Locked-up?

Written by TheBBPS

Thursday, 30 November 2006 10:49

A year ago Microsoft launched its 2nd console to the world. The launch was so so and there were some faulty units but Microsoft did a great job of putting gamers into the next generation. Fast foward a year to today, and the 360 has blossomed into THE next gen system to have. And this is coming from a Sony guy. I love the games, the selection, and Microsoft's insane commitment to gamers around the world (except for Canada, my heart goes out to you Jimmy).

So what's the problem? I'm beginning to see a trend with every new, visual intense game. They cause my 360 to lock up like bowells that had too much cheese and can't take a dump. For me it started with Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory. I played Splinter Cell multi player over XBL and my system would freeze at times, it was rare and I just figured either mine or someone else playing with me had a bad connection. But then there were a few times where it would lock up in single player. Once again it was very rare so it didn't really matter too much. I just figured maybe the game was rushed to make to the shelves, so I didn't really mind.

Then came Gears of War. The showcase piece for the 360. It was probably the most anticipated game next to Halo 3. I put the game in and in less than an hour, it locked up. I shrugged it off thinking it was a one time thing. Well I was wrong. Gears locked up my system so many times. But its Gears and the gameplay is so easy to jump into that you really don't mind. Even online, me and Greshkov would be playing, all of a sudden he would just start walking into a wall. I would start talking to him but get no answer. Finally after reseting the system we would be back on, and Gears' forgiving check point system would put us right back where we were. So again, it didn't really bother me.

Enter Rainbow Six: Vegas. My most anticipated game of the year. I was so excited to play this game since I saw the video from E3. Of course Greshkov and I were pshyced to play co-op. So we loaded it up and within an hour, the game locked up. And when it locks up, you can't press the dashboard button. Sometimes you even have to unplug it, if the power button won't turn it off. Vegas is by far the worst locking up 360 game that I've ever played. Sometimes it locks up within minutes of playing. Its even more annoying when it locks up online because the game doesn't allow you to jump into an already existing co-op game like Gears. So you have to start the map all over again. The maps in Vegas are huge and challenging, having to start from the beginning just destroys the experience.

So what's going on here? Is it the system? Or is it the games? Whatever it is, the system has only been out for 1 year, I pray that it doesn't get worse. Are there any other games that are causing your 360 to crash? Let us know!

Comments (7) Add Comment

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written by Harpua Scorpio, November 30, 2006

I don't know B, I've only had 1 game lock up my system, Saints Row. I played all the way through Gears and never had a hitch. How's the ventilation around your system?

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written by danzuke(NetPhantom), November 30, 2006

Saints row killed my system. After 2 lockups. I think the ventilation around the power supply is what did it

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written by OPTIMUS PRIME, November 30, 2006

1. When did you get your 360?

I had this problem with my first 360 that I bought about 3 months ago. I put in Saint's Row and it locked up a few times, then I got the Red Ring of Death. I returned that unit to Best Buy and have not had a problem since.

A friend of mine has the same issue as you but he has an original (around launch day) unit. I think MS will replace/fix it for you if you have one of those close to launch units.

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written by jimmycanuck, November 30, 2006

It's the early death throes of your system. Call Microsoft if you're still under warranty. I'm on my fifth, FIFTH 360. So unfortunately I have a fair bit of experience with the problem you're discussing.

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written by B, November 30, 2006

I had my launch system replaced weeks after Nov. 22. And my ventilation is really good. It sits on a table with nothing behind it or in front, the PS3 sits about a foot away from it, its not close enough to bother it. It was doing it before hand. Hopefully the update this morning fixed some of the problems. Greshkov's locks up too, and there forums that have people talking about the same thing in the same games, so I don't think its just my system. Fight Night Rd 3 demo killed my first 360.

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written by greshkov, December 01, 2006

aside from the progect gotham problem i'm having, gears and rainbow cause my system to freeze like a five year old playing tag (i get points for trying). my system is in a unit, but the air coming out of the back of the system is only ever warm. there's enough room for it to breathe back there. it is a launch day system, and i wont be surprised if it dies. if it goes, it will be the first system to ever die on me. i'm pretty good about taking care of them. i even vaccum out the vents every month to clean out the dust. it's sick, i know.

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written by lugajug, January 02, 2007

When I play Rainbow six vegas online I'll occasionally freeze during a fire fight right when I die. I don't think it can handle rendering all the bullets-movement-damage-explosions all at once. The games are more advanced then the DSL connections.
I've had better luck with smaller rooms.