Couple of 360 questions

Idiophreak

I think I may need to be returning/sending back my 360 soon.
(I get "to play this disc, please put it into an xbox 360 console" more and more of the time...it's not game-specific, so think the lens is probably shot).

A couple of techie questions:

1) What's the best way to back up the HDD before a return? There's something called the XSATA from Datel or someone, looks like it will do the trick, but is £30 - is there a MSE alternative.

2) If I don't backup, whilst I'll lose all the game saves etc, will it be possible to redownload all the XBLA games I've already paid for?

And a more general question:

I've had it for about 9 months now, got it from Virgin...Is it worth me trying to take it back to the store? I have receipt and proof of payment, but I get the impression they may try and fob me off with "you'll have to send it back to MS" although I think the SoGA says they should be responsible for it?

Many thanks in advance.

D.K.

I take it that you've tried to clean the lens.
I'm not much help because I don't know what the initials stand for that you use but for what it's worth I'd insist that Virgin take responsibility for the sale of goods, not Microsoft because you didn't buy it from them.
I wouldn't want to lose info either so I would maybe ask Virgin as they should take some responsibility! I would guess that the cheapest option would be to buy a Memory card and download onto it, if there is enough space.
Go to Virgin and insist!!
Best of luck.

D.

aardvarkuk

All the XBox Live Arcade stuff that you paid for online will be free if you want to download your online content again, this includes, Blade customisations, pictures and map packs.

As for game saves they are only on the Hard Drive and will be gone unless you save them to a memory card (cant remember is usb pen drive) is ok to back up game saves to.

Just remember that the console is registered to you so if you got a replacement the console will have a different serial number so you will have to get all that sorted aswell.

I would google for more answers, and Virgin cant fobb you off as they are point of sale, just make sure you get all your details transferred to the new Xbox

liam_h

Try and take it back to Virgin and see what they say. But if you send it to MS, don't send your HDD! They tell you not to anyway as the chances are, it won't come back!

djheath

As the problem sounds like it is to do with the dvd drive, then you should just be able to take off the hard disk which will keep all you saves.

Take the console back to Virgin with your receipt. They will replace it for a new console. I know game replaced mine with no quibbles after mine broke with 1 month left of the warranty.

Simple make sure you dont get the disk drive with the new console - or keep quiet and then sell the new drive on ebay! But thats cheeky!

You will have to restore your xbox live gamertag. This will remove the account from your original xbox and associate it with the new 360. You can then download all your content again free of charge.