Xbox 360 died. Now what to do...

[Eug]

My Xbox 360 no longer works. It's the old pre-HDMI version, with a removable 20 GB hard drive. No, I didn't get the RROD. It still lights up green, and I can even connect my wireless controller to it. But I get no video. No component video and no VGA either. Is this a common problem?

I don't actually play disc-based games on it anymore. I just play the basic arcade games (like Robotron), and watch the occasional HD DVD on it.

I assume if I go this thing replaced, I could just redownload the games. However, I don't really feel like spending $150 on a last gen console. Maybe if I could get this fixed for $50 or something I'd do that, but that seems optimistic. Note that I already have an extra standalone HD DVD player, so the HD DVD part isn't a big issue. (I picked up a closeout Venturer player - Toshiba rebadge - for $50 when HD DVD went bust.)

Any other better solutions for Xbox Arcade type gaming?

 

[Raduque]

Buy a used one from Craigslist or a pawn shop?

 

[BrightCandle]

The cheapest option is to get it repaired via Microsoft. They might very well be able to do it cheaper than buying a new console. You keep the hard drive and your account can be downloaded onto another box so the loss of this box doesn't matter much. If MS can't help you then buy another one, plug in your HDD and login to your account and all will be well.

 

[mcginnis]

craigs. I've seen a few on there just selling the console no cords for about 50$

 

[DaveSimmons]

craigs. I've seen a few on there just selling the console no cords for about 50$

Make sure it at least includes the power brick it you decide to roll these dice, since the different models had different bricks.

 

[Raincity]

If you send it in for repair with MS. they will just send you another refurb that may last a year at best. Pony up the cash and have it fixed right with someone how does reball ,reflow and reseal correctly or get yourself a slim and call it a day.

 

[clok1966]

Lots of Ones on craigslist right now too, might be worth a upgrade? See a few in the $400 area here with a game.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Be careful buying cheap used ones as they may be banned from XBL.

Honestly for how much you are using it I would replace with a Ouya.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Depending on the repair, MSFT will fix it for you. I forget if they pay shipping or not though.

I have one RROD machine that I need to get fixed still. I just bought a new 360 since I can get a nice and big hard drive with a new one. I install games onto it and I have no regrets. I'll eventually get the old one repaired and either sell it or put it in storage.

 

[Eug]

I have no interest in Ouya whatsoever. As for Xbox One, they're pretty expensive here on Craigslist.

And that XBL banning thing has me worried now.

I think I'll go the repair route, either with MS or else 3rd party. It seems my unit's problem is a relatively common one apparently according to some more Googling.

 

[Sonikku]

I'd say bite the bullet and buy the slim. It's something of a miracle your 360 fat lasted as long as it has. You can try to fix it's current problem, but it's only a matter of time before it succumbs to a myriad of other issues with those early xenon models.

 

[gorcorps]

Have you looked into getting a used via Gamestop? It should eliminate the risk of getting a banned console since they're "guaranteed" to work. Won't be as cheap as craigslist but less risk.

 

[SwampDog35]

For some reason my Xbox360 slim keeps locking up. I shut it down and restart it. But it shouldn't be locking up like it is should it?

 

[artemicion]

If you want a little more assurance than what you get on craigslist, I've had good luck buying used consoles on Cowboom. Right now they've got the 4gb slim models for $80. If you're willing to wait, they occasionally have sales. Or you can wait for an auction. A year ago I got a 250gb slim model with a Kinect for $140 on a Cowboom auction. You can probably sell your broken xbox as-is on craigslist for $20 or so.

 

[Eug]

I'm in Canada. Never heard of cowboom. Found a local shop who says they can fix it for $60. We will see if they can do it. They sell used ones without the drive for around $100.

Slim would cost more locally.

BTW, I powered it on today and got a RROD. Oh and to my surprise when I mistyped Trod the first time in the anandtech forum search, it autocorrected to RROD.

 

[Eug]

They couldn't fix it, but they were able to give me the same fat white but with HDMI output as well, for 60 bucks, without any cables or power supply. It turns out the power supply for this one doesn't work on my old one, but the power supply for my old one does work on this one, so that works out perfectly. There's a short warranty. Sure the thing might die in a year or two but I figure for 60 bucks I can't lose.

Not banned on Xbox Live.

 

[Raincity]

Hopefully you will get some life out of it and this one wont crap out on you.

 

[SaurusX]

My launch 360 has been repaired once by Microsoft and then at least 4 times by two local shops. It's currently RRODing again. I'll probably pick up a console down the line once stores start putting them on clearance just to have something to play my game collection on.

 

[Pheran]

They couldn't fix it, but they were able to give me the same fat white but with HDMI output as well, for 60 bucks, without any cables or power supply. It turns out the power supply for this one doesn't work on my old one, but the power supply for my old one does work on this one, so that works out perfectly. There's a short warranty. Sure the thing might die in a year or two but I figure for 60 bucks I can't lose.

Not banned on Xbox Live.

It's good news that the new power supply wouldn't work with your old Xbox, because that means you got one of the newer revs, either Falcon or Jasper. You can check which one by looking at the power connector on your Xbox. My Falcon Elite is still going strong.

 

[cyclohexane]

Holy crap, people still watch HD-DVDs?

 

[Raincity]

It's good news that the new power supply wouldn't work with your old Xbox, because that means you got one of the newer revs, either Falcon or Jasper. You can check which one by looking at the power connector on your Xbox. My Falcon Elite is still going strong.

Seems like all the pre slim models are ticking time bombs. My Jasper that just died had really low miles on it. since the purchase in 2008. I got lucky and found a new a slim E Holiday Pack edition at Target for $175 the day I went out looking for a replacement.

 

[Eug]

It's good news that the new power supply wouldn't work with your old Xbox, because that means you got one of the newer revs, either Falcon or Jasper. You can check which one by looking at the power connector on your Xbox. My Falcon Elite is still going strong.

Yeah those pix tell me it is a falcon. However, despite this, the fan seems just as loud.

BTW, wouldn't all HDMI models be Falcon or newer?

 

[Eug]

Holy crap, people still watch HD-DVDs?

Heh. I have a small collection of HD DVDs. They still work perfectly and look great, so there's no point in rebuying them on Blu-ray or whatever.

The only drawback to using the Xbox 360 is the fan noise in quiet passages. I was hoping the newer HDMI model would be quieter, but as mentioned above it does not seem to be significantly so, unfortunately.

 

[Pheran]

Yeah those pix tell me it is a falcon. However, despite this, the fan seems just as loud.

BTW, wouldn't all HDMI models be Falcon or newer?

No, the Zephyr revision has HDMI but it still has all the hottest 90 nm CPU/GPU parts. Is the noise you are hearing the fan or the DVD drive? My Falcon fan isn't that loud but the DVD drive is annoying (which is why I make sure to install all the games I play).

 

[Eug]

No, the Zephyr revision has HDMI but it still has all the hottest 90 nm CPU/GPU parts. Is the noise you are hearing the fan or the DVD drive? My Falcon fan isn't that loud but the DVD drive is annoying (which is why I make sure to install all the games I play).

Fan because there is still noise at idle with both the regular DVD drive and the HD DVD drive empty. I guess that makes sense, considering the thing idles at 100 W according to Anandtech's article.

During gaming it doesn't really bother me, and in a lot of movies it doesn't really bother me either, but with quiet passages of movies it can get annoying.