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XBOX 360 WIRELESS RACING WHEEL REQUIRES RETROFIT

Yes gang, another piece of Microsoft hardware is being labeled as faulty. Microsoft has announced that due to a possible flaw in one of the components of the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel that could result in overheating, smoking and an implied potential fire hazard, they are requesting that all owners stop using the powered functions of the wheel until they can get a retrofit kit from Microsoft to correct the problem.

The wheel itself can be used in the meantime with no risk if not plugged in, however that does eliminate all force feedback functionality.

“As a precautionary measure, Microsoft Corporation is voluntarily providing its customers with a free retrofit to the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel. The Wheels were manufactured during 2006 – 2007. A component in the Wheel chassis may in rare cases overheat and release smoke when the AC-DC power supply is used to energize the Wheel.

There have been no reported incidences of fire, personal injury or property damage due to the Wheel malfunction. Despite no known safety incidents, we are advising our customers about this because of our strong commitment to ensuring that our products are safe and perform to our design specifications.” - Xbox.com

Now I’m not sure what exactly this retrofit kit includes, but whatever it is, it’s apparently a simple enough installation that Microsoft feels you can make the change yourself – because that’s what you’re going to have to do. Owners of the Wireless Racing Wheel should either contact Xbox support by phone at 1-800-4MY-XBOX or use the form located at this link to have the kit sent out to them. Once mine arrives, I’ll be sure to at least post what you can expect to find in the kit and what is involved in making the required repair.

Racing wheel requires retrofit kit – say that ten times fast. Microsoft, I love my Xbox 360, but you guys have GOT to get your act together on the hardware reliability front. Seriously.

September 6, 2007 Posted by nylatenite | Defective, Microsoft, Oops, Quick Fix, Xbox 360 | | No Comments Yet

XBOX 360 FLATOUT: ULTIMATE CARNAGE DEMO NOW AVAILABLE

A demo of Flatout: Ultimate Carnage for the Xbox 360 is now available for download via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Approximate demo size 751.67MB.

September 6, 2007 Posted by nylatenite | Demo, Racing, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Marketplace | | No Comments Yet