MS knew of disk-scratching danger on 360’s even before launch

Tuesday, Dec. 16 2008 | Author: Mel

Reading through my previous posts, I think it is pretty apparent that I have taken Microsoft to task for the shoddy quality of the Xbox 360. I am not in any way a loyal PS3 or Wii user but with money so tight right now, I won’t spring for a console that has a more than 30 percent chance of getting the dreaded RROD or, equally as common, scratching my game disks.

Even though Microsoft has already admitted to the defect on the Xbox 360 by extending the console’s warranty to three years, disk-scratching has remained a problematic thorn on the side of Xbox 360 gamers, so much so that a gamer actually filed a class action suit against Microsoft last year.

Now, new details on the case revealed that the company actually knew about the console’s ability to scratch disks even before it was officially launched in 2005. The culprit seems to be reorienting the unit while a game disk is spinning.

The more disturbing part is that three solutions were given to address the problem but all three were also rejected by the company. The first solution, to increase the magnetic force on the disk was rejected because it would intervene with the operation of the tray. Decreasing the drive rotation would increase load times, and putting bumpers on the tray would mean an additional expense that would total up to $75 million.

Microsoft’s solution was to indicate this damage potential on the manual even though it acknowledged that it would not do much because very few people read manuals.

Microsoft has said in a statement that only one-half of 1 percent complained about disk scratching. But like its initial statement about the RROD, I think the company is downplaying this again. If it’s really as small a number as they have indicated then why do establishments like EB Games sell scratch warranty on Xbox 360 games?

What about you Forever Geek Xbox 360 owners out there? Have you experienced disk scratching on your consoles?

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Category: Games
Tags: Xbox 360

11 Responses for "MS knew of disk-scratching danger on 360’s even before launch"

Johnny Arkham

December 17th, 2008 at 12:29 am
1

Whoa, are you actually giving Microsoft a hassle because their system may scratch a disc if the user moves the system while a disc is spinning?
What’s next, a class action suit against RCA because one might scratch one’s vinyl record if one moves the arm or turntable during use?
C’mon guys…

And we don’t consider it acceptable for them to put this information in their bloody manual because people don’t read them?
They provide a manual…and people don’t read them…so we should sue the company?
This holds about as much water as the spurious law suits which lead to coffee cup lids having to proclaim that the coffee might be hot.

Yeeeesh….
Mel

December 17th, 2008 at 2:38 am
2

Yup, I’m questioning an obvious design flaw.

Do you have a Playstation 2? It also has the same tray-type system as the 360 but try moving the PS2 while the disk is spinning. In fact, try turning it a full 360 degrees and then open the tray. I’ve done it to my Playstation 2 and my game disks are as pristine as ever.

And let me add that the disk scratching is not limited to moving the console. Users have reported scratching their disks when a person moves near the 360 and sets off some kind of vibration through the floor or their TV cabinet.
UnGreat

December 17th, 2008 at 4:59 am
3

I’ve had a RROD but have never had a scratched disc.

Between me and my Brothers we’ve owned four.
Jeff

December 17th, 2008 at 8:00 am
4

I totally agree with Johnny Arkham. I have had the RRoD and MS fixed it as they stated, but never had a scratched disc. Personally, I never move a console while it is on.

I find it hard to believe “walking” by your console will do any damage, b/c I have 3 kids that run and jump all the time by my rack of audio/game equipment while I play games and never once had an issue. Also, when we play DDR, the mat is actually 2 feet from teh rack where the 360 sits, adn you can imagine how much jumping is going on there, especially with my kids doing it.

As much as I am against many of MS’s practices in the computer world, I can’t find MS at fault here.

Next up, lets sue the automakers b/c I was changing my windshield wiper blades while they were on and it scratched my windshield.
Nestor

December 17th, 2008 at 9:27 am
5

I don’t think this is a major issue. I mean, maybe some discs get scratched when you move (read HIT) the console while it’s reading the disc. Anyway, if MS put something related to the disc scratching on the manual, I think that frees them from this lawsuit.

P.S. I’ve had some scratches on my Wii games, should I sue Nintendo for this… Or am I the only one who has experienced this?
Al

December 17th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
6

For crying out loud, that’s a major design flaw. A cheap, $30, obsolete portable CD player can obviously spin and read CDs while being jostled without scratching the disk. Why shouldn’t an expensive hi-tech piece of hardware like the 360 have the same common sense build quality?
Mr Butterscotch

December 17th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
7

I thought the problem was the disc could be scratched if a console was moved with a disc in, whether on or not? I must be completely mistaken. Either way, I think the full story includes the fact that loading times would increase if this rubber part costing 50 cents was fitted. Ergo, I’d rather people just listened to Microsoft, loading times can be too long at the best of times.
Josh

December 17th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
8

Al is right, that’s a huge design flaw. When I spend $300+ dollars on a brand new game system, it better not stop working one day for no reason 6 months later, which was the case with me. Completely useless. A red ring, and nothing else. No game would play. Microsoft wouldn’t do shit for me either. 3 times I tried to get a box. They deserve to be sued. Eventually had to sell the thing for a couple of PS2 games.
Shawn

December 17th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
9

I’ve never had a scratched disk, but I’ve had the RRoD and a faulty optical drive w/ mine. It really didn’t bother me at all because it was replaced free of charge by M$ within two weeks. This was not the case w/ my PS2. I went through three of those during the last generation of consoles. I’m not the only one either. Most of my friend’s PS2s crapped out at some point as well and I’ve always wondered why it didn’t get all of this negative publicity that the 360 has. The reason was it simply had the best games. Look, my Gamecube never failed on me, but I wouldn’t have suggested anyone get it over a PS2 for that reason.

I believe the amount a system gets played is directly proportional to the likely-hood of hardware failure. I have a PS3 as well and it has been hardware failure free, but still a failure overall. I just sits there collecting dust (minus some quality time w/ MGS4, Uncharted, and R&C), so I’ll never be able to tell how well it will hold up after hours-upon-hours of use. I do, however, have a friend who’s PS3 went kaput and he had to shell out $150 for repairs. . .

Bottom line is, I’m not loyal to any company. I’ve owned systems by Nintendo, Sega, NEC, Sony, Neo Geo, Atari, Coleco, Amiga, Mattel (Intellivision), etc. I’m a gamer first and foremost and to me, Xbox 360 just has the best games this generation.

Flame on.
mychal975

December 22nd, 2008 at 3:37 am
10

You guys say its not problem and its the users fault.. But in the ultimate result its the companies fault for not taking that extra measure to make sure there uses are safe from CD damages.. Now lets talk about natural disasters like earth quake lets say im playing my 360 and thiers an earth quake well what ever game is in it wont be worth anything when its over.

Email me at mychal975@hotmail.com
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11

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