XBox 360 Problem

[Emo_Reaper]

Hey fellow RockBandians. Im just having a Disc Read problem.It keeps saying the disc is unreadable,when the disc are perfectly clean. Im just wondering cause it used to be in my basement which is kinda damp,and Im not sure if thats a problem.Any ideas?

[Xzyliac]

If the 360 has ever been moved or even fallen while running then the lens may have scratched the disc. No circle scratch right?

[MrtyMcfly]

I had the exact same problem. That was when I had my Xbox laying down, inside an entertainment center, with my ps2 on top of it. I'm sure the ventilation was very poor in there. I'm guessing it was overheating.

So what I did was, I bought an Intercooler (the Nyko one, cost $20), took it out of the entertainment center, stood it up, and it works beautifully.

If you know the disc is fine, which I knew for me, then it may be the condition your console is in.

Switch it up and see if it changes.

Also too, I was playing Oblivion a lot, and for some reason that game fills up the Cache "folder". Apparently this also lead to the "Disc is unreadable" message. So what was suggested is to clear the cache.

To do this:

Hold the A button down as soon as you turn on your Xbox, keep holding it until you see the first screen that deals with the game itself.

Now, I don't know if it's necessary to do so all the time, but I've gotten in the habit of doing it everytime I start it up, just in case, and I've never had a problem since.

Hope this helps!

[IbanezBassist_v2]

I thought you guys had stated you hadn't had problems with your 360? :mad:

[Xzyliac]

Interesting what you said about the Cache folder.

[Xzyliac]

I thought you guys had stated you hadn't had problems with your 360? :mad:

Find me a man with a 100% perfect hardware experience and I'll find you an Asian boy who hasn't seen Hentai.

[MrtyMcfly]

I thought you guys had stated you hadn't had problems with your 360? :mad:

I stated that there wasn't an option to say, "I have an Xbox360, but with minor user errors"

I didn't want to click "I have an Xbox, but wish I had a Ps3"

But the problem I had was cuz I was an idiot, and didn't take care of it. I told my story in your thread, and also mentioned "As long as you take care of it, it will be fine"

You can do the same damage to any computer, and probably the Ps3 as well. The other problem is just a fluke with the Oblivion game itself apparently, and in addition to my carelessness :o

I bolded what I said to agree with Xzyliac. Things happen, you can't always expect to get something and have zero problems whatsoever.

You only hear about Xbox problems more because there's more people playing them than Ps3's. That's fact.

[Emo_Reaper]

Ive never ran with it. I moved it,but not very far.Waht would clearing the cache do? And Are you should the intercooler would work?

[MrtyMcfly]

I know the Intercooler works. My Xbox used to get so hot you can cook eggs on it.

Now with the intercooler, and the fact that my Xbox is stood up instead of laying down, it's at least a good 10º cooler I'd say.

But clearing cache, I believe, deletes your temporary files that your Xbox saves when you play a game. I think it works almost like Cookies on a computer: It reduces loading time by saving files to your system to remember.

I could be completely wrong, but from what I read on Xbox forums, clearing up the cache eliminates these temporary files, giving it more space to run smoothly.

Now, it could all be coincidence with the overheating problem, but I don't know for sure.

I just know that the Intercooler has definitely helped, and depending on the dampness you spoke of, that's definitely not good for the system. Perhaps a dehumidifier would help?

To note about the moving: Just don't move it while a game is running, that's when it scratches a disc drastically. Moving it when it is off is fine.

[Emo_Reaper]

Well http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/27/nyko-intercooler-scorches-xbox-360-consoles/ But i still dont see how that would cause a disc reading problem

[MrtyMcfly]

Well http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/27/nyko-intercooler-scorches-xbox-360-consoles/ But i still dont see how that would cause a disc reading problem

That's such an old article, don't even pay any attention to it.

I had the Disc Read problem before I got the cooler. There is no message that says, "Your Xbox is overheating" But I knew it was waaaay too hot, and the internal fan sounded like a bug was stuck in it.

The old version (which they don't sell anymore) of the Nyko Intercooler had plastic adapters, which were molding and melting to the Xbox which caused problems.

BUT, they've been being made with metal adapters, therefore eliminating that problem. They're fine now. Trust me, I always do extensive research before I purchase something.

The thing is, the Disc is Unreadable message is actually very broad. It can be prompted with this because of many causes:

The disc is scratched
The disc has other markings, or a hole in it
The Xbox is overheating (or it just freezes completely without showing this message)
And probably more

It's tough to say exactly what's causing it, but like I said, if the room you have it in is really that damp, then it's going to hurt the system's performance. There's a reason why it says:
"Operate and store this system in a dry, cool place at room tempature"

[Xzyliac]

Better than Red Rings.

I got those, moved the 360 from the TV into open space, and BAM! Problem solved!

[Emo_Reaper]

Well its in the open. And Intercooler had horrible review.Im not takin the chances.Im 13 and the money for it came out of my bank.F that.And Its not impossible to play games.It just stop likes half way through playing something.

[FallenAce]

Just so you know, most computer systems are designed to work in relative humidity of 10-90%. Basically, if you're not getting rained on, humidity is typically not an issue, unless you're talking about a printer. Obviously, humidity is water in the air, and water won't slow your machine down. It will kill it. However, I doubt you'd voluntarily sit long in a room of 90% or above humidity, so that's likely not the issue.

[MrtyMcfly]

Well its in the open. And Intercooler had horrible review.Im not takin the chances.Im 13 and the money for it came out of my bank.F that.And Its not impossible to play games.It just stop likes half way through playing something.

Like I already said, forget any review you read about the Intercooler, it's perfectly fine. They redesigned it, and now there's no problems.

That's like people saying they don't want a Ps3 because they catch on fire. Which is true, it happened back before launch, but now they're fine.

[Emo_Reaper]

Well Im not sure.I ran 2 movies on the 360 last night perfectly fine.But GH2 and Dead Rising havnt worked. ANd it didnt always do this. So Im not sure?

[FallenAce]

Sounds like your drive, man. Most movies are dual-layers and I think most games are still single-layer. If someone knows better, I welcome the information.

Could be that your machine is having trouble reading the single-layer discs. Here's a fun one you can try: open your dvd drive and use a can of compressed air to blow the gunk around in there. I wouldn't expect it to work but it might. Also, if you can adjust the orientation of the machine to be the opposite of what it is that might help too. Sometimes the laser eye gets caught in a groove and can't focus that prism properly, causing disc failure. It's common on old optical drives. So, if it's standing, lay it down or vice versa. Good luck.

You know, MS extended our warranties for reasons just like this.

[Emo_Reaper]

Well,I bought mine from TigerDirect,I only had like a 60 warrenty

[FallenAce]

Your reseller warranty is superceeded by your manufacturer's warranty. If you can produce the original sales receipt they'll honor it to like two or three years now, I believe. You should check into it yourself though. This is why there's the whole $1.5 billion ordeal at MS right now.

EDIT: Apparently it's a 3-year warranty. Good thing too.
http://service.xbox.com/servicesignin.aspx

[Eman311]

The 360 disc drive probably died on you. This isn't covered under the Red rings of death warranty.

[karlkaza]

i had the same problem and..........................I HAD TO SEND IN MY 360 FOR REPARE!!!!!!!!!!

[jq71586]

That doesn't sound good.

God bless my PS3. It may not have as many games yet or the online community yet, but it has no technical problems.

[FallenAce]

Wait... It doesn't cover the disc drive? Ugh... What's the point of the warranty if it doesn't cover the whole machine? Man, I like MS... I used to work for MS... But that is ridiculous if the extended warranty doesn't cover the whole machine.

[Eman311]

It doesn't, it's only for overheating related problems.

Of course the 1 year warranty also would cover the disc drive, just the 3 year doesn't

Or is it 3 now for everything? Man I have no idea.

[Emo_Reaper]

Well It seems like an overheating problem,because like I could play for a good 20-30 minutes,more or less,and then it happens. I just dont know what to do.

[MrtyMcfly]

Well It seems like an overheating problem,because like I could play for a good 20-30 minutes,more or less,and then it happens. I just dont know what to do.

*sigh* I've said 5 times to buy the friggin Intercooler!

I'm telling you, and I wouldn't lie, it's completely safe to buy it. I walked into Gamestop, I picked up 2 different coolers, one made by Pelican, and one made by Nyko, I asked them which is better, they told me the Nyko (which is cheaper) was much better, and fit on the console easier.

The manager was a huge geek, so I could tell he knew what he was talking about. He said he had the same thing on his Xbox Elite.
They assured me it wouldn't have any problems melting to my xbox, or screwing it up in any way.

If you know your console is overheating, just give the cooler a try. If you really don't like it, return it. It's worth a try. Or you can send it out and wait 3-4 weeks while they look at it, and then send the same system back. Your choice.

[IbanezBassist_v2]

This is what scares me! I love games! Especially the upcoming RB. I want to get a new system and are thinking more closely 360 due to price. I've got kids to feed and bills to pay, so I can't be buying a console every six months.

[Emo_Reaper]

Yea,Im 13,and I tok the money out of my bank account.Gotta find an early job for me,aye?

[Xzyliac]

I actually have 2 360s by accident...please don't kill me.

[FallenAce]

I've had my 360 since launch. I've had no problems with it. I have about 15 games or so, and my machine gets plenty of use. Most of the time I'll go a few weeks without playing it, then a few weeks of playing it every day for a few hours. I'm careful to keep it in open areas, and i'm sure that helps.

Since that machine is sealed so tight, I'm not sure it would help, but why don't you try just putting a box fan on the machine and see if it makes a difference? I've done that with older machines and it's a good test to see if a small fan will help.

I assume the intercooler blows air <B>into</B> the machine, but I'm not sure. I would just try putting a standard, giant box fan next to the machine, blow air onto it and see if it runs okay for a few hours. Use that to judge whether or not spending money on it will help.

Any thoughts on that idea anyone?