There are few things that people who own an XBox love more than their XBox 360, but one thing they don’t love is the fact that a tenth of all units shipped will experience some kind of manufacturing error.

The worst of them is the red ring of death. If you’re waiting for an XBox red ring of death fix, this article will help you figure out a few things to keep in mind before trying to resolve anything.

When your XBox 360 stops working, you have three options.

1. You can get rid of your system and buy a newer one. If you ever decide to just throw away the console, don’t throw it away. Advertise it in your local newspaper. Many technical experts will be happy to buy your faulty drive as they have the knowledge to repair the red ring of death and will be able to revive and resell your drive.

2. You have the option of returning the system to Microsoft for a fix. If you recently purchased or received your system, check to see if it is still under warranty. If so, Microsoft will repair your system at no cost to you. They’ll even send you a box and pay for the required postage to and from your home.

But what if it’s not under warranty?

Microsoft will still offer you a system repair, but in this case, it will cost you $140. Warranty or not, you’ll be without a console for a month or two, and in most cases, you’ll receive a Microsoft-licensed refurbished console in return.

3. Finally, you can repair your XBox 360 yourself. While repairing the red ring of death seems like a challenge, many people have found that it is a relatively simple process and can be done with just a basic understanding of how the system works by using an XBox repair guide.

Regardless of what you choose, look into ways to fix your XBox 360 at home, even if it means spending a few bucks on a tutorial. These guides are helpful because they offer step-by-step instructions, sometimes in video form, as well as support, to fix the XBox red ring of death.