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X-Box Recall

Started by ChaoticCanuck Feb 17, 2005 at 11:10 AM 30 replies 3.9k views

Original Post

Feb 17, 2005 at 11:10 AM

Doesn't look like this was posted yet, Link

Quote:
MS recalls 14.1m Xbox power cables By Tony Smith Published Thursday 17th February 2005 16:59 GMT Microsoft today asked Xbox owners around the world to return their consoles' power cables in a bid to prevent them suffering singed body parts. The recall takes in some 14.1m power cables shipped into Europe before 13 January, 2004 and in other territories before 23 October, 2003. The Xbox debuted in the US in November 2001, and to date more than 20m of the consoles have shipped. The recall covers over 70 per cent of that installed base. Click Here Microsoft's move follows 30 or so reports from users suffering minor burns, singed upholstery or scorched carpets as a result of power lead malfunctions, the company said. Its own tests revealed a one in 10,000 failure rate. Xbox owners should visit Xbox.com and enter their machine's serial number to find out how to obtain a replacement power lead. It is not known who produced the offending cables.

Matthew Doucette

Feb 17, 2005 at 11:24 AM

Thanks!

Here's the story on xbox.com:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/news/0502/powercordannouncement.htm

The order link:
http://replacements.webprogram.com/en-us/New_Order.asp

SAE Superman

Feb 17, 2005 at 11:32 AM

Thanks for the info guys!!! I gotta check mine out tonight [grin]

Matthew Doucette

Feb 17, 2005 at 11:34 AM

Quote:
We have determined that your Xbox console requires a replacement cord. Microsoft will send you a new cord, at no cost, to replace the cord that originally came with your Xbox console.

Please enter your shipping address in the spaces provided below.

...and...

Quote:
Your order is now complete. Your new cord should ship within a matter of days. Until you receive and install your replacement power cord, turn off your Xbox when it’s not in use.

Thanks for the heads up.

Alpha_ProgDes

Feb 17, 2005 at 1:35 PM

I posted a similar thread, so I'll delete mine.
Also, that's very nice of MS... see not the moneygrabbers everyone makes them to be.

Matthew Doucette

Feb 17, 2005 at 1:38 PM

Quote:
Original post by Alpha_ProgDes
I posted a similar thread, so I'll delete mine.
Also, that's very nice of MS... see not the moneygrabbers everyone makes them to be.

Your thread had a link to RS, I think, for those who don't want to wait for the cable in the mail. Could post that?

Goober King

Feb 17, 2005 at 1:51 PM

Quote:
Original post by Alpha_ProgDes
I posted a similar thread, so I'll delete mine.
Also, that's very nice of MS... see not the moneygrabbers everyone makes them to be.

If they didn't recall and replace them free of charge then they would held acountable for any safty issues that come from the faulty power cords.

This is neither proof nor dispoof of MS's morals. It just means they are not dumb enough to allow a known safty hazard they are responsible for to float around. People frequently bash them for various reasons. Being stupid has never been one of them.

PnP Bios

Feb 17, 2005 at 2:30 PM

Quote:
Original post by Goober King
Quote:
Original post by Alpha_ProgDes
I posted a similar thread, so I'll delete mine.
Also, that's very nice of MS... see not the moneygrabbers everyone makes them to be.

If they didn't recall and replace them free of charge then they would held acountable for any safty issues that come from the faulty power cords.

This is neither proof nor dispoof of MS's morals. It just means they are not dumb enough to allow a known safty hazard they are responsible for to float around. People frequently bash them for various reasons. Being stupid has never been one of them.

Dell did the same thing with their older laptop powercords a few months ago. What the hell happened to make it once, make it right?

Raduprv

Feb 17, 2005 at 2:34 PM

Umm, so what exactly is wrong with those power cords? I don't get it.

CpMan

Feb 17, 2005 at 2:44 PM

Quote:
Original post by Raduprv
Umm, so what exactly is wrong with those power cords? I don't get it.

Yeah, I thought they were just the standard power cord you see in just about everything.

Alpha_ProgDes

Feb 17, 2005 at 2:56 PM

Quote:
Original post by Matthew Doucette
Quote:
Original post by Alpha_ProgDes
I posted a similar thread, so I'll delete mine.
Also, that's very nice of MS... see not the moneygrabbers everyone makes them to be.
Your thread had a link to RS, I think, for those who don't want to wait for the cable in the mail. Could post that?

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050217/tc_nm/tech_microsoft_xbox_dc

there you go!

Conner McCloud

Feb 17, 2005 at 2:56 PM

Quote:
Original post by Raduprv
Umm, so what exactly is wrong with those power cords? I don't get it.

They light couches on fire, which, while cool, is a little dangerous.

My immediate guess would be the inductance spike when you yank the cord is causing problems. A faulty connection inside is making it worse than it should be, and sparks are flying. But that's just a thought, can't find any details online.

CM

Raduprv

Feb 17, 2005 at 3:06 PM

Umm, how the hell would they light a couch on fire?
It's not like an Xbox consumes a lot of power, so it doesn't need a 30AMP cord.
As for the spark thing, can't you see if that happens and take measures?

Conner McCloud

Feb 17, 2005 at 3:10 PM

Quote:
Original post by Raduprv
Umm, how the hell would they light a couch on fire?

One of the links mentions scorched upholstry. I was mostly joking.

Quote:
Original post by Raduprv
It's not like an Xbox consumes a lot of power, so it doesn't need a 30AMP cord.
As for the spark thing, can't you see if that happens and take measures?

No, because by the time you notice the spark you've already injured yourself. You have to really fuck up for any spark to last long enough for you to do something about it.

CM

Nemesis2k2

Feb 17, 2005 at 3:12 PM

They're cursed. If you bring a nintendo or a playstation within 10 feet of them, they burst into flames, while cancelling your home insurance.

Conner McCloud

Feb 17, 2005 at 3:14 PM

Quote:
Original post by Nemesis2k2
They're cursed. If you bring a nintendo or a playstation within 10 feet of them, they burst into flames, while cancelling your home insurance.

Now you're just being foolish.

Its a Gamecube that causes the fires...the Xbox could care less how close a Nintendo gets to it.

CM

Nemesis2k2

Feb 17, 2005 at 3:21 PM

That would explain the low number of occurances. It's only happened for people who actually bought a gamecube. :D

Of course, it could just be that Micrsosoft couldn't afford to curse many of the cables. Most of Microsoft's permanent witchdoctors are buisy trying to debug their software.

Spintwo

Feb 17, 2005 at 5:12 PM

Where the hell is the damn serial number anyway?

Nemesis2k2

Feb 17, 2005 at 5:30 PM

There's a big sticker on the bottom of the machine IIRC.

Matthew Doucette

Feb 18, 2005 at 8:29 AM

Quote:
Original post by Charles Hwang
Where the hell is the damn serial number anyway?

Also, I just got an email from xbox (to the email I used to register my xbox). It reads:

Quote:
MICROSOFT ANNOUNCES POWER CORD REPLACEMENT FOR XBOX

Dear Xbox Customer:

I am writing to provide you with information about a free power cord replacement program for Xbox.

Microsoft has chosen to replace the power cords on Xbox consoles manufactured before October 23, 2003. Our records indicate that you may own one of these consoles.

We are providing replacement power cords because component failure in a small number of consoles - fewer than 1 in 10,000 - has caused burning inside the console or melting of the power cord where it connects to the console.

Microsoft has designed the replacement power cords to protect you and your Xbox from these component failures and a potential fire hazard.

Check the manufacture date on the bottom of your console. No action is necessary if your console was manufactured on or after October 23, 2003.

If your console was manufactured before October 23, 2003, go to www.xbox.com and click on Power Cord Replacement for Xbox to get a free replacement power cord. If you are unable to access this website, please call 866-271-0450.

Your new cord should arrive in two to four weeks. Until you receive and install your replacement power cord, turn off your Xbox when it's not in use.

We appreciate your cooperation and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Robbie Bach
Senior Vice President, Home & Entertainment Division
Microsoft Corporation

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