- Aug 24, 2001
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Anandtech Console Gaming Forum FAQ
This FAQ is intended to serve the members of the ATCG community. If you wish to contribute to it, do so objectively. Fanboy-ism and flame-baiting will not be tolerated and any posts displaying these qualities will be modified or deleted.
Interested in trading video games? Check out the Video Game Exchange Thread. Official Discussion Thread
Changelog:
8/14/08 - Inserted Console Gaming Deals explanation into #2. Fixed formating of post.
9/30/08 - Updated section 8 to include updates about potential Falcon chipsets for the 360 hitting stores.
3/20/09 - Added #14 about gamertags.
7/31/09 - Added #15 about Xbox Live Renewal.
9/9/09 - Updated PS3 and 360 information to something more current.
This FAQ is intended to serve the members of the ATCG community. If you wish to contribute to it, do so objectively. Fanboy-ism and flame-baiting will not be tolerated and any posts displaying these qualities will be modified or deleted.
Interested in trading video games? Check out the Video Game Exchange Thread. Official Discussion Thread
- 1. Remember, the search box is not just for display purposes. It is your friend and will help you find answers to your questions.
- 2. Where do I find the latest deal on Console Gaming stuff?
Please check out the Hot Deals Forum for the latest console gaming deals. Please refrain from posting Hot Deals in the Console Gaming forum. They will be moved to the Hot Deals forum if posted here.
- 3. What should I buy? A 360, a PS3, or a Wii?
There is no one correct answer because everybody has different tastes, different wants, and different needs. You have to look yourself and make the decision that best suits you. You can start by asking yourself the following questions:
- What games do I like to play? Does this console have the games I like to play? Check sites like http://www.metacritic.com/games/ or http://www.gamerankings.com/ (does not currently list PSN games) to get a feel for the games and how they rate.
- Which controller do I like better?
- What console(s) does my friends own if I want to play online or offline with them?
- Is online play important?
- Is Blu-Ray important?
- Is downloadable movies important?
- Which console can I better afford?
- 4. I need to hook my 360 up wirelessly. What are my options?
- Purchase the official MS Xbox 360 Wireless Adapter for $99.99 or less if you can find a deal. link
- Purchase the original Xbox Wireless Adapter MN-740
- Purchase an ethernet based Wireless Game Adapter from Linksys, D-Link, Belkin, and many others
- Purchase an ethernet based Wireless Bridge from any of the manufacturers.
- Purchase a router compatible with DD-WRT or Tomato and update the firmware and turn your router into a wireless bridge. Please visit the AT Networking Forum for more information on this.
- LifeHacker has a good guide on how to do all the above.
- 5. I got the RROD on my 360. What do I do?
Go to the Xbox.com Support Page, click on the "Register your console. Repair your console" graphic under 'Repair Agent' and enter your information there to begin the repair process.
Or, 1. Call 1-800-4MYXBOX
2. Get a reference number for your problem as quickly as possible. You may need to say I already did that when they try to make you do the troubleshooting script, just to expedite the process.
3. Hang up and call the escalated support number, 866-506-3826.
4. Talk to someone who knows what they?re doing.
- 6. How do I mod my console so that I can download or copy games and play them?
- You can't. Or, at least, you can't discuss it here.
- 7. What are the different versions of the PS3?
Please see this Wikipedia entry for the different retail configurations.
- 8. What are the different versions of the Xbox 360?
Please see this Wikipedia entry for the different retail configurations.
The current general rule of thumb is to get the Jasper version (12.1 amps) for any version. Get the Elite if you feel you need 120GB of space to download movies, TV Shows or other content from Live...or if you just prefer black. Get the Premium/Pro 60GB version otherwise. Don't get the Arcade unless you just want to replace a current 360.
The 360 Elite received a price drop in August. The Arcade is $199.99, the Pro 60GB is discontinued and is $249.99 while supplies last, and the Elite to $299.99.
- 9. Are there different versions of the Wii?
Not currently.
- 10. How do I mitigate the risk of getting a RROD or other failure with the 360?
- Be sure to purchase a Jasper version of the 360. The original version had failure rates as high as 30%. The Jasper version failure rates is reportedly less than 10%. All Arcade and Elite 360s currently in production use the Jasper chipset. Pros are discontinued and still use the Falcon chipset. You can also recognize it by the power rating on the back of the console (12.1 amps).
- Purchase your 360 at Costco or Sam's Wholesale Club. Both stores have lifetime warranties.
- Purchase an extended warranty/replacement from the retail store/website you purchased your 360 from.
- Don't purchase a used unit unless you like to play Russian Roulette.
- 11. I've gotten a new/replacement 360 for a 360 that died. How do I recover the Xbox Live content that I've purchased so that I can play it without being signed into Live.
Link
To restore your licenses:
1. Attach your hard drive or memory unit.
2. Turn on the console.
3. Sign in to Xbox LIVE with the gamer profile that originally downloaded the content.
4. Go to Xbox LIVE Marketplace and select Account Management, Download History.
5. Select an item and then select Download Again.
6. Repeat step 5 for each item in your download history.
After you download your content again, anyone on this console can use it, whether you're signed in to Xbox LIVE or not.
- 12. What are all the 360 error codes/RROD?
warcrow was kind enough to create an Official 360 RRoD Thread to cover this.
- 13. What else can I do with my 360 other than just game?
LifeHacker has a good round-up of using the Media Center, Netflix streaming, Wi-Fi Adapters, streaming media via Windows PC or a MAC, quieter fans, DIY VGA Output, and using Transcode 360.
- 14. Do you have to recover your Xbox Live Gamertag every time you want to play on a different 360?
No. In fact, Microsoft does not recommend this at all. Get a memory card and move your gamertag to it so that you move your gamertag freely from console to console.
- 15. How do I stop Xbox Live from automatically renewing my membership?
Major Nelson
# Sign in to Xbox.com and go to the My Account section.
# Click the Membership level link on the left.
# You?ll see a page that has your Membership level, and the end date. Under that, you?ll see your ?Automatic Renewal? status.
# If it reads ON you can click the ON link and you?ll be brought to next page that will let you switch it on or off.
# Make your selection, then click next.
# You?ll be returned to your Membership level page, where you can confirm your selection.
Changelog:
8/14/08 - Inserted Console Gaming Deals explanation into #2. Fixed formating of post.
9/30/08 - Updated section 8 to include updates about potential Falcon chipsets for the 360 hitting stores.
3/20/09 - Added #14 about gamertags.
7/31/09 - Added #15 about Xbox Live Renewal.
9/9/09 - Updated PS3 and 360 information to something more current.