After the recent fall update for the Xbox 360, reports are still streaming in of Xbox 360's that appear to have had an adverse reaction to the numerous changes. It appears that many gamers are furious and claim that the update is the cause of numerous problems with their Xbox 360's. A quick glance over at Xbox.com gives an indication of the worries with over 64 pages worth of ranting and raving from gamers in the US and UK (link at the end of article).

The huge Fall update, which consisted of 85 new features and enhancements,was released on October 31st adding a host of system upgrades including HD 1080p video mode support over VGA and component cables and Xbox 360 Wireless Headset support. Every since the update, the Microsoft help-desk has apparently been inundated with callers who have been experiencing problems with their consoles.

The main issue seems to revolve around console freezing, although there are reports on dozens of other issues that have been alleged on the Xbox.com forum alone.

" The drive door won't stay shut no mater what I do. Everytime I hit close on the dashboard (or the eject button on the console itself) the door just pops open again - even when I shut the system down! ," said one poster. "The drive stays shut for 1 second then opens right back up. I had to hit close then pull the power cord out of the back within a 1 second window. Also, when this system boots up, the dashboard disappears within a few minutes leaving a blank screen. I called Microsoft support and they tried to charge me $139.00 to return it for repair."

Microsoft are not saying whether the recent spate of Xbox 360 complaints is due to the fall update and, whilst they seem willing to fix some of the issues for free, many gamers are being asked to pay for the repairs. We've personally been told by a friend of ours, who only yesterday phoned the support desk to complain, that his Xbox 360 was freezing and screen was turning blank after a few minutes of booting up a game. He phoned the UK customer support and was told he would have to pay £105 to resolve this issue. You can imagine his response.

It seems that some gamers have had enough of the issue and a number of US consumers have been filing complaints with the Better Business Bureau and their State Department of Consumer Affairs; we'd guess this is because they feel aggrieved at having to pay to repair something they deem to be Microsoft's fault.

One guy, going by the forum name of RedRum6622, claims that he has filed a 'class action' against Microsoft with US lawyer firm, Kabateck Brown Kellner LLP & Chitwood Harley Harnes LLP. "I was just contacted by the lawfirms about it. We put together the case and I signed the papers to be the Plaintiff suing Microsoft on behalf of the class(YOU GUYS), and BAMM they did the rest. They were already aware of these forums as well as others complaints.

Filed on the 29th November:

XXXXX XXX, Individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated,
Plaintiff, v.
MICROSOFT CORPORATION, a Washington Corporation, and certain unidentified Microsoft Corporation affiliates, Defendants. )))))))))))))

Case No.
CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT FOR:
1. BREACH OF CONTRACT;
2. VIOLATION OF CONSUMER
PROTECTION ACT (RCW 19.86); AND 3. NEGLIGENCE
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED

SUMMARY OF CLAIMS
1. This is a class action against Microsoft and its affiliates for Breach of Contract, violation of the Washington Consumer Protection Act (“CPA”) (RCW 19.86) and, alternatively, Negligence. Plaintiff brings this action on behalf of himself and all other persons who experienced hardware problems with their Microsoft Xbox 360 gaming consoles following installation of Microsoft’s Fall 2006 Update for the Xbox 360.

THE PARTIES
2. Plaintiff XXXX XXX is an individual resident of California. Plaintiff is the original purchaser and current owner of an Xbox 360 gaming console. Plaintiff brings this action individually and as a class action under Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure on behalf of the class specified herein.

Are the recent spate of Xbox 360 failures really due to the Fall update? Will Microsoft take a blind bit of notice of the complaints? Will gamer power prevail? We don't know, but it's going to be interesting finding out.

One thing we do know is that Microsoft have always been pretty swift to bring out a patch if the problem does lie with them, let's hope they get a move on before other 'crazy' people (don't sue us RedRum) start filing lawsuits.

Read some of the complaints : Xbox.com