Technabob » rrod

RRoD Coffin: RIP Xbox 360

Technabob — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:30:00 +0000

While the Xbox 360 Slim significantly curtailed the spread of the dreaded Red Ring of Death, those of us who owned the original white Xbox 360 know all too well about the tendency of Microsoft’s console to overheat and die a tragic death. Personally, I went through two dead consoles before ultimately lucking out with one which has lasted me for about 3 years now. Now that I say that, I wouldn’t doubt that it dies on me the next time I power it on because I just jinxed myself.

It used to be that when your 360 died of the old RRoD, you’d either toss it out in the alley, or attempt a replacement (with another refurbished console – good luck) from Microsoft support. But one thing I never thought about was just giving my dearly departed console a proper burial and just moving on. Turns out that there is actually an Xbox 360 RRoD coffin for putting your dead 360 in the ground.

Created by Australian designer Alexis Vanamois, this RRoD casket has the perfect cutout compartments for your deceased original Xbox 360, along with a separate space for its controller. It’s not like the controllers die that easily though, but you wouldn’t want your old console pal to be lonely when its six-feet-under, right?

I especially like the red ring detail on the front – though it doesn’t blink like the actual console does when it croaks. Guess the LEDs would run out of battery after a couple of days underground anyhow.

While the idea of burying your dead electronics may seem a little weird and macabre, we have become so attached to our gadgets that I wouldn’t be surprised to start seeing more and more people being buried with their favorite gizmos.

[PC World via Walyou via Geekologie]

Xbox Rrodman Robot: What Xbox 360s Do When They Die

Technabob — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:00:59 +0000

I think we’ve all had our share of Xbox 360s go the way of the notorious Red Ring of Death. The same recently happened to Technabob reader Jasper Stevens, and he decided to do something about it instead of the traditional call Microsoft tech support; wait for cardboard coffin; wait for refurbished 360; pray it doesn’t RRoD again cycle. Nope Jasper had enough, so this is what he did when his 360 bit the big one…

While I can’t identify all of the components used in the RRoDMan Xbox 360, I see plenty of the wiring, connectors, plastic bits and RF shielding that you’d find inside your 360. Jasper says the entire sculpture is made from parts harvested from his deceased 360 – with no tape, glue or other parts holding it together.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough room to cram in the 360′s DVD drive, but it does make a nice base for the robo-sculpture. And I think he could build a whole baby-bot out of the giant 360 power brick.

All I can say is great job, Jasper! I hope your 360 was already out of warranty. I was this close to doing the same with my PS3 Phat the other day when it got hit with the Y2K10229 bug, but luckily it resolved itself.

The Easiest Xbox 360 Achievement: Rrod

Technabob — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:34:09 +0000

Based on personal experience, I would have to guess that most of us have already completed this Xbox 360 achievement at some point in the last couple of years.

This Red Ring of Death achievement T-shirt is bound to draw a few chuckles from your gaming buddies, and maybe a few sobs from the ones who’ve lost a console or two to the dreaded RRoD over the years. And when you’re not wearing it, you might be able to use it to sop up your console’s excess heat in place of the old towel trick.

You can grab one of these T-shirts over at ThinkGeekfor $15.99 to $17.99 (USD), depending on your shirt size.

Celebrate the Infamous Rrod With Beaded Coasters

Alisha K. — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:13:40 +0000

Though I’m not at all certain that a Red Ring of Death is something to celebrate, per se (they’re usually occasions of anger and misery in my neighborhood), I suppose it’s nice to take something awful and turn it into something cool. Or rather, something that helps keep condensation off your nice table.

And look! A bonus amateur beer ad.

The first set of beaded coasters turned up on Flickr, and it was such an awesome project that it spawned the second set in imitation. Killer game crafts are always better in pairs.

[via GamerGrrlz]