The lights are on
Like most of you, I've suffered from the Red Ring of Death on my Xbox 360 not once, but multiple times. A less common occurrence, but no less unfortunate, is the fact that I've also had the additional misfortune of having two 360 wireless adapters crap out on me as well. This whole experience has made me think a little about playing online and how that fits into how I play games.After my second adapter gave up the ghost, I sat back and assessed whether I should roll the dice a third time and plonk down $80 for another one. I didn't. For a while it wasn't an issue because I just plugged in an ethernet cord, but with the way my TV, 360, and modem is configured now, it was wireless adapter or nothing at all. So, for the past six months or so I lived without online on my 360.At first it didn't make much of a difference since I don't play a lot of games online (and I've also got the PS3 versions of some titles), but recently I've been thinking again about what I've been missing and whether it would be worth it to pay for another adapter. For instance, the free Madden Ultimate Team mode is something I'd like to try out but can't. What about updates and patches, not to mention DLC? I'm starting to feel more isolated and like I'm not getting the most out of some of my games at home.It's no use taking a pseudo-Luddite stand on console's increased reliance on an Internet connection, or grabbing my pitchfork instead of my controller to protest shoddy manufacturing, because in the end the joke is on me since I don't get to experience the content that I want. If I insist on getting all my games on PS3 where online is free and included in the system, I'm surely going to miss out on some cool 360 exclusives.Frankly I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I'm leaning towards just getting one, but I'm sure it'll be an internal argument all the way to the store.
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I luckily have not fallen to the red ring of death. Though my first xbox had issues with reading the disc. Regardless I got another 360. I still don't have a PS3. But I'm considering getting one just in case if this 360 has to take a vacation to texas.
I hate to ask the obvious but would a router not help in the setup? I prefer not to use wireless due to the connection rate so I just use a router between my 360 and my PC (both are hooked up to my tv).
I use Live too much to pass it up.
have you tried the newer wireless adapter it's supposed to be a lot better. I know the feeling with the RROD I haven't hooked up my 360 yet cuz of all the use on our ps3 and wii. I will hook it up if i have a job in the industry since it looks better to have all 3 systems
I don't have a 360, but I would like one. Plus I would need a wireless adapter also. I mean if I bought a 360 and what happened to you happens to me...........I would give back the 360 and get my money back. You would get what I mean if you read my blog " Is an Xbox 360 Worth It?". This gives me second thoughts about whether I should get a 360. But the exclusives are just awesome! Gotta think about this.
I had a similar issue. Between my 360 crapping out, and the worry of the wi-fi adapter, PS3 was the way to go. The on-line play is free, the wi-fi is built right in, and games like God of War 3, Heavy Rain, and Uncharted 2 will make you forget all about the 360 exclusives. I was a hardcore exlusive 360 guy for 5 years, but after switching to PS3, i've never looked back.
I just don't trust wireless. I keep both my XBox 360 and PS3 hardwired to my router. And there is no way I'm paying for the wireless adapter. Sorry.
I've found that when I'm having an internal struggle like yours, I try to just choose what I think will make me happier. Once I've figured that out, I simply stick to that choice and carry it out before I have time to second guess myself, and once it's done, I don't look back. Therfore my advice is do what you believe will make you happier, no matter if it does cost $80, or if you just play online on PC or PS3. But I guess if it was that easy you would have already done this haha.
I think I am the only person who has a 4 year old Xbox that has not had a single problem. I also have a wireless adapter thats worked fine science day 1. I would go head and get it, I think the newer ones are better.
why cant you just hook up an ethernet cable to it with a router? i dont think i could stand play live over wi-fi.
i have the halo 360 and it only red ringed on me once. im actually hoping it does it again so i can just buy a new one with more memory lol. but this little sucker will not quit.
well, If you don't play too much online why bother buying another one if you're afraid it will crap out again.
A cord isn't possible, as I'm not going to run it all the way downstairs, nor am I going to drill into my floorboards...
Modem... ~_- How can you be a GI editor and not know its called a router.
Im not going to explain it to you. google it. Anyway, Xbox isnt reliable at all, MS just made it that way so you would spend more money on it. Stick with the PS3, Sony always makes solid gear.
well if you really dont play online i wouldn't waste the money, $80 is a lot for something you could really do without if you dont use it much. especually since most big multiplayer games are on PS3 as well and you could just use that. as far as updates go, if you really needed em couldn't you download em from a freind's xbox and save em to a memory card or something and get em that way? i honestly have no idea if thats even possible so if its not just ignore me lol.
@ Matthew B
I was thinking the same thing, I haven't had a problem with my 360 either, and I have had mine for about 3 years, lol.
Yeah, it really makes you wonder if its worth getting another one after your 360 and its gear fails time and time again. I finally got tired of it and recently bought a ps3. It took a while for me to come around, and I still love the Mass Effect series, but I will only use my 360 for worthy exclusives and sports games from now on. I'm on my third 360 and my warranty is expired so I am afraid to use it. The first time it failed was christmas eve when some family members from out of town wanted to check it out, and to my surprise, 3 red lights. I bought it late August of that year. I have had some good times with it but I have had many a headache as well. If all my friends didn't have 360 I would probably just sell it, but that could just be temporary frustration. Also, every real life friend(not friends on live) have had their xbox red ring at least once, usually twice.
i only got my 360 replaced once, and my wireless adapter has worked fine ever since i got it
I have gone months without using Xbox Live but eventually you're gonna want to jump back in, so I would just bite the bullet and get another adapter. I haven't heard of wireless adapter's crapping out and I think you were just extremely unlucky. When Halo Reach becomes the next big thing on Live, you are gonna want to have that adapter ready.
Just keep one thing in mind. The next time you go to the store and buy your wireless adapter, when they ask if you would like to purchase an extended warranty you say YES!
@highrishman420
I know what you mean about being happier. 9 times out of 10, after I just go ahead and buy something, I never look back in regret. I guess this is just how I buy stuff sometimes. By the time I obsess over it for months and put it off, I'm thinking, "Christ, just buy the *** thing and stop whining about it already!"
So yeah, we're probably thinking along the same lines....
Thanks for all the help, people!
Sux you can't just hard wire your ethernet cable to your 360 due to the fact of the logistical set up. I always use a hardline because I personally just like it better, that and $80+ bucks for a wireless set up is a bit steep, especially now a days. So I shelled out for a 50ft. long ethernet cord and now I can play in any room in my house, even the garage if needed guess it always comes down to personal preferance.