XBox 360 Rally

If you’re a big racing game fan, odds are you own the Wireless Xbox 360 Racing Wheel from Microsoft. If you do indeed own the Wireless Racing Wheel, Microsoft is now providing a free retrofit to combat, out of all things, overheating.

In a press release issued by Microsoft, the retrofit is a precautionary measure to combat overheating inside the wheel chassis, which could smoke and potentially cause a fire when the AC/DC (Who’s got big balls?) power supply is being used. However as of now, there have been no reports of fire or injury.

This is just what Microsoft needs, isn’t it? First their consoles are dropping left and right due to overheating, now they’re “offering a retrofit” (which is code for “voluntary recall”) of their wireless racing wheel for the same problem? Not cool, Microsoft. Not cool.

Press Release after the break.

Microsoft to Provide Retrofit for Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel

Action is precautionary and voluntary following reports of component malfunction.

REDMOND, Wash. — Aug. 22, 2007 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that it is taking a precautionary measure and voluntarily providing customers with a free retrofit to the Xbox 360™ Wireless Racing Wheel.

The action is being taken after Microsoft was informed of a very small number of incidents of a malfunction in the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel, in which a component in the wheel chassis may overheat and release smoke when the AC/DC power supply is used to energize the wheel. There have been no reported incidences of fire, personal injury or property damage resulting from the component failure in the wheel.

Owners of the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel should stop using the AC/DC power supply until they have obtained their retrofit. They may continue to operate the wheel using battery power.

Owners of the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel should visit http://www.xbox.com/support or call Microsoft at (800) 4MY-XBOX (469-9269) to register for the free retrofit and protect against the potential hazard described above. Instructions, if necessary, will be provided with the retrofit. Microsoft is notifying and will be coordinating its response activities with the relevant regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. This may affect delivery dates.

About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is a superior video game and entertainment system delivering the best games, unique entertainment features and a unified online gaming network that revolve around gamers. Xbox 360 will have a portfolio of more than 300 games and will be available in nearly 40 countries by the end of 2007. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

About Microsoft

Founded in1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft® Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.

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