I rang Microsoft the next day to try and get a box to send it back for repair but apparently there servers where down so they couldn't get to my details, they informed me I will need to call back tomorrow (come on Microsoft your support servers down for the whole day WFT). The next day I rang them back but apparently they don't even provide a box, you have to send it in your own, thats annoying. I mean Apple make shitty iPods that break all the time but at least they are kind enough to provide a box and good support.

I just hope that my Xbox makes it back before the xmas holidays otherwise I will cry, fact. Sorry I just realised I'm clearly using you blog to vent….

@Patrick Haney – The reason they don't use points that aren't worth 1 point per $1? is because then they can not screw you. If they use their own system whatever you do you always have points left on your account a spear 100 or 300 that you will probably want to spend and how do you spend them well you buy more points of course.

Thats a pretty angry little comment (: I think thats my Gears addition getting the best of me.

Gamertag: Mr Cheeese

@Jason: Wow, that's horrible luck. Glad you finally got one that works, though.

Videos are such a rip though, and I think they expire after a while.

They sure do! Once you start watching the video, you have 48 before it expires. I believe you have 2 weeks total, from the time you purchase it. But once you begin, there's a 48 hour window to finish it up. I was at Blockbuster yesterday and they're doing a huge push for HD DVD and Blu-ray. It was something like $6 for a full week rental.

@Scotty Gun: Brutal. Emailing support hasn't been much better. I've heard back quickly twice, but on both occasions that told me to go and talk to the other. So now I'm back to where I started, and getting frustrated pretty quickly. I've actually told them what needs done – "Add this email address to this XBL account." and they still have no answers for me. Useless.

Preceding the update, I have a feeling that XBL modified their account database scheme. A consequence of which is that some registration, renewal and recovery features associated with existing cusomters are pulling this error, instead of doing what they are supposed to. I'm assuming this was unintentional and some how related to the lead up to the update.

Good call on avoiding phone support. My buddy and I have corresponded with them on multiple occasions; tier 3, reference numbers, call backs, etc. All calls lead to nowhere. XBL used to have North American phone techs who were a least moderately familiar with the service. Now, they've got the worst kind of South Asian phone support; heavily scripted, no real know how and no authority to resolve account related issues.

Regardless, I got one… right out of the box it was broken. It would boot and then turn off w/ 2 red lights, absolutely lovely. I'm guessing a fan was broken but who the hell knows.

After taking it back and exchanging it, they gave me another one… this time it ended up being one manufactured in 10-2005… oh I don't think so… had to take that one back AGAIN.

Finally got one that works and is "NEW", so I'm hoping it all goes well. After the dashboard update my console clicked off, scared the hell out of me because it didn't sound normal. Seems to be working though, didn't really notice of the updates. Videos are such a rip though, and I think they expire after a while.

@Patrick Haney: There's actually a guest login for Halo 3 that lets up to 3 other players join without having to setup an account.

Make sure your account is the only one signed in. Turn on the other controllers that will be used and you'll see them show up in the player list on screen, but will have an A button and the word "Join". Press A on one of the other controllers and select the Guest profile from the bottom of the list. That will sign them in as yourusername [1], yourusername [2], etc.

And this whole Marketplace business is retarded. First of all, why use points that aren't worth 1 point per $1? That's just confusing. Secondly, why would I pay $20 for a classic Xbox game that I can probably get for $20 brand new or less than half of that used?

The only thing I plan on buying in the Marketplace are the 3 new Halo 3 maps coming out next week.