Microsoft: Xbox Could Scratch Discs
By MARI YAMAGUCHI
Associated Press Writer
TOKYO (AP) - Microsoft Corp. said Thursday its new Xbox video
game machine can scratch game discs used in it although the
damage doesn't hurt the game performance or video quality.
The company is offering free repairs for customers who report the
problem.
The Xbox, priced at 34,800 yen ($260), debuted in Japan on Feb. 21,
challenging video-game kings Sony Corp. and Nintendo Co.
Within days, however, Japanese game fans began complaining about
scratched discs after playing new games they bought to use with the
new machine.
By Thursday, Microsoft Japan had received nearly 590 complaints
about the problem, said company spokeswoman Midori Takahashi.
She said the problem has not been reported in the United States,
where more than 1.5 million Xbox machines have been sold since
they arrived in stores in November. A Microsoft representative in the
United States said that any U.S. customers who report similar
problems could call the company's help line to ask for repairs or
exchanges.
Takahashi said the tiny scratches are mostly made on the outer rim
of the discs' bottom, where the game data is written.
The company initially believed the problem was a natural result of
friction between the machine's disc tray and the software inside. But
company technicians discovered that technical problems might have
caused the scratches.
``Japanese users are very sensitive to any scratches, and many
urged us to look into the case. So we decided to examine their
machines and provide free repairs if necessary,'' Takahashi said.
The company said it will exchange damaged discs as well.
Microsoft has not determined what causes the scratches, Takahashi
said.
Microsoft is going ahead with Xbox's planned March 14 debut in
Europe, she said. The company advised its factory in Hungary to
conduct more thorough quality checks before releasing the product,
she added.
Takahashi declined to say how many Xbox machines have been sold
in Japan. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who was in Japan earlier for
the Xbox debut, said his company had prepared 250,000 machines in
the first shipment to Japan and is ready to send more.
