Text 3202, 113 rader
Skriven 2005-03-19 09:11:24 av Mike '/m' (1:379/45)
   Kommentar till text 3200 av Rich Gauszka (1:379/45)
Ärende: Re: MS coverups continue with Xbox?
===========================================
From: Mike '/m' <mike@barkto.com>


Microsoft admits that there is a defect in the XBox, a defect that can cause a
fire!.  Yet they refuse to fix the defect under warranty, they only agree hide
the defect behind a power line circuit interrupter.

I wonder how long it will take before Microsoft realizes that with the XBox
they have entered into the world of consumer products, a world where you cannot
threaten and bully your customers like Microsoft does with the Windows OEMs.


If I had bought a TV with a tendency to catch fire, I would want the
manufacturer to completely fix or replace the TV.  I would not want them to
give me a fire extinguisher; for if they did, my state consumer protection
agency would be my next stop.

 /m


On Sat, 19 Mar 2005 08:57:55 -0500, "Rich Gauszka" <gauszka@hotmail.com> wrote:

>So according to this story my Xbox console may still fry but with the new
>cable my apartment might not burn down.  Oh joy!
>
>
>http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/03/19/xbox_recall_nofix/print.html
>
>Original URL: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/03/19/xbox_recall_nofix/
>
>After cable recall, Xbox's still frying
>By Andrew Orlowski in San Francisco (andrew.orlowski at theregister.co.uk)
>Published Saturday 19th March 2005 02:19 GMT
>14 million games console owners are still at risk of waking up to find their
>Xbox has become an ex-box. For when Microsoft issued a safety advisory for
>Xbox customers last month, it failed to address the underlying problem.
>
>After several reports of consoles catching fire, Microsoft urged 14 million
>console owners to send in their old power leads for a replacement. But
>hardware experts point out that the power cable was never at root of the
>problem: it simply made the existing problem worse. The meltdown, and
>subsequent fire risk was actually caused by wear and tear on the power
>supply used in early models of the Xbox. The replacement cable featured a
>trip, which cut down the risk of your house catching fire, but left
>unfortunate gamers with a fried console. The chord has an interrupter switch
>that acts like a conventional fuse, tripping power to the unit.
>
>Microsoft's decision to limit its liabilities, rather than address the root
>of the problem, has led to a particularly bizarre situation. Customers who
>don't need to participate being in the program are being shipped an
>identical cable to the one they've got.
>
>Microsoft last month advised console owners to unplug the Xbox from the
>mains, and claimed the risk is only 1 in 10,000.
>
>Ryan, an Xbox modder in Northern California who has disassembled the
>console, confirms that solder on two prongs holding the Foxlink power supply
>in place wear out. The problem affects versions 1.0 and 1.1 of the power
>supply. The design flaw was fixed in subsequent power supplies.
>
>Several other console owners report the same problem, which you can see
>illustrated here
>(http://forums.xbox-scene.com/lofiversion/index.php/t361537.html), with
>advice on some DIY precautionary repairs.
>
>"This was MS's uber-lame attempt at a coverup," writes one Xbox owner.
>
>But is it?
>
>The wording of the FAQ that explains the recall program is at best highly
>ambiguous (http://replacements.webprogram.com/en-us/faqs.asp#Q-1).
>
>"The replacement power cords are designed to protect consumers and their
>Xbox consoles from rare electrical component failures that can pose a fire
>hazard" [our emphasis]
>
>Which doesn't specifically mention that the chord is to blame. However the
>rest of the document, with its heavy emphasis on getting a replacement
>chord, strongly invites the Xbox owner to draw that inference. And only
>genuine power cords will do, we're told.
>
>"Consumers should not expect that surge protectors or power strips are
>suitable substitutes for the replacement power cords being supplied by
>Microsoft," according to the document.
>
>And Microsoft specifically discourages users from returning the unit for a
>repair that would fix the real problem.
>
>"Q. Can I return my Xbox for a full refund or a new console? A. No. The
>replacement power cords are designed to protect you and your Xbox consoles
>from specific component failures and a potential fire hazard. Outside of
>this program, replacement or repair of your console for any other reason
>continues to be subject to the terms and conditions of the warranty.
>
>Xbox owners have been voicing these concerns since late February, but to our
>knowledge, we're the first to English language publication report it]*]. We
>put these questions to Microsoft today.
>
>- Several users report that the v1.0 and v1.1 power supplies, not the cable,
>is to blame for the issue. What's the cause of the Xbox catching fire in
>rare instances?
>
>- Why are users 1.2 and up getting cables when there isn't a problem with
>these later models? Why are they being sent a replacement cable?
>
>We'll let you know as soon as we have a reply. An online petition
>(http://www.petitiononline.com/msxbpcp/petition.html) demanding that
>Microsoft address the root of the problem has gathered over a hundred
>signatures
>

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