Posts Tagged ‘failure rate’
September 4th, 2009 | 
Author: In 2005 Microsoft took the plunge into the highly competitive gaming world with it’s introduction of the Xbox 360.
Unfortunately reports later stated that Microsoft in a rush to beat their competitors to market hurried the release of it’s system electing to forgo any design flaws or defects.
The resulting affect was that there are now as many as one million Xbox users with systems that are virtually unplayable.
Possible Xbox 360 glitches
Many of these systems is said to be suffering what is considered general hardware failure. Anything from faulty disk drives and freeze ups to power supply issues. I empathize with you if your Xbox 360 has suffered, like mine, an untimely demise.
Probably the most prevalent of the Xbox 360 problems is what is called the Red Ring of Death (RROD), you may know it as an e74 error.
This happens when the console or the power supply begins flashing 3 red lights in a semi-cycle on the front of the console itself.
This infamous moniker (RROD) probably came to be due to the large percentage of units that the most skilled technician couldn’t fix.
Notwithstanding that dismal fact if your system has started flashing 3 red lights, take hope; soon you’ll discover a very cost effective way to have your Xbox 360 repaired that will take no more than 2 hours.
System failure has become an acceptable part of the gaming business. In fact, a failure rate of 3% to 5% is thought to be typical but according to some sources the three largest resellers of the Xbox 360, is reporting failure rates as high as 30%.
What does all this mean for you and your Xbox 360?
Despite the figures, I hope it doesn’t mean that your system is doomed to end up in a landfill somewhere. If you however have experienced any of the aforementioned issues with your system and you’ve yet to get it repaired its time you and I had that talk.
Xbox 360 repair cost:
Having your Xbox 360 repaired can be costly depending on the way in which you chose to have it done. The cost can be as much as $170 and then go down from there, depending on whether your system is still under warranty and you’ve elected to have Microsoft repair it.
I will say that getting your system repaired while it’s still under warranty is cheaper than trying to do so without a warranty in place, there however is still a cheaper and quicker solution to your problem.
Also if there is a disadvantage to having Microsoft handle your system repair it would be paying to ship it back to them and then knowing you would have to wait about 8 weeks before you’ll see it again.
The D.I.Y. approach- the quickest and least expensive solution
Probably your most overlooked solution to your Xbox 360 repair happens to be your best option when it comes to ease of repair as well as cash outlay. In fact, repairing your system yourself is not as hard as you may think it is, not when you have the right resource.
When my system went down I took to the Internet to research the cost of its repair, examined each of my alternatives and found that repairing it myself just made more sense.
Here’s why:
1. The time factor:
As mentioned, if you’ve chosen Microsoft to do your system repairs it will cost you at least eight weeks of time. But if you repair it, “in house” you could be confident that its restoration could be done in as little as 2 hours.
2. The cost, relatively nominal:
Again, repairing your Xbox 360 is very doable with the right resource. And the resource that I found to be the best and the least expensive was only $29.95.
I subsequently was then able to repair my system in a little over an hour with just some basic tools I already had around the house.
When your Xbox 360 goes on the fritz repairing it yourself is a breeze as long as you have the right resource, one that is inexpensive and that is a time saver.
Sidney R. Shannon operates a website, http://us-xbox360repair.com for people in quest of fixing the dreaded Red Ring of Death on their Xbox 360s. Take a visit so you can get the help you need now. Be sure to watch the demonstration video and pick up your FREE Xbox 360 Cheat Sheet.
Article Source: A Broken Xbox 360 – Possible Causes and Your Cheapest Solution For Repair
In many homes and establishments, where there are real video surveillance cameras, there are also dummy cameras installed. Dummy cameras are often utilized to work in conjunction with fully functional surveillance equipment in order to discourage illegal or dangerous actions. These can range from theft and shoplifting to burglary and home invasion to physical assault. Dummy cameras are even used to discourage certain misdemeanors. With dummy cameras around, even people who merely have intentions of playing pranks will be more wary of their behavior. What dummy cameras do is encourage the perception security, allowing people to believe that an area is secured and that surveillance is present because of the security equipment that they see.
The role of dummy cameras on the perception of security
It may seem like a negative connotation but dummy cameras act on fear — people’s fear of being caught on camera doing something unlawful or embarrassing. The fact that taped video evidence obtained through surveillance equipment such as video cameras may be used to prosecute someone also doesn’t help stave off that fear.
Dummy cameras provide a visual reminder for anyone that the area where they are located is being monitored, even if it isn’t. That visual reminder is, in most cases, quite effective in discouraging an act that may be deemed inappropriate or illegal. It’s the equivalent of telling kids that there are chemicals mixed in the pool water that will change color if someone urinates in the water — it prevents a crime or an inappropriate act by essentially giving out the signal that someone’s watching, even if you thought no one’s looking.
Can dummy cameras really deter crime?
Although there are some groups that dismiss the efficacy of fake cameras to prevent crime, more people are convinced that they do work. Otherwise, why would dummy cameras still be experiencing healthy sales if they have a high failure rate? It’s the perception of security that they build on, making people believe that certain restrictions are indeed in place and that there are possible legal consequences if and when these restrictions are breached.
Advantages of dummy cameras
Dummy cameras, due to the nature of their functions, are easy to install. Pick a good spot, put it up and it can begin working immediately. They also do not require purchase of additional accessories such as extra cables and connections. Because they are not equipped with lens and microchips, dummy cameras are significantly cheaper to purchase and maintain.
A dummy camera can do a lot to help promote and maintain the perception of security.
Article Source: Security and Dummy Cameras
If you are looking for an Xbox 360 repair guide to fix common problems read this article.
Reliabilty and failure rate have been reported as concerns by the consoles users since its release. Four green lights around the power button indicate that your Xbox 360 is operating normally. However, when the Xbox 360 experiences a failure three flashing red lights appear around the power button. This is what is known as the Red Ring of Death or RROD for short.
Some of the common theories as to why RROD occurs are described below:
Excessive heat. Due to the Xbox 360 being a high powered device its components dissipate a large amount of heat. If airflow is blocked to your console it will heat up, leading to RROD.
Graphics Chip. The graphics chip creates an overheating problem as it was designed in-house and is inefficient and releases too much heat.
Solder Joints. Lead free solder joints were used in the making of the Xbox 360. The lead free solder joints used become brittle when exposed to excessive heat over extended period of time. As a result of the solder joints becoming brittle hair-line cracks develop and this leads to the joints breaking.
External Cooling Devises. Some types of intercoolers are reported to lead to hardware failure. The peripheral drains too much power and causes the faults to occur.
Heat Sink Clamp. A flawed heat sink clamp leads to the motherboard flexing.
It is important to note that your Xbox 360 is not completely broken if RROD occurs. Repair guides allow you to fix the red ring of death yourself and be back to playing your Xbox 360 on the same day. They are also inexpensive and easy to follow.
While the RROD error is the most common fault of the Xbox 360 other errors do occur. Some of these errors are:
E74 Error
No Video
Xbox Freezing
The above problems are also covered by all good RROD Repair Guides.
It is important to note that if you do decide to repair your console yourself once you open your Xbox 360 you will void your warranty. Before buying a repair guide contact Microsoft if this concerns you.
If you are contemplating of buying a repair guide check out: Red Ring of Death Repair Guides.
Article Source: How to fix Red Ring of Death Guides
The use of wireless security cameras has become increasingly popular over recent years. This surge in interest is due to many reasons. Some people use wireless security cameras for their ease of installation. Other people use them because running wires is impossible or not cost effective. Whatever the reason may be, wireless security cameras are quickly becoming the preferred method of surveillance for many people.
Wireless security cameras are so popular because users can literally put them anywhere added protection is needed — and the user doesn’t have to worry about wires. The placement of a security system is very flexible and easy to install, as long as the installer does his or her homework. Wireless security cameras have a very high failure rate on initial install if precautions are not taken.
What sort of failure? Say you install the camera and give it power, but there is no signal picking up on the receiver side. Luckily, this problem can be solved with some due diligence. And when you are thinking about installing wireless security cameras (whether on your own or with some assistance), there are three frequencies that are on the market for the general public.
Choosing a Security System: 900MHz, 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz
The lower the frequency number, the more walls/objects your security system can pass through (except for concrete and metal).
900MHz wireless security cameras can be used in installs where the signal has to go through trees or dry wall in order to reach the wireless receiver. This bandwidth doesn’t have that much interference from other devices, and as a result, the signal can be relatively strong. The drawback is that right now there are only two channels available on this frequency, making its use very limited.
2.4GHz wireless security cameras are the most common on the market. So are 2.4GHz phones, wireless routers, keyboards, and mice that we all use. Basically, if you see something wireless on the market, there is a good chance it is on a 2.4GHz frequency. As a result, a lot of the wireless 2.4GHz security cameras fail. There are up to 12 channels available on 2.4GHz frequency that you can select for transmission, but the reality is that if you live in a city like New York or Los Angeles you won’t find a single channel that is not occupied by a wireless device.
To fix this issue, some manufacturers have started using 5.8GHz transmitters and receivers in their wireless security cameras. The 5.8GHz frequency is relatively clean, and subsequently, the successful wireless camera installation rate is higher. You can have up to eight analog wireless security cameras on 5.8GHz frequency. But the 5.8GHz frequency has an issue. It does not go through walls as effectively as the 900MHz or 2.4GHz frequency. This is a huge disadvantage.
So right now, we have 900MHz, where you can only have two cameras on it (not very practical), and 2.4GHz, which has almost every device known to man on it, and 5.8GHz, which is relatively clean, but fails when you try to send the signal through walls. To resolve this issue, some security camera manufacturers have started placing high power 5.8GHz transmitters and better quality antennas in their wireless cameras. As a result of this addition, 5.8GHz wireless security cameras can now send a camera signal through a wall.
If you find a 5.8GHz camera and receiver on the market for under $200, chances are it has a 10 milliwatt transmitter in it, which is the lowest power transmitter on the market. In ideal conditions with line of sight, you can stretch it to 300 feet (in theory). In reality though, that is never the case. The signal strength is reduced by interference and walls. If you are looking for a camera that can transmit video up to 500 feet away, you need a camera with at least a 100mw transmitter. For a distance greater than that, let’s say 1,000 feet to 2,000 feet, you need a system with a one watt transmitter.
These are very general numbers and can change based on the distance, weather, and availability of a clear line of sight. A good way to increase the odds of success is to put the security camera and receiver antenna as high as possible so that they have a clear line of sight. Before making any purchases however, ensure that you identify your own specific needs for a security system so that you receive the proper protection for your home or business. And if you still need a little help selecting the right system, don’t be afraid to ask the professionals!
Chris Pappas is the Security and Network Manager for 247 Security Cameras, an online store offering the latest selection of affordably priced office and home security cameras and accessories. Chris got his start in the security field working in the information technology department of a major financial software provider on Wall Street.
Article Source: Guide to Wireless Security Cameras
Back in November of 2005 the highly anticipated sequel to the Xbox gaming system, The Xbox 360 was released from Microsoft. Over the years the Xbox 360 has proven to be a very enjoyable gaming system and arguably one of the best consoles that are currently available. Even though the Xbox 360 is a fun and entertaining gaming system, the Xbox 360 has some pretty bad console and hardware problems. If you wan’t to solve the RROD error and fix your 360 for good then check out the Xbox 360 red light fix pro repair guide. guide.
When the Xbox 360 was released reports sprang up almost immediately from owners who were experiencing overheating and hardware errors with their consoles. Out of all of the errors, the one that has been found to be the most common, was a specific malfunction that dealt with three red lights that replaced the green lights on the start button. This problematic error became known as “The Red Rings of Death”. The Xbox 360 red rings just so happen to be a hardware issue that is the result of the Xbox 360 overheating to an unstable extent. This malfunction is common enough to affect around 35% of all Xbox 360’s worldwide, and that’s monumental considering the amount of Xbox 360’s that are sold. It should also be taken into account that for every ten Xbox 360’s that are manufactured, seven of those console will experience the Xbox 360 red rings of death. If you want further information into the RROD error and some ways to fix this problem you can check out, Xbox 360 Red Rings of Death for more information.
When Microsoft finally acknowledged the problems with their 360, they released a statement indicating that the Xbox 360 failure rate is between three and five percent. Microsoft believes these percentages to be “well within industry standards”. Since retailers considered the statistics to be much higher than that, a poll was run to test the accuracy of those statements made by Microsoft. It was finally realized after the poll, that the 360 upon it’s release date was one of the least reliable consoles (in terms of hardware failure) to date. The issues with the Xbox 360 grew and became such a common problem that Microsoft began refunding, repairing, and extending the warranties to one full year. A phone option specifically for the Xbox 360 red rings was added a little while later to address the problem for customers.
With the Xbox 360 being one of the better consoles currently available on the market, the errors associated with the Xbox 360 need to be addressed. Due to the information about the errors associated with the Xbox 360 it’s very important that owner or pre-owners are aware of the proper measures to take to prevent the Xbox 360 red rings from hitting their console. The Xbox 360 red rings of death are a serious enough error that it will leave your console completely inoperable until fixed. If you already have gotten the Xbox 360 red rings then it’s very important that the proper measures are taken to repair your system. Much information has been written on the topic of red ring repair but most of this info is either inaccurate or harmful to your Xbox 360. With all of the disinformation on the net, a few Xbox 360 repair guides have been but a few of the resources that are available that will actually show you how to repair the Xbox 360 red rings permanently. If you are amongst the 35% of people who have the red ring of death problem, then check out my recommended xbox 360 repair guides here at, Xbox 360 Repair Guides
Daniel Durbin is a hardcore gaming enthusiast and Xbox 360 Fanboy. You can can get more information on the Xbox 360 red rings repair guides at his website http://www.360ProFix.com which was created to help Xbox 360 owners fix their broken systems and get back into the game.
Article Source: The Story of The Xbox 360 Red Rings of Death
The Xbox 360 is no doubt one of the better consoles that are currently out on the market. The games on this system are excellent, it has great online features and capabilities, the design is simple and clean and it carries with it even more great features and benefits that allow the Xbox 360 to stand tall against its competitors. Aside from the great benefits and features of the Xbox 360 there are some major flaws in the systems performance. Not too long after the Xbox 360’s release, and the performance issues were actualized, the system has since been called unreliable as it’s uncertain when it will fail. The most common problem associated with the 360 is known as the Red Rings of Death (RROD). This error hits your system when the normally green lights around your on/off button turn to 3 red lights. For a little over 3 years, there has not been a single solution to this error for over 3 years, a resolution to this major, and commonly experienced problem, has not been found. For those long awaited years, Xbox 360 owners can now get their hands on a guaranteed solution to fix the Red Rings of Death. So go and check out the, Xbox 360 Repair Guides
The generally accepted statistic for 360 failure rate and users who experience the Red Rings of Death is about thirty to thirty-five percent. These percentage rates are pretty high when you think about the amount of Xbox 360 consoles that are sold. Keeping the statistics in mind, consider the amount of Xbox 360’s that need repairing everyday, and the amount that are shipped back to Microsoft. The major problem that has been experienced by millions of Xbox 360’s users is that Microsoft, has been known to only temporarily fix their systems, leaving 360’s owners with a console that eventually fails on them again. I was also one of the 360 users to ship their system to Microsoft and not have my system fixed, so I had to look for an alternative solution.
Once Microsoft has given you the run-around too many times, I strongly advise you to take matters into your own hands, as this is perhaps the only real way to permanently fix your 360. One of the most common problems people have with this, is the first requirement of opening their systems up to apply the proper repairs. Fortunately for anyone that is reading this article, I would like to tell you that there is nothing to worry about because some fantastic repair guides have been written that offer you guided video tutorials showing you how to repair your console within 1 hours time.
This is great because people all over the world are experiencing the Red Rings of Death and this issue has to come to a stop for good. The professionalism and high rate of success from Xbox 360 owners all over the world convinced me to get them, and I’m glad I did as it solved my RROD problems for good. The repair guides were developed and written by technical pro’s who know the Xbox 360’s in and out completely. It was amazing to use these guides and then come out of them with a fully operational system with no problems whatsoever. And that was around five months ago! So my Xbox 360 has been running smoothly ever since using them.
From my personal experience this repair was too easy, and me not being any kind of technical pro (I have no experience whatsoever) this fix can really be done by anyone. So it will make you wonder why, since the repair is so easy, Microsoft isn’t using it to fix the Red Rings of Death. Regardless of Microsoft, these guides work and they will give you:
-Video Instructions walking you from start to finish so you can work right along side the pro’s as they repair the Red Ring of Death.
-A solution to the commonly experiences Red Rings of Death.
-Customer support to help you if you have any difficulties or problems.
-The ability to get your Xbox 360 up and running under 1 hour.
These are the repairs that 360 owners have needed to permanently resolve the RROD. I can confidently recommend these repair guides to any Xbox 360 owner who needs to get their console fixed. These repair guides as I’ve said are very simple and easy to use and are helping thousands all over repair their Xbox 360’s. You can check out one of my highly recommended guides and get my full review by following the link to, Xbox 360 Red Light Fix .
Daniel Durbin is a hardcore gaming enthusiast and Xbox 360 Fanboy. You can can get more information on how to fix a Xbox 360 at his website http://www.360ProFix.com which was created to help Xbox 360 enthusiasts fix their broken systems and get back into the game.
Article Source: How You Can Fix a Xbox 360 From The Red Rings of Death
The Xbox 360 needs to be properly taken care of due to the delicacy of the machine to prevent serious system errors from taking place. The one problem that plagues the minds of all Xbox 360 owners is the greatly feared Red Rings of Death (RROD). The Red Rings of Death are directly related to an over-heating problem. Many Xbox 360 users have consulted with Microsoft to repair their problem but this is perhaps one of the worst roads to take, and I’d like to explain to you why. To get straight to the meat of this article and to the only known permanent fix for your Xbox 360 then go to, Xbox 360 Repair Guides Review.
Before explaining why consulting Microsoft is a bad move, I’d like to take this opportunity to explain a bit more why your console has the RROD in the first place. First off, when Microsoft was building the 360 they skipped a very crucial aspect of the research and this part of the research is what results in the RROD. The Red Rings of Death are primarily the result of your 360 overheating. It has been known that a statement was released by Microsoft stating that their Xbox 360 suffers from an overuse of internal power which results in the console overheating. Due to this vital problem about eighty percent of xbox 360 users have issues with their consoles overheating.
The repair that Microsoft claims to make on your system is uncertain. It can be said that the millions of people who have sent their consoles to Microsoft have received their system and experienced the same problem a few weeks later due to the temporary fix that Microsoft uses. It doesn’t seem as if Microsoft solves the RROD error permanently, as tons of people who consulted with Microsoft get the error again only a short while after they get their systems back. It is now obvious that the consistent failure rate of Microsofts “fixes” leave their services unreliable, forcing customers to opt for a different solution to the problem.
Due to the false repairs made by Microsoft thousands of other Xbox 360 owners have turned to taking matters into their own hands and fixing their systems themselves using professionaly written Xbox 360 Repair Guides. This is not as scary as it sounds, and the repair that you have to make to PERMANENTLY fix your Xbox 360 is so easy that a 10 year old can make the fix. I by no means am a technical professional and I was able to apply this simple fix within 1 hour. The repair guide that I used myself guarantees to have you fix your xbox 360 under 2 hours – that means you can have your system fixed by today. The Xbox 360 repair guides are very comprehensive and provide high definition video tutorials so that you can follow along from start to finish. Through my own experience I would highly recommend instead of resorting to Microsoft, to take the problem into your own hands and fix it yourself following one of the only known sources of information to permanently fix your 360. You can check out one of my highly recommended guides and get my full review by following the link to, Three Red Lights Fix Guide Review.
Daniel Durbin is a hardcore gaming enthusiast and Xbox 360 Fanboy. You can can get more information on how to repair your Xbox 360 at his website http://www.360ProFix.com which was created to help Xbox 360 enthusiasts fix their broken systems and get back into the game.
Article Source: How To Repair Your Xbox 360 from the Red Ring of Death
If you’re searching for IT training providers, you’re probably considering who to train with. So let’s make a few points about the stage you’re at, and let’s look at the options open to you:
* You wish to learn a new skill to get a job.
* Your new skill set should enable you to do well, and should be as complete as possible to avoid gaps in your understanding.
* Your chosen certification should get you short-listed for interview.
* Ideally you would like a provider who can offer you the right advice, quality training, decent support, and whose charges are reasonable.
So what’s on offer out there? If you’re looking for employable skills, it’s probably best to ignore Universities. Degrees tend to be too academic and not specific enough for today’s IT jobs. Look at the Jobsites and you’ll see that most companies are looking for commercial qualifications.
what options are there for commercial training? In the past there have been two options:
One way is Boot Camps. These are mind bogglingly intensive 10 to 14 week training sessions that are purely designed to pass qualifications. If you’re sharp, good at learning and prepared to commit every waking hour to study, they will get you through, but the failure rate is high.
However, employers are often not impressed with Boot Camp students as they don’t really have a good enough understanding of their skill to handle some of the day to day challenges thrown up in industry.
so these days you’ll find a fair number of your classmates are experienced IT professionals who are upgrading their skills. They know the subject well, which will put you at a disadvantage in the classroom.
The second option has been the typical Distance Learning College, using study books, the odd CD, reference manuals and visits to a classroom at various times throughout the course. With commitment and grit, it is possible to succeed, but you’ll be in the minority. Most of these providers couldn’t make a profit if large numbers of their students didn’t drop out on the way.
What To Look For In IT Training Providers…
Insist on seeing an example of their training, and judge for yourself whether you can learn from it. If they won’t let you see it, do you really want to train with them?
At the times you plan to study you’ll need access to tutors, not a message system for a call back later in office hours, so please find out exactly how their support works and make sure it will suit the way you plan to work.
Be carful of companies who include exam fees in the price up-front. These exams may be spread over the next two years, so why pay interest on the money? This is not in your interest. The only benefit is to the company, as you won’t get it back if you don’t take them all!
If these typical IT training provider descriptions are making you question your wish to train, there is a refreshing viable option. Cutting-edge interactive learning has now come of age, and can be delivered to your door on discs. You can also find companies that bolt on a direct access 24/7 support system to create the ultimate training package at a fraction of the cost.
With 30 yrs experience, author Scott Edwards, campaigns for low-cost, quality interactive UK education. To find out more on IT Training Providers, visit LearningLolly Computer Training.
Article Source: IT Training Providers – How Can I Compare Them?
USB Flash Memory storage devices are a practical and highly portable method of storing and moving data between places. Flash Memory is highly practical for this task as it has no moving parts, supports fairly large storage and if used properly has very little chance of failing in any serious manner.
Recently though the reliability of these devices has come under a lot of scrutiny as the failure rate of what is normally very reliable technology has escalated to previously unseen levels. Data recovery companies around the world are fielding increasing number s of enquiries and have geared their operations to cope. So what is the problem here?
USB memory sticks are dropping in price all the time as with any technology as it ages and gains mass market adoption, and year on year growth in shipment of these devices has a run rate of around 100% meaning by the end of this year unit sales are expected to be in the region of a staggering 300 million.
With the higher number of units in the market place it goes without saying that that the actual physical numbers of failures of portable storage devices will increase, double the units = double the failures. However along side the number of failing units of more concern is the increase in the ratio of failed units that is being seen.
Given the previous reliability of USB storage media why then is there an increase in the ratio of failures? Investigations tend to have a common theme and a common result. In a majority of reported cases the actual flash memory in the device has not failed at all and is in perfect working order.
The failures are normally attributed to poor manufacture quality by mushroom companies in Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and China. These devices often make their way on to the market as unbranded devices, however there are huge problems with fake devices.
These fake devices are intended to appeal to the greed emotion that is prevalent in all but a few consumers , but just because it is cheaper does not mean it is better. The manufacturing process may be cheaper in different world economies but the other factor that is immeasurable by the consumer is the quality of the components.Lower standard components are cheaper but just don’t last the distance in a lot of cases.
The best advice that anyone can give you here is to buy branded devices if the cost is affordable (which it generally is). And also ask your self this question, is the risk of losing all my data really worth risk of saving a relatively small amount of money?
About the author: Mike White is a technology journalist specialising in business computing, Raid Data Recovery, Raid Recovery consumer electronics and design and technology trends.
Article Source: Fake Pen Drive – How Can You Spot Them?