What Glowing Lights On Your Xbox 360 Really Mean

Most Xbox 360 owners would have heard of the dreaded "Red Ring Of Death", a glowing light which appears on the front of the console. According to some sources, one third of all Xbox 360 consoles suffer from general hardware failures which cause the red warning light to displayed. However, what many 360 owners are not aware of is the fact that different types of red flashing lights actually mean different things, some more serious than others. Today I am going to tell you exactly what each specific red light configuration means for you and your Xbox, what the causes of each are and what can be done to fix the problems.

Before we can begin you need to inspect the front of your Xbox 360 console and get accustomed with the light display circle. Look carefully and you'll notice that its broken up into four sections, all of which glow green when the console is functioning correctly. For the purposes of this article section one is the top right hand corner section of the circle, section two is the bottom right hand corner, section three is the bottom left hand corner and section four is the top left hand corner.

If section two of the light circle is the only one glowing red then the console has simply overheated. As many gamers are aware the Xbox 360 is notorious for overheating due to a somewhat inefficient heat removal system. Using the 360 for extended periods of time can cause the console to overheat and the only solution is to power the console down for an hour or so until it has cooled down. To help prevent overheating from occurring in the first place it is advisable to move the console to an area where it receives plenty of air flow and is raised off the ground.

If all four sections of the light circle are glowing red then the problem is even easier to fix. All that has occurred is that the AV cable has become disconnected from the back of the console. Completely remove the Xbox 360 AV cable and plug it back in until a clicking noise is heard. Restart the console and all should be working as normal. However, if the console still displays the four red lights then you should ring the Xbox 360 technical helpline (1-800-4MY-XBOX for American gamers, 425-635-7180 for international gamers) between 6am to 10pm Pacific time.

The real problems start when either section three, or all sections but number one of the light ring are glowing red. This means that your Xbox 360 console has experienced a genera hardware failure and is basically unusable. One of the most common causes of general hardware failure in the Xbox 360 is the malfunction of the Nyoko intercooler. Another common cause is the fracturing of the lead-free solder used during the construction of the console.

No amount of rebooting or cursing will fix the problem, and there are only three options to get yourself gaming again. The first is to purchase a new 360 console. However, this will be an expensive option and there is no guarantee that the new console you purchase will suffer the same problem as the old one. If you do choose to buy a new Xbox 360 then it would be wise to get an additional warranty to cover you in case you once again suffer the "Red Ring Of Death".

Another option would be to send your faulty Xbox 360 back to Microsoft for repair. To do this you need to call the technical helpline (1-800-4MY-XBOX for American gamers, 425-635-7180 for international gamers) and explain exactly what the problem with your console is. A box will then be shipped to the address that you gave to the technical specialist that contains the instructions for shipping. Pack the console only (remove the hard-drive and all cables, controllers and discs from the drive) into the box unless otherwise stated in the instructions. Ship the box to the address provided and get yourself ready for the wait. It will take a few weeks to receive the refurbished console, and far longer if you live overseas. Some gamers have been unfortunate enough to have shipped their console for repair, only to have the replacement break down on them as well. Still, if you're the patient kind of person then it's worth giving it a shot!

However, if you're the sort of person who wants to get back to gaming as soon and for as little money as possible then the best option would be to attempt a home repair job. Now you're probably thinking that it can't be possible to fix an Xbox 360 from home. I'm not gonna lie, it's not as easy as it should be, but there are a number of excellent guides to DIY 360 repair that can be purchased online for a reasonable price. Of course there is some risk involved - opening your console will automatically void the warranty so the cautious Xbox 360 gamer would be wise to send their console back to Microsoft. For those who wish to get back to gaming quickly and cheaply home repair is a truly viable option and in most cases requires no special technical skills.

James Philipson has been a keen gamer for over 15 years and has also worked in the electronics industry as a technician and product developer. Over the years he has repaired thousands of electronic devices and has designed a number of new products. He became interested in the technical aspects of the Xbox 360 after a number of his friends' consoles experienced hardware problems.

Visit his information page at http://www.squidoo.com/xbox-360-central to learn more about the Xbox 360 and how it can be fixed from home.

AP - Archaeologists have discovered a new pyramid under the sands of Saqqara, an ancient burial site that has yielded a string of unearthed pyramids in recent years but remains largely unexplored.

Use Your Playstation 2 Controllers On Your Playstation 3 With the PS2 Controller Adpater

Do you own a Playstation 3? I Do. And I absolutely love this game machine. In fact, I love it so much that I put my good old trusty Playstation 2 system up for sale and sold it. Mind you, I'm keeping all of my favorite games, because they can be played on the PS3 as well. Especially the two player games that I play often with friends. Thankfully I had several PS2 controllers (4 to be exact) and decided to only sell two of them with my Playstation 2 console. I figured I could use my PS2 controllers on my Playstation 3, and not have to spend another $50.00 on an extra controller.

Now, I did of course know that the Playstation 3 controllers were not the same as the Playstation 2. While they do have their SIXAXIS wireless controllers, they also have SIXAXIS wired Playstation 3 controllers as well. However, these use a USB port in order to be able to plug into the controller ports on the Playstation 3. This did present a problem, because the Playstation 2 controllers do not have a USB plug, but a unique plug that's specific to the PS2 Console.

However, having reviewed and written about video games and video game accessories for many years now, and watched as innovative companies designed and developed what are called controller adapters for essentially every single video game console on the market, I was certain that it was only a matter of time before a Playstation 2 to Playstation 3 controller adapter would be released. And boy was I right. Not even 3 months after the release of the Playstation 3, the PS2 to PS3 Controller adapter started showing up on video game web sites.

The Playstation 2 to Playstation 3 controller adapter is an adapter for Playstation 2 controllers. About 3 to 6 feet long, depending on which model you buy. The adapter allows you to plug in a Playstation 2 controller to one and, and then plug the other end, which is a USB plug, into the Playstation 3. Your Playstation 2 controller will work just like any wired Playstation 3 controller, minus the SIXAXIS Support of course, and the HOME button that's on all of the PS3 controllers.

All of the buttons are of course there, so you'll be able to play every single Playstation 3 game just as you would when using a Playstation 3 controller. Unfortunately, though the PS2 controllers have the rumble function / dual shock built in, Sony decided to remove this from the Playstation 3 controllers (and I suspect it had a lot to do with the lawsuit brought against them by the developers of this technology). What this means is that regardless of the DUAL SHOCK functions built into your Playstation 2 controller, unless you're playing Playstation 2 games.

Not only does the PS2 to PS3 controller adapter save you money, and make use of your now unused Playstation 2 controllers, you'll also be able to play your PS2 games just the same as you would on your Playstation 2 console, with all of the rumble and force feedback that would be lacking if you were playing your Playstation 2 games with a Playstation 3 controller.

The controller adapter is a quick and easy way to use your Playstation 2 controllers on your Playstation 3. And above all, it's extremely cheap. priced at under $10.00, it's certainly much cheaper than going out and buying another Playstation 3 controller. In fact, you could buy up to 4 adapters, and make use of all of the Playstation 3 controller ports, and use PS2 controllers in all of them. An excellend, and low cost way to enjoy those multi player games, without having to let your Playstation 2 controllers collect dust.

Steven Fields is an avid gamer, and a freelance video game and video game accessory reviewer. Many of his must read reviews on new and cutting edge accessories can be found at http://www.videogamebin.com Take a look at the Playstation 2 to Playstation 3 controller adapter by visiting http://www.modchipnow.com

Reuters - A 97-year-old document that contains clues to the identity of Eleanor Rigby, the subject of one of the Beatles' best-loved songs, is expected to fetch 500,000 pounds ($775,000) when it goes on sale this month.

Download Wii Virtual Console Games? No Way, Yes Way! How to Get Nintendo Games Downloads Online

There is no denying the immense popularity of the Nintendo Wii. The sheer history behind Nintendo shows that they consistently put out not only great games but gaming console systems that have always been the envy of their competitors. The Wii is no exception. However, what gamers of other systems have tried to boast over is their ability to transform their PS3's and Xbox's into huge multimedia centers. Stuffing their console systems with not only huge libraries of games but also TV shows, music video and a lot more thanks to download networks. Their boasts however are in vain.

What a lot of people do not realize is that in fact you can find Nintendo games downloads online and other media like music, TV shows and more for your Wii. Yes, the Wii is much more then just an incredible interactive gaming system. It can also be a full blown media center just like the other systems. To meet this new emerging trend among Wii owners many download networks have popped up all over the place making the decision of finding the right Wii virtual console games a confusing one.

There are couple things you must consider before deciding on which Wii media download network you wish to go with. There are two options when it comes to Nintendo games Downloads Online networks. Pay as you go downloads or unlimited Wii downloads. Both are a matter of personal preference depending on what you are looking to get out of your Wii media center. If you are only looking for a few TV shows, movies or Wii virtual console games then I would suggest you take the pay as you go option. If your download appetite is bigger then a Sumo wrestler at an all you can eat buffet then I would probably go with the unlimited download option.

The only way to discover which download network best fits your needs for finding Nintendo games downloads online is to research and find how they rate one to another through review sites.

Detailed reviews of all the download Wii virtual console games centers and where to get the best Nintendo games downloads online can be found on my site at http://www.squidoo.com/wii-virtual-console-games There I review all the best Nintendo download networks so that you can transform your Wii into a huge multimedia center that goes beyond wii virtual console games, with movies TV shows, music videos and more.

My name is Troy Nantais and I can show you how to download wii virtual console games by the bucketful and show you where to find Nintendo games downloads online at
http://www.squidoo.com/wii-virtual-console-games

AP - The senator overseeing Barack Obama's swearing-in ceremony said Monday she's writing to Internet sites like eBay asking them not to sell scalped inauguration tickets. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., also said she's crafting a bill that would make a federal crime of selling tickets to the historic event Jan. 20.

Video Game Tester - Why You Have To Be One

Video game testing is fun. It really can be one of the greatest jobs out there. In fact, it is one of the most desirable jobs on the market today. So why should you become a video game tester?

Why you should be one

• A video game tester gets games sent to them for free! They don't have to go out and pay for a new video that they think might be fun to play. They get mailed wonderful games for free so they don't even have to go out and buy one. It's basically like a game subscription without paying for anything.

• You get to do what you love to do, play video games! Imagine sitting at home playing games and making hundreds of dollars. This is every hardcore gamers dream! You can play countless amounts of hours and turn that amount of hours into some serious amounts of cash.

• You get to play unreleased video games for free! You don't have to be anxious and wait for the next big game to come out, you get to play it for free! You get to play unreleased games that your friends would be dying to play.

• As a video game tester, you get insider codes that only the people who work with the company know. So not only do you get to play unreleased video games for free, but you also get amazing codes, cheats, and guides that only company employees know. How cool is that?

• Instead of wasting your time playing your own video games, you get to waste your time playing other people's games and get paid while doing it.

• You can literally create a full time income from your video game testing efforts that your friends would make from doing jobs that they hate.

Begin a video game tester is one of the most desirable jobs on the market. So get out there and get a job as one now!

Get the only ecourse that tells you how to really become a video game tester, no lies or scams, by clicking here now!

AP - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says she was puzzled by the amount of attention her wardrobe got at the end of her unsuccessful vice presidential run.