New game consoles just break!

Smorlock

I really just have to get this out of me. I HATE the bullcrap reliability of new consoles nowadays. I haven't finished a game in months now, because they all just keep on breaking. I have gone through a 360 Elite, three PSPs, and in the last few months, back to back THREE PS3s. Three. My first YLOD'd, then the new one they sent didn't display games properly, and my third one now has just decided to not turn on, ever, for any reason. I have started and re-started MGS4 three times and I just can't do it again. Has anyone else had the luck I am having or is it just me? Am I a walking EMP, or is this truly a problem with today's consoles? I frequently play my N64, Genesis, GBC, and Gamecube, all of which are still running flawlessly and have endured far worse treatment. I just can't understand why I have to invest so much time these days in repairing my game consoles. I think it is absolutely atrocious that they can get away with making such brutal equipment. If they can't make it right, maybe we can survive without cramming the 5.1 surround ultra-hi-def stuff inside our game consoles. Sigh. Maybe I need a Wii.

Bionic Monkey

It's you. The 360 has an unusually high failure rate, but if you're experiencing that frequent failure across several different systems, you're doing something wrong.

ruzkin

This might sound obvious, but are you packing them into some tiny airless space, or standing them upright so the air intakes get blocked?

I mean, yeah, 360's are fairly unreliable, but not THAT bad. My first 360 died after ten hours but the replacement is still running perfectly.

Dashui

When I get angry, I scream in this glass-breakingly shrill voice and lift the game console above my head before throwing it to the ground. Sometimes it doesn't start up or it makes strange noises. Fucking new game consoles just break!

Anyway, either you're doing something wrong (bad airflow; changing the system position from horizontal to vertical, especially if it's turned on) or you just have horrendous luck.

Norfair

To be fair, when I had this happen last year (I went through three Wiis and one 360), it turned out to be a bad electrical outlet which I had to have fixed. So it might not be the guy's fault.

Esh

I was joking about this with the guy at Gamestop who sold me my 360 today.

"I wonder why their consoles break? Tight airless spaces. Set on carpet. Filthy dust laden rooms. Dogs. Cigarettes..."

Gamers are traditionally NOT clean or well organized people. You just have to check out a "Hey, look at my setup" thread to see that. Some of those rooms make me cry.

HadjiQuest

Norfair wrote: »

To be fair, when I had this happen last year (I went through three Wiis and one 360), it turned out to be a bad electrical outlet which I had to have fixed. So it might not be the guy's fault.

Did you use a surge protector, or even a power bar you mistook for a surge protector (although aren't almost all powerbars also surge protectors by default now)?

Dashui

HadjiQuest wrote: »

Norfair wrote: »

To be fair, when I had this happen last year (I went through three Wiis and one 360), it turned out to be a bad electrical outlet which I had to have fixed. So it might not be the guy's fault.

Did you use a surge protector, or even a power bar you mistook for a surge protector (although aren't almost all powerbars also surge protectors by default now)?

I plugged mine into a power bar encased in a water filled cake. I was told that it would keep the cord at an acceptable temperature and therefore would be better for the system. It did not work. I blame Microsoft and their shoddy cables.