Question about XBox 360 Red Circle of Death

[suejai]

DS just got the red circle of death on his XBox 360 and the E74 error message. Has anyone tried the Red Light Fixes that you can purchase online that say they can show you how to fix this problem? We really don't want to send it away to Microsoft if we don't have to, because from everything we have heard it takes about 2 months and I'm not sure how much it will cost.

 

[Sparx]

it SHOULD be free to send it to microsoft. and honestly, that's what i would do. it would probably void your warranty to try to fix it yourself (and it probably won't work) then you'll have to send it to microsoft anyway, and it will cost you.

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

We just had a problem with our Xbox 360. Not the full 'circle of death', but one red light indicating a hardware failure of some sort. We looked it up on MS's website, and we decided to send it in.

The shipping is free, and the service is free on most the Xbox issues. (because they overheat and it causes damage so frequently, MS has changed parts of the warranty to 3 yrs.)

We mailed it off (I can't remember whether it was USPS or UPS, b/c DH took it). We had it fixed (or replaced) and sent back within 3 wks. And it came back with updated software as well.

I know I didn't quite answer your question, but just wanted to let you know that it wasn't that bad dealing with MS directly.

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

We got the circle of death on our 360 last year. It only took about a week because they sent us a new console rather than fixing ours and returning it. You will lose saved games.

 

[SpecialK]

We've been through two rounds of this and sent it to Microsoft both times. Shipping and repair was free. Call them and they'll send you a box. Turnaround time was two weeks.

 

[1PrincessMomma1]

We sent ours in and it was replaced with a refurbished unit. It took 2 weeks.

 

[RadioNate]

Microsoft will repair for free. Like everyone else, just call and send it to them.

Keep your hard drive (they will instruct you to do this) then you won't lose anything you had saved.

 

[dcentity2000]

Mine was sent, fixed and returned in 4 days



Rich::

 

[suejai]

I think I will just send it in to MS. DS was trying to avoid being without it for so long, but it certainly won't hurt him. I wasn't too keen on the idea of getting the quick fix, besides you know what they say - if something sounds to good to be true, it usually is.

Thanks for the responses.

 

[java]

Have him turn it off- unplug and take out the harddrive.

Wait an hour- try to plug it all back in and see if it's still the dreaded red ring.
And yes we did have to send our "ELITE" xbox in too!! I was pissed. I bought that as an upgrade from our first XBOX 360 - which had red lined about 4 times.


Good luck! And worse comes to worse send it in.

 

[merrily]

We sent ours in recently for the same problem. It was returned 2 weeks from the day I shipped it. It works fine now and we were not charged. They also gave us a 1 month card for xbox live.

 

[DISNEY1975]

We just had a problem with our Xbox 360. Not the full 'circle of death', but one red light indicating a hardware failure of some sort. We looked it up on MS's website, and we decided to send it in.

The shipping is free, and the service is free on most the Xbox issues. (because they overheat and it causes damage so frequently, MS has changed parts of the warranty to 3 yrs.)

We mailed it off (I can't remember whether it was USPS or UPS, b/c DH took it). We had it fixed (or replaced) and sent back within 3 wks. And it came back with updated software as well.

I know I didn't quite answer your question, but just wanted to let you know that it wasn't that bad dealing with MS directly.

Sending it to Microsoft only takes about 2 weeks. Its very easy (my 14 yo did it completely by himself. he called it, had the shipping label sent to his Email, he printed it out and went to UPS store to mail it. He got it back within 2 weeks.

I was told red ring is caused by two plates in the machine touching. Open the machine and put a piece of small piece or paper between the 2 green "chips" (should be easy to identify when you open it).

Should I dare to guess this is COD4 related?

 

[suejai]

Should I dare to guess this is COD4 related?

No, he he's more of a Halo3 fan.

He is already suffering from withdrawal It will be good for him for it to be gone for awhile.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I JUST did this Friday.

Call 1-800-4myxbox. All you need is the code/number that is found under the unit's barcode. Warranty's were extended because of this problem. If it is still under warranty they will overnight you a box with instructions and all you need to do is pack it up and send it back UPS. This is costing me absolutely nothing, no shipping, no repair costs... nothing.

Good luck

 

[mrsmom]

We just sent in our last Wed for this, my kids are going nuts with out it.

 

[mackymaddyconnorsmom]

We sent ours off many times. the last time was at the start of the summer. You can even start the process of returning it online. As soon as the box comes, my son packs it up and sends it out. Make sure you remove harddrive and any games in system. You can even track the package.

 

[suejai]

We just sent in our last Wed for this, my kids are going nuts with out it.

I know what you mean, it's only been one day and he says he's got itchy palms You should have seen the look when I told him he could always play the Wii. (no Halo)

 

[live4christp1]

We sent ours in as well when we had that problem so not really any advice on the online fixes.

Didn't take long at all and if I remember correctly she talked DH through unhooking the hard drive to the unit and keeping that, they sent us a new console......I don't think they lost any saved games and just started where they had left off but I'm not 100% sure on that.

 

[jen0610]

DH is getting ready to send his in. For those who have send theirs in, did you return it in the original box or did you pack it another box? Thanks!!

 

[RadioNate]

DH is getting ready to send his in. For those who have send theirs in, did you return it in the original box or did you pack it another box? Thanks!!

Microsoft sent us another box to ship it in. But I don't think we still had the original box.