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Red Ring of Death
The "Red Ring of Death" is a technological problem that has affected older versions of the Microsoft Xbox 360. This problem is related to a number of reasons; however, it's signified by the appearance of red rings on the faceplate of your Xbox 360. The problems can range from minor hardware issues to critical system problems. When these rings appear, your system will no longer play any of your games. While the Xbox website offers troubleshooting tips (see Resources), the main recourse is to send the console to Microsoft for repair. If the rings appear while the console is under warranty, all repairs will be covered. If the warranty has passed, you will have to pay a repair fee. Do not attempt to repair the system yourself because doing so will immediately void the warranty.
How to avoid the "Red Ring"
Older models of the Xbox 360 are susceptible to the red rings; however, you can follow simple tips to help avoid the problem from occurring. Keep your console off the carpet to avoid dust and fibers from clogging the vent. Also, periodically use a dry cloth and vacuum with a hose attachment to clean the air vents of any foreign objects (see Resources). The air flow will help keep the system from overheating. Avoid long gaming sessions because the continued strain on your system will cause excessive wear and tear. Be sure to read the owner's manual to get the optimal use from your Xbox 360.
Disc Read Error
The Xbox 360 uses discs for its entertainment purposes. While using your system you may come across the "This disc is unreadable" error message. The disc could be spinning but not playing as it should or the word "reading" is displayed on the screen for extended periods of time. Try to clean the disc using cleaning solution. With a soft cloth clean, away from the disc's center and do not use circular motions. You may also want to try to clear the systems cache through the My Xbox menu. If either of these solutions does not work, visit the Xbox website for more information (see Resources).
Additional Problems
Additional problems can affect your Xbox 360 game console. For example, in April 2010 a new update was released that allows users to save game content on USB storage devices. However, all of these devices are not compatible with the Xbox 360, and using an incompatible storage device will not allow you to play your saved data. The company Scan Disk has created a flash drive that is compatible with the Xbox 360. If you ever experience problems with your system, contact the Xbox support line or a local technology service (see Resources).