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[Update]: Disc Read Problems Not Caused By Upcoming Update

UPDATE: Microsoft's Major Nelson has posted a clarification on his website regarding the cause of the disc read errors that having been popping up, which should ease the minds of anxious gamers.

On his blog, Nelson fingers an old update as the cause of the errors, not the new update which will increase disc size:

"Clarification time! The console replacement plan that is the subject of some of today’s headlines is related to a previous update, NOT the system update that has been in public beta and will be deployed shortly.

"The new disc format that is part of the beta has been rigorously tested across all Xbox 360 models and there are no known compatibility issues.

"Hope that clears a few things up.
"

So when the new update rolls out tomorrow, don't worry about hitting that "Accept" button.

ORIGINAL STORY: Microsoft is prepping a Xbox 360 firmware update that starts going out tomorrow which updates the system's disc format, but the company is warning gamers that there may be a few bumps in the road.

"Following a recent update to our system software," says Microsoft, "we have become aware of an issue that is preventing a very small number of Xbox 360 owners from playing retail game discs. This issue manifests itself as a unique 'disc unreadable' or 'disc unsupported' error on the screen. We are also able to detect this issue over Xbox Live and are proactively reaching out to customers that may be impacted to replace their console."

Microsoft is reportedly offering to give afflicted gamers a 250GB slim 360 along with a year's membership to Live.

The disc format update plans to increase the storage space on DVDs used by the system by 1GB.

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Comments
  • Well at least they aren't just leaving the gamers affected on their own and their replacing their systems for free.
  • Heh, how many other people reading this would put money on the suspicion that Microsoft used Sony's recent PSN happenings as a template for how well to handle this new console situation? Do you think they'd have given their customers any less if the PSN was left alone?
  • How can I make my Xbox have this affliction. I really need more a 250GB hard drive...
  • I smell trouble but at least Microsoft is doing the right thing.
  • Please, firmware, break my Xbox 360! It's from way back in 2007! Its time is up, kill it!
  • What is the 360 that doesn't work with the new firmware?
  • Wow, talk about a not-so-bad stroke of luck. If I had an old Pro still that happened to be affected and got upgraded to a Slim WITH a year of Live, that's like winning a pimp my xbox mini-contest or something, hahaha
  • See Sony, this is what we call being proactive.
  • Nice, here's hoping my original arcade system is affected! lol *** and I was really proud its still working after the tens of 1,000's of hours used.
  • I believe this only happens on OLDER, worn out disks. or scratchy ones. The update seems to make the optic lense more "Sensitive"
  • Now I'm sitting here hoping the updated bricks my console.

  • Any idea as to how many they're thinking could be affected? I have the 250 gig Reach console and if this happened to mine and they sent me just the plain black 360 I would be extremely pissed
  • Microsoft is definitely being proactive about this issue.  I also hope that my old 360 gets a makeover.

  • man I hope mine is affected.
  • Lovely, looking forward to this one. Maybe mine will be affected...

  • 1gb? Ja, bluray have 25gb. What a crab
  • I guess i'll find out next week when i get broadband installed whether mine is an "afflicted" console. Fingers crossed.

  • >.< GG microsoft......that being said, hope my xbox is one of the effected ....lol

  • Okay, let me get this straight? Microsoft is telling me or us or those who have a Xbox 360 since 2009, is going to be affected by some nasty change? But its okay cause they will be providing free Xbox 360s to those who have that white obsolete version? Is this correct? Someone? Anyone? GOD?!
  • ***! Why couldn't I have and afflicted console!
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