More Microsoft Woes…

OK, so continuing on my previous post regarding my cousin’s Xbox 360 repair debacle, I got some things clarified from him.

What I thought originally was that Microsoft had sent him a different consoles (a broken one) than the one he mailed to them.  That would’ve made it Microsoft’s problem.  Turns out, Microsoft told him that when they received the console, it was already missing the faceplate and the serial number was different than the one that he registered.  Which leads me to believe that something happened on the UPS end (like someone stealing 360’s).

Once Microsoft received my cousin’s 360 (which, if my suspicions are correct, technically wasn’t even his) they promptly sent it back, along with a letter.

This is what he got the in mail earlier this week:

What’s really amusing is the letter.  It’s in Spanish.  We haven’t bothered to get it translated yet, but maybe I will.

Microsoft Refuses to Repair Broken Console

I have an issue with Microsoft that I’m hoping someone can help me with. Well, specifically, it’s with a relative of mine that had his Xbox 360 Elite unit repaired.

He purchased an Elite at Radio Shack with an extended warranty. A few weeks ago, the Elite started messing up; I believe it was a ‘No Picture’ issue. After determining it wasn’t the HDMI cable, he decided it was time to call it in and have it repaired. Radio Shack tells him that since the system is still covered by Microsoft’s warranty, he should send it to them first. He did.

A couple of weeks later, he receives the console back. He turns it on, and it runs fine for a few days. Then it Red Ring’d. Frustrated, he contacts Microsoft and sets up another repair with them. The system goes off and then a few days ago he gets word that the console is repaired and is on a UPS truck back to his place.

He received the unit today and, surprise, surprise, it’s broken. Not even remotely fixed. Sucks, too, because of course MW2 just came out and we’ve been talking about it for the past couple of days, buying in to all the hype. So, he contacts Microsoft to complain and set up another repair. They ask for the usual (model, serial, etc), but there’s a problem.

The serial number on the console he got today doesn’t match the one that was sent out previously. He was never notified that the system had changed (all he was told was that his original system had been repaired and was being sent back. Because of the discrepancy, Microsoft is refusing to repair the system and Radio Shack won’t touch it because it’s still, technically, covered by Microsoft.

Anyway, I just thought I’d put this story out there to see if anyone else has had this problem, and to see if anyone had a suggestions as to how to fix this.

Review Catch-Up: “Fame”

Anyone who as ever aspired to be anything could probably relate to Fame.  The movie interweaves stories from various students from the New York Academy of Performing Arts, showing their dreams and hopes, failures and realizations that either they have or don’t have what it takes.

However, just because you can relate to it doesn’t necessarily mean you should see it.  Fame isn’t terrible, and in spots it is quite entertaining; it just doesn’t do anything new to show us the struggles of up-and-coming performers.

There are a few highlights, such as Naturi Naughton’s stunning solo (which makes me wonder why she isn’t turning out #1 singles by now), and a moments of honest emotional growth of certain characters.  I also appreciate how the movie shows you that not everyone will get what they want.  One character realizes he may be shooting to high and settles for a teaching position at another school.  And another, a budding young filmmaker (of the sort I despise…the ‘pretentious indie’ sort) gets hit with a healthy dose of reality (and fraud) when the money he wants to use for a film gets stolen.

While the main cast is decent, the supporting cast of teachers, featuring such notable names as Kelsey Grammar, Charles S. Dutton, and Megan Mullally, is almost wasted.  I happen to think Grammar is a fine actor, and should be given much more to do other than have a scene or two lecturing students.  The only teacher given any real screen time is Megan Mullally, who plays a singing coach.  Her scene singing karaoke is quite nice, even though there was some editing problems (Kelsey Grammar kind of appears out of nowhere, then disappears without mention).

Fame is a decent movie to watch, and probably a good date movie if your significant other is in to these kinds of flicks.  While the film is good-natured, it just feels like it’s holding my hand the entire time, never really understanding that I’m mature enough for something more…mature.  I’m not saying that there needs to be gratuitous sex or all the students need a drug problem or something; I’m saying that the script is way too ‘by the book’ to warrant any repeat viewings.

6.5/10

Is it me, or is Kay Pannabaker a little miscast for her role?  According to her IMDB profile, she should be 19 by now, but looks like she’s 12.  By the end of the movie, she should be at least 17, and looks like a 14-year-old with a bit of make-up on.  I’m not saying this to slight her, and I don’t think she’s a terrible actress, it was just a little distracting to realize that she was supposed to play someone in her mid- to late-teen’s.