboy.com (http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2005/11/26/blocked-ventilation-holes-on-xbox-360/):
http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/images/2005/11/ventilation.jpg
Some observant readers have written in wondering if any of the possible Xbox 360 heating issues could be linked to what appears to be "unpopped" ventilation holes on the console itself (see above).

We examined our own Xbox 360 and found it to have "unpunched" holes on the vents as well. After an exclusive, in-depth investigation, Xbox 360 Fanboy found that all Xbox 360s have the same pattern of unpopped vent openings.

Bottom-line: While it does look like a random pattern, it is consistent across all examined Xboxes and does not appear to be any kind of manufacturing flaw.

[Thanks Rob]

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I checked my 360 and found a similar pattern. Any one else?

[gepeto]

My vents are the same here.

I think they need more clarity is needed in the op manual (or I need to read it more clearly)to specify which vents are the most important. There are holes all over the 360. I would feel funny standing it up because there seems to be holes on the bottom. Judging by the complexity of the 360 special care needs to be taken to proper ventilate the system. I found myself sticking my hand over the vents to feel for air flow.

[Gamereviewgod]

Why wouldn't they be punched out though? Wouldn't it make sense to have more than less?

[njiska]

Why wouldn't they be punched out though? Wouldn't it make sense to have more than less?

My guess, and one that was made in the articles comments section, is that the machine may have been mis-alinged or set wrong.

If they're all in relatively the same place on all consoles then that may be the reason. Looks like they'll be hard to punch out too.

[Johnny_Rock]

mine is the same.

however i have no actual issues with the hardware. so im just going to leave it alone.

[Anthony1]

I highly encourage any 360 owner to go ahead and purchase Microsoft's protection plan. At first, when I looked at that brochure that came in the 360, I shook my head and laughed.


But I've changed my mind. I picked up my 360 the other day, and I could have freaking fried an egg on the back of it. I had it horizontal on top of a DVD player.

Now I put that puppy vertical, and actually it doesn't get hot like that anymore. However, I don't think that operating this thing vertically is the ideal way to go for longevity. So I'm definitely buying that damn protection plan. It's basically $60 for two years, and it guarantees that you aren't going to have a dead 360 that you can do nothing with for at least the first two years. Then you can extend it after that for as long as you own the 360.


Me personally, I probably would only insure it for about 3 years.


But I can guarantee that I'll be paying that $60 to guarantee my system. Heck, a replacement power brick would probably cost $40, and I could see me needing one of those sometime soon.

[Darren870]

I did it at EB, this way I can just walk in and out if I have any problems. Instead of sending it out etc.

[alec006]

And IGN destroyed there xbox LOL ,i bet microsoft is getting alot of calls

[poopnes]

I did it at EB, this way I can just walk in and out if I have any problems. Instead of sending it out etc.

Yeah, maybe when they have some actually in stock. ;)

[s1lence]

Mine are the same. I'm going to be getting Microsoft's protection plan because of my previous experience with the xbox 1 (I'm on my 3rd). The machine does get super hot but I've yet yo have any problems.

[Ed Oscuro]

Well, to address Anthony1's thought, it might be a good idea to put it horizontal but with some small objects propping it up off the surface you've got it on. There doesn't seem to be any problem stacking it vertically, though.

[club210]

The more things progress... The same issues remain. Fingers crossed though. I too had an xbox crap out on me. If this doesnt outlast my 1st MS console it will be my last MS console.