mcs328

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...rosoft_xbox_dc

Microsoft to Recall Xbox Cords After Users Burned

2 hours, 18 minutes ago

By Ben Berkowitz

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp., the world's largest software maker, said on Thursday it will recall 14.1 million power cords for its Xbox (news - web sites) video game console after a defect gave some users minor burns and scorched carpets.

Robbie Bach, chief Xbox officer for Microsoft, told Reuters the recall covered all Xboxes made for continental Europe before Jan. 13, 2004, and the rest of the world before Oct. 23, 2003.

Consoles built after those dates were designed in such a way that the failures no longer occurred, Bach said.

"It ends up being a combination of both things in the box and circumstances," he said. "It did take us quite a bit of time to understand that there was a challenge."

The recall represents a significant portion of the worldwide Xbox installed base of more than 20 million. Microsoft debuted the Xbox in November 2001 in the United States and subsequently rolled it out worldwide.

Based on reports to its customer service unit and warranty repair data, Bach said Microsoft had observed a failure rate of about 1 in 10,000 units.

In 30 of those, users suffered either minor burns or damage to property, including scorched carpets, he said.

Affected customers can request a new power cord free of charge via the Web site, Xbox.com (http://www.xbox.com), or by calling toll-free numbers in their respective countries.

Microsoft said customers would get replacement cords within 2-4 weeks from the time of order, and in the interim it advised users to turn off their Xboxes when not in use.

In March 2002, Japanese retailers temporarily stopped selling the console just weeks after its launch there because some machines were scratching discs. The company made an unconditional offer to replace hardware and any damaged software.

Bach said some consoles on retail shelves in Japan and Korea were also affected by the electrical problem and Microsoft was working with retailers there to replace the cords in those units.

Microsoft is widely expected to release a successor to the Xbox this year. Rival and industry leader Sony Corp (NYSE:SNE - news) (news - web sites). is expected to launch the third version of its popular PlayStation console next year.

The Xbox Live service, which allows players to compete online from their living rooms, is expected to have 1.6 million to 1.8 million subscribers by the end of the fiscal year in June. The company had originally forecast 1.5 million users.
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That seems like a very good amount to be recalled.

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M_A_C

I got two on the way. Hope my house doesn't burn down in the meantime.

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Meatwad make the moneys SEE!
Meatwad get the honeys G!

kei2

I feel like this is a repost from yesterday, but whatever. Ordered my replacement power cord yesterday. (Go to xbox.com and there's a big link... have your Xbox on hand to type in the serial # and manufacture date.) Glad MS is taking action to make things right.

BigJon

Ever think of unplugging it until the new cords come?

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M_A_C

I like to live dangerously!

M_A_C

Got this:

x1337xD335C1P13x

mine is fine it said... no burned down house for me

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Joe was her3
Bunny:
(\/)
(._.)
(")(")

BigJon

I tried to order my power cord....but it said I had to actually buy an XBOX first