Unfreezing The Xbox 360

[madmaxplay]

I don't know what Microsoft had in mind when is designed this...Godzilla-like adapter. Probably the guys in charge of the Xbox 360 have a rather peculiar understanding of the phrase "size does count". In any case, looks like this oversized thing is what's really causing all the problems experienced by the console.

So, if you don't want to send your console back to Microsoft for service just yet, here's two possible solutions to this problem: 1) found by a very inventive gamer, who posted some pictures of his improvised power adapter cooling system on the GameSpot forum, or 2) the fan stand from Pelican Accesories. One of them has got to work.

Playfuls article (http://www.playfuls.com/news_3984_Unfreezing_The_Xbox_360.html)

[Wonka]

My 360 is fine. My godzilla adapter is on the floor and has not needed to be propped up on anything. The main unit pumps a fair amount of piping hot air out the back though. It would probably be wise to plan on placing your units in a well ventilated area instead of on a small airtight space.

[Varsity]

I read about somebody else who got it working by suspending it in air.

Could well be that the crashes are because people are putting the adapters in hot/unventilated places.

[Kelegacy]

MS must have performed extensive testing on the brick, so if you place it on the carpet it's liable not to burn your house down...right? I don't have a 360, but I'm assuming that they tried to cover their asses better after the last power cord problem.

[Beelzebud]

Reason #2 for why i'm waiting at least a year to get one of these.

I waited almost a year to get my Xbox as well.

#1. Price. It will come down in 12 months time. I'm not spending 400 dollars on it.
#2. Bugs. Let them work out the bugs, and I'll buy a Revision 2 or 3 Xbox360.

[One Sick, Sick Six]

Don't wait TOO long though, I always say. Else you get a revised PS2 that doesn't even play some of its own games.

Could the brick become smaller someday too?

[Babbster]

Could the brick become smaller someday too?

If Microsoft is serious about longevity for this console, they'll probably have a redesign within the next two years with smaller internals (and maybe a next-gen optical drive) generating less heat and requiring less power so they can move the power supply back into the case.

As for this particular problem, I've got to believe that it's a bad batch of the "bricks." That's the only thing that could explain some people having no problems and other people fixing their problems by repositioning the power supply.

[SPBTooL]

Several of the problems thought to be caused by the power supply were fixed by cleaning all the contacts.
I also have my brick sitting on my carpeted floor behind my center and I have had no issues with it.
It also seems to me that the amount of people complaining about problems is far fewer than man launches in the past. There sure is allot less than I would be expecting from the first production run.

[F3nyx]

Don't just copy-paste entire articles into the news post. Use the quote tag if you're quoting.

[netcraazzy]

Just went and felt my "power log" as I've affectionately named it and it seems to be slightly warm but nowhere near what I would call "overheating." I've had my 360 on for about 3-4 hours now and the AC adapter sits on the floor behind a trash can at the moment.

I do have to say that the power cord and adapter has got to be the biggest of it's sort I've ever seen. The large plug that goes into the back of the 360 alone is quite odd and gives you the impression that you are hooking up some sort of power gobbling monster appliance. It had kind of ruined the whole "feel" of the console and I honestly would like to know the technical reasons behind why it's so frigging large.

[jspeak32]

Yea, these complaints seem more widespread than they really are, for the fact that the people with WORKING 360's aren't saying anything. If everyone whose 360 worked fine said "Mine works fine", that would outweigh the number of people who said "Mine locks up"

P.S. Mine works fine :)

Several of the problems thought to be caused by the power supply were fixed by cleaning all the contacts.
I also have my brick sitting on my carpeted floor behind my center and I have had no issues with it.
It also seems to me that the amount of people complaining about problems is far fewer than man launches in the past. There sure is allot less than I would be expecting from the first production run.

[jspeak32]

I don't see how that could ruin the "feel" of the console..its just a plug.
I always considered the quality of the games and the capabilities of the system to contribute to the "feel" of a console.

P.S. So far I've been playing Kameo more than anything. I rented Condemned and wow, that game is great...although a little gruesome, its best played in short sessions...I always have to go back to Kameo to cheer myself back up :)


Just went and felt my "power log" as I've affectionately named it and it seems to be slightly warm but nowhere near what I would call "overheating." I've had my 360 on for about 3-4 hours now and the AC adapter sits on the floor behind a trash can at the moment.

I do have to say that the power cord and adapter has got to be the biggest of it's sort I've ever seen. The large plug that goes into the back of the 360 alone is quite odd and gives you the impression that you are hooking up some sort of power gobbling monster appliance. It had kind of ruined the whole "feel" of the console and I honestly would like to know the technical reasons behind why it's so frigging large.

[Twigz'N'Berries]

I don't see how that could ruin the "feel" of the console..its just a plug.
I always considered the quality of the games and the capabilities of the system to contribute to the "feel" of a console.

P.S. So far I've been playing Kameo more than anything. I rented Condemned and wow, that game is great...although a little gruesome, its best played in short sessions...I always have to go back to Kameo to cheer myself back up :)]
You hit the nail on the head...Condemned is sick, twisted fun. It actually made me jump when one of the enemies surprised me from behind. With surround sound, it actually made me jump like i was being attacked. If you have a 360, you have to get this game. The arguments that the game is short are lost on me. I haven't finished it yet, but this is one of those games that you feel immersed in. So far, the time issue isn't an issue.
Oh, he is right. This is the type of game you play a level at a time...then take a breather with a kinder, gentler game.

I'm really starting to get into the PD0. But, it sucks that you have start from the beginning of a level if you die and want your game ranked.

[netcraazzy]

I don't see how that could ruin the "feel" of the console..its just a plug.
I always considered the quality of the games and the capabilities of the system to contribute to the "feel" of a console.


Yes the games make or break a system, we've heard that mantra countless times before. I am not unhappy with my Xbox 360, even with the higher prices compaired to previous generations I still think it's a good deal considering how much fun I'm having with it. But, just to prove my point, why do you think so many people are dying to own an ipod? I can assure you it's not because the iPod has better music, and although iTunes is pretty slick you don't need an iPod to use iTunes. The image, look, feel and first impressions have a significant impact on how people view consumer electronics and I just think that the power brick on the 360 detracts from the overall experiance of the system when you are hooking it up for the first time. I'm sure some people really don't care but there are enough people talking about it on the internet to suggest that some people do.

[jspeak32]

Yes, you are right about why people want an iPod. Image, look, and feel. Even though there are other mp3 players out there that are just as small and do the exact same thing, you are "cool" seen in public displaying an iPod.
But I always thought us hardcore gamers were smarter than that. Are we buying a video game system because its "cool", and owning one will make us look "cool"? I hope not. Yes, the look and design of the system is an added bonus, but, did that stop us from buying the original Xbox? If anything stopped you from buying an Xbox, fine, but I hope the reason wasn't just because of the design.
Most people that do care about "look" of a system won't even know about this power brick until they've already purchased it and its too late. MS isnt going to display the power brick on commercials. Does iPod display their power adapter on commercials? Nope. That's an accessory they'd rather you not think about when buying something.
When you go to Best Buy/whatever to look at a 360 kiosk, the power brick is always well hidden.
The people that only care about look and design of a system are probably not reading forums, I would say they get their information from tv commercials, retails stores, ads in non-video game magazines.
The people that DO know about the power brick are probably more likely to read forums, but also are the same people that are purchasing a system for the right reasons: the games and the system's functionality.

And if you're wondering if I like/hate the power brick or not, i don't care. It sits behind my entertainment center, and its out of sight, out of mind. With my surround sound and other devices connected, it fits right in with the demon that has manifested itself from the entanglement of cables back there.
What is on display for people to see in my living room is the Xbox360 itself, and I think it looks good and really is all that matters when judging the systems design. Plus since my controllers are wireless, there aren't controller cables wrapped up on top/beside of the system while its not in use, thus resulting in a more "clean" and simple look to the system. I think people that see this and only judge it by it looks will certainly buy one, if they saw it in somebody's house.

Yes the games make or break a system, we've heard that mantra countless times before. I am not unhappy with my Xbox 360, even with the higher prices compaired to previous generations I still think it's a good deal considering how much fun I'm having with it. But, just to prove my point, why do you think so many people are dying to own an ipod? I can assure you it's not because the iPod has better music, and although iTunes is pretty slick you don't need an iPod to use iTunes. The image, look, feel and first impressions have a significant impact on how people view consumer electronics and I just think that the power brick on the 360 detracts from the overall experiance of the system when you are hooking it up for the first time. I'm sure some people really don't care but there are enough people talking about it on the internet to suggest that some people do.

[Silversmith]

Well say if you power brick is now not working and your warrenty ran out:
a) Could you buy and extra one at the store?
b) How much does it cost. (It's the third most costly part on the 360 IMHO. Next to
the CPU and GPU)

[jspeak32]

Well, let me say this:
What if MS placed the power brick in the actual system, like the original xbox and ps2? And then what would happen if it wasn't working? You'd have to worry about the entire system rather than just the power brick cable.

Well say if you power brick is now not working and your warrenty ran out:
a) Could you buy and extra one at the store?
b) How much does it cost. (It's the third most costly part on the 360 IMHO. Next to
the CPU and GPU)