Normally, a recall of this nature would go by without too much consumer notice. After all, many vehicles have recalls for parts that are likely to malfunction. In this scenario, though, I believe customers are being deceived, and the fundamental reasons for the recall are much different than what's being publicly admitted. It's still a good thing that Microsoft is doing something, but all the frequently issued answers smack of marketing spin.
Some questions should be asked about this recall:
* Why is Microsoft sending different cords to different console owners? I'm not referring to the European and Australian users who've received the power cords appropriate to their outlets; rather, the users who are sent a cord without any breaker attachment?
* Why the date of October 23, 2003 as the "cutoff"?
* Why, for those users receiving cords, does the Xbox suddenly need what appears to be a power conditioning attachment, complete with breaker like those often seen in bathrooms?
My personal opinion - take that as you may - is that the whole "power cord replacement" is a quick swap for a safety situation caused by a faulty power supply connector, and to a lesser extent, an inherently faulty power supply used in the early Xbox consoles. I've possessed four Xbox units since the console was introduced, and currently own two: a 1.0 console, manufactured in Mexico in 2002, and a 1.6 Crystal Edition, manufactured in China in late 2004.
Enter the Foxlink power supply, used in early Xbox consoles. Speculation on the Xbox-Scene Forums indicates that the solder joints on the console can become worn down or broken with repeated cord removal. This condition can result in a power short, releasing the "magic smoke" from the power supply. For a normal consumer, this completely kills the Xbox console once it's occurred. The solder wears down even more frequently, and the cord socket on the back of the Xbox can become misaligned, if the cord is tripped over or stretched to the point of being ejected.
The new power cords supposedly alleviate this condition by tripping a breaker once an electrical short condition is detected - hence the large adapter-like box on the end of the new cords. This may prevent damage to the internal Xbox components, but there's also an additional chance, depending on the method the short to the power supply occurs and the current carried in the aerogel capacitor, that the internals of the Xbox will be dead before the circuit breaker can do its job.
In any event, if the circuit breaker trips due to the power connector or power supply failing, it is likely the light will illuminate or flash red to indicate a shorted connection. Customers are instructed (by the label on the cord) to:
Unplug Xbox console and call (800) 4MY-XBOX if:
* The light turns red or flashes red
* The light turns off and pressing the red RESET button does not turn it on.
At this point, the customer will likely be told that unless their console is still under warranty, that something is wrong on the inside (could it be a malfunctioning power supply?) and should be sent in for repair at your own cost.
So all the replacement cord effectively does is lessen the chance that the console will start smoking or catch fire, because electrical power is removed much more quickly. If the breaker trips due to solder failure, start saving your coins.
As for the cutoff dates for cord replacement, the Xbox Versions Database indicates that production of newer-revision 1.4 consoles began in July 2003, and ended approximately March to April 2004. This may coincide with the change to a different power supply manufacturer or different model. Posts at Xbox-Scene indicate the allegedly faulty supplies were phased out of production after consoles with revision 1.1 were released, so the timeline is still not completely clear. Later posts in the thread indicate revision A of the Foxlink supply, specifically is affected; all revisions after this have a much tighter solder fit.
Interestingly enough, Microsoft has attempted to downplay claims that the Foxlink power supply is to blame. In fact, they've commented to BetaNews:
A power supply is, indeed, an electrical component.
"The replacement power cords are designed to protect consumers and their Xbox consoles from rare electrical component failures."
A similar condition exists when a short circuit occurs in a power line.
"The cord this consumer received is designed to shut off power to the Xbox if it detects an electrical condition called 'sustained overvoltage.' This rare condition can be caused by things like downed power lines in a wind storm or faulty wiring in a house."
Easy enough to figure out the type of cord that will be shipped: if your console has an older Foxlink power supply, you'll be sent the "surge protector" model (with the respective wall socket plug for your country); if not, it's likely a generic cord with no special surge protection features.
"Not all cords that we supply to program participants will look the same. Which type of cord is shipped depends on the date the console was manufactured and the country where it is used."
The outcome of this situation? I personally advise all users to not be sucked in by marketing and PR employees skirting the real issues. There is a common manufacturing defect with Revision A Foxlink supplies that has been half-patched with a replacement power cord. If you're eligible, you'll definitely want to check out the recall program - it's better than nothing. If you've already opened the Xbox and are handy with soldering, you can read up on making the connection more secure. Hope this helps!
