Xbox 360 update producing disc-read errors

Microsoft recently issued a minor firmware update for the Xbox 360 that is causing problems for a limited number of the consoles. According to a statement provided to GameSpot, Microsoft has "become aware of an issue that is preventing a very small number of Xbox 360 owners from playing retail game discs."

The problem causes users to receive a "disc unreadable" or "disc unsupported" error after inserting a disc into the console. According to Microsoft, it is caused by "a change in the disc reading algorithms in a recent software update and is not specific to older or newer versions of Xbox 360." Those suffering from the error should contact Microsoft through www.xbox.com/support/contact so the company can verify if the console has been impacted via Xbox Live. If the problem is confirmed, owners of ailing 360s will receive complimentary new units.

One thing that Microsoft is adamant is not causing the disc-read errors is the ongoing beta that is laying the groundwork for an upcoming new disc format. That update doesn't go live until later in the week, possibly as early as tomorrow.

"The console replacement plan that is the subject of some of today’s headlines is related to a previous update, NOT the system update that has been in public beta and will be deployed shortly," said Xbox Live director of programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb in a statement. (Emphasis in the original.) "The new disc format that is part of the beta has been rigorously tested across all Xbox 360 models and there are no known compatibility issues."