AfterDawn: News

Microsoft responds to Xbox 360 'disc scratching' complaints

Microsoft has responded to complaints that the Xbox 360 console scratches discs during normal usage. A dutch TV show recently put the console to the test and has been nagging Microsoft with the results. Kassa, a show which specializes in consumer complaints, ran a test which proves that the console scratches discs under normal use (no movement while playing while on a flat, stable surface etc.)

The show blamed the majority of the problem on a TSST drive that is missing parts that stabilize the disc. Many Xbox 360 users have reported similar problems on web forums. "As we were not involved with the experiment of Kassa and have little insights in the testing methods, we are not able to respond in detail on the results. It is possible that scratches on discs originate from frequent use. However, we have no indication that the results of the tests from Kassa are a large scale problem," Microsoft said in a press statement.



"Of course it is important to us that our customers have the best possible game experience and therefore we take these test results very serious. Xbox owners who think their discs are scratched as reported by Kassa, should contact us. We will investigate the console and when needed repair it so it becomes a full functioning console. We will also inform Xbox owners how they can obtain replacements discs in case they require them."

Source:
CDFreaks

Written by: James Delahunty @ 15 Apr 2007 18:53

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• 21 comments

• Joshewah

  This is one of the many problems that the 360 experiences often. It's a great system, it just needs a lot of work.
  
  Sign the petition to recall the 360 and have its problems fixed.
  http://www.petitiononline.com/360recal/petition-sign.html?

  15.4.2007 19:09 #1

• limelight

  First the ps2 with disc read error, now the 260 is scratching discs. Nice!
  
  Will the ps3 just spit em out across the room? Will the Wii refuse to eject the disc? Time will tell! ;)

  15.4.2007 19:15 #2

• Moomoo2

  Didn't the original Xbox scratch discs also?
  
  As for the petition... Like M$ will take any notice, heh.

  15.4.2007 19:37 #3

• Joshewah

  Originally posted by Moomoo2:Didn't the original Xbox scratch discs also?
  
  As for the petition... Like M$ will take any notice, heh.
  With an attitude like that of course they won't notice.
  
  It takes 20 seconds to sign the petition. Lets get the 360s fixed. You wouldn't believe how many corporations such as MS monitor news websites and forums with posts and articles relating to their products.

  15.4.2007 20:02 #4

• ripxrush

  Quote: It is possible that scratches on discs originate from frequent use. HHAHA! Ya think that some people may just want to play different games but i guess M$ says NO if u play more than 2 games u have to pay more it is there copy right protection! lol..
  
  It is just funny to me it almost seems as if they r saying that people r suing there systems too much??? i would think they would appreciate it! then people aren't playing there ps3 or Wii

  15.4.2007 20:28 #5

• vashwolf

  I had to exchange three Xbox 360's to get one that would not scratch games.

  15.4.2007 20:34 #6

• tabletpc

  i would rather deal with a disk scratch versus a fire hazard have you seen the cheap little heat sink on the ps3 man you wonder why the thing fries

  15.4.2007 21:15 #7

• alphabit

  The game console makers should just go back to cartridge style games..No access time,no disc read errors and they would have all the DRM they ever dreamed of (I dont like that part,myself). I guess the disc problems are OUR problem and not theirs.(just buy another cheap to produce disc and they make another $50).Not their problem, just the users problem..Them Arseholes..

  15.4.2007 21:54 #8

• janrocks

  Eventually they realise they have a problem.. or is this just a reissue of the petition from over a year ago???
  
  There is a fix.. http://www.llamma.com/xbox360/news/Xbox-...c-Scratched.htm
  

  
  
  irc.OFTC.net #debian-women .. Stuff Vista.. Stuff Micro$oft!!
  The revolution has happened.. Now we just need to TELL people!

  15.4.2007 22:33 #9

• ZippyDSM

  oh joy why dont you go after the real issue the fing hardware failures and over heating the disc scratching issues is turely a 1-4% issue but the fail and overheating rate is 5X it.

  15.4.2007 23:12 #10

• scorpNZ

  Hehehe i said it before a while ago i aint gunna buy any of the consoles until all the beta testers(those who buy on release and within the following year) have told MS of the issues and they're fixed,so common beta testers work those bugs :p
  
  EDIT: That includes you zippy so go get a PS3 & 360,the more beta testers the merrier *runs* :p

  16.4.2007 01:16 #11

• hughjars

  Of course people show always kick up a stink when problems like these arise.
  But when you have consumers who'll put up with brand new goods coming with 90day/3mth guarantees in the single largest market (USA) this is what you get......basically whatever the corporations think you deserve; ie not a lot and as inexpensive as possible - 'inexpensive' being a hugely relative term here, usually in the vast production numbers/business sense meaning the difference between $0.20 and $0.30 :( .
  
  At least here in the UK we have a standard 1 year guarantee, 2yrs and even 3yrs are becoming ever more common.
  
  We also have a nice little 'extra' and in terms of items being 'fit for purpose' and 'reasonable durability for the price' well beyond that.
  But only if UK folks know their rights and are prepared to enforce them at the (actually very inexpensive) 'Small Claims Court' (for claims up to £5000) - although often it involves no more than the threat of this via a solicitors letter.
  
  Sadly the UK general public's ignorance of our trading law is where this additional element to any guarantee/warranty falls down far too often).....and as you may imagine it's something few have been too willing to promote or publicise; until fairly recently at least.
  
  But as far as this specific issue is concerned, didn't they just change the drive for a better quieter one?
  Doesn't this scratching issue really relate to the earlier models?

  16.4.2007 01:58 #12

• ZippyDSM

  hughjars
  early models have been known to eat discs they have that that somewhat fixed its the overheating and failing from it thats rampant.
  
  tabletpc
  show me news threads over the PS3 failing!
  
  alphabit
  that would add 20$-$60 to all games depending on what they used.....more realistically a cart based optical system would be prefect for protection and price sadly the industry would rather have you rebuy a game new then put 10$ in protection onto it.
  
  
  scorpNZ
  be happy I might beta test the new white premiums :P

  16.4.2007 02:53 #13

• ThaJazz

  i keep my 360 laying flat and i have no problems it never scratched a disc.in 11months

  16.4.2007 16:42 #14

• borhan9

  I understand this article and the complaints from the xbox users. My main query is why would'nt Microsoft do this kind of testing before they let their console out to the world for their usage. It seems like this would have to be a test that they would have to do in any new standard testing of a console whether it is a xbox or a ps3.

  16.4.2007 20:33 #15

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by borhan9:I understand this article and the complaints from the xbox users. My main query is why would'nt Microsoft do this kind of testing before they let their console out to the world for their usage. It seems like this would have to be a test that they would have to do in any new standard testing of a console whether it is a xbox or a ps3.MS has taken the "reasonable failure" approach so what is 2 or 3 % of the line eats discs its not "their" problem.
  
  Same goes for recalling the failed and overheated systems they would rather let them stay in play while taking another 2 years to replace them.

  17.4.2007 00:13 #16

• rahula

  I have launch system and its not only scratch game discs but also got ring of dead after a year. Now I have a new system and I backed up every games I own into DVD+R DL and keep my original except playing online.

  17.4.2007 06:43 #17

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by rahula:I have launch system and its not only scratch game discs but also got ring of dead after a year. Now I have a new system and I backed up every games I own into DVD+R DL and keep my original except playing online.how dose the newer 360 behave? its a bit better right?

  17.4.2007 06:58 #18

• nazza2310

  I switched my XBOX 360 DVD DL DRIVE with my Sony DL DVD Recorder drive and now it plays copies because i got it firmware flashed and i can also play without getting it scratched and copy games with my xbox 360

  17.4.2007 08:00 #19

• NexGen76

  Quote:i would rather deal with a disk scratch versus a fire hazard have you seen the cheap little heat sink on the ps3 man you wonder why the thing friesCan you provide a link to this false statement please..

  17.4.2007 08:38 #20

• ZippyDSM

  Quote:[quote]i would rather deal with a disk scratch versus a fire hazard have you seen the cheap little heat sink on the ps3 man you wonder why the thing friesCan you provide a link to this false statement please..[/quote]really I have not heard allot of bad things about the PS3 hardware most of it is frimware issues.

  17.4.2007 08:50 #21