Microsoft taking no chances with replacement Xbox power cords
By Peter Rojas 
posted Feb 23rd 2005 4:40AM
posted Feb 23rd 2005 4:40AM
The last Xbox power cord had a
nasty habit of, you know, getting a little toasty, but
Microsoft isn't taking any chances with any of the 14 million replacement cords they're going to have to ship out. This
one comes laden with warning labels, including one that gives you a toll-free number to call if the light on it flashes
or doesn't turn on when you press the reset button, and another one you're supposed to put on your Xbox that reads:
"This Xbox Protection Cord disconnects power to the Xbox console if it detects an electrical problem." Which is
probably going to only happen in the middle of some marathon Halo 2 action.
[Thanks, Scott]
HA! This thing looks like my wifes blowdryer. All it needs is "Do not use the XBOX while in the shower" with those little drawings of the guy getting electrocuted with a red X.
Strangely it seems everyone has recieved a different cord...one guy got a cord with no controller box thing, and the one I got has a sleeker looking control box :-P
here's my new power cord: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v362/felixme2k1/IMG_0723.jpg
The one I got has no box, just looks like a beefier version of the old cord with a resistor thingy on it... I got it quick too! They aren't messing around with this.
Looks like the lawyers have once again swooped down on Redmond and saved the day - well, saved the parent company from future litigation, at the very least.
I've got to say I'm impressed with Microsoft's proactive management of this issue. They've communicated exceptionally well throughout this period. In doing so, they've shown they get the consumer mindset. Nicely done.
Carmi
http://writteninc.blogspot.com
Not only is the Xbox console a behemoth, the power cable is as well! ;-)
That is the coolest power cable ever.
"That is the coolest power cable ever."
Don't you mean scariest power cable ever?
There is obviously a problem with the power supply if Microsoft is sending out such a beast. My guess is that it since the problem is power cable overheating (or causing fires), the design flaw is that the power supply doesn't have enough juice to power the XBox. I guess thats what happens when you design hardware so quickly.
Well it definitely makes it tougher to fit into a surge protector alongside all of my other power cords.
Not sure its the same usue, but It would seem to be a pretty common problem with cords like the one on the xbox. HP had a recall on a similar style power cord at least once. Microsoft makes it harded to get the replacment. I got 5 or 10 of them from HP:)
Early model Xboxes have the powerjack soldered onto the motherboard only attached with the 2 pins for the power. If it gets plugged in & out a lot and moved around, these eventually cause the solder to break and it arcs. Newer models have rivets holding the jack in place.
I am a reporter with the Press of AC in NJ. I am working on a story concerning the power cords and I would like to talk to some people who have gotten new cords or experienced problems, preferably from NJ. my email address is jrenshaw@pressofac.com.
Thanks
It seems that MS is using the serial numbers that people enter to determine the power-supply in the consoles, and shipping the big replacement cords to those with the older foxlink ones, and giving regular cords to those without. Microsoft found a cheaper way of covering their butt than replacing the faulty power-supplies in some consoles, by shipping power cords with huge GFI switches in them. So, if your PSU fries your xbox, it will not burn your house down. But you will be left with an xbox that is toast. That's great peace of mind for the end users.
http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=361537
Plug one end of a traditional power cord in the wall and instead of plugging the other end into your xbox just leave it sitting around for junior to stick in his mouth.
The brick on the end is called a GFI and props to Microsoft for putting an important safety device on something used by children.
"marathon Halo 2 action."
There's a Marathon mod for Halo 2? OMG!
=P
I received my power cord in 4 days i think (i dont remember when i ordered it) but mine has no box, its just slightly wider than the one i had and the plug is alot stiffer and expensive feeling. Also mine just came in a bubble wrap envelope :( Also my manual was different (obviously, for the fifferent cord types) It just showed the difference between the regular cord and the new one and then explained it again in spanish.
Oh well, The power for my Xbox goes through a UPS then a Surge Protector. So im fine.
We have two xbox's. And, we received two different power cords. One looks just like the one pictured above. The other is beefier normal cord. The only problem is, I'm not 100% sure which one is intended for which xbox. Microsoft didn't include anything in the packaging indicating serial numbers or anything.