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Cooking With the XBox 360

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the hot-enough-for-ya dept.

Mr_Congeniality writes "Someone by the name of 'Brett' went all-out to prove how hot the XBox 360 can really get. So hot, the heatsink boils water on contact, but not only that, it can make a delicious meal. Be warned though, this video may not be suitable for those with weak stomachs!"

172 comments

  1. Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by nickrooster · · Score: 0

    The heatsink is doing its job.

    Tom's Hardware did this with the first generation Athlon XPs (although they made a little aluminum foil tray to keep the egg out of the fins - yuck!

    Newsflash - the heatsink is over 100 degrees Farenheit. Any modern computer heatsink is that hot as well - my CPU sits around 30 degrees Celsius - about 90 some degrees Farenheit. Not that big a deal.

    1. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by threephaseboy · · Score: 1

      It's boiling water. That's over 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

      --
      .
    2. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by oskard · · Score: 1

      http://www.google.com/search?q=100+celsius+to+fahr enheit

      --
      Sigs are for Terrorists.
    3. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by ztransform · · Score: 0

      I saw the video, and boy it looks messy!! Now if Microsoft makes the case easy-to-open and allows one to easily unplug the heatsink then the big question is.. is the heatsink dishwasher safe??

    4. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by advocate_one · · Score: 1

      and because of the way that heatsinks work, the CPU side is even hotter...

      --
      Donald 'Duck' Dunn: We had a band powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline.
    5. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by tibike77 · · Score: 3, Informative

      Egg white coagulates between 144 degrees F and 149 degrees F, and the yolk between 149 degrees F and 158 degrees F.
      That's around 65 and 71 Celsius.

      Having a PC heatsink at over 75 Celsius ain't that much of a big deal, why would an X-Box be any different ?
      If the temperature of an object you come into contact with is 149 degrees Fahrenheit, it would take about 2 seconds to cause a third degree burn... that's about as much as you'd need to start "cooking" the eggs too.

      So... scary-looking, yet absolutely normal.

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    6. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by Babbster · · Score: 1

      Yes! You too can make Slashdot posts out of simple math! Just to show how much confidence I have in my system, for a limited time I will tell you that 0.6 miles equals 1 (yes, ONE!) kilometer!

    7. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by tibike77 · · Score: 1

      By the way, the article body is misleading... that water wasn't BOILING, it was EVAPORATING.
      Quite fast, agreed, but I doubt he could make water actually boil in a small tin can placed on the heatsink.
      And by how "fast" he got his hands out of the way from the heatsink before the egg experiment, if that sink would have been at over 100 celsius, he would have at least second degree burns on his fingers (he didn't even seem to get first degree burns by the way).

      All in all, I'd have to say, that heatsink musthave been somewhere in the vicinity of 80-85 degrees Celsius (~180 F)... and the chip underneath probably at around 90-95 Celsius.
      Heck, that's what, proper cofee-serving temperature ? Heh.

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    8. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by Lonewolf666 · · Score: 1

      It may be a problem for the processor. If the heatsink is at 75 Celsius, the CPU might be at 90-100 Celsius which is above the maximum specified case temperature for some X86 models (don't know about the XBOX processor). Besides, semiconductors age faster at high temperatures, so I'd really prefer to have my CPU running at a nice moderate 60 Celsius or less.

      --
      C - the footgun of programming languages
    9. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by WhatAmIDoingHere · · Score: 1

      What processor can sit happy at 75 Celsius? My Athlon 64 3400+ never goes above 45 degrees Celsius, and if it hit 70 degrees Celsius, the safety cuts in and shuts the computer down.

      So, I'll ask again: What processor used in modern day PCs runs happily at 75 degrees Celsius?

      --
      Not a Twitter sockpuppet... but I wish I was.
    10. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by Richard_at_work · · Score: 1

      The Core series of chips runs extremely happily at over 70C, I routinely have my Macbook maxed out at between 70C and 80C when encoding video.

    11. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by ThosLives · · Score: 1

      Temperature doesn't mean anything - it's heat dissipation that matters. Here's more basic math for ya:

      I have 1 gram of water at 100 degC and that is my heat sink. Let's say I then have 10 grams of egg. Let's say the heat capacity of egg is the same as water. Let's say the egg is current room temperature of 20 degC. If no energy is added to the (water)heat sink, the equilibrium temperature between the egg and the water will only be about 27 degC, which is nowhere near enough to cook egg. Now, let's assume that the heat sink is currently dissipating 100W. If we just put water on that, that means we'd heat 1 gram of water (if it was absorbing all the energy) at around 24 degC/sec (about 3 seconds to reach boiling temperature) - so it appears that the heat sink has the capability to dish out quite a bit more than 100W (I don't know if this is a combination of the thermal dissipation from the circuit or a release of the energy that is stored in the heatsink; it's probably a combination of both).

      That's the scary thing - not that it's hot, but that it *stays* hot!

      --
      "There are a dozen opinions on a matter until you know the truth. Then there is only one." - CS Lewis (paraprhase)
    12. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by cortana · · Score: 1

      My Athlon XP 2500+ idles happily at 65 degrees, and goes up to 75 under load. At first I was mildly concerned, but after four years, I'm no longer so worried. :)

    13. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by Broken+scope · · Score: 1

      It uses specialized/modified IBM powerPc processors.

      --
      You mad
    14. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by LoadWB · · Score: 1

      Only if you ask McDonald's :) 180F water is extremely hot and carries much more energy than water at 145F, therefore taking much longer to cool down, passing much more heat to the cooling medium (ie your leg, etc.)

    15. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by tibike77 · · Score: 1

      Well, off-topic enough already... but... I don't think that's "as MacDonalds say", it's the PROPER way.

      http://www.boyds.com/coffee/brewingguide.html

      Serving

      Serve coffee as soon after brewing as possible. Coffee loses flavor and aroma quickly. If brewed coffee must be "held" on a direct heat source, it should be held at 185F, and for no longer than 20 minutes. Higher temperatures cause coffee to break down quickly, producing a bitter and flat taste. Lower temperatures make the brew too cold and consumers will be dissatisfied. Reheating brewed coffee breaks down the components of the coffee and results in an undesirable flavor.

      Thermal servers are the best way to hold brewed coffee at the proper serving temperature because they are insulated, airtight, and no direct heat is applied to the coffee. Sealed containers prevent evaporation and retain aromatic compounds. The best insulated and sealed servers, if preheated with hot water, may hold coffee at acceptable serving temperatures for several hours.

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      By reading this signature you agree to not disagree with the post you just read.
    16. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by KlaymenDK · · Score: 1

      Closing my eye for the moment to the word 'modern' in your post, I'll respond that my 1.4GHz AMD Athlon sits *idle* at 72*C. That series has been known --and designed-- to routinely rise to around 110*C.

      Not that I think that's great in any way ... it was cooking the rest of my hw.

      --
      "Good news, everyone!"
    17. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The safety is not killing it at the point at which it can no longer run, the safety is killing it at the point at which the chip begins to age abnormally fast. You can still run it hotter, you're just decreasing its life expectancy (as should be expected of any digital or mechanical device being pushed to performance limits, you're trading off reliability for power).

      As an example, the ATI software on my Radeon, by default, kept the fans on the card spinning at no more than 29% of capacity and would throttle performance over 52C. After I installed ATITool and tweaked the fan behavior, and disabled the software safety switch in Catalyst, the card began to run regularly at 75C - 80C with no artifacts while playing games. The tradeoff here is that my card, while delivering better performance, is likely to die on me sooner than it would if I'd have just kept the lower performance and left the default settings alone (although ATI's fan settings from the factory are stupid as hell - why on earth would they make a gaming-oriented card never spin the fans near full capacity?).

    18. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by LoadWB · · Score: 1

      OT Agreed, but since we're heading down this track.

      In the case of fast food coffee, there has to be a balance struck with safety. Water at 180F is not safe. And I would hardly compare McDonald's coffee to Boyds :)

    19. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by Guppy06 · · Score: 1

      "Temperature doesn't mean anything - it's heat dissipation that matters. Here's more basic math for ya:"

      Pass the doobie, man!

      "I have 1 gram of water at 100 degC and that is my heat sink. Let's say I then have 10 grams of egg."

      How, praytell, are you going to submerge (let alone cook) a 10 g egg in 1 g of water? Realisticly, the egg will be 1 hg and the water will be around 3 hg.

      "so it appears that the heat sink has the capability to dish out quite a bit more than 100W (I don't know if this is a combination of the thermal dissipation from the circuit or a release of the energy that is stored in the heatsink; it's probably a combination of both)."

      What you're missing is that the (hypothetical) 100 W output is when the heat sink is submerged in air.

      The heat sink is designed to dissipate heat in air, a fluid that is remarkably good at thermal insulation (fiberglass insulation works by trapping air pockets within it). This is why heat sinks look the way they do, to maximize the surface area to squeeze every last bit of heat conductivity out of the surrounding air. Forced airflow helps as well, because stagnant hot air absorbs less heat than if it is constantly replaced with cooler air.

      Comparing the thermal conductivity of air to water is like comparing the electrical conductivity of air to copper. The difference is usually around a factor of 30. Submerge the same heat sink in water rather than air, and you will get a lot more heat out of it. All things being equal, that 1 hW output will jump to 3 kW.

      Of course, this is all if you submerge the heat sink. The heat sink is not a pinpoint that 1 g of water can submerge (otherwise it'd be a lousy heat sink). If instead we're talking about locallized exposure to water while the rest of the heat sink must continue to work with air, you get not only the heat from the heat source, but also the heat from the dry portions of the heat sink, suddenly realizing there is now a path of lesser resistance, will move to put even more W/m^2 out of the wet portions of the heat sink than you'd see if the entire heat sink was submerged (at least until the water boils off and all those disappointed little calories have to go back to trying to work with air).

      "That's the scary thing - not that it's hot, but that it *stays* hot!"

      Conductor stays hot while electical current continues to move through it! Film at 11!

    20. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by espressojim · · Score: 1

      As a coffee fanatic, I'd mod you up if I had the points (despite your being almost off topic.)

      I've been able to move my relatives to thermal servers when they serve coffee over longer periods of time, and it's helped them get their coffee up to palatable.

      OTOH, I generally drink espresso from a Livia 90 automatic (not super automatic, but not a level system.) The beans are ground 30 seconds before extraction, and the espresso is consumed 3-5 minutes from extraction time. That way, it's never cold...but who could resist fresh espresso anyway?

    21. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by sethstorm · · Score: 1

      So, I'll ask again: What processor used in modern day PCs runs happily at 75 degrees Celsius?

      T42p's that go north of 80 with heavy graphics activity, and sometimes sit well at 90C (not recommended, is a sign of fan failure if pegged at 90C/60C)

      --
      Twitter supports and protects racists - by smearing their critics with the "Hate Speech" label.
    22. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by Flynnt · · Score: 1

      My Celeron D 2.93ghz runs around 75-80c under load and has been doing so for about a year now. This isn't even with the stock Intel heatsink/fan, although I forget the brand.

    23. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by ThosLives · · Score: 1

      This has to be one of the best responses to one of my not-so-well-thought-out-at-6-am posts ever. :-)

      I have to agree with everything you said. And yeah, I didn't really think through my trying to cook 10g of egg with 1g of water. Too bad 'preview' does not catch sanity errors...

      The one comment I have that is more on-topic: If a heatsink transfer to water or egg is greater than in air, which I agree with, that will mean that the temperature of the heatsink will drop faster for a given input energy. I'm assuming that the CPU under the heatsink does not increase to compensate for the extra outflow from the heatsink, so, since outflow > inflow, the temperature of the heatsink will drop. Maybe a better experiment would be "at what rate do you have to cook eggs on the heatsink to drop its temperature down to 50 degC"?

      --
      "There are a dozen opinions on a matter until you know the truth. Then there is only one." - CS Lewis (paraprhase)
    24. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by Splab · · Score: 1

      Ditto for me, and the radeon board chucks along at about 82 celcius - the great thing is to use my case to rest my feet, gets nice n warm during long gaming hours.

    25. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by JabberWokky · · Score: 1
      It's safe enough. It's reasonable to expect coffee to be scalding hot, to burn you if you spill it.

      I am not a small child; I want the pointy scissors, the dangerous superglue instead of paste and if I need to spray for bugs, give me something that is poison. I can take the responsibility if I eat it.

      The problem has nothing to do with the water being "safe" or not... the problem is people demanding that it be "safe" and that "safe" status enforced through legal action. I'd imagine far more people have died choking on McDonalds food than have been harmed by their hot coffee. I'd bet that more people have died in the drive through, and I'll bet there are more health related issues from their fatty foods than from the temperature of any beverage.

      There does not have to be a balance of safety, it just has to be clear what it is. Bug spray is poison, scissors are sharp, coffee is hot. Ignore these things and you will hurt yourself, but the problem isn't the bug spray maker, the office supply store or the restaurant... the problem is the assumption that it is incumbent upon the world to provide a "child safe" environment for the adult population. Put the bug spray in the coffee cup and sell it as coffee, and I'll agree that there's a problem, but that's not what happened. Dangerous things should exist and be sold in the world -- and yes, people will get hurt as a result. That's called adult life.

      --
      Evan

      --
      "$30 for the One True Ring. $10 each additional ring!" -- JRR "Bob" Tolkien
    26. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by Ferzerp · · Score: 1

      The Quadro FX 2500M sitting in this system doesn't even speed throttle until 102C. It runs between 50-75C happily all day long.

    27. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by imboboage0 · · Score: 1

      My old CPU (Athlon XP-M 2600+ in a desktop OCed from 2.0-2.8GHz) ran AT MOST 60 degrees Celsius. That was in a warm room under load.

      My current CPU (Athlon64 3000+ in a desktop OCed from 1.8-1.935GHz) runs regularly around 31 degrees Celsius. Under heavy load, it hits 38. In the winter when my room gets cold, it even drops to about 28 degrees.

      The coldest I've ever seen a CPU run on air cooling was my 2600+ (from above) when I had the intake for the CPU heatsink fan ducted out of my window. On a 12 degree Fahrenheit day, the CPU idled at 14 degrees Celsius.

      --
      Honesty may be the best policy, but by process of elimination, dishonesty is the second best policy.
    28. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by SQLGuru · · Score: 1
      Taking this even FURTHER off topic:

      "$30 for the One True Ring. $10 each additional ring!" -- JRR "Bob" Tolkien


      Actually, if you check here http://www.badalijewelry.com/tolkien.htm (and you can read about the licensing of them here: http://www.badalijewelry.com/forging.htm, which may or may not be valid still). But the rings cost differently depending on what metal you order them in ($480 for the One True Ring in 10k gold up to $896 in 22k yellow gold). You can read the rest of the site to see how much it would cost to have the entire collection.

      Layne
    29. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by grefyne · · Score: 1

      Not only that, but he removed the fans for the heatsinks to reach that temperature.

    30. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by Methuseus · · Score: 1

      Maybe it's that the processor throttled down at a max heat capacity but didn't lock. Maybe it was processing some info for the XBox360 that made it hotter when it throttled back up immediately in response to a drop of a degree or something. All pure speculation but funny to think that a "locked up" machine will do that.

      --
      Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity, though I'm not yet sure about the universe. - A Einstein
    31. Re:Heatsink is supposed to be that hot... by Drooling+Iguana · · Score: 1

      No, it equals 1 kilometre.

      --
      ... I'm addicted to placebos
  2. Direct youtube link by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    here
      cache of main page here

  3. Out of warranty ? by MartijnL · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    How can the thing be out of warranty ? The KB article to which the article links suggests to return the console to Microsoft for repair.

    --
    http://virtualize.wordpress.com/
    1. Re:Out of warranty ? by ImustDIE · · Score: 1

      I doubt the warranty covers using the heatsink as a stove.

    2. Re:Out of warranty ? by Xiph · · Score: 1

      The x-box is out of warranty because it was bought a while ago, and the warranty is now outdated.
      the knowledge base article is from before any x-boxes ran out of warranty.

      Hmmmm... the built in spell checker in Firefox could have a huge impact on slash dot ;)

      --
      Blah blah sig blah blah blah irony blah blah
    3. Re:Out of warranty ? by QuickFox · · Score: 3, Funny

      I doubt the warranty covers using the heatsink as a stove.

      Damn Microsoft and their draconian license restrictions.

      --
      Terrorists can't threaten a country's freedom and democracy. Only lawmakers and voters can do that.
    4. Re:Out of warranty ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ye, the spiel-chicer in fir fox always noes witch ward to recommend wen I'm wrong. No moor read squiggles fur me. :)

    5. Re:Out of warranty ? by Duds · · Score: 1

      Does the US really not have a sale of goods act? Regardless of warrenty you could return that for free repair in the UK.

    6. Re:Out of warranty ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      oh I dont know I know at least a few ways of taking something out of warranty before it would expire naturally. I wonder what xbox can be overclocked to for instance ,or modified with a water cooling unit etc.... ohhh steam, no wait... , that is magic smoke thats escaping.

    7. Re:Out of warranty ? by glesga_kiss · · Score: 1
      Does the US really not have a sale of goods act? Regardless of warrenty you could return that for free repair in the UK.

      I've discussed this with Americans in the past and it does seem to be that way i.e. they have a manufacturers warranty only. However, most people in the UK incorrectly think we are the same and the sales people perpetuate this myth. For those not in the know, you can up to around six years of warranty. It's all down to how long you would "reasonably" expect the item to last.

    8. Re:Out of warranty ? by Jesus_666 · · Score: 1

      I think that will soon be available as an upgrade. The XBox played DVDs, the XBox 360 cooks eggs.

      --
      USE HOT GRITS WITH STATUE OF NATALIE PORTMAN (NAKED AND PETRIFIED)
  4. Eggs and Home Fries by oskard · · Score: 1

    Use all of your electronics to make the ultimate meal for nerds:

    http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1104341

    --
    Sigs are for Terrorists.
    1. Re:Eggs and Home Fries by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I always found regular cooking appliances better

    2. Re:Eggs and Home Fries by Emetophobe · · Score: 1

      Too bad his computer didn't actually heat the cooking oil by itself, he said he placed a heating element underneath the tray.

    3. Re:Eggs and Home Fries by weasel5i2 · · Score: 1

      This guy and his deep-fried immersion-cooled antics are extremely foolish. Two words: Lead Poisoning. It's a serious threat, even from merely HANDLING circuit boards and components and not washing your hands. This is coming from a guy who works in electronics fab. NIOSH/OSHA rules surrounding lead-based solder-related materials are there for a very good reason.

      I'm only stating this because from TFA (the fry-guy one), there wasn't but one or two brief mentions of the toxicity of doing such a thing, and I think it's likely someone's gonna see this and try it themselves without knowing the consequences (long-term nervous system damage, reproductive harm, etc..)

      I imagine that since these X360 heatsinks are NOT designed for cooking anything intended for human consumption, they probably don't do a whole lot at the factory to make sure the cooling vanes (or any other exposed components, for that matter) are free of heavy metals and other residual nasties they use during fabrication: conformal coatings, solvents, fluxes, paints, etc.. This one reason why they don't allow bunny-suited employees to eat their meatloaf whilst inside the clean room..

      It's just a Bad Idea(TM), whichever way you look at it. Everyone should know this stuff. Just google it up: Heavy Metal Poisoning

      --
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    4. Re:Eggs and Home Fries by lordkuri · · Score: 1

      I think it's likely someone's gonna see this and try it themselves without knowing the consequences (long-term nervous system damage, reproductive harm, etc..)

      I think that's called "Natural Selection"

  5. Hahaha by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Microsoft is now repairing all 360s free of charge. WHOOPS!

    1. Re:Hahaha by beanMosheen · · Score: 1

      WRONG. Only boxes made before january 06 are coverd. My box was a February box and I had to eat it.

  6. Three Red Lights of Death? by lpangelrob · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The 360's not even a year old... I'm assuming the Lights of Death aren't a widespread problem? I would have read more about that on /. by now if it was widespread. (No, I don't own one.)

    The video isn't really worth watching, even if it is hosted on YouTube. Just another "cooking on electronics" example.

    --
    -Rob

    Biblical fiscal responsibility

    1. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by interiot · · Score: 1

      Microsoft is paying for repairs for the first batch of 360's shipped. [1] I've had the three-redlights problem that had to be shipped in to MS, and it sounds like quite a few others online have as well.

    2. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by SpeedyRich · · Score: 1

      Uh-oh. A bible-bashing XBox fanboy.

      You from th'deep south, boy?

      --
      ## NB: Comment here
    3. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by lpangelrob · · Score: 1

      Actually, more like a Nintendo fanboy fiscal-conservative social-liberal from Chicago. Thanks, though. :-p

      --
      -Rob

      Biblical fiscal responsibility

    4. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by SpeedyRich · · Score: 1

      I need a wee :)

      --
      ## NB: Comment here
    5. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's probably more commonplace than you might think. Our first 360 we got in December last year lasted 2 days before the 3 red lights came on. The replacement we eventually got back did slightly better and lasted a few weeks but it also went the same way and had to be replaced. We're on our third 360 (all at MS's expense thankfully) and this one seems a little better put together but I'm still scared of it letting go OUTSIDE the warranty period now; I can't see this thing lasting a couple of years, especially at those temperatures shown in the video.

      As for how widespread it is, I can only speculate whether our little town I live in (UK) is just very unlucky but when I sent my first one back the delivery guy said they'd picked up 17 with the same problem just in our area. This is when they were still rare as hen's teeth, so I reckon the failure rate might have been a little more than 3% with that sort of figure.

    6. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by OverlordQ · · Score: 1

      The 360's not even a year old... I'm assuming the Lights of Death aren't a widespread problem?

      If it's less then a year old, and just guessing that the warranty on the xbox360 is atleast a year . . . then what'd this guy do to void his warranty?

      Given that, isn't this non-story just a video of a guy cooking an egg on something hot?

      Slow news day?

      --
      Your hair look like poop, Bob! - Wanker.
    7. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by dlZ · · Score: 1

      If it's less then a year old, and just guessing that the warranty on the xbox360 is atleast a year . . . then what'd this guy do to void his warranty?

      The warranty is only 90 days unless you buy as extended one. But they did extend the warranty on units produced in 2005. My unit was giving me the 3 light error over a month ago, and I called MS and they told me it was out of warranty. I called back about a week later on a tip from a local EB Games employee, and they did say the warranty had been extended on these units, and my box to ship it back would be arriving soon. The repaired unit also has another 90 day warranty on it.

      --
      rm -rf ./evidence @ punkcomp
    8. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by AcidLacedPenguiN · · Score: 1

      the red ring of death happened to my xbox360 too but when I called Microsoft they said they extended the warranty by a year or something (I only bought mine like 4 or 5 months ago) which is awesome, because for $50cdn when I bought my console I payed for the 3 year extended warranty from MS and apparently they just appended that extra time onto my existing warranty.
       
      So I guess long story short is: either this guy was too cheap to buy a decently priced warranty, or he had done something to his xbox360 to void the warranty. Seeing how he decided to make a video of cooking an egg on the heatsink I bet he had done the DVDfirmware mod.
       
      I figure that if the 360 mods are as easy as the first xbox mods by the time my warranty ends I'll consider modding it then, but anytime before then is just foolish.

      --
      disclaimer: I've been known to store numbers in my ass for which to dig out when quantities are required.
    9. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by LordKronos · · Score: 1

      The video isn't really worth watching

      You can say that again.

      OMG!!!!! A heat sink with NO FANS and a BOX built around it so that it gets absolutely NO AIRFLOW can get incredibly hot!!!!! Who'd have guessed it?????? I wonder....if you remove the heatsink entirely, do you think there's any chance the chip itself might get hot too??????????

    10. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by Splab · · Score: 1

      Why o why does consumers put up with that?

      Here in Denmark we got a mandatory 2 year warranty, the first year the seller has to produce evindence of mishandling in order to void it (very hard), the second year it's left to the consumer to prove error on the producers part (pretty easy) - but the way it works is the buisness always take in the item within the first two years. And on top of that you get the warranty extended if you have to get it repaired - that means if something breaks after 1 1/2 years, they will most likely take it in and you get 2 years more warranty.

    11. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by vperez · · Score: 1

      It's not like we actually have a choice. It's either buy with little warranty, buy the overpriced extended warranty, or don't buy at all.

    12. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by steveo777 · · Score: 1
      So I guess long story short is: either this guy was too cheap to buy a decently priced warranty, or he had done something to his xbox360 to void the warranty.


      Okay, I buy the warrantee when it's feasable (say, 10-20 bucks), but that should not be nessessary. The product is exepcted to be selling for 5 years, right? Then why the hell wouldn't they build every one of them to last at least 5 years? This isn't the motor vehicle industry, this is consoles. And people excpect thier consoles to last damn near forever. I've got an NES and SNES which both work perfectly. The NES was out for a year when my dad bought it for us, and I bought the SNES the day it came out. Same with the N64, and Gamecube.


      Now poeple have to wonder if their systems are going to last. It started with the original Playstation not working correctly. Multiple revisions later we have the very reliable PSOne. Well, I don't care about costs and whatnot to the developer, but if your product doesn't last, then you should pay for it. Kudos to MS for taking care of their issues. But I'm still pissed that their machine is having issues and I don't even own one.

      --
      This sig isn't original enough, it's time to come up with something witty...
    13. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by CastrTroy · · Score: 1

      This is one of the many reasons why I bought a GameCube last generation. If the manufacturer doesn't trust their product enough to warranty it for at least 1 year, then I'm not buying it. Especially with expensive electronics. However, I'm not sure if it's all MS's doing, or if retailers push them to only warranty it for 90 days, so they can make a killing off selling the extended warranty. Still MS is evil because they have the final say on the warranty terms, but I can't help but think the retailers push them a little bit.

      --

      Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
    14. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by CastrTroy · · Score: 1
      this guy was too cheap to buy a decently priced warranty
      You shouldn't have to pay extra for a real warranty. 3 months is nothing. If you buy it for your kids for Christmas, the warranty could be half gone by the time you open the box. I think that MS is being really underhanded in selling a $400 piece of electronics, which the previous model had known failures, and only giving a 90 day warranty.
      --

      Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
    15. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So... how much more do you end up paying for consumer goods in Denmark?

    16. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Man, when you think about those statistics I wonder how much MS is really losing on the 360 considering they sell them at a loss to begin with.

    17. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by dlZ · · Score: 1

      We put up with it because we don't have that much of a choice. As a PC reseller, though, I don't sell any systems that come with less than a 1 year warranty. All the desktops we sell come with a 3 year warranty by default, though. But as a consumer I don't always have that option, unless I'm willing to shell out more money (sometimes easily in the hundreds) for an extended warranty.

      --
      rm -rf ./evidence @ punkcomp
    18. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by dlZ · · Score: 1

      I have a feeling a large part of it is the retailers pushing them to have a limited warranty. I worked for a game retailer years ago, and we were told to push the warranty. And the result of having bad numbers was normally being fired. The warranty we had to push was pretty much crap, too, as they would replace the system with a refurbished one. This is when the PS2 was new. The refurbished units normally didn't work right out of the box.

      Because of this I'm very cautious when it comes to extended warranty offers. In this case, MS did the right thing by extending the warranty on the 05 systems which they know to be faulty (Madden and Saint's Row push the system enough to show the flaw if it does have a defect.) I owned an original XBox also, which I gave to a family member when I purchased the 360. This unit hasn't had a single problem.

      The thing I will say is they handled the repair excellently. They sent me a box to pack it in with a shipping label, and all I had to do was called for pickup or drop it off at a UPS location. I sent the unit on it's way, and in about a week a new unit was delivered right to my door step. The entire process took me about 10 minutes on the phone and 5 minutes unhooking and packing the unit. I had looked up the error code on the unit before calling, and just told the rep this. They didn't force me to troubleshoot anything (already did the work for them) and they just asked my address. I've dealt with other warranty repairs and have had a nightmare, so this was actually refreshing (they never accused me of breaking it, which I've seen way too many other companies do.)

      --
      rm -rf ./evidence @ punkcomp
    19. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by CastrTroy · · Score: 1

      I think that what most people don't realize about the retailer warranties is that they aren't straight exchange. You don't just take your broken XBox into future shop and walk out with a new one. They have to send it away, have it checked, and then either fix your unit, or send you a replacement (which is usually refurbished). Sometimes the process can take over a month. I know a guy who works at futureshop, and he says the warranties are a ripoff, because of this waiting period.

      --

      Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
    20. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by dlZ · · Score: 1

      That is the problem in most cases, and retailers tend to advertise them like they are a straight replacement. I know the company I worked for told us to tell the customers that they would "be given a new unit right there." The unit was maybe new to them, but it was just some barely working refurb. Of course, there's was shipped off and the process started all over again. I think the people "repairing" the units for the company just checked to see if they turned on, but never actually tried a game in them. We used to test the refurb units before even giving them out (we weren't supposed to do this) and most of them were completely defective.

      --
      rm -rf ./evidence @ punkcomp
    21. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by AcidLacedPenguiN · · Score: 1

      The problem is that the level of complexity rises with each generation. Of course your NES and SNES are going to work forever because as long as it doesn't get power spiked, the PC boards are going to stay intact. That's the beauty of those solid state systems, no moving parts, no hard drives, no optical drives, no operating systems, etc. Ever since consoles have started using ***-ROM drives, hard drives, operating systems, wireless/IR receivers, multicore processors, complex graphics processing units, heatsinks, and heatsink fans, they'd have to worry about the optical drive motors, fan bearings, heat management, voltage/current regulation, harddrive fragmentation, OS crashes, file corruption, and all kinds of other unforeseeable circumstances.

      Now that the game consoles are rapidly becoming dedicated PCs we're always prone to the weird bugs, crashes, and subsequent burns of the average desktop PC. I know some enthusiasts will call me on that saying "Well if you keep your PC properly maintained it won't ever crap out on you", but the thing is, with these consoles there really is no way to keep them maintained. There's accessible registry to clean, or hdd defrag tools.

      I do think that warranties are a foolish protection racket, what with EB games employees badgering me for that $3.00 warranty, or that $100 in-store warranty or whatever. But asking for a console that is guaranteed never to fail in any circumstance for 5 years is absolutely unreasonable. On top of that, although I don't have any figures to go by, this seems to be fairly uncommon problem with the 360s, and the Red ring of death could mean any number of errors have occurred, whether it be from problems with the firmware, problems with the OS, problems with the Hdd, problems with the optical drive. I could imagine an even smaller amount of 360s that die are actually dieing for the same reason.

      With that said, it is reasonable to ask for a better warranty because of the added complexity. Back in the NES and SNES days, a 90 day warranty was reasonable because generally speaking, if it didn't die in 90 days it would more than likely live for the next 20 years. The real question here is why haven't the manufacturers extended warranties with each console iteration to match the added complexity of the new consoles?

      --
      disclaimer: I've been known to store numbers in my ass for which to dig out when quantities are required.
    22. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by steveo777 · · Score: 1

      Well, I'm not exactly calling for a 5 year warranty, but I am saying that Sony/MS/Nintendo could certainly make it easier to get your machine fixed if there is a problem. Say, only charging for a part, or shipping back it troubleshooting is going to cost more than the console. But, yes, I think a 2 year warranty would be perfectly reasonable given the amout of problems the PS1, PS2, XBox, and 360 had (I know two people who have been through multiple 360's, one of them is on his fourth). And more than likely the PS3 will have many drive problems too, perhaps even the Wii.

      --
      This sig isn't original enough, it's time to come up with something witty...
    23. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If you followed any gaming news at all, you would know that the defect rate for the Xbox360 is much higher than that of other electronics. In fact, Microsoft have admitted to the faulty Xboxes being shipped.

      I have 2 friends who both bought Xbox360s, and both their Xbox360 failed. One of them nudged his Xbox360 while it was on and it scratched his game -- this is also widely documented and remain a problem with current Xboxes being sold. What company would design a console so poorly that it cannot be moved during operation? From what it looks like, Microsoft's software engineering practices is carrying over to their hardware.

    24. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by thebaron2 · · Score: 1

      Your NES still works?!

      Am I the only one here who recalls being bent over and blowing into the system/cartridge, daring to hope that it might start up this time if I only I blew hard enough?

      --
      -TheBaron2
    25. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by beanMosheen · · Score: 1

      It's not just a problem with the pre-january boxes. All of them are dying. Mine lasted a scant 4 months, and they want $128 to fix an already $400 box. Some people are on there third or fourth box, and it's not because they're being mistreated. Microsoft is simply trying to delay the backlash of a faulty design. I put mine back in the box, uninstalled every MS OS in my house, and finaly switched to Linux. I'll wait for the class action lawsuit and get it fixed for free.

    26. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by SueAnnSueAnn · · Score: 0

      Reminds me of the G-4 Cube.

      Another great design where somebody forgot all about the thermal considerations.
      Who cares anyway the both look good and we get the money and 2 years later they will end up in a landfill anyway.
      Two good examples of American Engineering.
      Hay maybe all those SONY batteries were designed in the US also.

      Sue

      When it's time,
      It's time,
      And it may be sooner then you think

    27. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by glesga_kiss · · Score: 1
      We're on our third 360 (all at MS's expense thankfully) and this one seems a little better put together but I'm still scared of it letting go OUTSIDE the warranty period now; I can't see this thing lasting a couple of years, especially at those temperatures shown in the video.

      Don't worry about it. The manufacturers warranty has the disclaimer "your statutory rights are not affected". You later mention that you are in the UK; well we have pretty good consumer law at the moment. Getting a repair out of warranty isn't all that big a deal, even up to six years later. Speak to Trading Standards if you ever have any hassle.

    28. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by glesga_kiss · · Score: 1
      Am I the only one here who recalls being bent over and blowing into the system/cartridge, daring to hope that it might start up this time if I only I blew hard enough?

      Try cleaning the contacts with an alcohol solution. The likely problem is that the top layer of metal has oxidized and doesn't conduct all that well.

    29. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by Akaihiryuu · · Score: 1

      This is why the only consoles I'll buy at launch any more are Nintendo. I've never had any problems with any Nintendo systems. I didn't get a PS2 until the 50000 series came out (this is when they dropped the price to $179, the 50000 is the one with the quieter fan, built in IR receiver, and progressive scan DVD support)...and I didn't get an Xbox until they stopped making them (I got one just before they became impossible to find used). I'll probably do the same with the PS3. I don't think I'll ever get a 360 because thus far it has nothing that interests me.

    30. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      but, those are 3 choices, not putting up with it an not buying the POC is what the GP is talking about, no?

    31. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by Blackwulf · · Score: 1

      When you call the Xbox customer support line, there is actually a choice in their automated menu for if you are experiencing Three Flashing Red Lights.

      Anything that's an actual choice on the menu is a widespread problem, I'd say.

      Mine got hit with it two weeks ago on my launch day 360.

    32. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by drc003 · · Score: 1

      Actually it is a widespread problem and is only getting worse by the day. Pathetic.

    33. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by dlZ · · Score: 1

      I completely agree about Nintendo's quality. I've seen some Gamecubes get abused practically beyond recognition and still work fine. I normally don't buy systems at release, but the 360 was actually a gift, so I couldn't complain. I've really enjoyed the system so far, and even though I don't have a ton of games for it, I also don't have a ton of time to play anymore. A 20 hour game will easily last me hours. And the Live Arcade is great for a cheap diversion. Uno is strangely addicting and Street Fighter II is one of my all time favorite games.

      --
      rm -rf ./evidence @ punkcomp
    34. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by SueAnnSueAnn · · Score: 0

      Don't buy at all sounds like the smart choice.

      Sue

      When it's time,
      It's time,
      And it may be sooner then you think.

    35. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by Akaihiryuu · · Score: 1

      That reminds me of the stress testing I've seen done on both the Gamecube and the GBA. The Gamecube stress test I remember they dropped it a few times and really banged it up and it still worked. The GBA they did all kinds of things to...dropping it onto a hard surface repeatedly, extinguishing cigarettes on it, and even throwing it in the toilet and flushing it. After all of that, the GBA still worked...the only problems were some scratches on the screen. I've had my Gamecube since launch and it still works perfectly. I will be giving it away once the Wii comes out though...no point in keeping the GC since the Wii is backward compatible.

    36. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by elphins.son · · Score: 1

      And yet somehow, it just NEVER did...

    37. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A 20 hour game will easily last me hours.

      I would hope so :)

    38. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by ultranova · · Score: 1

      I will be giving it away once the Wii comes out though...no point in keeping the GC since the Wii is backward compatible.

      Word of advice. "Backward compatible" means "most old games will run on it". It does not mean "all old games will work on it exactly as they should", unless the Wii actually contains all of GC's electronics. Otherwise there is going to be some differences, and the odd game that chokes on them - and that will certainly be the game you want to play most.

      For example, Crimson Skies does not work under Windows XP and newer GeForce, despite being a Microsoft game. "Backwards compatibility" is always a best effort, never a guarantee.

      --

      Forget magic. Any technology distinguishable from divine power is insufficiently advanced.

    39. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by toddestan · · Score: 1

      Couldn't you buy it with one of those credit cards that automatically extends the warrenty for whatever you purchase with it?

    40. Re:Three Red Lights of Death? by Akaihiryuu · · Score: 1

      True...backward compatibility is never perfect. But I'm sure it'll be better than PS2/PS1 backward compatibility...and even that wasn't that bad. I never had a problem getting any of my PS1 games to run, and except for a slight sound glitch in Xenogears and a slight graphic glitch in another of my PS1 games (don't even remember which), I didn't have any problems. I'm sure the Wii will fare better in that regard...as it's much more architecturally similar to the GC than the PS2 was to the PS1.

  7. With my NintendoDS I can cook too... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooking_Mama

    I start the day with Brain Age (Me: 32, My Brain: 23) and then my DS teaches me cooking... :'-)

  8. Yes but... by edwardpickman · · Score: 2, Funny

    ..is it dishwasher safe?

    1. Re:Yes but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ckqybriagf

    2. Re:Yes but... by NIckGorton · · Score: 1

      Probably. My boyfriend taught me this trick: nasty, disgusting appliance or electronics? Wash it in the dishwasher, let dry a week, then re-use spanking clean item. I thought he was trying to kill me when I found our toaster in the diswasher. But that was 7 years ago, and I'm not dead. Yet.

    3. Re:Yes but... by Chris+Burke · · Score: 1

      I thought he was trying to kill me when I found our toaster in the diswasher. But that was 7 years ago, and I'm not dead. Yet.

      Hmm... Has it seemed like, since then, that your boyfriend hasn't payed much if any attention to you? Your friends seem to just ignore you when you walk by and say hello? Is there a weird little kid who seems to be the only one who talks to you?

      Just wondering. :)

      --

      The enemies of Democracy are
    4. Re:Yes but... by LunaticTippy · · Score: 1

      Hm, I do that dishwasher thing too. I always thought it was because I'm crazy.

      It started with a dust and beverage caked keyboard and progressed from there.

      I've been afraid to use detergent though. That stuff is corrosive. What's your policy on that?

      --
      Man, you really need that seminar!
    5. Re:Yes but... by TavisJohn · · Score: 1

      He should have had a CLUE and made a little pan out of foil, instead of just dumping the egg into the heatsync grill.

      I mean EVERYONE has to have seen the "How to cook with XP" page!
      http://www.phys.ncku.edu.tw/~htsu/humor/fry_egg.ht ml

      People who ruin these things should never have had them in the first place.

      I guess some people have money to spare tho.

    6. Re:Yes but... by NIckGorton · · Score: 1

      I ask and BF says 'no detergent! what are you crazy?' That he can say that with a straight face while advocating putting a toaster in a dishwasher really amazes me.

  9. Old? by jmke · · Score: 1

    It has been done before... long time ago, hot running CPU's is nothing new... or is it? How to fry an egg on an Athlon XP

    1. Re:Old? by pavera · · Score: 1

      in your link it took 11 minutes to cook the egg
      the xbox cooked the egg almost instantly. It seriously took less than 10 seconds to cook the egg.

    2. Re:Old? by jmke · · Score: 1

      what do you want from a multi-core CPU? ;)

    3. Re:Old? by pavera · · Score: 1

      I just got my new macbook pro core 2 duo 2.33... it runs at least 75% cooler than my old dell single core pentium M 1.67
      I couldn't use the dell on my lap for more than about 15-20 minutes, the macbook is seriously the coolest (temperature wise) laptop I've ever used.

    4. Re:Old? by jmke · · Score: 1

      doesnt IBM make the 360 CPU? Three cores at 3.2Ghz powerPC config, they are not known for being very cool (remember the water cooled apple G5?) so put three of those cores on a single CHIP and it will use a lot more than older PCs:)

    5. Re:Old? by Jesus_666 · · Score: 1

      AMD64 is a very cool-as-in-temperature architecture (and quite cool-as-in-nifty, too). My X2 runs cooler on full load than my last 32bit Athlon did while idling. Actually, I can even let the computer run with the water cooling system's pump switched off without risking stability problems. Heck, if they make the low-consumption X2s/C2Ds a bit cooler we might get back to passively cooled CPUs!

      --
      USE HOT GRITS WITH STATUE OF NATALIE PORTMAN (NAKED AND PETRIFIED)
  10. Not a new concept, but it is a benchmark! by RyuuzakiTetsuya · · Score: 1

    It is a benchmark of how hot console CPUs are getting. It was unimaginable to think that a playstation or a SNES would be able to fry an egg... But...

    --
    Non impediti ratione cogitationus.
    1. Re:Not a new concept, but it is a benchmark! by Datamonstar · · Score: 1

      It's more like a benchmark of how easy (and inefficient) it is to put a regular PC into a fancy white case.

      --
      The eternal struggle of good vs. evil begins within one's self.
    2. Re:Not a new concept, but it is a benchmark! by cibyr · · Score: 1

      The xbox was (close to) a regular PC. The xbox 360 is a lot more custom, and a far cry from a regular PC.

      --
      It's not exactly rocket surgery.
    3. Re:Not a new concept, but it is a benchmark! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually it's a far cry from being a far cry from a regular PC.

    4. Re:Not a new concept, but it is a benchmark! by RyuuzakiTetsuya · · Score: 1

      ps2 required active cooling too. So does the GameCube. Neither could probably cook and egg, but I'm guessing the ps3 will.

      --
      Non impediti ratione cogitationus.
  11. COMMENT SCORE UP by Klaidas · · Score: 4, Informative

    The link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLabckoPC0g&eurl=
    Ok, no need to mod me up. This is not informative at all. I just wanted to take this post away from karma wh**es ;)

    1. Re:COMMENT SCORE UP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What the heck. I already posted this above (anon, no less).
      You're the karma whore here.

    2. Re:COMMENT SCORE UP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You forgot the utube link.

    3. Re:COMMENT SCORE UP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why didn't you post anonymously if you really just wanted to take the post away from karma wh**es?

  12. How do I get on Slashdot? by CrackedButter · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'll cook some scrambled eggs off a heat sink from the xBox 360. How do I get to look really stupid on Slashdot? By using a metal fork! Well done.

    --
    Jonathanjk.com
    1. Re:How do I get on Slashdot? by Jim+Hall · · Score: 1

      I'll cook some scrambled eggs off a heat sink from the xBox 360. How do I get to look really stupid on Slashdot? By using a metal fork! Well done.

      You prefer that he use a plastic spork, do you? :-)

    2. Re:How do I get on Slashdot? by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 1

      "How do I get to look really stupid on Slashdot? By using a metal fork! Well done."

      I dare him to do that with a PS3!

      --

      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    3. Re:How do I get on Slashdot? by CrackedButter · · Score: 1

      How about a metal fork with a plastic handle?

      --
      Jonathanjk.com
    4. Re:How do I get on Slashdot? by BillX · · Score: 1

      What does a metal fork matter? The heatsink is made of a solid piece of... metal...

      --
      Caveat Emptor is not a business model.
  13. Three Red Lights of Death by SpindelCM · · Score: 1

    As per the linked article: "Some dude by the name of Brett has gotten the dreaded Three Red Lights of Death on his Xbox 360,"

    Does the Three Red Lights of Death have any relationship to the MS Windows Blue Screen of Death?

    Same shit, just different colour.

  14. That's nice... by marcel-jan.nl · · Score: 2, Funny

    .. but I'll wait for the XBox 361 with wok adapter.

    1. Re:That's nice... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      That's only for the asian market.

    2. Re:That's nice... by BumBiscuit · · Score: 1

      I've heard that the forthcoming Xbox 451 will ignite paper on contact.

      --
      Ceci n'est pas une sig.
  15. wow that cant be good by acedotcom · · Score: 0

    i mean, isnt any video game system meant as a kids toy?

    --
    they say it is often more relevant then the comment above, all we know is its called the Sig!
  16. Power consumption by beej · · Score: 1

    I used to work in an Activision-owned studio. One day the IT guy comes through trying to with our power issues. He insists that we move the little dorm fridge (where we keep all the Coca Cola that powers us programmers) onto another circuit to help with the issue.

    So, complaining, we do. And go back to work on our 20-odd brand-spankin'-new Xbox 360 dev kits.

    Only later do I look at the back of the fridge and determine that it uses only half the power of a SINGLE Xbox 360.

    It's amazing the entire building didn't catch fire when we had all those things plugged in.

    1. Re:Power consumption by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, it's a damn good thing you weren't doing a PS3 game then, or you'd have burnt down everything within a 5-mile radius ;)

    2. Re:Power consumption by frogstar_robot · · Score: 1

      The fridge is an inductive load and can cause phase and waveform issues with the power. Power issues aren't limited to the wattage a given device consumes.

    3. Re:Power consumption by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because the 20 inductive loads of the transformers in the XBOX 360 don't have the same effect?

    4. Re:Power consumption by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      +1
      I used to manage a network for a small mortgage company. They'd start having problems (bluescreens, computer resets etc) every day at around 2pm. I was confounded til I plugged a multitester into the power, and watched the voltage for a few minutes. I walked outside and looked at the hours of operation of the bowling alley downstairs. Hmmm 1pm.

      There was plenty of power to go around, it just got really unstable when the bowling alley turned on. Motors are not very good for your power. They cause a spike every time they turn on.

      -AC

    5. Re:Power consumption by PeterBrett · · Score: 1
      The fridge is an inductive load and can cause phase and waveform issues with the power.

      -1, Wrong. If the fridge was manufactured any time in the last decade it is almost certain to have power factor correction capacitors. This is now a requirement for consumer electronics and electrical applicances (in the EU, at least)...

      --
      Pirate Party UK
    6. Re:Power consumption by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Were the bluescreens really related to the power problems? That seems pretty incredible, but if they were, I'm very curious how exactly.

    7. Re:Power consumption by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Voltage drops, which drops voltage to memory, which then errors out...

    8. Re:Power consumption by tranceyboy · · Score: 1

      And you sir a 100% right, I have diagnosed many pc over the years, and always keep my meter and ATX power test handy, you have no idea the number of problems that are caused by irregular power from the grid, and failong power supplies.

      --
      "Too bad that bureaucrats' hunger for power is never matched by greater quantities of wisdom or intelligence!!--Could it
    9. Re:Power consumption by frogstar_robot · · Score: 1

      -1, Presumptive.

      Who says the fridge was either:

      a. Made in the EU
      b. Made in the last ten years

      Fridges tend to be pretty damn durable and could have been made in the last 25 years for all you know.

  17. Natalie Portman by tekrat · · Score: 1

    Okay, so, he's got the hot grits...

    I'm sure we've run this joke into the ground by now.

    --
    If telephones are outlawed, then only outlaws will have telephones.
  18. scrambled eggs by Nicaboker · · Score: 1

    mmmmmmm heat sink cooked scrambled eggs..

    --
    So many choices, so little tolerance.
  19. Poor Sony by FreakyLefty · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'd like to see the PS3 do this. If Sony's offering can't make me a bacon sandwich then I'll just have to stick with Microsoft for all my culinary needs.

    --
    Strength through redundancy and over-design
    1. Re:Poor Sony by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It can do a lot more... http://productionblog.typepad.com/pov/images/ps3bb q9xa.jpg

    2. Re:Poor Sony by Red+Alastor · · Score: 1

      I'm sure the PS3 can satisfy your needs :

      http://www.ps3grill.com/

      --
      Slashdot anagrams to "Sad Sloth"
    3. Re:Poor Sony by Borland · · Score: 1

      Pfft! As a Sony fanboy I can declare that this particular slander is unjustified. The Xbox has, what, 180 something watts to cook with? Might as well use an easy bake oven nancy-boy!

      The PS3 has 380 Watts of pure power to sear delicious hunks of meat. If you're civic minded, you can load up folding@home to generate the needed power. Thus, you have your steak and cure cancer too.

    4. Re:Poor Sony by dlhm · · Score: 1

      What PS3? There's a PS3? Oh, thats right, it's been delayed for some unknown reason... :) maybe it cooks steak and eggs and thier trying to get it in the egg only range..

      --
      Ad eundum quo nemo ante iit!
    5. Re:Poor Sony by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


      You do realize that the PS3 is scheduled for release on November 17?

  20. So by the time ... by Channard · · Score: 1

    ... you get the second call from Otis in Dead Rising, the egg's soft boiled?

  21. What's with the music? by Rik+Sweeney · · Score: 1

    Why is there a music track instead of commentry?

    --
    Summation 2
    1. Re:What's with the music? by whoop · · Score: 1

      It's a law. Everything on YouTube must have music tracks.

  22. The PS3 uses twice the electricity. So... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It'd better deliver me a lump of charcoal, sunny side up.

    Seriously, though... The PS3:

    1) Actually does use twice as much electricity.
    2) Has the power bar stuffed into its oversized chassis.
    3) Reportedly runs quiet (like the 360 when the drive isn't spinning), implying very little fan circulation.

    It's going to get mighty hot. So hot, that it just might crash constantly during a Japanese gaming convention.

  23. I asked for over easy! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I tried this on my Dell laptop...

    My eggs caught fire, too =(

  24. I'm confused by Actuator+Man · · Score: 1

    What are these karma whales you're talking about?

    1. Re:I'm confused by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      dammit you stole my joke

    2. Re:I'm confused by kin_korn_karn · · Score: 1

      no, it was a complete typo. he was speaking of karma anoles, specifically the karma chameleon, who comes and goes

  25. MMMM by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    THAT'S GOOD EATIN'

  26. No Fans! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Of course it's hotter than normal - the 360 has a built in fan to move air across that heat sink. I dont know about anyone else but I sure didn't see it.

    That, and i'm sure he let it sit a while to heat up so the energy (heat) retained in the heatsink actually cooked the egg - NOT necessarialy the steady heat output from the CPU. Not that impressive really - it doesn't take much to cook an egg.

  27. disgusting! by whynotshikida · · Score: 1

    he... ate... it... ouch...

  28. New Book Idea by WhitePanther5000 · · Score: 1

    Maybe Oreilly should come out with a "Xbox 360 Cookbook" book to add to their cookbook series.

  29. Mess by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Why make such a mess? This exercise is pointless as you can probably cook an egg on about _any_ processor. To show the "hotness" he had better placed a small (clean) pan on the cooler to do his trick. Would have been healthier too.

  30. Direct video link? by fire-eyes · · Score: 1

    Does anyone have a direct video link? To the media itself, not a youtube page which can only be played with flash.

    --
    -- Note: If you don't agree with me, don't bother replying. I won't read it.
    1. Re:Direct video link? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Copy the Youtube URL into this: http://keepvid.com/

  31. Re:Completely off topic... by bassgoonist · · Score: 1

    adblock/noscript ftw...

    --
    You can tell I'm an aries because of my ram.
  32. Obviously... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ... he cooked breakfast on it. That's what voided his warranty.

  33. You think that's bad? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    An Xbox360 may be able to fry an egg, but I have a feeling with a PS3 you'll be able to roast a Thanksgiving turkey.

  34. I'm definately getting an after market cooler now! by Grizpin · · Score: 1

    I have a 360 waiting to be opened by my kids on xmas morning. You can bet a cooler will also be under the tree!

  35. Nothing new here... by tetabiate · · Score: 1

    the AMD 760MP with two AthlonMP 1.2GHz was the hottest system I ever used. One day one of the cores melt down due to a failure of the ventilation fan, it was like a volcano, spurting hot liquid metal until a short circuit took the system down with a big explosion.

    1. Re:Nothing new here... by ultranova · · Score: 1

      the AMD 760MP with two AthlonMP 1.2GHz was the hottest system I ever used. One day one of the cores melt down due to a failure of the ventilation fan, it was like a volcano, spurting hot liquid metal until a short circuit took the system down with a big explosion.

      So it didn't occur to you to, say, turn off power when the machine began spurting hot liquid metal around ?-)

      But I feel for you: my server machine that was running my experimental program for automagically downloading, categorizing and inserting into database pics from Usenet and some websites died with a bang recently too. My life feels kinda empty now :(.

      --

      Forget magic. Any technology distinguishable from divine power is insufficiently advanced.

  36. Poor direction by springbox · · Score: 1

    Yeah, the heatsink's pretty hot being able to cook an egg and everything. Wonder if they bothered to watch the video before posting it, because it's really hard to read black text on a dark background.

  37. Public Service Announcement by Nanookanano · · Score: 1

    (Open faceview actress holding egg.)

    "This is your CPU."

    (Top view of frying pan on stovetop.)

    "This is overclocking."

    (Hand with egg enters frame and cracks egg into pan. Egg sizzles in hot pan.)

    "This is your CPU overclocking. Any Questions?"

    (Endit. Credits. Fadeout.)

    --
    "..don't you eat that yellow snow."
    1. Re:Public Service Announcement by CCFreak2K · · Score: 1

      Reminds me of a poster my father had at work:

      This is your brain. (egg)

      This is your brain on drugs. (egg in a pan)

      This is your brain on drugs with a side of bacon. (egg in pan with some bacon)

      --
      "Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master."
  38. Moving to 65nm process should reduce heat by ConfusedSelfHating · · Score: 1
    http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=34 778/

    http://www.gamespot.com/news/6148098.html/

    Microsoft will be moving to a 65nm process in the first quarter of 2007. This should result in a significant reduction in the heat and power consumption. It is the main reason I'm not buying one yet. Whether Microsoft will reduce the price of the console when the make the change is up in the air, but it will almost certainly cut the price at some time.

  39. This just in ... by stonefry · · Score: 1

    ...hot things can cook food. Story at eleven.

  40. Cooler not needing. In fact cooler BAD by tacroy · · Score: 1

    The newer 360's don't have a heating problem as long as you keep them with decent airflow. I know it seems silly but just treat it like a computer more than a vcr and you should be fine. Also, it was like last week or so that microsoft decided that a 3rd party cooler could void your warrenty: firstly because the added fans were over tasking the interior fans and secondly because there was numerous reports of the 3rd party fans frying the power adapter on the back of 360's. In short they do pump out alot of heat, but as long as you give them the air space to kick that heat out and it will be fine.

  41. Re:Frist by Kouroth · · Score: 1

    The real question is what is that heat sink made out of? What sort of odd chemicals might be on that thing? I'd not be willing to eat an egg cooked on that grill as it might have led or other nasty stuff on it. Even if he washed it before it might still leach poisons into the egg. Bad move guy, hope you don't get poisoned. I bet that is about normal for a possessor around that level on most all computers.

    --
    Thermal depolymerization - Lazy recycling.
  42. Don't do XBox by dilvish_the_damned · · Score: 1

    "This is your brain. This is your brain on Xbox. Any questions?"

    What a dork.

    --
    I think you underestimate just how much I just dont care.