I submitted my serial number a few days ago, to get the Xbox Replacement Cord. Why is a new Xbox power cord needed? According to Xbox, “the replacement power cords are designed to protect consumers and their Xbox consoles from rare electrical component failures that can pose a fire hazard.” Has anybody really been burned yet?

Microsoft is providing new power cords at no charge to replace the cords that originally came with some Xbox consoles. You will need your Serial Number and Manufacture date to verify if your Xbox Console requires a replacement cord. Fewer than one in 10,000 consoles have experienced these component failures. In almost all instances, any damage caused by these failures was contained within the console itself or limited to the tip of the power cord at the back of the console.

I also found this part of the FAQ a bit humorous: “I received my replacement cord, and it was damaged. What should I do?” Run away, that’s my answer. I’ve got the replacement cord in hand now. I suppose I better swap it soon, eh?