Tiny Diggers – An iPad Construction Truck Game for Kids Age 2-5

As most readers know, my 360 went belly up a few weeks ago, along with every other gaming device I own. Well, I started to do some research over what the process entailed and how long it would take to get it back, but it seemed like no one really had all the steps down as to what happens to a returned Xbox 360. So I decided to log the entire event and make it available for all of the readers, so they have a mini-guide for what to expect from the whole return process.

Obviously the beginning of the journey must start with this unfortunate sign. Yes, three flashing red lights that basically state that your Xbox 360 has just checked out for good. You can try the almighty towel trick, but it has its risks, including the possibility of lighting your house on fire. But the process begins as a relatively easy one. You can go online to Xbox.com and login using your Xbox LiveID. You then just go to Support and choose the option to send in your Xbox. The scary part about this is that even though you want to send it in for a RROD fix, it will show your console out of warranty. It is just a technical thing, so you don’t have to sweat it. At this point, they will issue you a box, which is kindly referred to as “the coffin”. You can also call to get the tracking number for this box, if you are so inclined. It will take about five days to get to you from the day it leaves the Microsoft dock.

By the way, the Xbox support team, if you decide to call them, will have you do a couple of troubleshooting items, including removing and reattaching the hard drive (if your console has one), removing and reattaching the power cord, and making sure that the console is not plugged into a surge protector. The last one sounds funny, but the reasoning is because that huge power brick is actually a surge protector as well, so you are suppose to plug the unit directly into the wall. They will also ask what color the light is on the power brick when you turn the console on. If it isn’t green, you don’t get a warranty repair.

After five days, the return box showed up at my house. Inside were a plastic bag to wrap the system in, two foam cushions to put on the ends of the Xbox 360, a UPS label for return shipping, an instruction guide for how to pack the unit, and finally, a piece of packing tape to reseal the box. The big deal here is that you might want to include the service ticket inside the box, just in case something should happen along the way. Once it is packed, write down the tracking number, so you can follow the shipment. Take it to any UPS dropoff point and start the waiting process.

My console took exactly five days to reach McAllen, TX. This is where all red ring Xbox 360′s go. The repair process is not all that well known. Some say that they fully repair the Xbox that comes in, while others get refurbished units. Some are lucky enough to get new units as replacements, but this is normally only if the console has been sent back a numerous amount of times for a customer. The process is suppose to take two buisness days before it is fixed, but mine was announced as shipping back to me within one day of arriving at the repair center. You can call for the return tracking number, or go to the website and look up the tracking number for the package.

When the box returned from Microsoft, it included an instruction leaflet on how to reconnect a wireless controller to a new console. This did not apply to me as they sent back what looked to be the same console, but more on that in a minute. The console also had a letter of apology, and as you see, a one month card for Xbox Live. Unfortunately, if you have more than one gold account, you will have to call Xbox support and deal with a long wait before getting an extra one month code.

Now the serial number on the back of the box matches what I sent out, but it does not appear to be the exact same unit. My box has a new DVD drive, because it no longer sounds like an aircraft is taking off when playing games. Also, from the back of the unit, it looks like a whole new heat sink is inside the unit. Not sure if that means it is still 90nm, or if it is one of those new swapped out 65nm boards. Either way, the thing runs way quieter, and is a lot cooler than before. This is no guarantee about how your unit will come back, but it shows me that Microsoft is probably putting a lot more into these units when they come back. Most likely to cut down on returns, but I could not say with any sense of certaincy.

But that is the full circle process that an Xbox 360 will go through whenever you send it in. I think I did well as my total lost time was 21 days. I would recommend that you take pictures of everything and document anyone that you talk to. Microsoft is a big company, so it is always possible that things can happen. The more notation and documentation you have, the easier it is to resolve problems. If your process has differed, comment in the forums or in the comments of this thread. The more knowledge we can spread to the people, the beter. But for now, it is back to Burnout Paradise and Rock Band…at least until my PC comes back online.