Microsoft is offering to replace a staggering 14.1 million power cables for its Xbox console, following several reports that the cord presents something of a burn risk.
According to the software giant, around 10,000 hardware units may be impacted by the fault which to date has seen cases of minor burning to gamer flesh, entertainment centres and carpets.
“In almost all instances, any damage caused by these failures was contained within the console itself or limited to the tip of the power cord at the back of the console,” said Microsoft in a statement. “However, in 30 consoles worldwide, these failures are reported to have caused minor injury or minor property damage. In seven instances, customers reported sustaining a minor burn to their hand. In 23 instances, customers reported smoke damage, or minor damage to a carpet or entertainment centre."
This firm urges you to order a replacement cord via www.xbox.com[/url] and click on the ‘Power Cord Replacement for Xbox’ link. They say, “Replacement cords will arrive two to four weeks after the order is placed. While waiting for the new cord to arrive, consumers should turn off their Xbox consoles when not in use.”
According to the software giant, around 10,000 hardware units may be impacted by the fault which to date has seen cases of minor burning to gamer flesh, entertainment centres and carpets.
“In almost all instances, any damage caused by these failures was contained within the console itself or limited to the tip of the power cord at the back of the console,” said Microsoft in a statement. “However, in 30 consoles worldwide, these failures are reported to have caused minor injury or minor property damage. In seven instances, customers reported sustaining a minor burn to their hand. In 23 instances, customers reported smoke damage, or minor damage to a carpet or entertainment centre."
This firm urges you to order a replacement cord via www.xbox.com[/url] and click on the ‘Power Cord Replacement for Xbox’ link. They say, “Replacement cords will arrive two to four weeks after the order is placed. While waiting for the new cord to arrive, consumers should turn off their Xbox consoles when not in use.”
Companies:
Microsoft
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Comments
DeeKay86 18 Feb 2005 13:52
1/7
I think its great that Microsoft is doing this! I havent known any other company to do this on such a large scale! Kudos to MS for doing this! Ordered my replacement, was simple enough. My new Xbox however doesnt need the replacement :)
schnide 18 Feb 2005 16:30
2/7
DeeKay86 wrote:
I think its great that Microsoft is doing this!
Seconded, I am the opposite of a fan of Microsoft but to only have 30 reported consoles go wrong and issue so many replacements is to be commended.
Reminds me of the case of General Motors figuring it would cost less to be sued than to recall their faulty cars. I would like to think times have changed but..
Anyway, well done Replacement Headquarters at Microsoft.
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vault 13 18 Feb 2005 17:42
3/7
schnide wrote:
DeeKay86 wrote:
I think its great that Microsoft is doing this!
But I also think they have to. They don't want to get any bad publicity from this.
westerhive 18 Feb 2005 22:44
4/7
I love how people can applaud a compant for selling a cruddy product and admitting to it. If the PSP needs a battery upgrade, like Sony is admitting, then why buy one at launch. Why doesn't a company sell a great product out of the box. When cords are malfunctioning on a wide level, it says one thing. The testing period for the Xbox and its relative parts was small and not precise. Why? Because it's more about image and style. It's about electronic testosterone. If anyone wants to argue, feel free to. However, watch the destruction demo that was done on G4 TV, an attempt to damage all three systems with metal weights, sledge hammers, and death drops. The company that wins, is the company that dedicates their time to getting their products right.
DeeKay86 19 Feb 2005 04:53
5/7
A cruddy product?? The Xbox is far from being a 'cruddy' product! Ever held an Xbox? It oozes quality! Microsoft is simply replacing these cords as a precaution. Did you know that only about 30 units have actually had the power cord cause problems?? Think about it... 30 out of 14,100,000. Its damn good that Microsoft is doing this.
Dreadknux 19 Feb 2005 21:58
6/7
westerhive wrote:
I love how people can applaud a compant for selling a cruddy product and admitting to it. If the PSP needs a battery upgrade, like Sony is admitting, then why buy one at launch. Why doesn't a company sell a great product out of the box.
... Like Nintendo, perhaps? ;P
I knew I smelt a little bit of Nintendo fanboy somewhere.
The thing is, the PSP may come with battery upgrades after the initial launch, but didn't Nintendo release the GBA SP a few years after the original GBA, just to include a backlight? So by that same token, Nintendo and everyone else is guilty of "not selling a great product out of the box".
I dislike the PSP to tell the truth, I think it's pretentious to be completely honest. But that doesn't escape the fact that the PSP may well have great games and will make many people happy playing it. Oh, I'm sorry, somehow because Sony couldn't afford to include a longer lasting battery it means they've made a duff handheld. Nintendo couldn't afford backlights, or any kinda lights for their original GBA's. Does that make them crud? No, far from it. And it shouldn't deny people from buying a GBA at launch, and it didn't.
In the case of Microsoft, they may be a rather belligerant company but they actually want to make sure their games are good so people will buy their products. I'm sure they checked the cables and everything thoroughly, but the problem came afterwards. When things age, they go wrong. It's a fact. And how are you supposed to test your cables for a few months for safety when they're just coming off the production line, some weeks before launch? Sony, Nintendo or anyone else could have fallen victim to an incident like this.
And Microsoft have several titles that interest me, thanks. DoA, the various SEGA games (Jet Set Radio Future baby, perhaps the most underrated XBOX game ever. My fave as it happens too ^_^). In a 'crisis' (the height of the crisis is relative) like this, it's pleasing that MS is actually making it real easy for people to obtain replacement cords. If it was Nintendo, they would charge you about Ł10 for "P&P", and Sony just won't bother, and would rather you just bought YET ANOTHER PlayStation 2 to add to the other 6 in every household. :P
Nice try at making an informed argument though.
SPInGSPOnG 21 Feb 2005 11:25
7/7
DeeKay86 wrote:
Think about it... 30 out of 14,100,000. Its damn good that Microsoft is doing this.
Oh, don't be naive. Microsoft aren't recalling them out of the goodness of their hearts, they are doing it because the HAVE NO IDEA how many more might cause problems. And they don't want to be faced with tens (possibly hundreds) or law suits for burning down people's houses. The cost would be bad, the negative publicity FAR worse.
They weighed it up, and made a cold hearted financial decision, don't get all teary eyed about hos good they are treating you.
On the other hand, the airline industry weighed up the costs of fixing the fuel line problem in Boeing 747s and found that it came to more than paying out an average of $3,000,000 per fataility in compensation, based on 300 fatalities every 5 years. So they are just going to let people die.
Microsoft would do the same, shareholder capitalism demands it.