The vertical position causing problems is common. Microsoft never addressed that issue and still asked new buyers to keep it vertical. Some of the users dont have a problem with it, but many others get damaged disks.

Its a crappily-finished console.

That being said, it doesnt matter if you keep it horizontal or vertical. The heating up problem stays in the xbox either way. The only way you can prevent that is to let it have enough free space on all sides, and keep it in a well-ventilated room.

If you want to keep it horizontal, you are best advised to get rubber pads for it, to ensure space between the bottom of the console and the surface you have it on - table, glass-top, shelf etc.

s'what you get when you mess with the warriors.

It's almost certianly a heat issue I'd agree there. V's advice was good, keep it will ventilated in particular behind the device. I actually did have some major drive issues with my device originally when under it's warranty period which started out with the device not reading DVD disks.

I have never personally had a problem with fallout, but I have had other locking issues with other games, it happens sometimes it has very little to do with the console.

Still if you try and keep it well ventilated, and give it some rest time after it locks up your in good shape. If it starts not recognising a variety of different disks/types of disks... then it may need repairs... or if the three rings around the on switch all turn red.

Dust free as well as well ventillated, and make sure it's not on or too near any other heat generating electrical devices, vcrs, speakers...etc

I'm starting to realize this, which is REALLY disappointing. I'm worried that playing DVDs in it will completely break it, which SUCKS especially since I SHOULD be able to play DVDs in it.

No matter - We'll be buying our new DVD player shortly.

But thanks for the advice - I think having it vertical for the time being keeps it a bit more ventilated. I think that I'll also do a bit more dusting and get one of those air-spray-thingys to get the dust out. I like the idea of getting the rubber nubs to keep it horizontal but off the table top and hopefully better-ventilated.

Nobody I know has had a problem with the vertical or horizontal positions UNLESS THEY MOVE THE MACHINE WHILE IT IS ON. Seriously, one little jerk and the disc is a coaster (unless you spend a couple bucks to have it resurfaced at a pawn shop or video store). Anyway, the power supply is another thing to consider, it gets VERY hot and should be kept away from the 360.

I got my Xbox Christmas Day, and was playing GTA IV a few days later. My sister's boyfriend told me it works better vertical and so he turned it. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. Take the disk out and there is a huge scratch going all the way round. It didn't work after that. Luckily, when I went to the shop, the clerk was a trainee and so it was pretty easy to get another one.

These really are piece of shit machines. Been through 3 already. Every time I turn it on I just pray I don't see the 3 red lights and I never use it to watch DVDs.

Really? Everybody I talk to loves 360. The only complaints I hear are that XBOX is the game console that overheats the most and fastest. I heard one story of a kid who went to bed and left it plugged in- and the house ended up burning down. But just like laptops I assume they make cooling pads for videogames too...if they don't perhaps they should. What's happened to yours? Or should I say the three of yours?:confused:

Derek and I have had a few freezes but only when playing Fallout 3. It's a pretty hefty game so I can understand it doing that sometimes.