Still preying on RRoD fears, at least the Overcase doesn't void a console's warranty - unless removing a faceplate violates a warranty, which I doubt it does. The case features extra cooling that continues past powerdown, like the fan on a 1997 Mercury Sable station wagon.

Reminds me of the Gary Busey Outer Helmet Protector Protector.

MUST watch: ZooZen transforms the 360 into a beauty from a beast [MaxConsole via Hot Blooded Gaming]

1,128 gamers were polled (note: it was a self-selected survey, not a blind study), with 562 owning an Xbox 360, 473 having a PS3 and 591 a Wii. Obviously, some respondents owned more than one console.

The results found that a crushing 60% of 360s had died, while only 16% of PS3s and 6% of Wiis had suffered the same fate. Even worse was the rate of repeat failre: of those who have reported a busted console, 32% say it's happened more than once, with 19% saying it's broken three times or more.

Count me in the latter camp; I've had two red-ringed consoles, and recently got back from my honeymoon to find my third 360's power brick had simply ceased to function, despite the console not being turned on.

Being a self-selected survey, it's likely the actual numbers across the board would be lower, but still; a little less than awful is still awful.

CNET UK's games console reliability survey: 60 per cent of Xbox 360s have broken [CNET]

Now, before we go any further, know this: we have our doubts when it comes to SquareTrade. A third-party warranty provider? Who nobody had ever heard of until they released some selective statistics? This isn't exactly hard science.

Then again, when Microsoft (or major retailers, for that matter) refuse to disclose official figures on the subject, outlets like SquareTrade are all we've got. So take these figures with a grain of salt and jump on in.

Interestingly, to go with the 360 figures, SquareTrade also said that while 23.7% of their 360-owning customer base reported a system failure, only 10% of PS3 users and a miniscule 2.7% of Wii users had any problems.

Xbox 360 'Red Ring of Death' Abating? [IndustryGamers]

Plainly and repeatedly listed as a "faulty Xbox 360" - and that picture isn't deceptive advertising - UK eBayer jonnyandco05's bricked 360 comes to you "modified for better ventilation, with a turbo inlet on the side." Also, "the disk drive has been repositioned for optimal performance at 37 degrees." No doubt by a massive blow to the case.

The seller says the console ringed and he tried to fix it, but his skills weren't up to it. "Sadly, it does have a bit of fire damage and rage damage." But just a bit.

Pros: Has "authentic Microsoft sticker."

Cons: "Some parts are a bit missing, like the on button." I'm sure that's what's preventing it from starting up.

Bidding started at 1 pence, At time of publication, it was up to £6.01. "Please note if you buy this it is sold as faulty, in quite a faulty way," he writes. "But faulty is the new fashion now days so you may become super trendy. no returns, no refunds, no job."

Faulty xbox 360, bargaiiiinnn quite possibly maybe? [ebay.co.uk, thanks James B.]

In a statement to TG Daily, Microsoft said:

Microsoft stands behind the Xbox 360 as a superior entertainment console with one of the best warranties in the industry. We are constantly improving the design, manufacture and performance of the console through extensive testing of potential sources of any problems. Xbox 360 is pleased to maintain the title of 'most played console' and the vast majority of Xbox 360 customers have enjoyed a terrific gaming and entertainment experience since their first day, and continue to, day in and day out.

As always, when you are dealing with a spokesman, it's what's not said that's the story. In this case, Microsoft didn't even take a swipe at Game Informer's survey methodology, or the staggering 54.6 percent figure. in February 2008, they disputed the validity of a report saying the console had a 16 percent failure rate.

Then again, Microsoft probably knows that to continue the who-shot-john over its original motherboard and Falcon designs is to propagate the console's rep as a failboat. Plus challenging someone else's numbers either dredges up ones reported in the past, or creates demands for you to produce your own. Probably best to give it some "superior console" boilerplate and invite the issue to go away.

Microsoft still didn't say anything about the suck-egg customer service numbers - that only 38 percent found theirs helpful.

Microsoft Defends Infamous Red Ring of Death [TG Daily]

In a survey of the print edition of Game Informer, nearly 5,000 readers were surveyed about the consoles. Here's how console failure broke down:

¥ Xbox 360 has a 54.2 percent failure rate
¥ PS3 has a 10.6 percent failure rate
¥ Wii has a 6.8 percent failure rate

But think about it this way: 45.8 percent of Xbox 360s are JUST FINE. The rest? Totally screwed! Worse yet for Microsoft is that only 37.7 percent found Xbox customer service helpful — compared to Sony's 51.1 percent customer service satisfaction and Nintendo's 56.1 percent.

Yet, only 3.8 percent of Xbox 360 owners say that they would never buy another Xbox 360 because of hardware failure. Masochists!

EPIC FAIL (print edition only) [Game Informer via The Consumerist via VG247 Thanks Mugenkits!]

We like the second option better, if only because it shows a little more of that good old pioneering spirit. The kind of spirit Seppun showed, when he took his busted 360, cut it open, drilled some holes, did some wiring and had himself a weighty, fiery new arcade stick.

RRoD Xbox Turned Into the Stupendous Arcade Stick [Gizmodo]

They cite the story of reader Zach, who says:

My Xbox red-ringed for the second time this weekend. Which is almost a relief after hearing how bad my disc drive was sounding, but not so much after hearing the new policy. I was told that Xbox no longer ships out a box to you and you must find a box to ship it out in. Yeah I guess its not a big deal, but I think it gives them another thing to hold over your head; "We are sorry, Sir, but you didn't back it well enough and it appears the damage was due to shipping, we cannot help you."

Sounds ominous. And, given these tough economic times, somewhat plausible, so there's a good chance you may have seen the story doing the rounds earlier today. But Microsoft claim otherwise, telling us:

Reports that Microsoft now requires consumers to find their own packaging for sending product to Xbox 360 customer support are inaccurate. Our policy allows customers to choose whether they would like Microsoft to ship them a box and shipping label or print an electronic label and ship their console using their own packaging in an effort to speed up the repair process.

Sounds like Zach may have got a dud customer service rep. Which, to be fair to him, wouldn't be the first time that happened when trying to contact their god-awful help line.

What about you guys? Have any of you been told to get your own damn box?

Microsoft Tells Broken Xbox Owners To Find Their Own Shipping Boxes [Consumerist]

Ordering online or picking up in the store can be a crapshoot whether you get a Jasper as the new config filters into the supply and they're not in packaging labeled differently, or obviously, from older models.

Here Newegg is offering the Arcade bundle for $199 and calling out its 256MB of internal storage, which is code for OMG TEH JASPER.

If you have $200, in addition to the onboard storage, you'll get a savings on the power usage and a cooler-running machine. And, like, one that won't brick.

Microsoft Xbox 360 Arcade Holiday Bundle 256MB White [Newegg, thanks okenny]

Of course the machine needs to be under warranty (three years for red ring defects, pretty good bet it is) and you should keep your receipts in just such an instance. But if you (or, if it's a gift, whomever gets it) lives near where it was bought, this is loads better than waiting the two weeks to a month to get your refurb unit from Microsoft's brain replacement facility.

This doesn't surprise me, actually. I recall my Dad swapping out a defective chainsaw at a Walmart once, no questions asked. He explained that it was more profitable for them to take on the hassle of a defective, warrantied unit, figuring the customer satisfaction benefit would definitely bring them back and result in word-of-mouth recommendation. Which is what's happening here. So, good on Sam's Club. Anyone know of any other retailers who'll do this for free, tell us in the comments.

Sam's Club Lets You Swap Out Red-Ringed Xbox Hassle-Free [Consumerist]

A lawsuit filed at Sacramento County Superior Court alleges that Microsoft concealed the extent of the RROD problem in order to compete with the Wii and PS3 and contends that the company knew that as many as 50% of the launch consoles were susceptible to the overheating problem.

As well as seeking damages, the suit could force Microsoft to institute a refund programme in the state of California.

Microsoft Hit With California Class Action Lawsuit For Xbox 360 Failures

Robert Delaware, a Microsoft game tester employed by temp agency Excell Data, was let go on Wednesday and is expected to face civil charges from his former employer, according to an update from VentureBeat.

Delaware was the only source at Microsoft to be directly named in the original article. He was quoted by VentureBeat on two separate "red ring of death" scenarios, one that could be triggered by a reproduceable crash , citing NBA 2K6, and another related to dashboard update bugs with Capcom's Dead Rising.

The former game tester says he doesn't regret going on record about his experience with the Xbox 360. "If they want to come after me, bring it on,” Delaware said, in response to assumed impending civil charges.

As VentureBeat points out, it's likely that, in speaking to the press, Delaware violated his terms of employment with VMC, Microsoft and Excell Data and that his termination was legally justified.

Microsoft fires game test contractor who talked to VentureBeat [VentureBeat]

Venture Beat's Dean Takahashi talks to numerous on- and off-the-record sources close to the manufacturing of the Xbox 360, providing insight into how ill-conceived certain aspects of the first-to-launch console were. For example, VB writes that in August of 2005, just prior to launch, some 68% of consoles coming off the assembly line just didn't work.

It's a fascinating read, from the console's early engineering gaffes and compromises, to Microsoft's reluctant admission of defective hardware. Some of it may be familiar territory, but it's a comprehensive look at the console's history, if nothing else.

Xbox 360 defects: an inside history of Microsoft’s video game console woes [Venture Beat]

1. Call 1-800-4-MY-XBOX
2. Get a reference number for your problem as quickly as possible.
3. Hang up and call the escalated support number, 866-506-3826.
4. Talk to someone who knows what they're doing.

UPDATE: Oooh, apparently that Xbox looks mighty like this Xbox. Yeah, not looking so real now. But still very funny.

GTA IV: The Guy Gets 3 Red Rings of Death While Playing on Live Streaming Video [N4G]

As you can see, I have properly memorialized Corey and the four others to pick April 7: (I'm guessing at correct names here, from their email addresses): Mitchell Tai, Joe VanHoudt, Fred Collin and Donald Walen. Corey was randomly drawn from those five. All of their "autographs" now adorn my Xbox case. More than 160 of you entered, and that was just too many to write on my case, but I thank you all. Keep reading after the jump.

What I hope, is that when this thing dies (it will) and I send it back to Mesquite, some tech craps his jumper when he mindlessly swabs it with alcohol and smears Corey's name — complete with bogus 62/100 notation to make it look like a piece of rare memorabilia — then realizes he's just created another PR disaster and commits seppuku. OK, joking about seppuku. But I'm not going to file any kind of info if I have to send this back, just return it, and see what happens. Maybe we can get Microsoft to fly the five to San Mateo to sign a new case.

Because I bet Microsoft has finally gotten the message about this and is tired of being taken publicly to the cleaners for Halo gear and backstage passes to wrestling events.

Oh, it's a factory refurb (no HDMI on it, drat) which is why it got back lightning fast. Hey, if anyone's ever had serial 900497680905 before, I have your 360. Seriously, tell me if that sounds familiar. This could be like the Where's George of gaming consoles.

Thanks to everyone who entered. I think the five on my box should be part of a fake development team. How about "Desert Bus 2K8"

My first instinct was to call b.s., on this, but then I don't know what the hell I am talking about, either in the realm of casemods or electrical engineering. And, clearly, there are holes in the top of the console where he's routed the cooling tubes. So it looks like he gave his 360 a cochlear implant. (Seriously, you ever seen an old geezer with one of those? Looks like Lobot from Star Wars.)

The guy who made this also laid a better heatsink on the power supply. Check the link for pics of that, and more. Now I'm wondering if I can get his phone number.

Watercooled Xbox 360 {Thanks to Michael Hurt]