When a Microsoft Xbox 360 console experiences a “general hardware failure”, three flashing red lights appear on the front of the console. Exactly how many users have experienced this problem is unknown to the public.Some have confused General Hardware Failure with a similar looking error warning where all four lights flash, but the flashing of all four lights simply means that the AV cable is not properly inserted into the console.In the USA (check your documentation for local support), if the 360 owner does indeed have three flashing red lights, they are recommended to call the local Xbox support line (1-800-4MYXBOX in the US) as quickly as possible. Upon doing so, a technician will gather the information required to send the consumer a shipping box with included instructions, packaging supplies, and sealing tape. The owner then packs their console and ships it via a courier with the prepaid waybill. Within a period of 2-3 weeks, the repaired or refurbished 360 will be shipped back to the owner. In some cases it has taken up to several months for the console to be returned.The Nyko Intercooler has also been reported to have caused a general hardware failure in a number of consoles, as well as scorching of the power AC input. Microsoft stated that the peripheral drains too much power from the console and can cause faults to occur, and stated that consoles fitted with the peripheral will have their warranty null and void.Microsoft publicly claims to have resolved several hardware issues via design and manufacturing changes.Microsoft executives discussed the issues with their shareholders in their July 5, 2007 conference call.Xbox 360 consoles based on the “Falcon” motherboard feature a 65nm CPU which reduces heat, has greater reliability over previous models. General hardware failure rates of the “Falcon” motherboard is rumored to be around 10%.
Some customers who have suffered the 3-ring error have found that overheating their system and then allowing it to cool provides a temporary fix, which may result in a working Xbox for as little as a few hours, or as long as a couple weeks. This is achieved by wrapping the console in towels, (Without the HDD, any game disks, A/V or ethernet. Only the AC cord is left connected.) and allowing it to “cook” in a warm room for 15 minutes, then giving it a half-hour cool down time. This can be used with caution as a way to play the system until the standard shipping repair box arrives.[25] This is commonly known as the “Towel Trick”. However cooking an Xbox 360 with the “Towel Trick” runs the risk of further damaging the system by overheating the memory, CPU, GPU, or drying out electrolytic capacitors, which can’t tolerate temperatures higher than 85° Celsius for a long time.