Xbox 360 E74 Cause - Tips on How to Avoid

A countless number of Xbox 360 owners have experienced the dreaded Xbox 360 E74 system error.

The Xbox 360 E74 error is characterized by a screen that displays "E74", and the console will flash one red light around the power button. The E74 is a lot like the RROD for the Xbox 360. Both the RROD and the E74 are caused by overheating of the console.

Several factors contribute to the overheating problem. These factors include: playing your Xbox 360 for hours upon hours with no down time, placing your console in a tight place or somewhere that doesn't get proper ventilation, placing your console on long shaggy carpet that prevents the console from ventilating appropriately, or failing to dust the vents periodically. Just one of these factors or a combination of them can cause overheating of your Xbox 360.

Now that you know what can cause overheating, I am ready to reveal to you the difference between the E74 and the RROD. The singular difference between these two problems is the component of the motherboard that is defective. For the RROD, the CPU and/or GPU chip becomes detached from the motherboard. As for the Xbox 360 E74, the display chip is the defective component. Both problems are caused by overheating, it is just a different component on the motherboard that becomes defective.

There are a countless number of E74 fixes available on the Internet. Anything from wrapping your console in a few towels, to completely re-balling the computer chips. With so many fixes out there, it is very important that you do your homework before you decide on the fix that is right for you.

If your console doesn't have the E74 or any other system errors, you probably want to keep it that way. Abide by these 4 guidelines, and maximize the life of your Xbox 360!

1. Place Xbox 360 on hard/smooth surface. Surfaces such as carpets are not good to place your console on while playing, as it prevents proper ventilation.

2. Do not place Xbox 360 close to other electronic devices such as a Blu-Ray player. The heat from the Blu-Ray or other device will just compound the overheating problem.

3. Regularly dust the vents on your Xbox 360. Built up dust around vents can lead to improper ventilation.

4. Try to limit yourself from playing your console for hours upon hours. Giving your console breaks will greatly help it's performance.

Surprisingly, the Xbox 360 E74 error can be easily fixed in a matter of an hour or less. Also, you can avoid sending your console off for 5-6 weeks, and paying Microsoft $200 to fix your console. Read my own personal review of the Xbox 360 E74 fix that has helped me successfully repair several Xbox 360 consoles.

Jordan is an electronic repairman who specializes in gaming consoles, and has a countless number of successful console fixes. Follow the link for the full review of the fix he recommends, and much more information about the E74 Fix.

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Xbox 360 Fixes to Avoid

Does your Xbox 360 have the RROD, E74, or some other common error? Are you confused about which Xbox 360 fix is right for you?

Many owners are overwhelmed with the number of possible Xbox 360 fixes available to them all over the Internet.

Most people are out to find the quickest fix possible, but you need to be sure to watch out for those so called "quick fixes". Some of those quick fixes include the towel trick, which involves wrapping your Xbox 360 in a towel, and the toothpick/paperclip trick, which involves stopping the fans with toothpicks or paperclips. The towel, toothpick, and paperclip trick are three very well known Xbox 360 fixes, and are found all over YouTube. Both so-called fixes are harmful to your system, and I would strongly recommend that you stay away from them. These fixes over-heat the entire system, instead of just targeting the problem areas, causing more problems than you even had before.

Both of the tricks I mentioned previously will give you a working Xbox 360 for about a week max. That is, if you don't damage the system during the process. The towel and the toothpick trick both are designed to heat up your Xbox 360 so that the solder of the GPU chip can reattach to the mother board. The GPU is a computer chip that is almost always responsible for causing the Red Rings of Death (RROD). Now most of the time you can somewhat reattach the GPU to the motherboard with the towel or toothpick trick, but there are two major problems/risks. The first problem is that the system by itself does not generate enough heat to fully reattach the GPU to the motherboard. Another risk is that the motherboard is not properly insulated. Without the motherboard being properly insulated, you run the risk of damaging other components of the mother board. The Xbox 360 motherboard can never be properly insulated unless you take your console apart. If a fix does not involve opening your console, it is most likely not going to work, or it will last for a very short period of time.

So, if your warranty is up and you are determined to fix your Xbox 360 by yourself, stay away from the towel trick, the tooth pick trick, and any other so called quick fix that does not require you to open up your console.

Jordan is an electronic repairman who specializes in gaming consoles, and has a countless number of successful console fixes. Follow the link for the full review of the fix he recommends, and much more information about the E74 Fix. Also, watch my own personal video for an explanation of the Xbox 360 Fixes.

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What Is Xbox Kinect?

You've seen the ads and heard the hype, but you're still asking "What is Xbox Kinect?" Well, never fear, because we prepared this short and sweet guide that aims to answer all your questions about Xbox Kinect. If you want to know what is Xbox Kinect, how it works, and what sort of games you can play with it, you've come to the right place.

What is Xbox Kinect?

Kinect is the motion control device created by Microsoft to be used with their Xbox 360 console. You use your body (head, hands, and feet) along with spoken commands to control whatever it is you're playing. Microsoft has taken care to emphasize in its ad campaign that with Kinect, YOU are the controller, so that pretty much gives you an idea of what this device is all about.

How does it work?

Okay, so now you know what is Xbox Kinect. But how does it work? What sort of magic lies underneath its shiny shell?

The Xbox Kinect does its magic with a powerful array of sensors. It uses a RGB camera and a depth sensor to capture and track your movements. It also has a multi-array microphone whose role is to capture your voice commands. All of these sensors are built into a horizontal bar, which in turn is connected on top of its base, allowing you to place the Kinect either above or just below your TV or monitor.

The Kinect also has a motorized pivot that allows it to track your movements across the playing space. Along with the three sensors mentioned above, this allows the Kinect to do full-body 3D motion capture with facial and voice recognition. Yes folks, the Kinect can - and will - recognize your face and voice.

What can you play with it?

Alright, we've come to the most important part: what games can you play with this thing?

Well, I'm gonna have to start off by mentioning Kinect Adventures. This is the game that comes bundled with the device. Kinect Adventures is a package of mini-games whose sole purpose is to give you your first taste of what it's like to play with Kinect. Its collection of games doesn't have high replay value, but it's pretty good for what it's designed for.

When you're done with Kinect Adventures, you can get busy with Dance Central, a popular dancing game that can impress you with what the Kinect can do. You can also grab a copy of Kinectimals where you can scratch lion or tiger cubs behind the ear and have them play dead. I also suggest trying out Kinect Joy Ride - a racing game with full-body jumps and stunts. You can get pretty tired out after playing this, I assure you.

Now that you know what is Xbox Kinect and what it's all about, I would guess that the next question will be, what's next?

Emmanuel Barrios is a member of the Raisin Games team, where you can find articles, tutorials, and reviews of everything related to games and gaming. Get some info about what is XBOX Kinect, as well as other articles about games for the PS3, XBOX 360, and Wii.

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Three Possible Ways to Obtain an E74 Fix for Xbox 360

Is your Xbox 360 suffering from the infamous E74 system error? If so, do not be afraid. The E74 system error is a common error among Xbox 360 gaming systems. I am going to highlight three possible fixes that can get you back to gaming as quick as possible, and hopefully save you a little bit of money.

1. Send your console to Microsoft.

Obviously, Microsoft would be the most qualified company to fix your Xbox, as they make the console. If your Xbox 360 is still under warranty, sending your system to Microsoft is usually your best option. You can trust Microsoft to provide you with a reliable E74 fix, and you don't have to pay. As or the negative side, even if your console is still under warranty, you will still have to wait for 3-6 weeks to receive your console back from Microsoft. Also, your console will most likely contract the E74 or one of the many other problems again, as Microsoft will not modify the console in any way during their fix.

If your console is not under warranty, you most likely want to avoid this option. Without warranty, you must pay Microsoft $100, and you have to wait the 3-6 weeks. This option is just not worth it when there are other options that are much cheaper, and just as reliable.

2. Pay someone to repair your console.

I would suggest this option if you know someone whom you trust that can perform the E74 repair, or you know of a professional repair service that is reliable. If you do no t fall under either of these categories, I would suggest you find another option. Hiring someone who you know nothing about is risky, as they can perform a pseudo fix that lasts a couple weeks, and disappear. Or, in a worst case, they could steal your console all- together.

3.Perform repairs yourself using a professional repair guide.

Personally, I feel this is the best option available for an E74 fix. The cost of a professional repair guide is around $30, and it provides you with a reliable fix. Don't sweat if you have never repaired any type of electronic before. Professional repair guides will walk you through step-by-step with their easy to follow videos. The precise details make an E74 fix attainable for anyone. Also, with instant access, the fix will take you around one hour to complete, so you can be back to gaming in no time at all.

Jordan is an electronic repairman who specializes in gaming consoles, and has a countless number of successful console fixes. Follow the link for the full review of the fix he recommends, and much more information about the E74 Fix. Also, watch my own personal video for an explanation of the Xbox 360 Fixes.

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Amulet of Time: Shadow of La Rochelle Review

Amulet of Time: Shadow of la Rochelle is a hidden object and adventure game coming from Big Fish Games. From the name itself, you can already sense on what this game has in store for you. You get to travel back in time. And since I get to see a colon on the title, it seems that this game will probably pave the way for numerous sequels to come in case it becomes successful. But will this game become successful? Well, let us see through the rest of this review.

The story of the game takes place in 16th century France, during the time of King Henry II's reign. Well mostly, because originally, you are from the present time, but the ghost of Diane de Poitiers appeared in front of you and transported you back in time. If you do not know who Diane de Poitiers is, she is actually the most favorite mistress of King Henry II. The task that was then set for you is for you to find the real cause of her death and find the conspirators to her murder before you get to go back to the present time.

Even though the story of Amulet of Time: Shadow of la Rochelle is based on historical accounts, I suggest you do not learn history from the game since most of the storyline is inaccurate. Well, that is quite understandable really, because in order to successfully sell a game, the story should have more drama and should grip you to play as long as possible. Amulet of Time: Shadow of la Rochelle does this very well. And I should say that this is one of the best hidden object game stories I have experienced this week.

In terms of game play, I must say that overall, the game is very beautiful. The overall graphics is very nice. I especially loved the beautifully illustrated journal that keeps track of your progress through the game. The sounds are subtle and not annoying like most games and the puzzles range from pretty easy to moderately challenging. Amulet of Time: Shadow of la Rochelle is mostly hidden object scenes though, so there is few adventure gaming involved. Anyway, this does not make the game less addictive, as I enjoyed every moment of playing while the story unfolds.

Overall, I say that the game is definitely a must buy. However, you should always check it out through the free trial run first and draw your own conclusions if it is also an enjoyable experience for you.

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Dig Dug II Game Review

If one were to ask anybody who has spent time playing games for more than a few years, chances are rather high that they will know the name Dig Dug. After all, it was the name of a classic game that nearly all seasoned gamers have struggled against in their time at some point. Like any other video game that has seen such popularity, the developer chose to make a sequel, which was also met with a decent amount of success. In fact, if it were not for hits such as Dig Dug and Dig Dug II, then Namco would not be around today to publish other greats like Dark Souls and Katamari.

Concept

Much like the original game, the purpose of Dig Dug II is to defeat all of the enemies in the level. Touching either of the two types of enemies will cause the player to lose a life. The round, orange Pookas pose no immediate threat, merely requiring they touch the player to defeat him, but the dragon Fygars can breathe fire that will also damage and defeat the player on contact.

Unlike the original game, Dig Dig II does not take place underground where the character Taizo Hori must dig to get around. Instead, it takes place above ground in an overhead view, on an island with the water exposed on all sides.

Gameplay

Taizo retains his pump that, like the original game, inflates the enemies on the screen, causing them to explode and defeating them. In order to keep true to the name of the title, Taizo is given a jackhammer that he can use to dig faults in the island in which the enemies can fall and get stuck, making them prime bait for inflation and defeating.

The player must be careful where he digs, however. If the player uses the jackhammer to create a fault on one end of the island and connects a path from that path to another fault in another end of the island, the ocean will fill the path and drown everybody in its path, including Taizo.

Even though Dig Dug II received only modest success in comparison to its successor, Bandai still elected to bring it out on the NES, where it also received modest success. Due to its localization, there is no major advantage to purchasing the Famicom version, although collectors will want to add this title to their growing collection.

Click here if you are into Japanese video games. Retrogamerjapan.com has Nintendo Famicom and Super Famicom consoles and games that are cleaned, tested and ready to play. We take pride in offering the best retro gaming gear from Japan. We stand behind our games and consoles and offer a high level of customer service. Please stop by retrogamerjapan.com. We'd love to see you there!

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3 Reasons to Play Diner Dash Online

Many people are wanting to play Diner Dash online. Why? It is a mentally stimulating game that allows you to have a good, relaxing time from the comfort of your home computer. It is a strategy game that involves you, as a waitress named Flo, serving meals to many hungry customers, while dealing with running and managing a restaurant. The goal is to generate as much cash as possible in the form of tips by rapidly performing tasks such as seating guests as they arrive, taking their orders, and delivering their food quickly. In this article, we'll discuss the 3 reasons to play Diner Dash online.

First, Diner Dash is mentally stimulating as well as educational. It allows you to understand what goes on behind the scenes of a restaurant while mentally adjusting to an exciting, fast-paced environment. After playing it a few times, you'll not only have a great time, but you'll also have a better understanding of the economics of running a business. Deciding what strategies to use that will earn the most money is a valuable skill not just any video game teaches.

Second, playing Diner Dash online can be totally free of charge and requires no download. All you need is an internet connection and a few seconds to find an online free version of the game. After getting online, you'll soon be enjoying this thrilling game and all of the action that it promises. Each level gets increasingly more difficult as Flo tries to meet the demands of more customers.

Third, it is good, clean fun. It is an excellent family game that has no cussing, violence, or inappropriate material for children. If fact, one could argue that it teaches good character values because players have to deal politely with rude, noisy customers in a busy restaurant setting.

It was created by Bigfish Games. There are many versions of this exciting game including versions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. You can even play a SpongeBob Diner Dash online game if you want to be a different character.

Diner Dash is a fun, educational game that is mentally stimulating. It can be played online for free and it's an excellent family game with wholesome, clean fun. It's more than just an ordinary game where you simply sit back and play. It will energize you, get your mind thinking, and increase your skill level with challenging play. Wouldn't you like to try it today?

Play Diner Dash Online - Visit our site for a free preview of Diner Dash online.

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Visit http://www.playdinerdashonline.info/ for immediate access.

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