Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
The Xbox 360 is a seventh-generation console that offers games for players worldwide based on region. Certain regions are not allowed to view games distributed in other regions. If you wish to play games specifically designed for a region such as Japan or Brazil, you could change the region you use with a Windows Live ID.
Xbox 360 controllers, though primarily designed for use with Xbox 360 gaming consoles, are also compatible with computers running Windows XP or later operating systems. If your controller is wireless, you need an inexpensive wireless gaming receiver to go along with it; otherwise, all that is needed is the free-to-download "Xbox 360 Controller for Windows" software installed on your computer.
Microsoft Xbox 360 consoles are prone to errors that cause the system to display three red lights on the front of the machine. These errors are caused by severe overheating inside the console. Heat stress can cause the hardware inside the machine to fail if it is not properly dispersed. You can repair red light errors by replacing the thermal paste on the Xbox 360 CPU and GPU to allow for improved heat conduction. Repairing red light errors on the Xbox 360 will take about 20 minutes.
Xbox 360 users have the ability to purchase and download additional content to their console from the Xbox Live Marketplace. Microsoft points are used as the currency to purchase this additional content. Microsoft points can be purchased in retail stores or on Xbox Live using a credit or debit card. You can take advantage of game vendor promotional offers and survey website offers to obtain Microsoft points for free. Some players also resort to "boosting" or voluntarily losing games with competitors to receive free points as a form of payment.
Microsoft points can be used on the Xbox 360's marketplace to rent and purchase videos, renew your Xbox Live subscription, purchase arcade- and full-version games as well as downloadable content for those games. Ordinarily, Microsoft points must be purchased at a rate of 80 points to one dollar (1,600 Microsoft points costs $20). There is a free alternative, though.
The XBox 360 from Microsoft is one of the best video game consoles, according to Consumer Search, which picked it as the best console for gamers. As of 2010, the console retailed for $200. The Elite model, which comes with more memory, retailed for $250 to $300. The system has a number of games, but the high price tag doesn't fit with a lot of budgets. The best way to get a free XBox 360 is by using a freebie trading system, where you trade with others, to get your free console.
Microsoft's Xbox 360 users can go online to Xbox Live Marketplace to purchase and download video games, movies, television shows, avatar accessories and game add-ons using Microsoft Points. Microsoft Points are online currency for Xbox Live, and cost real money to purchase; however, there are websites that provide "free" gifts, like Microsoft Point codes, for performing survey work. All you have to do is register for one of these sites and fill out surveys to earn credits to get Microsoft Points.
The Xbox 360 game console can become overheated if the graphic chip is overly taxed while playing graphics-intense games. This causes the game console to illuminate a red LED and shut down due to the heat shield inside of the Xbox 360 separating from the graphics chip. You can fix a broken Xbox yourself by using the heat of the game console to seal the heat shield to the graphics chip again. The Xbox 360 does not need to be opened and no warranty is violated. No special skills or tools are needed to fix the broken Xbox 360.
Xbox 360 consoles are manufactured by Microsoft and can be modified to play homemade or archival back-up copies of game DVD discs. These "mods" are easy and free to do, requiring only a software application and tools to open the Xbox 360 console's case. Modding your Xbox console requires only about an hour of your time. It will require you to download a BIN flashing program onto the hard drive of your computer.
The Xbox 360 is designed so that you cannot view games or download content in Xbox Live designated for players in other countries. You can trick Xbox Live into letting you view and work with any region without modifying the Xbox 360 and voiding its warranty. Making the Xbox 360 region-free requires a membership in the Xbox Live online network and a Hotmail e-mail account, the latter being free while the former requires a paid subscription. While not illegal to do, an Xbox Live administrator could take you to task should you be found out.
Owners of the Xbox 360 video game console can play online with friends or complete strangers by connecting to the Internet or Xbox Live through their consoles. But this shared playtime does not come for free, unless you know a few tricks on scoring free membership or subscription codes. Those little cards gamers purchase for codes cost between $10 and $50, depending on the number of hours the player subscribes for. Though you may not end up with enough free membership codes to keep you connected to other gamers all year long, you can save yourself a bit of money…
While a number of gamers either don't mind or prefer the feel of a mouse and keyboard when gaming on their PC, others simply can't stand it and instead rely on a gamepad controller to play their games. If you own an Xbox 360 wired controller, you don't need to go out and buy anything special to use it on your PC. Connecting it to play your games on a Windows computer is quick, easy, and---best of all---completely free.
Microsoft sometimes offers free trials for its Xbox Live service. Many of the games for the Xbox 360 console come with a 48-hour subscription card that allows users to input a code and try the Gold version of Xbox Live for that short period. Gold members are able to access some additional content and play games against their peers that users of the free Silver membership cannot.
