More trouble the XBOX 360 (news break)

**Soltakr** · 12-17-2008, 10:32 AM

I have already had this problem

Click here new article

Microsoft faces new Xbox 360 reliability accusations
Fix would have cost 50c per machine, suit claims
By Mike Smith
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Remember last week's story about Jason Johnson, the Illinois man who sued Microsoft over his Xbox 360's alleged habit of scratching his game DVDs?

Documents unsealed in his court case revealed Microsoft discovered its Xbox 360 could scratch discs before it went on sale in 2005, and even got as far as considering three possible solutions to the problem, the Seattle Tech Report revealed today.

The characteristic circular scratches can occur whenever the orientation of the console -- which is designed to be used in either a horizontal or vertical position -- is changed while the drive is spinning. Johnson filed his suit after his console scratched three store-bought game discs, and is seeking $50,000 in punitive damages.

Testimony obtained from a Microsoft program manager indicates that Microsoft became aware of the problem months before the 360's launch when retail demonstration consoles malfunctioned. The company examined three solutions: strengthening the magnets that hold the discs in place, slowing the rotational speed of the discs, and installing rubber bumpers to cushion the discs, but rejected them all. Installing the bumpers could have cost as little as $0.50 per console, the suit claims.

It's not the first time Microsoft has come under fire for alleged foreknowledge of Xbox 360 hardware issues, either. Back in September, an expose penned by VentureBeat writer Dean Takahashi claimed systemic failures in Microsoft's design and quality assurance processes lead to the Xbox 360's now-infamous overheating "Red Ring of Death" failures.

**1MileCrash** · 12-17-2008, 10:52 AM

just read that on the yahoo news feed. nice. hats off to microsoft for screwing their loyal customer and fan base. qudos.

**bmyers** · 12-17-2008, 12:30 PM

mine still works....knock on wood

**Tide** · 12-17-2008, 12:36 PM

Gotta ask though...

Who thinks its a bright idea to change the orientation of something that is rotating at a couple hundred RPMs? Not me.

**310stanger** · 12-17-2008, 01:02 PM

lawsuit for 50k? jesus get a life. I can understand retribution for damages done to what he paid money for, but not fuckin 50k. Pain and suffering over a video game system? That guy gets laid TONS I bet lol

**Crimson Sin** · 12-17-2008, 01:17 PM

Anyone want a barely used 360 with several games ??
I am buying a PS3 tonight I think.

**1MileCrash** · 12-17-2008, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by 310stanger

lawsuit for 50k? jesus get a life. I can understand retribution for damages done to what he paid money for, but not fuckin 50k. Pain and suffering over a video game system? That guy gets laid TONS I bet lol

haha...maybe he's tryin to recoup his losses in income from sittin playin halo all the time.

**bluefields88** · 12-17-2008, 02:11 PM

I'm on my 3rd Xbox...... once that warranty is up I'm 95% sure I'm screwed.

**02transamce** · 12-17-2008, 02:45 PM

still rockin' a ps2,best system evah.but really,as said above, why the hell are you going to change it from horozontal to vertical while the disc is spinning?

**PureSShp00** · 12-17-2008, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by 02transamce

but really,as said above, why the hell are you going to change it from horozontal to vertical while the disc is spinning?

+1 what a moron

**SeVeReDiStOrTiOn** · 12-17-2008, 06:04 PM

I love mine...I also know not to run it more than a few hours at a time

**1MileCrash** · 12-17-2008, 06:27 PM

from what i've heard the unit also scratches disks when the system is placed in the vertical position which is the recommended optimum position for cooling. so right there it's kinda crap too. the best cooling position scratches the disks .

**Tide** · 12-17-2008, 07:28 PM

I've had mine on the verticle position for 2 years - not for cooling but because of desk space. Never a problem. This problem occurs when the machine is powered up and a disk is being read (i.e. the drive is spinning) and some yahoo decides to alter its placement from verticle to horizontal or vice versa.

**bluefields88** · 12-17-2008, 07:30 PM

I fucked up my friend's hockey game by bumping into it's power cord while he was playing it. Big round scratch on the disk from the console moving. :/

**ls1bandit** · 12-17-2008, 11:34 PM

its not rocket science, when the console is on you dont move it. Genius.

**juiced99ws6** · 12-18-2008, 12:15 AM

Originally Posted by 310stanger

lawsuit for 50k? jesus get a life. I can understand retribution for damages done to what he paid money for, but not fuckin 50k. Pain and suffering over a video game system? That guy gets laid TONS I bet lol

he may have contacted customer service and been told to fuck off so something and just wanted to sue for a ridiculous amount of money just to get the media and everyone else attention on the issue...