The console serial number you entered has already been registered

In the spirit of the Xbox 360 launch I renewed my Xbox Live service for an additional year and started the process of converting/ setting up my Xbox Forums account and encountered the following error message when trying to register my console:

The console serial number you entered has already been registered

Okay. I pull out all my paperwork and confirm that the console number is registered under my name and that the Xbox service contract is valid through 2006. Assuming this will be an easy fix, I call Xbox ‘Top-Quality Service’ at (800) 469-9269. Within a few minutes, it becomes apparent that the console is actually registered under my name but isn’t listed on the Xbox website under Console Registration. Is it only me, or could the wording of the error message be changed to indicate that the console was actually registered under my name? Or, would it be possible to actually display the consoles registered under my name?

My Halo 2 Stats

After a break of almost 4 months I started playing Halo 2 again. Boy have I really lost whatever little skill I had. My most recent statistics clearing indicate that something is totally off – perhaps it’s just all this news on the Xbox 360 and my mind trying to tempt me into getting the console when it launches. If only …

Xbox 360 Theme

Larry Hryb, popularly known as Major Nelson, has just released a new Xbox 360 theme. What’s triggered a tad amount of jealousy is the 10:30 AM Xbox 360 Test Session currently shown on his smartphone screen shot. To add to this, in this week’s Xbox blogcast/ podcast he describes testing his first multiplayer Xbox 360 game. Crazy Microsoft benefits.

In the past Larry’s run various Xbox themed contests and also covered E3 quite well, so if you have any remote interest in the Xbox platform, I’d definiately recommend adding his blog to your aggregator.

Speaking of the Xbox, I just renewed my service contract for the console. Does anyone else think that service contracts are one of those unnecessary layers of cushion that you always don’t have when you need them most?

Xbox Power Cords

Microsoft’s Xbox Power Cord replacement program is all over the news now but what’s kind of strange is that I registered my console and even paid for the extra warranty service but received no mail notification regarding this. If it weren’t for Major Nelson’s blog post regarding this I probably would have missed this issue until later this month.

Either way, if you purchased an Xbox with a manufacture date before October 23, 2003 you may want to order the replacement power cord for free to avoid potential fire hazards.

See Microsoft’s Xbox site for more information.

MAC Address for Xbox

When trying to register an Xbox on a university network you may need to find the MAC address corresponding to the console. The steps listed below should make this a bit easier:

1) Turn on the Xbox ensuring that there is no disc in the console

2) The Xbox will load to the Xbox Dashboard.

3) Select Settings from the list of options

4) Select Network Settings

5) The MAC address for the console is located in the lower right hand corner.

Halo 2 by Numbers

Yes, I’m playing Halo 2 and have helped contribute toward the following statistics:

Total Sales of Halo 2 in North America in 1 day: $125,000,000
Total Copies of Halo 2 sold in North America: 2,400,000
Total number of unique users: 320,119
Total number of matches logged: 775,468
Total number of users online: 44,901
Total number of hours logged:

The experience playing Halo 2 – Priceless.

Xbox Live

Thanks to a very nice gift I am finally on Xbox Live. I’ve only been playing Mech Assault online but hope to try out some other Live enabled games such as Crimson Skies or Halo 2. Overall the entire process, from obtaining Xbox Live to signing up for the Xbox Live service clearly reflects well on Microsoft’s vision for the Xbox.

For example some of the experiences that helped meet and exceed my expectations of the Xbox Live Service:

1) Sales representatives who spoke of the service with experience, knowledge and passion

2) Microsoft’s commitment to the Xbox has been clearly revealed through posts on the blogosphere and excellent community support from sites such as Xbox or TeamXbox

3) John Porcaro has talked about branding for the Xbox in some of his recent blog posts. The power of the Xbox brand was made very clear to me when exposed to feature sets such as MSN Alerts, Voice Chat, Statistics, Friends – all of which have been seamlessly integrated and tied to the “It’s good to play together” tagline. In my opinion a brand succeeds when the end user is not overwhelmed by the brand but is still aware of its presence.

4) Content, content and more content have continued to keep me on Xbox Live for hours, much longer than my eyes would have me.

5) Perhaps the last aspect that keeps me going back for more is the community surrounding Xbox Live. Having quite an active offline life, I find less time to spend online, but Xbox Live can mould to fit your life style by offering a community that is not only growing but also one that lives your kind of life style.

Have you added the Xbox Live Starter Kit to your Christmas list yet?

Halo 2

I cannot wait till November 9th. For those of you who don’t know – Halo 2 is set to be launched to the waiting world. Oh if only I could get on the beta program for Halo.

Nevertheless, Bungie does not disappoint. So if you’re looking for more Halo updates, check out the recently released 3D Halo 2 screenshot and the weekly updates that continue to build desire.