OT-Xbox 360 Help

Submitted by GoWolverines16 on
I recently got three red rings on my xbox and registered on Xbox Live support to send my xbox in to be fixed. I then heard of the towel method that fixes the three red rings. I did it and it worked for a little while. But now my xbox says I have Error 74 and when I try to register my Xbox it says I have an invalid serial number. Can anyone tell me how to fix it or am I just screwed.
MGoBoard

bleedzblue

February 17th, 2010 at 5:52 PM ^

From my experience red ring and Error 74 = death. I've had 3 different 360's two of which had the red ring. My current one has been going strong for a year and a half. I would try and send it back to them, thats what I did for my first two. It took about 3 weeks to get a new one but it was better than paying for one.

Joined: 09/03/2009

MGoPoints: 1513

bosox1519

February 17th, 2010 at 6:12 PM ^

My Xbox 360 broke on me last march. And when I tried to register it online to be repaired it said I had an invalid serial number as well. I just ended up calling them and things got sorted out. So if you haven't already tried it, I'd recommend you give them a call.

Joined: 03/18/2009

MGoPoints: 263

Big Shot

February 17th, 2010 at 6:57 PM ^

The same thing happened to me last year and I got an error 74 when I tried to register my Xbox online. I had to call Xbox support 4 times before they actually offered to help. The first 3 representatives I talked to said that I got the error because my Xbox was out of warranty, which it definitely wasn't. The 4th representative initially gave me the same answer to begin with, but then took the time to do more research when I wouldn't accept that answer. He then came back and said that he found that my Xbox was still under warranty and we began the process of shipping it in to get repaired. I suggest calling Xbox support and being persistent. If you're certain that the Xbox is still under warranty, don't take no for an answer. Also, the towel trick is a bad idea. It may temporarily fix your Xbox, but it will likely cause more damage to other internal components of the unit.

Joined: 05/02/2009

MGoPoints: 640

fleetwoodzback

February 17th, 2010 at 8:54 PM ^

the e74 error is supposedly more so the AV cables than anything else. i'd check to see if you can get ahold of some spare cables, maybe from a buddy just to check it out. the towel trick has nothing to do with the e74 error, it helps on the over heating issue. here is a link that has a pretty good step by step tutorial on how to fix the red rings. ignore the ads on the page and scroll down and look to the left and it has a disassembly guide and a repair guide. it's the one i used when i had no clue what i was doing and it worked without a hitch. http://www.thecoupondepot2006.com/xbox360

Joined: 08/28/2008

MGoPoints: 358

Blue since birth

February 17th, 2010 at 10:28 PM ^

How old is your Xbox?They're covered for 3 years on the "ROD". Either way you should send it in.If it's under warranty it's covered,if not the fee to fix it should be much cheaper than a new box.There's typically a 2 week turn arround from what I've seen. BTW-The PS3 sucks ass. If it didn't play Blu-Ray movies I'd put it on Ebay.

Joined: 12/24/2009

MGoPoints: 205

goblueritzy92

February 17th, 2010 at 10:39 PM ^

-Free PSN -Blu-Ray -Miles more reliable -Better graphics when at full capability -Less clunky controllers -Can get on the internet on PS3(although 360 may have recently added this feature) -Sports games are way better on the PS3 and shooting games are on par with the 360 All I think that the 360 may have is better online play only because more people have a 360.

Joined: 01/26/2009

MGoPoints: 4933

Blue since birth

February 18th, 2010 at 3:05 AM ^

-Free PSN---It's worth every penny. -Blu-Ray--- +1 here(Although you can watch HD movies on the 360 as well). -Miles more reliable---No longer an issue(newer and properly fixed 360s). -Better graphics when at full capability---Which is rare as far as I can tell. -Less clunky controllers---360 controller is far superior IMO.Especially for shooters.My only(minor)complaint is the d-pad. -Can get on the internet on PS3(although 360 may have recently added this feature)--- My laptop is far superior for this.I have no interest in surfing the web on a game console(as I have no interest in gaming with a kb/m). -Sports games are way better on the PS3 and shooting games are on par with the 360--- We'll just have to agree to disagree(strongly) here. All I think that the 360 may have is better online play only because more people have a 360.--- One of many reasons online is much better on the 360. The 360 has more exclusives...And better ones IMO.

Joined: 12/24/2009

MGoPoints: 205

Quail2theVict0r

February 18th, 2010 at 9:14 AM ^

-It may be free but you get what you pay for. The Xbox live system is far better, and more reliable, for online gaming. -I have a blu-ray player, if I want a DVD player I will buy one - I want a gaming system. -Only compared to the first generation Xbox. The newer Xboxes have almost the same dependability rates as the PS3. -While it's capability is better most game manufacturers actually write the code for the xbox first and performs better on the xbox. The PS3 has a proprietary code that is hard to write - therefore when translated most games actually run worse on the PS3 compared to the xbox. For instance the 2010 NCAA football ran almost 10 FPS faster on the Xbox than it did on the PS3. So if a game is actually written specifically for the PS3 than sure - but it's small and rare. -The controller is all opinion. It's what you are used to. I prefer the Xbox only because it fits your hand. -Note the NCAA football for this one. How are they better? They preform worse, it's not like they are a different game. -The online play is better because you pay for Microsoft servers. Therefore the servers are faster, the lag is better and finding games is faster.

Joined: 12/01/2008

MGoPoints: 16503

MaizeNBlu628

February 17th, 2010 at 10:55 PM ^

I got the ROD and the E74 error, sent it in each time, then I got the ROD again and I finally got tired of sending my xbox in and wait for like 4/5 weeks without it. I found a guy on craigslist that did the ROD fix for like $30, and it's been working fine ever since, that was about 8/9 months ago. But that also means, if I get it again, I won't be able to send it in for sure since its been opened. But it's worked well so far, I'm sure if you look, therell be someone close to you that can do the fix for ya.

Joined: 08/21/2009

MGoPoints: 2786

NSaad23

February 17th, 2010 at 11:24 PM ^

I used the towel method after my RROD and it worked for a few hours then stopped again. Ultimately I sent it in the coffin and had a new one back in an acceptable amount of time. Then that unit died an untimely death and i purchased a new unit which has been going strong for a year or so now. *knock on wood*

Joined: 11/20/2008

MGoPoints: 164

Quail2theVict0r

February 18th, 2010 at 9:08 AM ^

To answer you question- the towel method is only a temporary fix. It has something to do with overheating the thing so bad that it actually warps a plastic piece inside - it's not really fixing the problem. If it's still under the xbox warranty just send it into them - that's your best option. They will probably send you a refurbished one but that's better than the temporary towel fix - because even with the towel fix it WILL happen again ->the Error you are getting is probably just that you've melted something inside. As far as the serial number - just call xbox, don't do their online thing. if you call them you can just talk to someone (most likely in India) that will be able to mail you the box. If I do remember when I called the number was something like 1-800-4my-xbox....but I could be wrong.

Joined: 12/01/2008

MGoPoints: 16503