Research compiled by video game site Joystiq indicates a well known hardware issue with the Microsoft Xbox 360 video game console that seems to have a large number of gamers frustrated.
The issue occurs when the following error code pops up: "E74. System Error. Contact Xbox Customer Support." Joystiq has reportedly received more than 60 e-mails from owners who said they have suffered from the E74 error already.
Microsoft has not confirmed what is causing the E74 error, though it apparently is aware there is a problem. Console enthusiasts believe the error is caused when the console’s "ANA" image scaler chip overheats or fails, along with the possibility of a serious AV connection issue.
The error screen has occurred during game play, causing the console to freeze. Some Xbox 360 owners said the problem vanished if they let the console cool off, but there appears to be a growing number of reoccuring errors. Not much else is known about the error, and we’ll have to patiently wait to learn more about causes, remedies, and if Microsoft is ready for another public relations nightmare.
Have you experienced the E74 error?
The Xbox 360 previously had a well known Red Ring of Death (RRoD) error that could only be fixed by packing up and sending the broken Xbox 360 back to Microsoft.
29 Comments
Sigh...I have a 360 and I love there library of games, but the hardware.. I always wonder if they knowingly used not up to par parts to bring system prices down..something they like to brag about.
Go MS, rip off more customers!
Rofl, it just keeps getting better and better.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 26 Mar 09 06:38
Yeah ive expierenced the E74 error. Some of my games had the tendacy to crash when loading or at times during game play. Ive had my Xbox 360 for little bit more than for 2 years and , was playing GEoW2 with some friends when sudenly all this lines appeared on my screen.. Of all the articles ive read through the months i immidiatley knew E74. Its gonna cost me $40 to repair it .. Lets hope it give me atleast another 8 months again before it breaks again
So far, I've been lucky.
MS replaced my 1st gen xbox360 (tray refused to eject) with a USED, err..REFURBISHED one that looked like the previous owner didn't give a crap about. The outer shell had these strange black marks practically burned into it. No solvent could remove them.
After that one RED-RINGED, they sent me a brand new one, which was cool. Now, I have to worry about an E74 error? Damn...
MS replaced my 1st gen xbox360 (tray refused to eject) with a USED, err..REFURBISHED one that looked like the previous owner didn't give a crap about. The outer shell had these strange black marks practically burned into it. No solvent could remove them.
After that one RED-RINGED, they sent me a brand new one, which was cool. Now, I have to worry about an E74 error? Damn...
See and people hate on Sony's PS3?
Quality control isn't the reason. Try, more expensive console for the same games without any added benefits from Sony's vaunted hardware.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 26 Mar 09 16:46
I don't think anyone "hates on Sony's PS3" because of quality reasons. It has to do with the much higher than necessary price Sony needs to charge for the thing because of its having a Blu-ray player, when people don't even want the Blu-ray player. I personally don't know anyone, who even knows anyone, who uses their game console (whether it's a PS3 or an X-Box) to watch movies. Yet Sony forces people to pay for a Blu-ray player if they want the game console.
I do use my PS3 only so far for movie watching. Now you know someone.
Quality Control is one reason 360 has so many problems. MS cut corners on every aspect of the 360 development in order to cut costs, design, quality of components, QC etc..
A must read for every 360 owner:
http://www.8bitjoystick.com/2008/01/...-failures.html
"MS was so focused on beating Sony this cycle that the 360 was rushed to market when all indications were that it had serious flaws. The design qual testing was insufficient and incomplete when the product was released to production. The manufacturing test equipment had major gaps in test coverage and wasn't reliable or repeatable. Manufacturing processes at eall levels of suppliers were immature and not in control. "
"...It just wasn't mature enough. Too many design defects, lack of design margins, immature test processes and equipment, insufficient PB free manufacturing expertise at partner manufacturers who made the mother board."
A must read for every 360 owner:
http://www.8bitjoystick.com/2008/01/...-failures.html
"MS was so focused on beating Sony this cycle that the 360 was rushed to market when all indications were that it had serious flaws. The design qual testing was insufficient and incomplete when the product was released to production. The manufacturing test equipment had major gaps in test coverage and wasn't reliable or repeatable. Manufacturing processes at eall levels of suppliers were immature and not in control. "
"...It just wasn't mature enough. Too many design defects, lack of design margins, immature test processes and equipment, insufficient PB free manufacturing expertise at partner manufacturers who made the mother board."
So the PS3 was a better investment 
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 27 Mar 09 18:15
Yes, now you can make love to your PS3 because you think you have validation that it's far superior to Xbox...
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 28 Mar 09 02:31
I use my PS3 for playing games and watching movies too.
Superior? Hmmm 1080p on the PS3 and only 1080i on the 360.....PS3 not cheap parts ...360 cut too many corners and caused disc scratching and this 74 error and who knows what else will come up....PS3 = superior.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 28 Mar 09 05:03
Only 1080i on the 360? Guess my 360 didn't get the memo.
'BSOD' on the 360? Well folks, it IS Microslop! I just remember some time ago there were smug console worshippers who bragged their machines were superior to PCs because you didn't have to worry about crashes and freeze issues. Karma, Kramer!
Seriously though, sucks for those owners experiencing Microslops pathetic quality control.
Seriously though, sucks for those owners experiencing Microslops pathetic quality control.
PS3 was a better investment ? Not if you want the better game catalog.
Even though I posted the facts above to point out MS screwed up big time with 360, I'm still a 360 fan for its selection of great games (better exclusives) and great Live service.
At least MS stepped up to the plate and extended warranties and
took responsibility for the RROD problem.
Yeah it sucked but these problems are mostly a thing of the past now.
E74 error is not at all widespread like RROD.
60 reported problems out of 25 million units sold... you call this significant ? Please.... is this even news worthy ?
Even though I posted the facts above to point out MS screwed up big time with 360, I'm still a 360 fan for its selection of great games (better exclusives) and great Live service.
At least MS stepped up to the plate and extended warranties and
took responsibility for the RROD problem.
Yeah it sucked but these problems are mostly a thing of the past now.
E74 error is not at all widespread like RROD.
60 reported problems out of 25 million units sold... you call this significant ? Please.... is this even news worthy ?
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 30 Mar 09 09:54
Well, I mostly use the PS3 as a media player. One of the main reasons I choose the PS3 over the 360 was in fact the bluray player. I have a full HD-set, and bluray really makes all the difference when watching movies. As for the games: I have two young kids who like a little racing sometimes. They don't care of they are playing with a PS3 or a 360...
Besides, most important games come out for both PS3 and 360. If you want to play games that are exclusive to your console, then you should have bought a Wii!
Besides, most important games come out for both PS3 and 360. If you want to play games that are exclusive to your console, then you should have bought a Wii!
Well, I bought one ... and have never looked back.
I just wish they'd bring back PS2 compatibility.
I just wish they'd bring back PS2 compatibility.
Ditto.
I bought Assassins Creed .. kickass game btw ... and have bought about 20x BD's so far .... and watch alot of *other* stuff on the PS3 too.
I figure, I spend about 2hr's a Day on my PS3 watching stuff ... compared to maybe 15mins of actual broadcast TV ... I haven't actually played any games recently ...
It's awsome
Not so sure about the shagging a PS3 .... but if I was inclined .. PS3 would be the hot chicky babe, and the xbox360 would be the ugly chick with too many slapper tatt's
I bought Assassins Creed .. kickass game btw ... and have bought about 20x BD's so far .... and watch alot of *other* stuff on the PS3 too.
I figure, I spend about 2hr's a Day on my PS3 watching stuff ... compared to maybe 15mins of actual broadcast TV ... I haven't actually played any games recently ...
It's awsome
Not so sure about the shagging a PS3 .... but if I was inclined .. PS3 would be the hot chicky babe, and the xbox360 would be the ugly chick with too many slapper tatt's
you know 3 people that use their ps3's for movies, in fact, i bought a second 1 specifically for that point!
[Posted by Ivid] "A must read for every 360 owner:
http://www.8bitjoystick.com/2008/01/...-failures.html
"
It's interesting to note that the article states (back in January 2008):
"Xbox's mission statement is to preserve the Windows monopoly and extend it into the living room, as a media extender for a Media Center PC, along with a host of other MS and other company's hardware devices that fit into a digital entertainment lifestyle. MS has the bucks to keep losing money on Xbox for a long time, maybe forever. They've already lost around 6 billion dollars. How are they ever going to make that back on Xbox? They can't. Maybe they don't think they have to."
I wonder how this compares to Sony's PS3 R&D & ongoing costs?
http://www.8bitjoystick.com/2008/01/...-failures.html
"
It's interesting to note that the article states (back in January 2008):
"Xbox's mission statement is to preserve the Windows monopoly and extend it into the living room, as a media extender for a Media Center PC, along with a host of other MS and other company's hardware devices that fit into a digital entertainment lifestyle. MS has the bucks to keep losing money on Xbox for a long time, maybe forever. They've already lost around 6 billion dollars. How are they ever going to make that back on Xbox? They can't. Maybe they don't think they have to."
I wonder how this compares to Sony's PS3 R&D & ongoing costs?
Ms can afford this though, sony cannot! microsoft has had a monopoly on OS for a long time, and have had a few bloody noses to stay up there! So they will obviously take a hit for the sake of getting the 360(or their next console?) into top position! just a pity its at the expense of the consumer though!
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 03 Apr 09 07:02
You are an idiot! You could get a much cheaper stand alone BD player.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 03 Apr 09 07:06
I think their biggest mistake was letting kids in a sweat shop somewhere in China build all their consoles. This type of outsourcing kills more than our economy... it also kills any kind of quality control for products built on the cheap like this.
Lol! Standalone Bluray Players have dropped to 1/2 the price over the last year, while the PS3 has dropped maybe 10-20%.
When I (and most others) bought the PS3 over 1yr ago ..
PS3 + Controller + Game + BD Movie + BD Remote = $750.
Bluray player = $700.
And the PS3 is STILL the most capable bluray player ... and it can stream movies from a DLNA server across either Wifi or GIGABIT ethernet ... and it has capacity for a large HDD (mine has a 320GB HDD), and you can play videos & music from a portable HDD, and you can crunch no#s for FAH, and Sony is STILL adding capability.
The only real criticism is that sony haven't implemented the CEC command set in hte PS3 so you can control it & turn it on/off with your TV/Receiver controller.
Now in comparison ... standalone bluray players bought 1yr ago now need to be replaced because they haven't had good firmware updates, lack capability for new revisions to BD+ and render Java apps like a snail on valium.
The small premium for the PS3 really means Nada, unless you're cheap & content to deal with sub-standard products.
Still consider PS3 owners idiots?
M$ Fanboy alert!!! http://www.cdfreaks.com/jochem/../im...ies/2/puh2.gif
When I (and most others) bought the PS3 over 1yr ago ..
PS3 + Controller + Game + BD Movie + BD Remote = $750.
Bluray player = $700.
And the PS3 is STILL the most capable bluray player ... and it can stream movies from a DLNA server across either Wifi or GIGABIT ethernet ... and it has capacity for a large HDD (mine has a 320GB HDD), and you can play videos & music from a portable HDD, and you can crunch no#s for FAH, and Sony is STILL adding capability.
The only real criticism is that sony haven't implemented the CEC command set in hte PS3 so you can control it & turn it on/off with your TV/Receiver controller.
Now in comparison ... standalone bluray players bought 1yr ago now need to be replaced because they haven't had good firmware updates, lack capability for new revisions to BD+ and render Java apps like a snail on valium.
The small premium for the PS3 really means Nada, unless you're cheap & content to deal with sub-standard products.
Still consider PS3 owners idiots?
M$ Fanboy alert!!! http://www.cdfreaks.com/jochem/../im...ies/2/puh2.gif
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 13 Apr 09 19:30
error 74 and 1 red light ,rang microsoft and because its 18 mths old no warrenty £78 to repair
this simply aint good enough these consoles should all be repaired free of charge ,you buy a product its supposed to be fit for use , no wonder bill gates can sit there a multi billionaire his selling inferia products then basicaly telling you to get stuffed .i know where id like to stuff his xbox 360 the robbing git
this simply aint good enough these consoles should all be repaired free of charge ,you buy a product its supposed to be fit for use , no wonder bill gates can sit there a multi billionaire his selling inferia products then basicaly telling you to get stuffed .i know where id like to stuff his xbox 360 the robbing git
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 14 Apr 09 00:05
As the owner of a Movie/Video Game business I can honestly say the majority of PS3 owners don't buy blurays. it's about 15 - 20%
99% of the time if they have the option they go with regular DVD and don't feel the difference in playback quality warrants the difference in price.
Also it should be noted that the customers we have that haven't purchased a PS3 have cited either non-backwards compatability and price (most of the time both) as key reasons why they have not made the jump.
Sony's going to die a miserable death if they don't get their shit strait... PSP bombed, PS3 is bombing, and bluray is never going to to be as big a traditional DVD.... that's 3 strikes... or maybe 2 strikes and a foul ball... it's not looking to good... not good at all.
99% of the time if they have the option they go with regular DVD and don't feel the difference in playback quality warrants the difference in price.
Also it should be noted that the customers we have that haven't purchased a PS3 have cited either non-backwards compatability and price (most of the time both) as key reasons why they have not made the jump.
Sony's going to die a miserable death if they don't get their shit strait... PSP bombed, PS3 is bombing, and bluray is never going to to be as big a traditional DVD.... that's 3 strikes... or maybe 2 strikes and a foul ball... it's not looking to good... not good at all.
- guest
- Posts: 15288
- Posted on: 14 Apr 09 11:38
my friend just got a green screen playing g.h. metallica, i told him it was the ring of death- but sounds more like it's this error.
it worked a couple more times (cooled) before he toasted it permanetly. i also heard alot of conflicting stats on the 360's hdmi capabilities - my elite system puts out 1080p through the hdmi cable when i look on my tv's menu, and it looks like it when i view standard dvd movies upconverted on my 61" dlp 1080p tv.
it worked a couple more times (cooled) before he toasted it permanetly. i also heard alot of conflicting stats on the 360's hdmi capabilities - my elite system puts out 1080p through the hdmi cable when i look on my tv's menu, and it looks like it when i view standard dvd movies upconverted on my 61" dlp 1080p tv.
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