Microsoft Xbox 360 is a console for mainly younger generation, and it was an excellent choice to launch it and unveil it on MTV, because their target audience is the exact same one that buys gaming equipment. After premiering on MTV on May 12th 2005, the console was shown later that month to all gamers and gadget lovers, at the Electronic Entertainment Expo.

Once the console was launched, it sold out in a very short notice. For less than 4 years, more than 31 million units have been sold all over the world. Microsoft Xbox 360 is available in 2 sub categories. One is called Arcade (and the improved version of Arcade is Xbox 360 Pro or simply Go Pro) and the second version is Elite. Each of these two sub versions has its own line of accessories and is very popular among the gamers and gadget fans.

Hardware, accessories and software (dashboard)

Hardware

The main unit of Microsoft Xbox 360 can be found in 2 versions: black and white. White one is officially called Arctic Chill. Its main feature is (positioned on top) a port to which you can attach a 20, 60 or 120 GB hard drive unit. Microsoft Xbox 360 has (as a CPU) IBM designed Xenon – triple core; and each core can process 2 threads at once. ATI Xenos handles all graphic processing and has excellent 10 MB (eDRAM). Main memory pool of Microsoft Xbox 360 is 512 MB.

Accessories

Microsoft Xbox 360 has a wide range of accessories: wired controllers and wireless models, faceplates (can be customized), headsets and webcams for audio/video chat, dance mats and Gamercize for physical exercise, memory cards (three different sizes), and hard drives also in three size varieties (120 GB, 60 GB and 20 GB). Each item mentioned above is styled perfectly to fit the Microsoft Xbox 360 console.

Software – Dashboard

Original graphical interface for the Microsoft Xbox 360 was the Xbox 360 Dashboard. It is a tabbed interface with five (it was four before) Blades originally designed by AKQA. The user could select what will the console do if there is a game in the tray, or if inserted when already on. Simplified versions of dashboard were developed along the way.

At the end of 2008, dashboard was changed from Blade version of interface to a new edition known as the new Xbox experience or simply NXE. Latest update was made to the Dashboard very recently on September 23rd 2009.

Xbox 360 troubleshooting is an answer to all the possible problems that you may come across while using your Xbox 360. The three primary errors that the users normally face are the red ring of death, disc reading errors and system overheating.

One of the most common problems is the appearance of three red lights, popularly known as the red ring of death. It’s actually a signal that the Xbox 360 is in trouble. However, when you come across this problem it is not always easy to get a ready solution.

In spite of being a powerful and technically advanced system, the Xbox 360 does get overheated over extended periods of play. When this happens users are intimated about the problem via the Xbox 360 overheating sign. Xbox 360 troubleshooting for such a problem can be done by placing the system in a cooler environment helping it to ventilate the heat in open air.

In addition, you may also be intimated by three red lights not necessarily for overheating but as a result of loose cable connection. Always keep in mind to switch off power before making an attempt to check the cables.

Some of the things that are essential for a successful Xbox 360 troubleshooting are a basic knowledge and understanding of the Xbox 360 system, and a set of basic electric tools like screwdrivers and solders.

By now, you must have gained a fair idea about Xbox 360 troubleshooting guide. Basically, these are tutorials and guidelines mostly in form of video or text to help you detect and solve problems associated with an Xbox console. It is generally priced around $20-$30 and is available mostly through online sources. The money back guarantees associated with these troubleshooting guides make it a worthy investment and a reliable solution to basic Xbox 360 problems.

I hope with the help of the above Xbox 360 troubleshooting guidelines you will be able to solve basic Xbox problems. However, in cases of major system failure, it is always advisable to contact your local Microsoft dealers.

The XBOX 360 achievements system is one of the key contributors to its growing popularity. It’s a one of a kind concept where gameplay involving consoles is concerned. The basis of this system is that you gain points by playing XBOX 360 games and completing the different levels and challenges therein. When you have gathered enough points you can redeem them for actual rewards in the form of downloadable contents from Microsoft. There’s more to it though.

Garnering points is an easy job for hardcore gamers who are at liberty to spend hours completing difficult games and thus getting points by the truckloads. But what about some of you who cannot devote hours at a stretch in trying to improve your XBOX 360 achievements? Well you do not have to feel shortchanged in any way.

What you can do to get maximum points on the XBOX 360 with minimum hours of gameplay is follow a simple strategy.

The first thing you can do is to pick the easiest games that are available for the XBOX 360. Remember that an easy game will mean easy gameplay too and some easy points to boost your XBOX 360 achievements. Some of the easier games currently available are King Kong, Madden NFL, Fight Night Round 3, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles etc.

Any particular game may be composed of easy parts as well as difficult parts. The norm is that you get the big points for completing the difficult parts. But that may be very time consuming. So try to get as many points as possible from the easy levels and you might be better off. Just remember that it is logical that you go for the fruit hanging on the lowest branch of a tree and not break sweat over the ones at the top, even if they’re only slightly more delicious.

Finally it might be a good idea to focus on your strengths. You might be very good at sports games and not so much at ‘first person shooters’. So get on with kicking the football and keep the gun aside for a while! Just for the sake of getting points, it’s best not to play the games from genres which you do not prefer. In doing so you might end up with very little points but a lot of frustration instead.

There are a lot of XBOX 360 achievements guides available on the internet, which can provide you with updated information on how to maximize your points tally easily. So you may want to keep an eye on these regularly.

With a bit of strategy and guile you can pile on the points while enjoying quality time with your family and friends. So best of luck with your XBOX 360 achievements!

We all have a common dread in our daily lives. That of the failure of various machines we use. From a car breakdown to a faulty toaster, we just don’t want it to be happening to us. But what if it does happen and what if the machine happens to be your favorite XBOX 360? Well you do not have to panic even in the event of an XBOX 360 failure. If you know the cause then half your problems are already solved. An XBOX 360 failure is nothing extraordinary and is faced by many gamers all over the world.

An XBOX 360 failure is generally indicated by red LED lights on the console itself. So how do you know what error you have in your machine by looking at the lights? The answer follows.

If it’s two red lights popping up on your console then the probable cause might be overheating of the motherboard. The best way to overcome this is by shutting down your console for some time so that the motherboard can cool off.

If one or three red lights are showing up on your console then they are generally some known hardware and software issues which can be sorted out repairing the console.

The most severe XBOX 360 failure that you can experience is indicated by a red ring of light on your console. This failure is something that falls in the ‘fatal error’ category. This generally happens because of an internal structural flaw in your XBOX. This simply means that the manufacturers did not put a cooling mechanism of adequate size inside the console. Thus overheating tends to affect the game processing unit and causes an XBOX 360 failure.

There’s no need to panic though because a few simple steps can ensure that your XBOX 360 doesn’t fail at all.

Since most of the failures are caused by overheating it’s best to keep your console in a place where there is free movement of air and no other heat-emitting sources nearby. Although it might be difficult for avid gamers, but a wise thing to do might be to give your console periodic rest and avoid long continuous gaming sessions. That way you can even rest your eyes and fingers are start with a new zeal all over again.

But if you have indeed had an XBOX 360 failure you need not ship it off to Microsoft in a hurry. You can purchase some repairing guides from the internet, which might save you a lot of time and money. But be sure not to overpay for these and also try to go for one which have been tried and tested by others. If you can get your hands on a good guide than you can become your own XBOX mechanic!

So the next time you have a crashed console, you know what to do!

The seventh generation gaming market primarily constitutes of the three big players Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo. Succeeding the Xbox, Xbox 360 was launched by Microsoft with a huge hype competing against Sony’s Play station 3 and Nintendo’s Wii.

The first Xbox 360 news was unveiled on MTV on 12th May, 2005 and later on in the event of E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) more information on the product was shared amidst huge publicity. This marked the beginning of an era of Xbox 360. During the first year itself, the product was launched in approximately 36 countries surpassing the number of countries in which all other consoles were launched in their first year. Following its launch, the product was completely sold out in every part of the world with the exception of Japan. The console has since then recorded sales of around 30.2 million units’ world over. Arcade version, Pro version and Elite version of Xbox 360 along with a collection of accessories is currently available in the game market.

Xbox 360 comes with a host of features like multimedia capacity due to Windows Media Centre, movie rentals, high definition support in all games, game downloads and ability to play HD DVDs with the help of an on drive. But the most distinguishing feature of Xbox 360 is the Live service, enabling its users to download TV shows, game demos, movies, arcade games, etc. In addition, the Xbox 360 not only comes with a slick design put up on green and black of the original but also is made available in customizable face plates resembling your own look. That makes the console really look cool and personal.

Amidst such cut throat competition among the three big players what really made Microsoft zoom ahead of its competitors? In order to address the needs of its huge customer base, Microsoft launched its very own website called the Xbox 360 News. This website provides up-to-date news and information relating to the Xbox 360. Information relating to newest releases of Xbox 360 titles and upcoming releases are made available via the website. The most brilliant aspect of the Xbox 360 news feature is that it is even made available in the Xbox 360 gaming console.

With the Xbox 360 news feature, Microsoft is undoubtedly the top service providing gaming console in the market responding to the needs of all the gamers whether beginners or experts. So, if you are keen to get updated on everything concerning the Xbox 360, you need to sign up with the Xbox 360 News website and be ahead of all your fellow gamers.

Many people are familiar with the dreaded 3 red lights of death (also known as 3RL or RLOD, depending on who you ask). Though such is most famous, or infamous, of Xbox 360 problems, it’s not the only one that’s plaguing the system.

Indeed, there are other Xbox 360 problems that owners of the console should be wary about.

Let’s take a look at the 5 most common Xbox 360 problems as well as possible solutions, if solutions are actually available.

1. The 3 red lights. This is the most feared of all the Xbox 360 problems. The 3 red lights that flash around the console’s power switch indicate “general hardware failure,” Microsoft’s way of saying that your console’s dead and there is no way to resuscitate it. The 3RL problem’s cause is unknown, though many believe that it has something to do with a physically distorted motherboard or a burnt GPU caused by the poor ventilation system inside the Xbox 360. Solution when 3RL strikes your unit? If it’s under warranty, return it to Microsoft.

2. The E74 error. This is the second most common of the Xbox 360 problems. The E74 error renders the unit unusable, as well. However, the case isn’t as hopeless as a unit struck by 3RL. The E74 error transpires when the system’s scaler chip gets damaged. The E74 error is covered by Microsoft’s 3 year warranty. However, even if your unit is no longer under warranty, there are many independent service centers that can actually cure this E74 problem. The difference between the E74 and the 3RL is that the latter’s cause is shrouded in mystery and the former’s cause is pretty much determinate.

3. Loss of video output. This has many possible causes, ranging from loose AV or HDMI cables, software bugs, monitor defects, and something that Xbox 360 owners don’t want to hear: pre-3RL symptoms.

4. Disc scratching. The Xbox 360 caused some hoopla when it was first released, not only because of the number of units which were struck by 3RL on the first few weeks of the system, but also because of the console scratching game discs, rendering the latter unplayable. The cause? Turning the system vertically while it’s reading a disc apparently damages the said disc. Nowadays, Xbox 360 units come with a warning not to move the unit while a game disc is playing. The solution: follow the aforementioned warning.

5. New Xbox Experience problems. The NXE was the best innovation that the Xbox 360 ever implemented, introducing hard drive installation, avatars that rival the Wii’s Miis, and a slew of multimedia capabilities. Sadly, these improvements also caused some Xbox 360 problems for a number of units. Among these problems are: failure to read data from optical discs, missing audio on HDMI connection, and frequent disconnections from Xbox Live which are not ISP-related. The solution? Wait it out. Microsoft has announced that it is aware of the situation and will remedy these Xbox 360 problems with future updates.

These situations aren’t uncommon: Xbox 360 owners having nightmares about 3 red lights, Xbox 360 owners being afraid while playing time-intensive games because the screen might go black and 3 red lights might flash around the console’s power switch, Xbox 360 owners living in constant anxiety of being dropped from an intense game over Xbox Live because of the terrible 3 red lights that will strike their systems.

Indeed, of all the bugs, problems and defects associated with the system, none is more dreaded than the Xbox 360 red lights of death, famously or infamously abbreviated as RLOD.

The Xbox 360 red lights of death are 3 red lights that flash around the power switch of the machine, usually preceded by crashes while playing a game and failure to boot up when the system is reset.

The Xbox 360 red lights of death indicate what Microsoft can only label as “general hardware failure.” Many believe that it is merely a euphemism for “we don’t know where we goofed up in creating that video game system.” The prevalence of this RLOD problem is quite alarming. Microsoft pegs it as 16% of systems released prior to August of 2008. Third party estimates run as high as 65%, however.

The Xbox 360 red lights of death have become a marketing nightmare for Microsoft. Industry experts believe that Microsoft could’ve experienced 300% more sales if people weren’t afraid of this error that, for all intents and purposes, renders the console useless.

Microsoft has taken steps to alleviate the problem:

- Microsoft has extended the warranty of Xbox 360 units to 3 years, an unprecedented length of time for a console. If a unit is hit by the RLOD and it is still under warranty, the owner can phone in his problem and he will be asked to ship back the defective unit. After some time, Microsoft will send a new unit for the customer to enjoy.

- Microsoft has constantly upgraded its chipset and motherboard designs. Today, the Jasper chipset is being used on new Xbox 360 units, and so far, reports of the Xbox 360 red lights of death are non-existent.

- Microsoft has introduced the New Xbox Live Experience, or NXLE, a dashboard and firmware update that allows gamers to install games to their units’ hard drives. This means less stress for the DVD reader, less heat generated, and less heat circulating inside the console. The Xbox 360 red lights of death are often attributed to physical distortion of the motherboard and overheating of GPU caused by the heat trapped inside the system.

With older units, there will always be the possibility of being struck by the Xbox 360 red lights of death. But newer units with Jasper chipsets can allow users to finally enjoy their games with confidence.

Are you ready for Playstation 3 vs Xbox 360, Round 2?

What used to be a battle for better graphics, better game play, better online multiplayer experience and better storyline modes has taken a cue from the runaway leader of the current generation of consoles, the Nintendo Wii. The battle has graduated from a number crunching war involving processing power, onboard memory and polygons per second into a more practical war involving, you guessed it, motion control systems.

The Nintendo Wii presented a new way of enjoying games: making one’s body the controller. Using a motion sensing controller, the Wii introduced new game play mechanics that attracted previous non-gamers into the fold and gave birth to an entirely new generation of video game enthusiasts collectively labeled as casual gamers.

Playstation 3 vs Xbox 360 round 2 is all about replicating the Wii’s success.

Indeed, Playstation 3 vs Xbox 360 is all about which console will be better in integrating a motion control system as part of its current engineering.

The Microsoft Xbox 360, this early, seems to have the edge. With Project Natal introduced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2009 by no less than legendary film director Steven Spielberg himself, Project Natal made a rousing debut. The technical presentation involved a virtual boy interacting with a female player. The player can talk to the boy and the boy will reply. The player can walk with the boy and the boy will follow. The player can even play games with the boy and the boy will react accordingly.

What makes Project Natal possible is a motion sensing camera that works in reverse, an idea that can only be described as a stroke of genius. The camera calculates the space presented before it, and senses the player’s motion within this space for an accurate representation inside the game.

This early, Microsoft is contemplating on repackaging and rereleasing the Xbox 360 to include Project Natal.

Is the Playstation 3 vs Xbox 360 round 2 rout, though?

Not really. You know that Sony won’t go down without a fight.

The Playstation 3’s motion control system is a combination of the Wiimote and Project Natal. It includes a motion sensing controller (which looks like a wand) and the Playstation Eye. The reason for this? Well, Sony wanted a more accurate motion control system, hence the usage of both a remote controller and a camera. Sony also realized what Microsoft failed to realize with Project Natal, the most game play mechanics will require buttons, hence the wand-like peripheral.

Who will win Playstation 3 vs Xbox 360 round 2?

We will know by the middle of 2010, when the integration and implementation of both motion control systems are in full swing.

Since the New Xbox Live Experience was implemented a few months ago, the Xbox 360 hard drive became an even more important component of the console.

As you may remember, the Xbox 360 can be bought in a variety of packages, one of them being the Arcade package where you will get the console, a controller, a predetermined game, 2 Xbox arcade games, and a memory card. That’s right, the Arcade bundle doesn’t come with an Xbox 360 hard drive to make the package more affordable and more attractive for budget-challenged gamers.
Guess what? The Xbox 360 Arcade bundle won’t cut it anymore.

Since the advent of the New Xbox Live Experience, the Xbox 360 hard drive has ceased being a mere enhancement peripheral. The Xbox 360 hard drive has become a necessity.
Why is this so?

It’s because the NXLE added a groundbreaking feature for the console. You can now install your games in your Xbox 360 hard drive.

That’s right! Instead of reading from the DVD, the Xbox 360 will not read the games from an internal storage system. This is revolutionary. And this is highly beneficial for Xbox 360 owners for the following reasons:

1. The dreaded 3 red lights of death (3RL or RLOD) which indicate hardware failure on the part of the console is often attributed to an overheated interior which bends the motherboard. By allowing the console to read games from the Xbox 360 hard drive, heat inside the system will be minimized because the DVD reader, one of the main heat sources, will be hardly used.

2. Playing games will be more convenient. You won’t have to go through piles of DVDs just to look for the game you want to play next. All the games you have can be stored in your Xbox 360 hard drive. The biggest Xbox 360 hard drive to day, which is 120GB, can store 11 to 12 full games.

3. Playing games straight from the Xbox 360 hard drive will minimize, if not eliminate, the dangers of lens damage – one of the most common breakages for the console.

4. Tired of those “disc read error” messages that you keep receiving for particular games? Once your favorite games are installed on the Xbox 360 hard drive, you won’t have to encounter such a message again.

5. Many gamers say that playing games straight from the hard drive provided a smoother experience. Loading time has become faster. Cache clearing, which some titles implement, has become seamless.

6. Disc loading will be a thing of the past. No more long waits in between levels. No more sights of doors opening just to hide the fact that the game is loading up .

Planning to buy an Xbox 360?

Let this article be the proof that you need to know that if you must spend more for a bigger Xbox 360 hard drive, DO SO! It’s the best investment you can ever make for your new console.

Gamers who have decided to finally – albeit 3 years late – give up their Xbox and Playstation 2 units and hop aboard the next generation of consoles have 3 options available for them: the Nintendo Wii, the Microsoft Xbox 360, and the Sony Playstation 3. The Wii, as many people say, is a console for casual gamers. It will offer a lot of innovative game mechanics, but if you grew up exploring tombs as Lara Croft or shooting aliens as Master Chief, you will crave for more conventional but highly improved video game systems.

Hence, for old fashioned gamers, the battle boils down to Xbox 360 vs PS3.

What console is better? Which is a safer investment? The battle of Xbox 360 vs PS3 will be waged in 5 fronts. Let’s take a look at each and every one of them to determine what gaming console is worth your loyalty.

1. Power. When it comes to gaming rigs, it’s all about the power they pack. In the battle of Xbox 360 vs PS3, which system has the advantage when it comes to raw power? Experts say that, though both consoles employ different engineering, the PS3 is the more powerful system. However, third party developers have always complained about how difficult it is to create games for the PS3 because of its maze-like infrastructure. The Xbox 360 is like a PC system, hence, easier to code for. The result: games that are released for both systems almost always look better on the Xbox 360. WINNER: Xbox 360.

2. Reliability. What good is a gaming system if it will break down in a few months, if not a few weeks, right? In the battle of Xbox 360 vs PS3 on this front, the PS3 is the runaway winner. The Xbox 360 has always been plagued with hardware problems since its release, the most notorious of which is the 3 red lights of death that will render the console useless. WINNER: Playstation 3.

3. Game library. The Xbox 360 was released a year before the PS3. Developers also say that they’d rather make games for the Xbox 360 because it is a more enjoyable system to work with. Activision, developers and distributors of the widely acclaimed Call of Duty series, has even threatened to stop developing for the PS3 out of sheer frustration. It comes as no surprise, then, that the Xbox 360 has a deeper game library and wins this round of the Xbox 360 vs PS3 fight. WINNER: Xbox 360.

4. Exclusives. Most games come out for both systems. Exclusives, however, come out for particular systems. Which console has more exclusives in its fold? The Xbox 360 has Halo, Fable, Mass Effect, Left 4 Dead and the likes. The PS3 has Killzone, Resistance, Uncharted, Ratchet and Clank, Little Big Planet and more. When it comes to sheer variety, the PS3 wins this aspect of the battle. WINNER: Playstation 3.

5. Online experience. Nowadays, games are judged based on their single player campaigns AS WELL AS their multiplayer options. The Xbox Live is, without a doubt, the best online gaming network today. The Playstation Network is cursed with bad engineering and it cannot provide the same gaming experience as the Xbox Live. The winner of this round of the Xbox 360 vs PS3 fight: Xbox 360.

So, the tally card has the Xbox 360 narrowly beating the Plasytation 3, 3 to 1. Take that for what it’s worth in deciding on which console to purchase.