3 Red Lights: Live Blogging Xbox 360 Support

This website is in no way affiliated with Microsoft. If your Xbox or Xbox 360 is broken, call 1-800-4-my-Xbox and set up a repair claim with them. Do not email me about your broken console 'cause mine is broken too.

So my 4 month old Xbox rolls over and dies.

The pretty green flashing lights of a working console were now evil and red. It all started when I downloaded the new TMNT trailer in 720p and Nicole asked if we could play LEGO Star Wars. As soon as I hit the "Play LEGO Star Wars", I knew something wasn't right. So I have Nicole look up the "3 red lights" and all it gives her is to restart it, unplug everything including the power brick and reboot, and take the harddrive off and reboot, none of which worked.

So I end up calling Xbox 360 Support (1-800-469-9269 or 4myXbox)

##transfer from operator
## 10 seconds of air and static
Me: Hello??
XS: Yes, hello, thank you for calling Xbox support how can I help you?
Me: Yes, I'm have my Xbox flashing three red lights at me.
XS: Three red lights? And this is the 360 console not the original Xbox?
Me: Yes.
XS: Ok. ##gets name and address## Let me look up your account.

##30 seconds go by

Me: Hello?
XS: Yes, sorry for the inconvenience. I'm still looking up your account.
Me: Oh, ok.

##10 more seconds

XS: Okay we have your 360 here, Gold membership, I don't see that it is registered.
ME: Ok (knowing I registered it)
XS: Did you try restarting the console?
ME: Yes, I tried all three steps that the website suggested.

##10 seconds go buy

XS: Uhhhh...did you try unplugging the power supply?
ME: Yes, that was on the website. I did try that.

##15 more seconds.

XS: Well if that is case I need to create a repair order and give you an address to mail it to Texas.
ME: Uhg. OK
XS: Let me check...

XS: On the outside of the box, Repair Center, 5700 South International Parkway, Door 18, McAllen, TX, 78503.
ME: Ok
XS: I'm really sorry this is happening. You need to supply your own box. Please don't put that there is an Xbox on it because that is a security safety measure.

##Get stolen in the mail? OMFG!!

ME: Ok
XS: You have 30 days to send it in or we will dismiss your claim.
ME: Will you give me that claim information?
XS: Yes, I will give you that. Do know when you purchased your 360?
ME: Yes, I have that, can you hold on?
XS: Yes, I will wait for you.

##I catch up on this liveblog in retaliation for being on hold and get my receipt, which I can't find. He's actually nice, just slow. I swore I registered it when I got home.

ME: Okay, I can't find it.
XS: Ok, that is okay. Let me create the service ticket for you. I can put you on hold for two minutes?
ME: Yes.
XS: I'm sorry for all the incovenience. Thank you for holding.

##Much more than two minutes later
##Nicole's brain conjures up the exact date when we bought and why were in NJ

XS: Thanks for waiting. We created the service ticket created and registered your console. Here is your reference number...
ME: Ok.
XS: Yes sir. It was really great that you went online to try to fix that problem. You can use that again if you ever need to. I hope that I met your needs today?
ME: Yes, thank you.

##more bullshit service talk

XS: Thank you, have a good day.

So it wasn't too painful to call. And I shouldn't say it's unexpected. My GameCube had a problem not quite as long into the ownership than the 360 did. I guess this crap happens. But when you pay $500 for a console and a game and a controller, you really wish that shit was cemented in concrete. It sorta feels like it is already.

And to clarify, I never move my 360. I never turn it while it's on. I took the cabinet door off my entertainment center to help it cool. I even put the power brick on top of the cabinet to get it even more air. This thing is pampered.