Microsoft still sending out Zephyrs?

dannyjo22

dannyjo22

dannyjo22

Caporegime
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Got my replacement console back today and it has a manufacture date of Jan 2009.

I assumed they where sending out the Falcon board without the HDMI the opus. Checking the back and then seeing 16.5v it seems they are sending out the first revision boards again. I don't care that much it just might explain why I have had continued problems.

A friend came round today and he has been sent a 16.5 recently. My other xbox that was sent back in January also has a 16.6 rating.

I was reading this article and it seems they are even selling new consoles with the old board....

Sneaky Microsoft: Still Shipping Zephyrs
In my Jasper hunting I came across a strange beast, I found an Xbox 360 Pro with lot number 0843X. I figured it was new enough that it could be a Jasper, but looking at the 12V current rating I found that it was a 16.5A unit. I thought perhaps it was mislabeled and I'd heard about some newer systems having a 16.5A 12V rating, so I thought I'd buy it and take a closer look.

Once I got it home I confirmed: the machine was a Zephyr, that's the original Xbox 360 hardware with HDMI support, meaning a 90nm CPU, 90nm GPU and 90nm eDRAM - the very configuration most likely to Red Ring. I'm guessing it's a reworked Xbox 360 that never made it out of the factory in the first place due to an instant failure; something Microsoft fixed and sent out at a much later date.

Even if you don't care about getting a Jasper, it may be worth looking into what it is you are getting to make sure that you're not stuck with a box that's more likely to fail

http://www.anandtech.com/gadgets/showdoc.aspx?i=3472&p=1
 
I hate the fact that I have to be extra careful when buying an Xbox, I had to ask them to open the little tab on the boxes of some a while back just so I could ensure I was getting a Falcon.

I'm happy with mine for now, but in the future I'll probably end up doing the same thing for a Jasper. (or whatever the latest will be after that)

Bit of a joke really.
 
People would be better off moaning if or when the console breaks, not before they have even bought or received it.
 
I'm not moaning I just think it's strange they are sending out the old chipsets again, especially as new consoles to people that have already had them fail multiple times.
 
I don't think it's strange at all...

You have excess hardware, it's a total waste of money if you don't use it, especially in the current economic climate. If they go wrong, they replace them, nothing cheeky at all, especially when probably less than 1% of people even know or care what is inside their Xbox.
 
Shamikebab said:
Indeed, I got mine back and did I check? No I just played the games I bought it for, much more fun.
Click to expand...

You say it as if checking it takes effort that would prevent you from just playing games.

But nah, less than 5 seconds ain't much, you can do that while connecting it to your TV.
 
Shamikebab said:
But why? I have no idea which DVD drive I have either, I'm sure they all play games just fine.
Click to expand...

Well I check them for these reasons;

A) Reliability
B) Power usage
C) Ease of flashing

I haven't bothered flashing my Elite, but it was nice to open it up and have a look at what model it was. Although funnily enough it has to be flashed using the most complex method.
 
Shamikebab said:
Indeed, I got mine back and did I check? No I just played the games I bought it for, much more fun.
Click to expand...

I have had around 10 xbox's in 3 years. The 2nd year I didnt return one at all. I've had to return both of mine this year alone.

I assumed I was getting a newer chipset to allieviate these problems, I never even thought to look until a mate came round yesterday and pointed out the old ones are being sent out in a new shell.

Let me tell you what the next xbox failure is. Games only playing from hard drive. That was the cause of my last return and two of my mates with refurbs are now having the same issue. Lock ups with a game read from disc but fine when installed.

I'm wondering if it's a problem with older systems because the support on the phone where well aware of a problem.
 
dannyjo22 said:
Exactly it's become an obsession. As soon as they announce a new chipset every where you look thats all people care about.

I hardly know any of any falcons that have gone belly up.

Chances are you wont be covered when your drive packs up anyway and starts giving you dirty disc and freeze ups.

I wouldn't worry about which model I bought. I would just extend the warranty and cover all your bases.
Click to expand...

:p
 
dannyjo22 said:
I don't care that much it just might explain why I have had continued problems.
Click to expand...

:p

I have an extended warranty I know my bases are covered, I just think it's odd they are sending out boards with a known issue. I'm talking new as well, you can buy a system in 09 off the shelf thats a Zephr. That's poor imo.

Edit This is not the same as the Falcon/Jasper upgrade at all the Zephys had one of the worst failure rates of any electrical item I have ever known.
 
Does this Zephyr replacement have the new heatsinks on it though or is it the same design as launch?

I know new heatsinks aren't foolproof as they only work properly in conjunction with lower heat output, but it should still be more reliable.
 
Nismo said:
Does this Zephyr replacement have the new heatsinks on it though or is it the same design as launch?

I know new heatsinks aren't foolproof as they only work properly in conjunction with lower heat output, but it should still be more reliable.
Click to expand...

I think they are Zephyrs with the new heatsinks from what I have read.

Even so , its annoying that they are still sending out consoles that will eventually break on you again. Most likely sooner rather than later.
 
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