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/v4...ey07/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]

.. 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...pology-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...pology-manual/

... 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...