uhh... I don't really get the troll comment.. My guess would be that you're a teenager, so I'll forgive you.

Anyway,  google "xbox 360 towel trick" and you will see what I'm talking about. Again, it sounds crazy - and if my intention was to keep my 360, I probably would not have done it. But I did, and it worked. Again, I don't know if this fix is permenant, because I admit to not knowing what exactly it does. I had nothing to lose. I was out of warranty, and I believed MS would probably just send me another refurbished 360 anyway, not my own after "repairing" it. You can speculate after reading up on it yourself. I'm not endorsing wrapping your console in a towel and turning it on; I'm just telling you what I did after reading about this online.

If you're offended by the facts, well, I guess you'll just have to be offended. The long list of people who have had their 360 die cannot be ignored.

Here's an interesting question: When you get you're console back, does MS explain exactly what was wrong with it, what they "fixed"?........... I doubt it.

First, thanks to all those who offered advice on my broken 360.

As carzy as this sounds, I tried the "towel trick" and it worked! You can believe this or not, but this absurd trick really does work, and I was playing GRAW2 again right afterward. This adds a new dimension to my dilema.

I'm gonna call MS in the a.m. and see if I can cancel my repair and have them credit my card. However, I don't know how long this "trick" will last, and this experience has left my faith in this MS product deeply shaken.

Now, my choices are as follows:

1. Turn in this 360 and my 12 games, and buy a PS3. (I know I'm gonna take a serious hit with the games)

2. Turn in the 360, keep the games, buy the 360 Elite, and pray that it will be more reliable than the older 360 - and I have no idea if it will be, or why it would be.

3. Just keep my 360 until it dies again, and take it from there.

I think the biggest hit I will take is with the games. I think Gamestop will give my $27.00 for GRAW2, but not sure on the others (Saint's Row, PGR3, Gears of War, NBA 2K7, .......) We'll see what happens with MS on the phone in the morning.

After 14 months of problem-free ownership, my Xbox 360 died a sudden death yesterday morning. After experiencing the 3 lights from hell, I jumped on the 'net and researched this topic for a couple of hours. What I found (and tell me if I'm wrong here) is that I'm definitely NOT alone. I read time after time of people on their 2nd or 3rd Xbox 360.

 I did what everyone else did - I called Microsoft, went through the menu, and decided that they had me in a corner. I'm dishing out the $140.00, and my package will be here soon, I guess. The rep told me the replacement will come with a 1 year warranty. 

Like everyone else, I've considered my options.

If I keep it, it would seem I have at least a year to enjoy the replacement. If it dies within the year, I can always send it back - and get my 3rd 360....... just seems crazy to keep a piece of equipment that you know will probably breakdown.

What I'm seriously considering is selling the replacement (along with the 12 games I own) on ebay, and purchasing a PS3.

Tell me what you think. Please no BS PS3/Xbox "fanboy" comments either way. I'm not a fan either way - for or against any game or system. I buy what I'll use and just try to get my money's worth - this is not about PS3 vs. 360. Just give me your honest opinion about whether the 360 is worth keeping MORE than the PS3.

I know either way I'm taking a hit. I don't mind taking the hit if in the end I'm gonna have a reliable product that I can enjoy.

 Thanks.

I just suffered the dreaded 3 red lights from hell yesterday morning. My 360 died a sudden death right before my eyes, and I'm sitting here considering my next move.

 As my 360 was past the warranty period (14 months) I have already contact Microsoft and I'm gonna dish out the 140.00 to have it repaired/replaced.

Right after it died, I jumped on the net and researched this whole topic on the "reliability" of the 360. What a joke. I was told by the Microsoft Rep that my refurbished 360 would come with a 1 year warranty - at least it's something.

Anyway, I have noticed many people claiming to be on their 2nd or 3rd 360, and I'm wondering exactly why. Is it because you can't stand to take the loss if you sold it or traded it in at gamestop? I think what I'm gonna do is sell my system on ebay when the refurbished one gets here. Will I take a hit? Of course. I have 12 games, all which I bought brand new, including GRAW2 Gears of War. But I just can't stand the thought of another 360 breaking down on my.

So, I think I'll get as much as I can for the 360 and my games, and purchase a PS3. I'm not happy to do it, but it just seems like there is no real hope of Microsoft fixing this problem long term.

I would caution you to seriously consider purchasing the 360. Of course, when it's working it's a fantastic system. And, as someone else has stated there is the issue of exlusive games.

 That being said, the 360 as built quite a reputaiton for being unreliable and breaking down. Do your own research if you don't believe me and check it out for yourself. There are many people out there on their 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Xbox 360. I myself an currently waiting to recieve my package from Microsoft to send them my 360 for repairs.

I know it's just one opinion, but as soon as I have mine back (or the refurbished one their going to send me) I'm selling it along with the HD and the 12 games I have for it, and I'm purchasing a PS3.

BTW, how long have you had the PS3, and have you had any problems with it or have heard from others who have had their PS3 just "Die" the way the 360's do.........