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DAMN iNATOR
04-08-2010, 01:16 AM
http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/six-ways-to-kill-your-console/1395852

Couldn't be bothered to actually copy and paste the whole thing, just read it yourself. It has some good pointers on things to avoid doing that could considerably shorten your console's lifespan.

Juan
04-08-2010, 01:30 AM
Heat

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/ga/buzz/feature/vg26/console-fail_heat_150.jpg

Nothing kills electronic devices better than excessive heat. Take the Xbox 360 (http://videogames.yahoo.com/xbox360/)'s infamous "red ring of death" issue. A set of design and manufacturing faults left the machine vulnerable to heat buildup -- and drove it to a failure rate that reportedly (http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/game-informer-over-half-of-xbox-360s-break/1344084) topped 50%. While those flaws have been fixed, the lesson remains: Minimize heat, and your console will live longer. Make sure it's not basking in the sun, keep it off the carpet, and make sure it has enough air space around it for proper circulation.

Dust

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/ga/buzz/feature/vg26/console-fail_dust_150.jpg

Keep your console in a dusty atmosphere, and you're slowly choking it. As dusty air circulates through the system, it'll accumulate crud on your console's vital organs, clogging heatsinks, jamming up fans, and blocking air vents. In other words, it means more heat -- and that's bad. Keep it clean, and it'll live longer.

Not using a surge protector

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/ga/buzz/feature/vg26/console-fail-surge_150.jpg

Yes, your console needs electricity to work. But too much of a good thing can be dangerous. Plug in your consoles without using a surge protector -- or with one that's not connected to an adequate ground -- and you're playing Russian roulette with its precious, oh-so-fragile innards. One fortuitous lightning strike, and zap: game over. Literally. Grab a decent surge protector from an established brand (or, best of all, a whole-house model that'll protect all your pricey electronics) and enjoy some peace of mind.

Those unauthorized "modifications"

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/ga/buzz/feature/vg26/console-fail_mod-chip_150.jpg

For years, unscrupulous individuals have been offering to "mod" consoles to allow them to play pirated games. Sometimes, it's as simple as adding an internal chip to bypass its hardware protection, although increasingly common are custom "softmods" that don't involve opening the machine up at all. Either way, they're bad ideas. At best, you'll void your precious warranty. Once you're spotted playing pirated games online, you (or your console) could wind up permanently barred from its various online services. At worst, your precious console could be rendered completely useless. You wouldn't be the first. Leaving aside the numerous moral, legal and ethical reasons why it's a bad idea, it's just not worth the risk.

Leaving it on all the time

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/ga/buzz/feature/vg26/console-fail_meter-running_150.jpg

Be honest. Have you ever left your console on for an extended period, rather than quitting your game properly? Why? Do you want to wear out your console by increasing strain on its (albeit few) moving parts? Do you own shares in your electricity company? Do you just hate this mean ol' planet that much? You'll have a hard time playing Halo XXIV when the melting polar icecaps have submerged your house under nine feet of water. All kidding aside, taking a greener approach to your gaming (http://videogames.yahoo.com/feature/ten-ways-to-turn-your-gaming-green/1206490) will pay off with lower bills, longer-lasting consoles, and a happier planet.

Airborne controllers

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/ga/buzz/feature/vg26/console-fail_broken-controller_150.jpg

Posing a threat not only to consoles, but to TVs, furniture, and windows alike, there's nothing worse than a flying controller. Whether it's launched through frustration or carelessness (http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/how-not-to-play-wii-courtesy-of-the-home-shopping-network/1364836), the result's the same. Wear your wristbands -- make sure the kids do, too -- and if you're playing a particularly frustrating game (http://videogames.yahoo.com/ps3/demons-souls/review-1362244), take a break every so often. Both your console and your mood will thank you.
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Juan
04-08-2010, 01:31 AM
DAMN iNATOR is a busy man.

AngryMidjit
04-08-2010, 01:36 AM
when i lived in england i made the mistake of plugging my us xbox 360 into a european outlet. i heard a popping sound and suddenly my xbox didn't work anymore :$:$

LoDownM
04-08-2010, 01:36 AM
My modded PS1 lasted longer than my friends unmodded one, so I disagree with that one.

#BROKEN Hasney
04-08-2010, 02:16 AM
My launch day, modified myself, Xbox 360 is still working so fuck this noise.

Vietnamese Crippler
04-08-2010, 02:21 AM
Now put it in an enclosed area and see who's laughing then.

Vietnamese Crippler
04-08-2010, 02:22 AM
Also, my modified Wii and 360 are still going strong, so whatever damninator.

LoDownM
04-08-2010, 02:29 AM
My modded PS1 probably still works, who knows I sold it to a friend.

DAMN iNATOR
04-08-2010, 02:29 AM
Also, my modified Wii and 360 are still going strong, so whatever damninator.

Well, excuse me for not noting that the views of the author of the article are not condoned, supported or sponsored in any way, shape or form by myself and that the views expressed and the claims made are not necessarily those of my own.

Juan
04-08-2010, 02:33 AM
You live and you learn, DAMN iNATOR.

alvarado52
04-08-2010, 02:39 AM
youre full of ish DAMN iNATOR! Honestly though, all of those are pretty common sense things. Im surprised 'dont put your system in water' isnt on there.

LoDownM
04-08-2010, 02:40 AM
Sounds like a great way to keep it from overheating :y:

Juan
04-08-2010, 02:42 AM
lol avocado

Kane Knight
04-08-2010, 06:53 AM
My modded PS1 lasted longer than my friends unmodded one, so I disagree with that one.

My launch day, modified myself, Xbox 360 is still working so fuck this noise.

Personal, anecdotal experience trumps all.

No, wait, that's utterly fucking stupid, and you're both smarter than that.

Anywa, since they're quoting the study that the 360 has a 50% failure rate, I'm just going to laugh at them.

El Fangel
04-08-2010, 07:18 AM
Aww fuck. Between KK and I we have two Xbox 360's. Knowing my luck when I get home mine won't work.

#BROKEN Hasney
04-08-2010, 08:03 AM
Personal, anecdotal experience trumps all.

No, wait, that's utterly fucking stupid, and you're both smarter than that.

Anywa, since they're quoting the study that the 360 has a 50% failure rate, I'm just going to laugh at them.

It was a Damn inator post about a Yahoo Games article. I should have just been able to come in here, say "Durka Durka Durka" and it would trump it :wavesad:

#BROKEN Hasney
04-08-2010, 08:09 AM
Sledgehammering

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/hollywoodh/sledgehammer.jpg

Nothing kills electronic devices better than taking a sledgehammer to it and no major console has yet been manufactured to withstand one. Even the redesigned Sega Mega Drive 2 which claimed to fix this flaw had an 83% faliure rate when subjected to sledgehammers. So the lesson remains: Minimize sledgehammers, and your console will live longer.

Kane Knight
04-08-2010, 08:55 AM
It was a Damn inator post about a Yahoo Games article. I should have just been able to come in here, say "Durka Durka Durka" and it would trump it :wavesad:

True.

I apologise. :D

El Fangel
04-08-2010, 08:57 AM
KK, I think your xbox is fucked, mines still working...

Otherwise, it defies the 50% failure rate.

Kane Knight
04-08-2010, 01:25 PM
What's this I hear about not putting waffles in your XBox 360?

I thought that's what the DVD drive was for.

Fignuts
04-08-2010, 01:30 PM
No, dvd tray is for pancakes, stupid.

LoDownM
04-08-2010, 01:48 PM
mmm 360 baked pancakes :drool:

Kane Knight
04-08-2010, 02:15 PM
No, dvd tray is for pancakes, stupid.

Ah. that must be what the HD add on was for. Hatched and Delicious.