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Xbox Errors: Should You Try To Fix Your Xbox Yourself Or Send It In For Repairs?

by DavidMichaels

So you're playing your Xbox and all of a sudden you get an error. Or, what most gamers refer to as the Red Ring of Death. There isn't a quicker way to ruin an evening than to lose your console. And if you have to send it in for repairs, it could be weeks before you're back up and gaming again. When you're faced with Xbox problems, should you try to fix your console yourself or should you send it in for repairs?

Before you break out the screwdriver and soldering gun to fix your Xbox yourself, there are a couple of things you need to consider. One is whether or not your Xbox still has a warranty. If you purchased the extra store warranty, then of course it makes more sense to take your Xbox back to the store and exchange it. But if you didn't, your Xbox still has a warranty of at least a year, and in some instances three years. Yes, you have to wait for them to fix it and send it back to you, but it's better than opening up your Xbox and voiding the warranty and still having a broken one at the end of it all.

Weigh the pros and cons of fixing your Xbox on your own. Are you pretty good with fixing electronics? Can you follow directions? If you are too afraid to fix your Xbox at home, then there is no harm in just sending it back to have it repaired. Don't waste your time and energy buying tools to fix it if you would feel better sending it back.

The other thing you need to consider if you want to fix your Xbox yourself is that you want to make sure that whatever repair guide you are following has good reviews and will be easy to follow. Even if you have technical know how, try to find a repair guide that has good videos or pictures. Most Red Rings of Death are easy fixes, but it always helps to have step-by-step instructions just to be sure you don't miss anything.

When your Xbox stops working, it is easy to get caught up in the frustration and want it fixed immediately. Just make sure to use your head if you decide to fix your Xbox yourself. If you aren't confident in your ability to fix it, just send it in. You can always rent an Xbox from your local game store and play that while you are waiting to get your Xbox back from the repair center.

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Need advice about repairing your broken Xbox? Here's a great blog: http://brokenxbox.org