Red Ring...
 

So the other night, I'm playing Rainbow Six: Vegas, and the screen goes crazy and colorful. I turn it off, and when I boot it back up, I get the red lights.

Here is the catch:

The ring, isn't a ring. It's just the one light, not the 3. I also get the "E74" error screen.

Now, I have two options.

(1) I can ship it back to Microsoft, to get it fixed. Is this going to happen again, after they replace it with one of their refurbished consoles?

(2) I still have the PRP (Product Replacement Plan) through Best Buy. I can supposedly walk in and out, with a new XBOX 360, my old hard drive, and some cash in hand for the difference.

Problem:

We have had several issues with the Best Buy located near me, as of late. They would not honor their warranty on a GPS system, after it had already been purchased. I have read many horror stories online, about the Best Buy issues, but none of the previous threads here, have mentioned it being a problem.

Also, from some of my research, I have read that Best Buy, no longer honors the PRP on the 360 consoles, as of March '09.

Another thing, is that I have heard that Microsoft, "fixed the problem" with a new "chip". Is this true? Has anyone had a problem, after the new chip was released?

One final thing, if, I go to Best Buy, and get a new XBOX as a replacement for my system, do I get a new 3-year warranty with Microsoft? Or does it continue on, as if it was the same system, leaving me roughly a year and a half?

E74 = AV cable error. Could be a faulty AV cable, scaler chip (usually caused by overheating), or less likely, GPU.

It would appear that Microsoft also offers their extended 3 year warranty for this error:

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2009/04/mi...ror_victims-2/

Don't know if it will be your system repaired or a refurbished unit you get back (I would assume this policy differs between countries).

If it were me, I would try Best Buy first and see if they will honor their store warranty. If they don't then I guess you have to take the risk with Microsoft, pay someone else to fix your system, do it yourself if you are brave, or buy a new one.

At least it would appear that if it is less than 3 years old, it will be rectified for free.

Would you say I try a new AV cable? I hate to buy it, and it still not work.

I'll probably be going to Best Buy tomorrow. At least try.

Take it back to the retailer.
If their replacement plan is a procedure Microsoft is aware of, and they give you any shit instore, have them call the support centre and they should be able to set them straight.

I have the receipt and pamphlet that I was given at the time of purchase, but the manager that runs this Best Buy, is a jack-off.

They'll definitely get an earful, and if they won't replace it, they will be forced to refund the money for the warranty. In which case, I will return it to Microsoft's repairs.

Biggest thing, is I don't want the jackass, to wind up voiding my warranty somehow, out of spite.

No, I wouldn't. They are proprietary cables so not cheap. If you know someone else with an Xbox 360 you could borrow theirs, or use HDMI if you TV supports it and you have an HDMI cable (and if your 360 is a model with HDMI!). But I wouldn't buy one specifically for testing.

It is more likely the scaler chip dead, because it has an inadequate heat sink and is a known point of failure with this console.

Walked in with the old one, out with the new one.

This one doesn't get nearly as hot as the other one.

Has an odd smell though....

Excellent. It all worked out well then.

Don' t know about the smell though...

It made the whole house, smell like a doctor's office.