XBOX 360 return question

Sci-Fi Wasabi

Ok, here goes. My console, which I have babied since I purchased it in early '06, has started randomly shutting off and giving me 2 red lights. This has been going on for 3 months now, and Microsoft won't repair it free of charge because it isn't a "general" hardware failure ( 3 lights ) but rather an overheating issue (duh) , and proceed to tell me to keep it cool. It's like 45 degrees in this apartment and I am freezing my ass, but whatever.

Anyways, I realized I can swap my system out for a new one where I work, and I'm about to do so with gusto :P

but then I realized, what about my XBOX live content? I don't have an internet connection all the time, so I need that content to play when I am not connected. I'll be keeping my hard drive, if that makes a difference. What is going to happen? Anyone have experience in this matter?

Thanks in advance.

Daedalus

If you switch consoles, you can only use XBL stuff when logged in and connected to the internet.

Sci-Fi Wasabi

How does this work if I went through Microsoft? Surely they don't expect all refurbs to be online only with marketplace content?

snarks

Here's an article that suggests you can simply call up MS, have them check out your account information, and they will refund your MS points you spent on content on your last Xbox so you can buy the content again on your new console.
http://www.snackbar-games.com/news/xbox_360_console_repair_what_to_expect_when_youre_expecting-2652.html
(just for thoroughness, Wikipedia also suggests the same thing here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_Live_Marketplace#Problems_with_replacement_consoles)

Sci-Fi Wasabi

So if I exchange my console outside of MS, there is no guarantee that I will get a point refund?

snarks

No clue; maybe if you have the serial number of your last console and if wherever you exchange the console at ships it back to Microsoft, you might be able to sort things out with them?

IreneDAdler

Sci-Fi Wasabi wrote: »

I'll be keeping my hard drive, if that makes a difference. What is going to happen? Anyone have experience in this matter?

Thanks in advance.

As long as you keep your harddrive, all your data (downloaded stuff, saved games) will still be there.

Daedalus

IreneDAdler wrote: »

Sci-Fi Wasabi wrote: »

I'll be keeping my hard drive, if that makes a difference. What is going to happen? Anyone have experience in this matter?

Thanks in advance.

As long as you keep your harddrive, all your data (downloaded stuff, saved games) will still be there.

It will be there, but stuff you spent Microsoft Points (or whatever MS's private currency is called) on will not be usable unless you are logged into your account. If you do a replacement through Microsoft they will fix it so it works on your new console; if you do a replacement through a retail establishment instead, they won't.

There are anecdotes of being able to berate workers in some call center in BFE into giving you points for free, but that doesn't work very often.

Sci-Fi Wasabi

So what do they expect you to do if you get an elite? Piss on all your old stuff?

snarks

They pretty much outright said that the Elite sku was intended for new consumers. They'll gladly, upon request, send you a transfer cable so you can move your content over to the new hard drive, but of course, you'll need to be online to use the premium content.