RT @TomDuong: First Friday Favorites – September 2009 – http://bit.ly/P4GP8

Reading some blog traffic info at http://htxt.it/1VVr

This is nice…”What objectivity requires is not an open mind but an active mind; a mind able and eagerly willing .. http://htxt.it/l/boLrSL

“You must avoid the investigation trap you can’t postpone tough decisions by studying them to death.” http://htxt.it/sIIu

The red ring of death refers to the three red lights on your console that indicate a general hardware failure. Perhaps you have a new xbox that works just fine and want to prevent the red ring of death from happening to you.

Maybe you’ve had your xbox repaired and don’t want a repeat of the red ring of death. Whatever your situation, here are some simple measures that you can take to keep your xbox running perfectly.

1.) Know where the cooling vents are and be sure to never block them. If air can’t freely flow into these vents, your Xbox will overheat. Make sure there is plenty open space around these vents. Keep them clear of clutter and don’t have them pushed up against the wall.

2.) Place your Xbox in a clean dust free environment and make sure that your Xbox is kept clean. The reason for this is that dirt, dust, and pet hair can get sucked into the cooling vents which will interfere with the cooling system. If too much dust gets into the vents, the fans get over worked and won’t be able to supply the Xbox with enough cooling air.

3.) The power brick must also be kept cool. Therefore the same rules that apply to your xbox console also apply to the power brick. Make sure that air is free to flow around it. Avoid placing the power brick on soft or shaggy surfaces such as a carpet. Place it on a table or try hanging it off a hook.

4.) Don’t operate your xbox in a hot environment. If it’s a hot day, turn on the air conditioner. Keep it away from direct sunlight and other heat sources. This includes stoves, heaters, or other hot electronics nearby.

Your xbox will also get hot if it’s used over long periods of time. It’s advisable to give your xbox a rest after a couple hours of use so that it can cool down.

The main point to remember in all of this is that the red ring of death happens when your xbox gets over heated. The xbox has a weak cooling system and tends to run hot. So ensuring that it runs cool is up to you.

Marc Sandford is a gaming enthusiast and writer. Get more Xbox troubleshooting advice about repairing the Xbox 360 ring of death.