XBox 360 woes continue

The Register reports: [edited]

Microsoft is taking a $1bn hit to fix Xbox 360s, conceding residual hardware faults in its games console are causing users frustration and an "unacceptable number of repairs."

The software giant is now extending the Xbox 360's current one-year warranty to three years from date of purchase to cover a hardware crash that generates a trio of red warning lights, branded "the red ring of death." Microsoft is also reimbursing customers who've previously paid for repairs.

Additionally, Microsoft admitted the Xbox 360 has failed to hit its planned target of 12 million units sold by the end of June - chief financial office Chris Liddell said 11.6 million devices had sold since the November 2005 launch. The 12 million number had already been cut in January from between 13 million and 15 million.

Microsoft has taken increasing flak on the Xbox 360, not simply because the hardware is copping out at such a high frequency, but also for poor Microsoft customer service.

30 per cent of Xbox 360's are estimated to overheat heat and fail.
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