Microsoft admits scratch problem with Xbox 360

[MozartMan]

Microsoft admits scratch problem with Xbox 360

Source: http://www.cdfreaks.com/news/Microso...-Xbox-360.html

There are many sites on the internet describing a typical Xbox 360 problem: the console scratches game discs. Some users are reporting that the scratches were enough to make their game disc obsolete. There hasn't been much discussion on the fact that the problem exists by consumers, but untill now Microsoft has always somewhat denied the problem and never proposed a solution.

The Dutch television show Kassa, which deals with customer complaints, has been nagging Microsoft about this problem for several weeks, they did tests with Xbox360 setups and filmed (and proofed) that the Xbox360 is indeed responsible for scratching game discs, when not moved, placed on a stable table and under the best possible conditions.

According to the show, the majority of the problems seem to be caused by a TSST drive that is missing parts that stabilize the disc. The problem also seems to be mainly found by consoles produced in December 2006. Estimated is that worldwide nearly 1 to 2 million units are affected.

Thousands of people responded to the show complaining about the same problem and Microsoft simply had to act.

In a press statement the company stated: "As we were not involved with the experiment of Kassa and have little insights in the testing methods, we are not able to respond in detail on the results. It is possible that scratches on discs originate from frequent use. However, we have no indication that the results of the tests from Kassa are a large scale problem.

Of course it is important to us that our customers have the best possible game experience and therefore we take these test results very serious. Xbox owners who think their discs are scratched as reported by Kassa, should contact us. We will investigate the console and when needed repair it so it becomes a full functioning console. We will also inform Xbox owners how they can obtain replacements discs in case they require them."

The television show also reported that while this issue is now an issue in the Netherlands (it is also widely covered in regular news), it could become a global problem for Microsoft in the future. Therefore I would recommend anyone who is facing the same problem to contact their local Microsoft office and point them to this article.

[HDViewer]

I guess this is what happens when you rush a product to market.

[Unkn0wn47]

Check that!

[Slackr89]

why would they admit faults on their faulty machine. Not a smart business move. And what did they expect after using DVD's? that there would'nt be scratches? they should've used the real winner Blu-ray

[iceman]

oooooopsss!!

[Nismobeach]

They should have admitted this at launch.

[PeterTHX]

Didn't the PS2 have the same problem a few years ago?

[JTK]

I know for a fact the 360 scratches discs because I exchanged NCAA 2007 THREE times in the space of a month back last summer.

I'd get the disc home and it was pristine clean and by the time I'd take back to EB, the discs would all end up looking messed up.

The giveaway would be: I would be playing the game I'd get the infamous dirty disc error and watch the thing crash. I'd take the disc out and sure enough: Scratched up trash.

I only owned three 360 games at the time, but NCAA was the one I played far and away the most, so the problem would manifest itself rather quickly.

The problem also seems to be mainly found by consoles produced in December 2006.

^^ This should say: "produced from the beginning on up to about December 2006 or so."

My 360 was a launch day one that was manufactered well before then.

[victorvondoom88]

http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/9411.cfm

Go here and sign the petition!

[Shin-Ra]

I bet they won't replace my scratched Gears of War disk in the UK now, four months after they eventually gave in and replaced the console. No matter, I no longer feel like playing it.

[Blu Tiger]

Does this only happen when the console is vertical? The same thing used to happen with the PS2 when it was vertical.

[phranctoast]

i think it only happens when its vertical. I also dont own when so im just recycling what i heard.

[calgarymarc]

Originally Posted by kiddtigger

Does this only happen when the console is vertical? The same thing used to happen with the PS2 when it was vertical.

I had one of my games scratch within the first 2 weeks of owning the console. I took it back to where I bought it, and it was replaced. My console has always been laid horizontally, and this occured.

[ascian]

Originally Posted by calgarymarc

I had one of my games scratch within the first 2 weeks of owning the console. I took it back to where I bought it, and it was replaced. My console has always been laid horizontally, and this occured.

You took the game back or the 360?

[calgarymarc]

Originally Posted by ascian

You took the game back or the 360?

Took the game back, sorry. I still have the Xbox 360, had it since DAY 1. I rarely use it anymore, as i'm not really a hardcore gamer. I have now shifted towards Blu-ray movies.

I'm keeping my Xbox 360 only for Halo 3 this year, which i'm looking forward to very much.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by JTK

I know for a fact the 360 scratches discs because I exchanged NCAA 2007 THREE times in the space of a month back last summer.

I'd get the disc home and it was pristine clean and by the time I'd take back to EB, the discs would all end up looking messed up.

The giveaway would be: I would be playing the game I'd get the infamous dirty disc error and watch the thing crash. I'd take the disc out and sure enough: Scratched up trash.

I only owned three 360 games at the time, but NCAA was the one I played far and away the most, so the problem would manifest itself rather quickly.





^^ This should say: "produced from the beginning on up to about December 2006 or so."

My 360 was a launch day one that was manufactered well before then.

^^ This all happened with the console horizontal, not vertical.

[MasterXeus]

I feel sorry for everyone that has this problem. Luckly, My friends and I bought Xbox 360 on Day 1. All Xbox 360s are still working fine a 1 1/2yrs later and we're 2 for 2 on PS3s work fine for 5 months.

[phranctoast]

All Xbox 360s are still working fine a 1 1/2hrs later and we're 2 for 2 on PS3s work fine for 5 months.

hahaha nice
the 360s lasted for 1.5 hours. thats great. that may be a record!