BBC Watchdog reignites Xbox 360 disc-scratching issue

Posted Mar 24, 2009 at 9:50AM by QJ Staff Listed in: Xbox 360 Tags: BBC, Microsoft, Watchdog
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BBC tackles 360 disc scratching issue, Microsoft responds - Image 1Although the initial outrage at the Xbox 360 disc-scratching problem has died down somewhat, BBC is bringing the issue back to the attention of the public with a feature in their consumer awareness program, Watchdog.

The general tone of the feature accuses Microsoft of not taking care of its customers or its own product. They did their own investigation of the issue by subjecting the console to numerous levels of vibrations.

They found that older versions of the Xbox 360 were so sensitive that the "shock vibration" of "placing a heavy book down" is enough to scratch the disc. You can imagine how games physical games like Guitar Hero will quickly become problematic. However, they do note that newer versions of the 360 "passed with flying colours."

When they contacted Microsoft for comment, they found that the company was "unwilling to admit there's any such problem." Says Microsoft:

Microsoft reaffirms its longstanding position that it's not been able to ascertain any defect in the Xbox 360 console that causes concentric gouges (that is, 'scratching') on discs when a console is in a stationary position.


Indeed, despite extensive testing and examination under static operating conditions, Microsoft has never been able to reproduce the concentric gouge that causes disc readability problems or find any such defect in consoles returned by consumers for examination. It's only with the movement of a console that such 'disc scratching' may occur.


[...] A very small fraction of our customers have contacted us about disc scratching. For those customers, Microsoft offers online support tools and call-in centre support.


Uhuh. Heard that before.



Related Articles:


Via BBC

 
 
 

Comments [refresh]

by roaddog1088 - 2009-03-24 04:22
» wow...

wow.... microsoft not taking care of their consumer...... i dont believe it =P

by Adamchrisp - 2009-03-24 05:45
» lol

Cant stand either company, both are full of tw**s and charge for something that should be free

by deadlyangel91792 - 2009-03-24 06:34
» oh yeah the 360 -_-

i remember my 360 got it at launch i only had it for like 3 months it started with the disc scratching and ended with a red ring im glad i bought a ps3 i got my ps3 at its launch and its still working perfect,60 gig ps3 with upgraded 160 gig hard drive and full BC,Microsoft should really start taking care of its buyers i no longer like the 360 system itself but the games are good just not enough to make me buy a new one

by Flamesack112 - 2009-03-24 12:11
» My 360 was doing the same thing

So I lied to MS tech support and said it had the RRoD.

Twas fixed in two weeks. Of course that would be my third 360 =/

by jesuschristmonkeyballs - 2009-03-24 13:06
» .

That guy on Watchdog goes through loads of female co-presenters, i think he must punch them when the cameras are off or touch them

by yourmistakes - 2009-03-24 13:08
» screw microsoft

screw them and their smart ass lawyers. i think the antitrust act needs an upgrade.

by jesuschristmonkeyballs - 2009-03-24 13:31
» .

I've had an xbox 360 since january 2006 (i think), and have really liked playing games on it and socialising, but i'm very slowly going off it, hearing now that PS3 will be getting voice chat etc. But i know way too many people who have xbox 360s on my friends list, so will probably stick with MS. I'm only on my second 360 by the way, you just need to be more careful with it, maybe put it on a softer surface like a carpet or a stack of games which almost act like suspension. Worked for me, haven't had a disc scratch since.

by rollypoly - 2009-03-24 15:36
» bah...

i've owned many diff 360s and none of them have ever scratched a disc...



one of my friends trashed his copy of oblivion when someone kicked over his 360... but that is the only case i've heard of among all my friends who own 360s.



it may just be that they are all adults and take care of expensive equipment, by that's purely speculation...

by nikko03 - 2009-03-24 16:07
» hey jesuschristmonkeyballs...

no! lol that is very bad.. electrical equipment and carpet are not friends..you are just asking for a RRoD lol

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