Well, I got my XBOX back today...it was a new one. HOWEVER, now I cannto log onto XBOX LIVE. It is a known problem at MS and they don't have a solution yet. It seems to be happening with most of the refurbs they are sending back out. I'm pissed now, but at least I can play my OFFLINE franchise stuff again.

Hopefully they fix it soon....if I have to send my XBOX back, I will bitch until they give me something free.

Just a heads up. Amazon.com also has the 360 version of Top Spin 2 for $39.99. Looks like this may in fact be the normal price. Although Best Buy and Gamestop still say $59.99.

you should do that regardless.

Thanks...still a bit cheaper for me through EBgames.com (although, if it REALLY is the price, Iwill be canceling that pre-order)

As for me getting FREE stuff, MS is supposed to acll me back when they know what is going on. If I don't hear from them within 72 hours, I will bitch. (I think the lady was about to say Friday, but she caught herself) It sounds like they are giving away free stuff to lots of people.

I'm hoping $40 is the real price. I'd rather buy this at Best Buy and get my reward zone pts.

That would be nice. As dropping the shipping cost would be great as well.

So, is NO one else having trouble getting on LIVE? Anyone get a system back from MS recently? I'm still debating what to do. They said they are working on the problem, but it's just pissing me off that I cannot get on LIVE.

I hate the fact they KNOW about the problem, but cannot fix it. Nice way to screw the people.

Gamestop now has Top Spin 2 at 39.99 as well. I'll probably cancel with EB and go with Best Buy for the rewardzone points, as well.

Someone on the xbox forums is reporting that $39.99 is the MSRP for Top Spin 2. If that is the case I will cancel as well and go for the BB points.

Yeah, I'll wait until we get confirmation on the Top Spin info. I'm sure I'll cancel it when it comes down to it....nice to know It's $40 right now through EB and other places. Still $60 on BestBuy.com

Too bad I cannto play any LIVE games though....just look over the XBOX.com forums, I'm glad I'm not the only one who has this issue. All because that one damn update...what a mess it's caused. Broke my XBOX, now the refurb works but w/o LIVE support. I feel myself bitching to MS soon. I'll give them until Sat or Monday at the latest (give them the weekend to work it out)

I could have sworn I've seen this information somewhere... but I can't find it. So sorry to ask this if it's been aswered before.

Just upgraded my router to a g system (from a b) to increase signal strength and speed for xbox live. So far, so good.

But now I'm getting a message about an NAP (I think that's right) setting which is set to "strict"... and that such a setting could cause me to have sessions dropped and impede online game play.

How and where do I change this? I could find nothing like it on the router setup.

Thanks

^^ What kind of router is it?

If you are using a Linksys, go into the router's administration and turn on UPnP, if it's not already on. That's what fixed it for me.

you'll need to do that with any router. Also you may want to set up a game rule on your router to make sure the ports are forwarded UDP ports 88 and 3074 I believe.

Saw this on another forum and thought it was pretty funny.

It is a Linksys Router. It's a WRT54GX2.

And I don't think I'm familiar with setting up a "game rule." Can you explain?

Also...will making these changes give me increased speed... or just make the ability to connect more reliable?

Thanks for answering what might be very stupid questions!

Frank

I have yet to update my 360. I think Ill wait as I dont even remember whats included in that update (I remeber it wasnt much). Witht he trouble some have experienced I think Ill stay waiting.

that's great Sekots. Love the Friend Radar and Hard Core.

However it would be funnier if all the dates and points weren't the same. The devil is in the details.

I didn't need to set up a rule as has been suggested. Just go into admin and click on Administration and enable UPnp and save changes on the router. Then do a test on Xbox Live and see if your NAT is says "Open" (i think this is what it says) instead of "Strict". That was all i had to do, so I would think it would work for you.

As for increased speed on live, the answer is no. But it will make you connection more reliable as far as connecting to others on the network. When I made that change I noticed that it was easier to connect with some friends and join them in games.

Done. And it worked as it now says my NAT is "open". Thanks.

One more question with regard to signal strength.

When I get on LIVE for Madden, I'm shown as three bars out of three. But when I look at my network setting... it shows me with one (out of five). But is that one just due to the fact that I'm not currently playing/downloading something online?

I'd doubt my signal is that weak.. as its just 65 feet from the router and up one flight. Signal seems pretty strong throughout the house now.

Played one game online up there, and it seemed relatively lag free.

The bars in Madden measure the quality of your network connection--basically your ping response--NOT the strength of your wireless connection. The bars in your network setup area DO represent the strength of your wireless connection, and one bar sounds about right at 65 feet and one floor away from your router/AP. That is a long ways for consumer level wireless equipment. And, no, the number of bars isn't related to whether you are playing or downloading something online.

So which of those numbers is actually more important when playing online?

I've only played a few games of Madden there... but normally I avoid those with just one bar in the Madden lobby.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=14680

Xbox 360 shortages will end soon, says Moore

Ellie Gibson 14:25 13/02/2006

Supply problems over "within four to six weeks"

Microsoft's Peter Moore has announced that Xbox 360 shortages should soon be at an end, stating: "Within the next four to six weeks, anybody will be able to walk into a store and buy an Xbox 360."

Moore's comments came as part of his keynote speech at the DICE Summit in Las Vegas. He attributed the stock supply problems to component shortages, adding that these issues have now been resolved.

"Now we're starting to cook. We're building a vibrant, rich and profitable business model for the future," Moore said.

He admitted that the problems were also caused in part by the fact that the console launched in North America, Europe and Japan almost simultaneously, but said while this strategy was controversial, "It was the right decision."

"It's what we needed to do to bring next-gen gaming to a global audience. There have been short-term shortages, but we're driving a clear advantage as we go forward," Moore said.

He went on to highlight the success of the Xbox Live service, stating that more than four million pieces of content have been downloaded since launch. While only 10 per cent of original Xbox owners have used the service, 54 per cent of Xbox 360 owners have connected to Xbox Live - and Microsoft intends to "maintain that all the way through Xbox 360's life cycle."

Moore also said that Xbox Live Arcade, which he billed as "The Sundance of independent games," has proved extremely popular with Xbox 360 owners. So far there have been 2 million downloads, and more than 35 per cent of gamers who downloaded the playable demo for Geometry Wars went on to buy the full game - an impressive statistic, said Moore.

"Nothing normally converts from sample to purchase at a rate of 35 percent. It's proof positive that we are dragging gaming into the online era."


Chris

I still don't believe it....especially since they are sending out BROKE refurbs now too. Why not just give me a NEW system since they know they have issues with refurbs. I'm still waiting for MS to fix my LIVE now. It's been over a week and they are supposed to call me with a resolution.

They had a bad batch of refurbs go out where EVERYONE could NOT get on LIVE. Nice way to check your products MS!

I call bullshit as well. They haven't given the public an honest answer in 3 months of the systems life. Why the change of heart all of a sudden?

I'm thinking it has more to do with Sony doing that big PS3 show in Taiwan in a few short weeks. Just trying to steal some of their thunder.