Published in August 25th, 2007
Xbox 360 owners have reported on discussion forums and review sites widespread problems with the gaming receiver, an accessory that enables the use of the videogame's with PC games.
ADVERTISEMENT The is the second Xbox 360 accessory reported this week to be giving Microsoft customers problems. The maker on Tuesday saying it had been informed about a "very small number" of incidents when components in the accessory overheated and emitted smoke when the unit was plugged into an outlet.
In the latest set of problems, users reported connection problems with the gaming receiver on review sites of online retailers and and on and discussion forums. Some buyers said they couldn't get the receiver to work, and others reported conflicts with other computer peripherals built by third-parties that also sell control devices, such as Logitech and Wacom.
Microsoft was not immediately available for comment.
Problems with the Xbox 360 system have been a major headache for Microsoft. The company took a fourth quarter charge of $1.06 billion against earnings to cover the cost of extending the warranty on the Xbox 360. The reason was to placate customers complaining that the consoles had a tendency to breakdown after just several months of use. The company also has been hit with claiming a design flaw in the console causes the system to scratch game discs. Microsoft has denied the claim.
In the case of the steering wheel accessory, Microsoft released a free retrofit designed to fix the problem. Until receiving the part, the company advised customers to used the wheel on battery power only.
The problems appeared to have had an impact on sales. Microsoft in July reported that sales of the Xbox 360 in the fiscal fourth quarter.
