Don’t clear your cache without a trained professional
We reported earlier about the hidden cache cleaner that was included in the spring dashboard update. Well, 1up.com found something interesting about it. If you aren’t on the phone with tech support, you’re not supposed to use it. While it won’t harm your system in any way, the public isn’t supposed to use the function.
Here’s the official word.
We asked Microsoft about this feature, what exactly the button combination does and what purpose it serves — here’s what they told us: “The HDD cache clearing feature is a part of the Xbox 360 technical support process and is only supported in those instances. While the cache clearing operation will not harm or render your console inoperable, it should only be used when instructed by the Microsoft customer support staff. As always, any gamers experiencing issues with their console should contact 800-4-MYXBOX instead of attempting to troubleshoot on their own via this feature.”
Sounds questionable to me.
But as always, be careful with what you do to your $400 machines.
Have any of you had console problems while clearing your cache?
I am not using any “tool” which isn’t found safe to use yet.
So clearing my cache when it is not necessary is a big nono for me (i read that it cleans more then only you’re cache…like patches etc.)….it is asking for trouble in my point of view.
Why you have to use a special code before it can be used….if the function was for the public they would have created a menu option for it.
Maybe it was intended for the dashboard update (maybe with a feature to let you wipe cache for individual games?), but wasn’t quite finished in time.
I work for a software company, and quite often if we have a patch deadline but we haven’t quite finished a feature, it’s too much hassle to remove the feature altogether so we just “hide” it until it’s finished in the next patch.
Saying that, the MS excuse above sounds feasible.
Would that cache cleaning work for me maybe… My 360 gives 3 red flashing lights, which would be an hardware error. But one would think: if hardware is broken it wouldn’t work anymore. WRONG sometimes it’s working, and then it’s not. After waiting 30 minutes or so, it works again most of the times. It shouldn’t be overheating (thats 2 red lights instead of 3)…
I am not into sending it back to MS directly, don’t want a Hitachi DVD which is like a plane taking off besides my TV want to keep the T/S DVD rom with less noise…
Maybe this cache cleaning thing then? Someone who knows that it could be that to get the problem solved?
Just do it and find out. There doesn’t seem to be any long term damage, and the worst seems to be that you have to re-download all game patches. If I were in your boat, I’d do it.
I was also getting three flashing red lights in sectors 1,2,4 of the “ring of light” (I think it was 1-2-4) But nothing would fix it. I tried everything. I even went through my initial setup again when the system would actually boot up, and I formatted the HD, but, a couple hours later, I was back to the flashing red lights. This went on for about a week, until one day it wouldnt do anything but flash Red & Green. I finally folded, and sent it back to MS. It’s a losing battle once you see those lights, I’d just call support, and send it away.
Ya , its not gonna fix itself. And its not a pc so you cant just replace the hardware inside … I have a refurb and its not that much lounder then my Toshiba.
how do you clear the cache?
iam getting flashing green lights not red when controllers it switches between 1 & 2 slot then with recharger in usb port 2 and 3 flick back and forth, any ideas folks ?
I USED THE CACHE CLEANING TOOL AND IT DID NOT HURT ANYTHING!!!!