**Official Xbox 360 Jasper Hunting Thread**

[imported_kennyb]

Fry's in Anaheim has plenty of 840Xs in stock, although most are behind the cashier. I can't wait much longer, if nothing is definitive by Tur-Duck-in day I'm taking my chances.

 

[Jopopsy]

I'm really getting into the mindset that the latest build you can get is going to have to do. I don't know, but unless Black Friday clears out a tremendous amount of stock I don't see any sightings anytime soon.

AND, (and this is a BIG and) there is NO guarentee that there is a boatload of Jaspers just watiting to get on the shelves behind the Black Friday rush. Lot 843X could very well wind up being another Falcon ....

 

[iwantjasper]

However, considering its getting so close to black friday, its probably still a good idea to be patient and check out the inventory that gets restocked after the black friday weekend. That's only my opinion of course.

Edit: Btw, are there any other Jasper hunters in or near the Toronto area?

 

[wyeast]

Originally posted by: Jopopsy

Originally posted by: Branj812
the 839x I have has the small silver capacitors with a lite blue top with a white line across the middle of the top. Its a 4x2 layout.

Has your unit running? Is this your first 360? How is the heat coming out the back of it?

Mine is noticeably quieter, but doesn't seem a whole lot cooler than my old Xenon... air coming out the back is definitely warm, and I can still feel a warm spot on the "bottom" of the unit (under the cpu/gpu) when running.

Darrell - is this an arcade unit? Might be that you need the memory unit plugged in for the NXE install to go through. (I dunno for sure, I had slapped on the 20gb off my old box)

 

[Jopopsy]

Originally posted by: wyeast

Originally posted by: Jopopsy

Originally posted by: Branj812
the 839x I have has the small silver capacitors with a lite blue top with a white line across the middle of the top. Its a 4x2 layout.

Has your unit running? Is this your first 360? How is the heat coming out the back of it?

Mine is noticeably quieter, but doesn't seem a whole lot cooler than my old Xenon... air coming out the back is definitely warm, and I can still feel a warm spot on the "bottom" of the unit (under the cpu/gpu) when running.

Darrell - is this an arcade unit? Might be that you need the memory unit plugged in for the NXE install to go through. (I dunno for sure, I had slapped on the 20gb off my old box)

About a year ago I had a Xenon (or Zephyr? Whatever pre-Falcon). It sounded like a blow dryer and that thing was H-O-T out the back. Even the shelf it was on was hot. I returned it within 2 days I was so disgusted with it.

 

[mobo3j]

Hi, all. I have a quick question for you. I have yet to purchase an Xbox, but I've found a couple of nice Black Friday deals, such as a 60GB Pro for $250, as well as several good games for prices of $20 and below. I was thinking that now might be as good a time as any to jump in, but in researching the deals, I came across the Jasper discussions.

I'd like to go ahead and pick up an Xbox on Black Friday due to the $50 discount, but it sounds like getting a Jasper will still be unlikely at that time. I can easily wait a few months to ensure getting a Jasper. The $50 discount is attractive, but I'd really rather not deal with the infamous RROD.

What are your opinions on the matter? And if I were to get one on Black Friday, how bad are the current motherboards in terms of noise, heating, and chances of RROD? What do you think is the best course of action: Get a Falcon now for the black friday deal and hope for the best, or wait a few months and pick up a Jasper at possibly a slightly higher price?

Does anyone yet have any solid information on when we might start seeing Jaspers in the wild? (i.e. after Black Friday cleans out inventory, January/February, or later)

 

[wyeast]

We have no information about when Jasper will come out. It's all been speculation. Could be tomorrow, could be next summer.

As far as getting a Falcon for $50 off vs wating for Jasper, that's largely a personal choice. I was in a situation where my old box finally stopped limping along, so I had to pull the trigger.

If you truly *can* wait, then $50 isn't much of a deal - we've had discounts up to $25 or so in the past few months. On the other hand, $50 is half of the repair cost if your Falcon died "out of warranty".

 

[Jopopsy]

Originally posted by: wyeast
We have no information about when Jasper will come out. It's all been speculation. Could be tomorrow, could be next summer.

As far as getting a Falcon for $50 off vs wating for Jasper, that's largely a personal choice. I was in a situation where my old box finally stopped limping along, so I had to pull the trigger.

If you truly *can* wait, then $50 isn't much of a deal - we've had discounts up to $25 or so in the past few months. On the other hand, $50 is half of the repair cost if your Falcon died "out of warranty".

If I keep mine, and it does die, a 200 dollar Arcade will be replacing it. By then, hopefully, Jasper will be out.

 

[imported_Darrell]

Originally posted by: mobo3j
Hi, all. I have a quick question for you. I have yet to purchase an Xbox, but I've found a couple of nice Black Friday deals, such as a 60GB Pro for $250, as well as several good games for prices of $20 and below. I was thinking that now might be as good a time as any to jump in, but in researching the deals, I came across the Jasper discussions.

I'd like to go ahead and pick up an Xbox on Black Friday due to the $50 discount, but it sounds like getting a Jasper will still be unlikely at that time. I can easily wait a few months to ensure getting a Jasper. The $50 discount is attractive, but I'd really rather not deal with the infamous RROD.

What are your opinions on the matter? And if I were to get one on Black Friday, how bad are the current motherboards in terms of noise, heating, and chances of RROD? What do you think is the best course of action: Get a Falcon now for the black friday deal and hope for the best, or wait a few months and pick up a Jasper at possibly a slightly higher price?

Does anyone yet have any solid information on when we might start seeing Jaspers in the wild? (i.e. after Black Friday cleans out inventory, January/February, or later)

Buy the XBOX on Black Friday and don't open it. Make sure you get a gift reciept. Most likely, you'll get an extended period for a return on a christmas purchase. Normally, you'll get until the end of January or something like that. By that time, if jasper is out....it is a simple exchange and you saved $50. If it's not out yet, return the one you have (unopened) for an exchange....and you buy yourself another 30 days and still saved $50.

If the one poster on seattlepi has an "insider" at Microsoft in Argentina, and that information is accurate, then the lot 085X's will be on the shelves by then.

That's the best advice I can give you if you say you are patient and don't need one right now.

 

[dudewheresmyjasper]

Hello All,

I too am new and have been following this issue for a while.

Will wait for definitive proof and then buy.

Thanks to all for the info.

Dude

 

[imported_Darrell]

Remember on mtsjtb's pics, his pics had some capacitors that I had not seen before? Well, I found a pic of another XBOX mobo using it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/3...05/3045400091/sizes/o/

This was an older Xenos board. Someone was trying the heat gun method to un-RRoD their XBOX. So..I am having issues sorting out the capacitor usage.

On another note....I guess the noise from the fans are the luck of the draw. My lot 0836 was noticeably softer on the noise. The 0837 has a higher pitch....not annoying, but definitely a change that I heard right away. I need to look into that as well.

 

[middlep1]

I suppose fan noise could be down to 2 things:

1) Different manfacturing teams have been reported to use different fans, apparently the CSON 360's use "brushless" fans and are quieter compared to the FDOU machines.

2) Noise differences between lot numbers from the same team could be down to slight variations in the fan compoents that manufacturer gets from their suppliers.

 

[wyeast]

Darrell - you're right. I just looked in my old Xenon and they look like the same caps... but the inductors aren't upright in mtsjtb's and he's got the falcon's floating sink... older board? Maybe CSON's still using the yellow caps? I saw a picture of what's supposed to be Opus using similar white-striped caps...

http://pictures.xbox-scene.com...x360/opus/DSC00127.JPG

so I guess we don't know what it's supposed to mean...

 

[striker64]

Originally posted by: iwantjasper
However, considering its getting so close to black friday, its probably still a good idea to be patient and check out the inventory that gets restocked after the black friday weekend. That's only my opinion of course.

Edit: Btw, are there any other Jasper hunters in or near the Toronto area?

Yup! Oakville here.

 

[Ultravires]

Yep, i am from downtown toronto, been holding out for the jasper for like a month now, it's taking to long, i think i will wait till the end of november and just grab the box, missing out on too many great games.

 

[iwantjasper]

Yeh, I'm from downtown toronto too.

I've only been searching for Jasper at the Eaton centre Best Buy. Most other stores like Futureshop in the area don't have a lot of units lying around and EBgames have their consoles behind the counter. So its a bit difficult to look for Jaspers from other stores.

Does anyone have any good suggestions of places to look for Jaspers in the Toronto area other than at Best Buy?

 

[dudewheresmyjasper]

Just back from three stores in Northern VA.

Game Spot Pro FDOU 0837

Wall Mart Elite TMEM 05-25-08
Pro FDOU 0840x

Best Buy Pro FDOU 0841x
Elite TMEM 05-20-08

I know this has been asked before but what actually is the significance of the "x"?

Thanks,

Dude

 

[imported_Darrell]

Originally posted by: dudewheresmyjasper
Just back from three stores in Northern VA.

Game Spot Pro FDOU 0837

Wall Mart Elite TMEM 05-25-08
Pro FDOU 0840x

Best Buy Pro FDOU 0841x
Elite TMEM 05-20-08

I know this has been asked before but what actually is the significance of the "x"?

Thanks,

Dude

Nobody really knows at this point. It was once speculated that it meant the inclusion of the NXE flyer, but both my lot 0836 & 0837 had the NXE flyer.

Some Speculated that it came preloaded with NXE, but time locked....but nobody confirmed.

 

[adiposity]

may be Xmas bundle...


-Dan

 

[JoeDeeApe]

Originally posted by: adiposity
may be Xmas bundle...


-Dan

That makes sense, any one notice if the x is tied to factory packed christmas bundles?



I am planning on getting an xbox on black friday, I hope the jasper is out. /crossfingers

 

[Sal NJ]

Target at Palisades Mall NY Arcade lot836 two left. hopefuly will get more updated 1s when they sell out

 

[dixonmiller]

For those ready to pull the 360 trigger or who want to do some home research...

Dell has Xbox's for 15% off.

Use coupon 8BM53TB8R1DXC0. This expires on 11/23.

Xbox Elite = $339 (normally $399)
Xbox Pro = $254 (normally $299)
Xbox Arcade + Madden NFL 09 = $220 (normally $259)

Easiest way to get these is:
- go to the Dell Home accessories page at http://accessories.us.dell.com...s=19&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn
- search for "xbox 360" in the search box in upper right
- Under "shop by brand" on left choose "Microsoft Corporation"
- Sort by "Highest Price" using "Sort by" dropdown on right side

This should show the xbox consoles at the top of the list.

Add your desired xbox console option to the cart, apply the above coupon code on the following page and voila! Discount should appear.

Dell has offered these 15% coupons 1-2 times per week for the last couple weeks - but no idea how long that will continue. You can see prior offers by going to http://bensbargains.net/search.php and searching on "xbox" in Search box on right side.

Cheers!

PS - Dell's webpage also currently shows Xbox Arcade + Sing It = $199 (normally $259). This discount is a bigger percentage discount than the 15% coupon above, so don't use the above coupon code with this SKUS or you'll actually pay a higher price!

 

[Futile]

I'm new here. Never knew about this "Jasper" thing untill I ran into these messages about it.

I bought Xbox 360 Pro on 03/03/08...
Manufacturers date: 1-23-08
Lot: #0804

It was working great for 8 months and then on 11/18/08 I turned it on and it started blinking red lights on the two left quadrants.

It is completely dead. Nothing I do makes it work. Just turn it on and immediately starts blinking those red lights on the two left quadrants which indicate overheating even though I havn't played it in about 3 days.

The only thing I can think of is that the "heat sink" finally broke or something concidering some webpages discuss that these heat sinks get so hot they develop hair-line fractures and adventually break and stop working all together.

Now this Xbox is still in the first year manufacturers warrenty but I have a Best Buy replacement plan that is valid untill 03/03/2010.

I was hoping to get all of your educated advice on what I should do. Apparently after calling up the store I can have them replace it and my warrenty is still covered. So my new Xbox can be replaced during the second year of warrenty if need be.

Should I go ahead and get it replaced and look for the latest lot number? Or should I wait till we find this "Jasper?"

Apparently I can just renew my replacement plan warrenty sometime during the second year before it expires and continue to renew my replacement plan basically forever untill my new xbox dies.

What is your advice on the matter? With this replacement plan warrenty at Best Buy i'm getting the impression I'll always be able to swap my console out for the rest of my life if it breaks on me adventually running into a "Jasper" anyway, right?

When I go to Best Buy I will look through all the Lot numbers for the hunt and record them on this discussion topic if you all would like. Just not sure if I should wait, or if it even matters concidering this never ending warrenty with Best Buy.

Sorry for making my post so long. I apprechiate your response on the matter.

 

[Jopopsy]

Originally posted by: Futile
I'm new here. Never knew about this "Jasper" thing untill I ran into these messages about it.

I bought Xbox 360 Pro on 03/03/08...
Manufacturers date: 1-23-08
Lot: #0804

It was working great for 8 months and then on 11/18/08 I turned it on and it started blinking red lights on the two left quadrants.

It is completely dead. Nothing I do makes it work. Just turn it on and immediately starts blinking those red lights on the two left quadrants which indicate overheating even though I havn't played it in about 3 days.

The only thing I can think of is that the "heat sink" finally broke or something concidering some webpages discuss that these heat sinks get so hot they develop hair-line fractures and adventually break and stop working all together.

Now this Xbox is still in the first year manufacturers warrenty but I have a Best Buy replacement plan that is valid untill 03/03/2010.

I was hoping to get all of your educated advice on what I should do. Apparently after calling up the store I can have them replace it and my warrenty is still covered. So my new Xbox can be replaced during the second year of warrenty if need be.

Should I go ahead and get it replaced and look for the latest lot number? Or should I wait till we find this "Jasper?"

Apparently I can just renew my replacement plan warrenty sometime during the second year before it expires and continue to renew my replacement plan basically forever untill my new xbox dies.

What is your advice on the matter? With this replacement plan warrenty at Best Buy i'm getting the impression I'll always be able to swap my console out for the rest of my life if it breaks on me adventually running into a "Jasper" anyway, right?

When I go to Best Buy I will look through all the Lot numbers for the hunt and record them on this discussion topic if you all would like. Just not sure if I should wait, or if it even matters concidering this never ending warrenty with Best Buy.

Sorry for making my post so long. I apprechiate your response on the matter.

Well, first things first. Best buy does not offer the same PRP anymore. The one you have is GOLD - as in top notch. The one you would buy with your next Xbox is crap. They don't swap them anymore - they send it out for you. Waste of money in my opnion.

As far as do you swap it out now or wait? Depends on how much you 'need' your 360. There is no clue as to when Jasper will arrive. We've all been wrong with our guesses. Only MS knows.

Board Members - obviously he bought a Falcon. I'm assuming he is in the minority with this problem?

 

[Futile]

Originally posted by: Jopopsy


Well, first things first. Best buy does not offer the same PRP anymore. The one you have is GOLD - as in top notch. The one you would buy with your next Xbox is crap. They don't swap them anymore - they send it out for you. Waste of money in my opnion.

As far as do you swap it out now or wait? Depends on how much you 'need' your 360. There is no clue as to when Jasper will arrive. We've all been wrong with our guesses. Only MS knows.

Board Members - obviously he bought a Falcon. I'm assuming he is in the minority with this problem?

Thanks for the info. I didn't know that the new replacement plans are like that now. I hope when I go down their monday they won't try to screw me and say they can only send it out for me.

I guess I should just go get a new one and hope for the best that it won't crap out on me because I don't have the means to keep buying new 360's everytime they break.

I'm getting the feeling with these new replacement plan procedures they're just going to lie to me and tell me they won't swap it out now. Crap..