Color distortion

[Tymon]

Well, this was all over the internet but I saw a bunch of different results and I want to have some answers from people I actually know.

The other day I turned on my console and had no video whatsoever, I had sound, so I was able to turn off the console manually through memorization of what buttons are where.

Now I'm playing TFU, and every once in a while the screen goes purple for a few seconds, like, the whole screen gets a very opaque hue of purple.

I read up on this and everything I can see says it's either my cables or RRoD is on it's way, which enrages me because the console is less than 2 weeks old and it seems to be running very cool (temperature)

 

[Malagra]

RRoD doesn't necessary mean overheating.
I'd change out your cables if you have a spare set, or if you don't want to buy another set (HDMI cables are kinda expensive), try running it off component or something else. See if you still get visual issues. I mean best thing to do would be to use the same type of cable, but yeah.

That's also what I'd say, RRoD or cables.

 

[Tymon]

I just don't understand why a clean, brand new console would get RRoD less than 2 weeks of coming out of the box.

 

[Strid]

I just don't understand why a clean, brand new console would get RRoD less than 2 weeks of coming out of the box.

Could also be your T.V. Unless you have a PS3 that runs fine on your T.V. I wouldn't rule it out. Besides, if you got it brand new you should at least have a 30 day store warranty. Go take that shit back anyway and then you'll get new cables and a new system, so you'll find out real quick if it's your T.V. or the bawx.

Everyone that I've known to have these problems, and actually known not internet know, just needed to get a new set of cables, they use component cables not the HDMI cable. However, it only happened a year or longer after they owned a 360.

 

[Morcheeba]

I just don't understand why a clean, brand new console would get RRoD less than 2 weeks of coming out of the box.

Yes exactly.. bring it back as Strid said.

It would not surprise me if it came out of manufacturing a lemon... why wouldn't it be lol. That's what mass production creates.. money sink holes.

I've not had any issues like that so this post is somewhat useless, other than just to say try a couple different things, FIRST bring the console back for an exchange. Process of elimination.

 

[Strid]

You'll want to take it back quickly anyway, since you do have the option. I mean, even if video cables fix it, something happened to cause them go bad in the first place. Maybe faulty cables, maybe the system messed them up but either way, you get to start off on a clean slate which is never a bad idea when messin' around with a few hundred dollars.

 

[Tymon]

I'm noticing some color distortion on my Wii too. Still doesn't explain the 360 having no video until I restarted it once though

 

[Bajaratt]

RRoD doesn't necessary mean overheating.
I'd change out your cables if you have a spare set, or if you don't want to buy another set (HDMI cables are kinda expensive), try running it off component or something else. See if you still get visual issues. I mean best thing to do would be to use the same type of cable, but yeah.

That's also what I'd say, RRoD or cables.

HDMI cables are pretty cheap unless you were dumb enough to buy Monster cables.

If there's distortion in another system, then it's probably your TV.

The no video thing is probably an HDCP issue with HDMI. I was having that same problem with my cable box lately, the encryption across HDMI for some reason falls out of sync and you have to just reset the unit to fix it. I'd have to reboot my cable box a couple times a week, although I just tried a different method of unplug the cable, reboot the system and plug the cable back in while it's rebooting. I did that this morning, so I'm not sure if it's a lasting solution, but I haven't had any problems since then.

 

[Tymon]

Well, I'll try it on another TV some time later, but I have over 2 months left on the warranty. if it really is the console I won't hesitate to send it in.

 

[Tagrineth]

I just don't understand why a clean, brand new console would get RRoD less than 2 weeks of coming out of the box.

RROD is actually caused by an unfortunate and fairly stupid design flaw in the 360's heatsink clamp mechanism, heat just exacerbates it to the breaking point.

Most of the people aware of this design flaw are still scratching their heads that they didn't redesign the heatsink at all for the Elite.

 

[Strid]

Well, I'll try it on another TV some time later, but I have over 2 months left on the warranty. if it really is the console I won't hesitate to send it in.

If it's only 2 weeks old, like you said, take that shit back to the store. You should at least have a 30 day store warranty. I'd do that anyway, while you still can. Just stop messin' with it and go get a new one. If it happens again you're just very, very unlucky or you have a T.V. issue, probably the T.V. issue.

 

[Tymon]

Well, I played the rest of the game (about 3 hours) on another TV I had in the house and nothing happened, so I guess it's just the TV

Scared me pretty bad, though :X

 

[Strid]

Take it back

Anyone who hasn't just gotten a 360 would agree.

 

[Makelith]

Most stores just don't take things back. They at least do the bare minimum of testing (plugging them in to a TV and let them get to the start screen) so taking it back probably wouldn't help much if its working just fine on another TV. Another thing is that every store i know of only has a 1 week new return policy. 1 month is a pretty long time for new out of box return. Best to check where you bought it from (you said you had another 2 months, so it sounds like you know).

 

[Strid]

Eh, I didn't think about that but it's exactly why I never bought anything other than games and cheap accessories at places like Gamestop, until my PS3 (I just found to good of a deal to pass up). If I'm goin' to drop a load of cash on a new machine I'll buy it from Wal-Mart, Best Buy, or someplace similar.

My friend bought his 360 at Best Buy and two months later it ended up crappin' out on him. He didn't even buy the extended warranty but had no problems returning it. Those places are pretty good about taking things back if you hold your ground, it's not like they loose anything except a customer from not bein' a little generous. I've never had any problems returnin' things past a warranty date at Best Buy either. He told me the manager just told him they really don't see a reason in not taking them back for an exchange, though a refund is out of the question, he says Microsoft takes care of them all they have to do is send it back, which they (Best Buy) doesn't even have to pay for, and fill out some simple paper-work.

At places like Gamestop you've got to worry about who is workin' and what kind of existing relationship you have with them.

None-the-less, I'd figure even Gamestop gives you two weeks on a new 360. I know my PS3 had a month warranty from Gamestop and I bought it at a store where I didn't know the clerk.

 

[Makelith]

I really envy you then, lol. Everyone that works in the return department at the best buy by me are complete idiots. I had a 2 years warranty and my HDD crashed and they made me come back like 4 times because the manager wasn't working and they needed him to "approve special cases". I walked away and made several comments about how he bared a striking resemblance to Harry Potter.

 

[Bajaratt]

I know at Fry's our returns department is retarded in how much stuff they will take back. I've seen items that were returned after a customer purchased it, cut out the UPC for a rebate of some kind, and then brought the unit back. They will pretty much take anything back unless they are explicitly(and repeatedly) told not to by someone above them.