Spring Dashboard update bugs out
by Ken Weeks 
{ Jun 9th 2006 at 8:00AM }
"It looks like consoles just turned into unreliable PCs." Chilling words for those naive souls who thought background downloading came without a Mephistophelian price. Xbox 360 owners across the web report various problems with the Spring Dashboard Update ranging from choppy, unwatchable video clips to negative effects on certain games. Here's a a list of complaints collected from the GamePlanet forums and comments on this site:
- Alright, I was playing burnout, no problems. This is after I downloaded the update, well in the middle of the game it crashed.NEVER had this happen before. got a error that said disc read error, clean disc. Well, ok fine i eject it, PERFECTLY CLEAN. reinsert it, and what is this? it says to play this disc insert it into an XBOX360. WTF do you think i just did? Now it wont play it at all. I will try to restart and go again. WTF did microsoft do to me?!?
- Well now I can't play Half Life 2. It loads almost all the way to the main menu, freezes and then the screen turns black. I can't even return to the dashboard! This sucks! I even tried downloading the backward compatible disc thing but now it won't reconize the file on the disk. WTF? This sucks M$!
- I don't know if it was just because of the latest update, but i just downloaded 'A scanner darkly' trailer.... And it is skippy as!!!
- I'm having real issues with Oblivion at the moment as well. Everything is taking 10x longer to load, even the main menu etc.
[Thanks Donutta]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
X Budd @ Jun 9th 2006 8:12AM
I am having no problems! Downloads seem faster to me and at least Halo 2 works very well!!!
I feel bad for everyone else! I am going to try to download another video and see if that is choppy because the first one I downloaded today is not!??!!
joba @ Jun 9th 2006 8:22AM
No problems here either. The speed of the Dashboard is what really impresses me. IF anything MS will correct any errors the update may create. So those of you with recurring issues, hold tight.
Jboy001 @ Jun 9th 2006 8:27AM
Uno has frozen on me twice since the update
granted i only had it/played it probably 3 days before the update
SuiXide @ Jun 9th 2006 8:30AM
No problems here. Of course, since the update I haven't done much but play the Test Drive, Lost Planet demos and use the Media Center Extender functionality. Everything works like a charm.
Mark Felps @ Jun 9th 2006 8:32AM
No noticeable bugs here. Everything works as advertised, and not only am I not having problems in Oblivion, the patch for it appears to have speeded load times.
Mi54N7hR0p3 @ Jun 9th 2006 8:34AM
No problems here either. I've downloaded a few trailers since the update, ones that I wanted but wasn't bothered staring at the now-extinct download screen to get. All playing fine, have experimented with all the new features and all is running smoothly. Loving the updated DVD playback, I'm using the VGA cable and it was horrible before, now its great. No problems game-wise, been playing Hitman, Oblivion and Xmen3 with no problems. Also played backward compatible Black without a hitch.
John Fenix @ Jun 9th 2006 8:35AM
For me, on Halo 3 Annoucement Trailer, soon after the beam of light, before the screen gone white e all black. Now, a point of white light appears and then the Halo 3 logo appears.
Mi54N7hR0p3 @ Jun 9th 2006 8:38AM
Actually I did notice that in the Halo3 trailer, the white light in the middle of the screen that wasn't there before. Not a big issue though, doesn't make it unwatchable or anything. Very strange... wonder what thats about.
soco @ Jun 9th 2006 8:40AM
the oblivion is more likely related to the oblivion patch as many have commented on already.
the disc read error sounds more like a coincidence to me. lots of people have reported problems like this before the update, and it's unlikely that MS would've changed any of the disc handling routines.
i have heard other issues though, like people not being able to properly play certain games with other people on the network now. dunno if it's truly related to the patch as whenever any patch is released people area always quick to blame it.
if MS or someone were to release a fake patch which never actually got applied, people would be screaming and yelling on message boards that it broke something of theirs. then someone else would find it and agree, seemingly increasing their credibility.
DIEGO @ Jun 9th 2006 8:42AM
i was playing HL2 last night for the first time on the 360 and i didn't have any problems except for a little slow down.
Carl @ Jun 9th 2006 8:54AM
I've noticed the guide opens faster ingame, however when I resume to the dashboard, it take longer to "load" and hangs if I try to change blades while its loading, didnt use to happen.
J.Goodwin @ Jun 9th 2006 8:54AM
No problem here.
I did notice that Bethesda patched Wednesdays patch on Thursday though. So there must have been a problem.
butterman @ Jun 9th 2006 8:57AM
Ive been playing Halo 2 and Lost Planet demo without problems.
videos have been going fine for me.
Has anyone with the problems tried this?
http://xbox360.qj.net/Maintenance-Feature-Included-In-Xbox-360-Dashboard-Update-/pg/49/aid/53232
twenty5 x you @ Jun 9th 2006 8:57AM
DO NOT UPDATE UR 360!!!!
my 360 froze several times just after the update.... i was listening to music and it froze, i was watching the halo trailer and it froze again, i was having a chat and .... IT FROZE!!!!!!! this continued for like 6 times and then I got the 3 red lights.........
Check this up: http://forums.xbox.com/1/4736124/ShowPost.aspx#4736124
SlyEcho @ Jun 9th 2006 9:00AM
I don't know if it's related to the update but on my Xbox the network test screen doesn't have any More Info text for a failed item. I can't make a screenshot, 'cause my camera's batteries are dead.
Saxamoophone @ Jun 9th 2006 9:02AM
So far no major problems for me. The only "bug" I had was one time in COD2 it acted as though I haven't downloaded the new maps even though I had a long time and have been playing on them since. Went to dashboard and restarted the game, worked fine.
So I don't know, maybe I'm lucky, but I never had a major issue with my 360 yet. Then again, it's usually only the ones with problems that make the posts...so who knows what percentage are really having issues here...
Catastrophic @ Jun 9th 2006 9:04AM
No problems here, and i've bashed the living hell out of the update, i've tried everything like downloading 6 things at once and it seems much faster when opening the friend list, etc.
These complaints may be real but i'm willing to bet they're Sony fanboys just stirring and making fake accusations. It always happens.
twenty5 x you @ Jun 9th 2006 9:05AM
More:
http://forums.xbox.com/4712513/ShowPost.aspx
http://forums.xbox.com/4715871/ShowPost.aspx
Dasgooch @ Jun 9th 2006 9:19AM
The problem with Oblivion is an Oblivion problem not a 360 problem. I was having the slow down issue before the patch. There is an issue where the HDD cache for the Oblivion will be come fragmented over time. Bethesda has posted a fix/work around for this long ago, while booting the game immediately hold down the A button and it will clear the cache. Menu's will load very quickly again and no slow downs in the game at all.
As for the 360 Dash update, working perfectly for me. No issues whatsoever.
DA360 @ Jun 9th 2006 9:25AM
Once again, while people are complaining about problems, I have none what-so-ever. All my games work just fine, never experienced any issues.
Some of the problems sound like just generalised problems, which were experienced BEFORE the update.
Vader582 @ Jun 9th 2006 9:42AM
8. Actually I did notice that in the Halo3 trailer, the white light in the middle of the screen that wasn't there before. Not a big issue though, doesn't make it unwatchable or anything. Very strange... wonder what thats about.
Posted at 8:38AM on Jun 9th 2006 by Mi54N7hR0p3 0 stars
I too am experiencing this EXACT issue. I am usually quick to dismiss "bugs" as "user error" too but I think in this instance there is a flaw in the update. I guess we are seeing why they delayed the update so long...looks like a further delay may have been in order. :(
jon @ Jun 9th 2006 9:46AM
as usual...is working fine for me.
Duscrom @ Jun 9th 2006 9:47AM
I have had the dashboard crash on me once post-update. and noticed some skipping in a trailer I was playing back while there was a background download going.
But that's about it.
Art Guy @ Jun 9th 2006 9:51AM
Yup, no problems here.
austinMINI @ Jun 9th 2006 10:13AM
I purchased a used copy of Gun two days ago, tossed it in the 360 and it showed up as a DVD in the dashboard. I tried to play it and I received a message that said "Please insert this dIsc into a xbox 360 to play" The disc looked clean to me but I took it back to the game store and exchanded to for another copy. I stuck the new copy in last night and everything worked perfectly. I wouldn't think that it was related to the update but it looks like other people have run into the same thing. Other than that one clitch the update seems pretty solid.
MCCLINTOCK @ Jun 9th 2006 10:16AM
no problems at all. loving the new features.
Andrew @ Jun 9th 2006 10:19AM
Having identical trouble with HL2 post-update. The game does the initial load screen then goes black with no means to exit without a hard reset. Really annoying!
The Rugby God @ Jun 9th 2006 10:36AM
Not a problem with mine at all really. Multiple download feature is great and I've had no choppy framerate or video issues.....however, Oblivion does take a lot longer to load up....no biggie though really.
Mark @ Jun 9th 2006 10:45AM
I was watching the Season 1 DVD of "Numb3rs" on my 360 last night, and when I selected an episode, it played the last episode I had already played. I let it play for a minute or so, then I went to the menu and selected a different episode, but it went back and played from the last episode at the spot I cut out to the menu. I haven't tried the disc on a standalone DVD player yet, but there seemed to be menu navigation problems in the 360's DVD player.
Scott @ Jun 9th 2006 10:52AM
No problems here!
svobz @ Jun 9th 2006 11:06AM
there is a bug since the update with privat chat and film DVD's:
when you're in privatchat insert a film DVD, when the film DVD loads up your buddie can't hear you, you have to replug your HS to continue conversation.
when you stop the DVD and go back to dashboard, you will hear your buddie for a few seconds over the speakers.
try this and comment it
munish @ Jun 9th 2006 11:08AM
i havent experienced any problems really except the halo 3 trailer thing. also i did get the red lights like 2 times before but then i just restarted the console and it worked fine
RIch @ Jun 9th 2006 11:10AM
I started getting freezes and such before the update. This is my theory: It started freezing just as it started getting hot outside. (we have no air conditioning in my apt)I let my Xbox360 cool down some, and it stopped freezing. Maybe its a temp related issue.
Thomas Crymes @ Jun 9th 2006 11:19AM
Peeps.
We are dealing with a dynamically upgradable console. These things are going to happen. Even though all units are made to spec, some are ever so slightly differnt than others (unavoidable), and because a company can't forsee all of these potential problems, they run the risk of triggering problems in a small percentage of units with any update.
Admittedly, the PC mentality is "try your best to get it right, but if something happens, patch it."
This cushion necessarily creates an attitude that is more lax than of an old school console game developer/console manufacturer that knows they have exactly one chance to get it right.
It is the nature of the beast.
But as a last word, I will say that if there were genuine bugs, everyone performing the exact same steps would experience them.
teammclarenusa @ Jun 9th 2006 11:25AM
I did the spring update and have not had any problems so far with games. i have played uno, bejewelwed, pgr3 works fine still, i had one problem with a dvd saying thatit could not read the star wars ep 4 disc, it would pause and skip sometimes. i downloaded 6 episodes ofjack blacks confessions at the same time and all played fine. for the longest time before the update my pc and xbox 360 would not tlak to each other with all the correct settings. after the update they now work great together.
Mr Papa @ Jun 9th 2006 11:27AM
Interesting... This new update works like a champ... Not a single issue... Have downloaded a whole mess of stuff in the background... A lot of cool features...
SuicideNinja @ Jun 9th 2006 11:30AM
Downloaded two demos yesterday and played them. No problems. Played Halo 2 and some XBLA...no problems.
I didn't try watching any videos though.
I've only had the 360 freeze 3 or 4 times since launch, and that was with PDZ and Quake 4. No other game has ever frozen.
WilliamAgain @ Jun 9th 2006 11:33AM
First off they need to create an Error log for all these problems people have with the 360. And allow you to submit them, or have them automatically submit when you connect to live.
I have has the disc clean error. Mostly it is when I leave the disc in the 360. Power up. Boot to the dash board. Mess around in dash board like look for new demos,arcade games, etc.
Then I go to play the game in the drive. I get disc error. I eject the disc and insert it back in and it works.
Mark @ Jun 9th 2006 11:38AM
OMG! I had Oblivion Freeze on me! I had PGR freeze on me! This was BEFORE the update. I can't imagine what the update must have done! I'm sure it introduced MORE BUGS! This is awful!
Oh, BTW, that disc error an existing problem. Other people have seen it before the update. The system fails to read something on the disc so the 360 assumes it's a regular DVD and plays it as one. (The DVD movie portion of the disc has that message you see)
slugg @ Jun 9th 2006 11:38AM
The good thing is that Microsoft has proven, over and over again, if there is a probloem they will do what it takes to fix it (new patch, etc.) If we were dealing with Sony, they would flat-out deny that anything was wrong and we would be screwed.
BklynKid @ Jun 9th 2006 11:48AM
I can reproduce the Halo 3 trailer bug people are talking about. As was said, doesn't really take away from the experience, just seems weird.
ExTester @ Jun 9th 2006 11:49AM
No Problems here.
I did get a slight video skip, but thats cause it was in the middle of saving a download as I started to watch a different trailer. More or less bad timing. I am not surprised that it really happened. I mean watchin HD video as you are downloading a 893meg demo would do the same on my PC.
Love the spring update.
Dirk Dorkelson @ Jun 9th 2006 12:05PM
I've played PDZ, Oblivion, Uno and Spades since the update. I downloaded and watched one of the Kameo videos and my girlfriend watched a DVD. No problems.
Mario Dieguez @ Jun 9th 2006 12:15PM
Well there is a theory that the Halo 3 video got secretly updated and will probably start a ilovebees.
ozymandias @ Jun 9th 2006 12:31PM
A buddy told me that Tomb Raider freezes at a point for him. But i personally have had any problems. The downloads actually seem faster but this could be due to the fact that im not watching the progress bar inch foward anymore.
S. A. @ Jun 9th 2006 1:01PM
I havent had any problems after the update. I really havent had any problems with my launch 360 at all besides a couple of freezes.
romo828 @ Jun 9th 2006 2:10PM
I have had a few minor issues that I never received before the update. Twice, while playing UNO, the system freezes where my only option is to reboot Secondly, when I boot to dashboard, play an arcade game or connect to PC through media center, then try to play a game that already has a disc in the drive, either get the disc error or my dvd drive just doesnt spin and does nothing. Just sits at teh dashboard. Reboot, then everything is fine.
SynoDev @ Jun 9th 2006 2:11PM
#13 IS WRONG
I just sent in my Xbox 360 for the very same problem (continuous freezing which lead to 3 red lights) about three weeks ago and have been enjoying my new 360 for about one week. This was (obviously) BEFORE the update, and I had the same problem. In addition, my friend's Xbox 360 had the exact same problem about a week ago (around when I got mine back). It was a huge coincidense, I know, but it was not, in any way, related to the update. Neither one of our consoles had the update.
So what was it? I think we both had flawed video cards or some other piece of hardware that only became apparent because we had just both pruchased OBlivion and been playing it a lot - this causes the hardware to remain hot for longer periods of time, which in turn exposed the flaws in the hardware. My new, updated 360 works perfectly.
Aubec @ Jun 9th 2006 2:14PM
Mine keeps spitting DVD & Games out on the first insertion - but accepts them on the second - not dirty disks, cos its not even spinning up to read them... irritating, but not the end of the world. Worth it for the background downloading alone!
matt @ Jun 9th 2006 2:21PM
Sounds like it might be a good thing that I'm not able to download the update.... the same thing happened with the first update, i think it might have something to do with my router, but maybe i'll just wait till ms updates everything to actually get the update.