Well my Xbox 360 has been acting up for a few weeks now. Randomly freezing during games, giving me the 3 red rings, but it would eventually stop and I could play. But finally it simply would not boot up. So it was time to send this puppy back to Microsoft.

Below is the process that I went through updating as it happens:

1) There are two ways to get the return process started. One you can go to their website www.xbox.com and click on the “Repair Agent” link on the right hand site of the site.
 
Or simply call their toll-free number 1-800-4MY-XBOX. Hopefully you will get someone who speaks decent English. (The first time I called, I did not. And it was rather frustrating)
2) Be sure to have your consoles serial number ready. The customer service representative will first try and diagnose the problem and find a solution, but if you’re like me, there’s not one. So they’ll ask for your address so they can send you a box and a pre-paid UPS label.

3) The box containing the UPS label as well as some padding material to keep the Xbox 360 protected will arrive in about 3-5 business days. Also in the box will be instructions on exactly what to do. The customer service lady also recommended writing your console’s serial number on a piece of paper and taping it to the top of the console as well as written on the outside of the box.

4) In about a day or so your console should appear in your account on www.xbox.com along with the status of the repair.

5) updated: Nov. 7, 2007
The status of the Xbox 360 just changed on the website. So It looks like it’s coming back. The UPS site said the billing information was only received which usually indicates that the package will go out tonight when the truck comes to their location for their daily pickup.

BTW: The serial number is not the same as the same one that was on the Xbox 360 I sent in. I’m not sure if this means the system is brand new or if they just issue another serial number once it’s repaired. The manufacture warranty also is now extended online in “Manage your warranty status” to another year.

Final Update:
Received the Xbox back and have been using it for over 6 months without any problems. Overall it was a very smooth process. They even threw in a free month of Xbox Live!