Microsoft Now Offers Xbox Wireless Controller Replacement Parts For DIY Repairs (neowin.net) 28
Microsoft is extending the repairability program it introduced for its Surface PC products to include replacement parts for its Xbox Wireless Controller and Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 products. Neowin reports: The page on the Microsoft Store site shows that replacement parts are available for the top case for both versions of the controller, along with replacement buttons. In addition, Microsoft is selling Replacement Input PCBA boards for those Xbox controllers, along with the Replacement PCBA and Motor Assembly parts as well. The parts do come with a one-year warranty.
In a new support page, Microsoft makes it clear that these parts should only be purchased and used for Xbox controllers that are out of their normal warranty period. On another support page, the company adds: "These types of repairs require moderate technical skill, and are suited for enthusiasts, professionals, or those with prior experience in electronic disassembly. If this is your first attempt at performing a repair, use caution and follow our safety recommendations and step-by-step instructions."
Microsoft also says that certain tools, which are not directly sold by the company, will be needed to replace and repair the controllers. They include a plastic pry tool, TR8 and T5 Torx screwdriver bits and plastic tweezers. Microsoft does offer PDF files (PDF) and even offers YouTube video tutorials for repairing the Xbox Wireless Controller and the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2.
In a new support page, Microsoft makes it clear that these parts should only be purchased and used for Xbox controllers that are out of their normal warranty period. On another support page, the company adds: "These types of repairs require moderate technical skill, and are suited for enthusiasts, professionals, or those with prior experience in electronic disassembly. If this is your first attempt at performing a repair, use caution and follow our safety recommendations and step-by-step instructions."
Microsoft also says that certain tools, which are not directly sold by the company, will be needed to replace and repair the controllers. They include a plastic pry tool, TR8 and T5 Torx screwdriver bits and plastic tweezers. Microsoft does offer PDF files (PDF) and even offers YouTube video tutorials for repairing the Xbox Wireless Controller and the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2.
Honestly, that's a good start (Score:3)
If they could please make it so you don't need a pry tool, that would also be a help. I am using Xbox 360 controllers with my PC now (with a third party dongle) because Microsoft controllers are the standard for PC gaming, and I have these. But I have never much liked them (honestly, I was a Big Duke fan*) and would rather have some newer options that are as easy to maintain.
* cue inevitable nickname jokes
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Controllers for PC gaming? You need to check yourself.
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Controllers for PC gaming? You need to check yourself.
Now now, we don't support this kind of gatekeeping in the PCGMR... That being said a games controller is one of the few peripherals I don't have attachable to my PC. Never saw the need for one when the KB and mouse are superior in almost every way. If a specialised controller is demonstrably superior for a purpose (I.E. steering wheel, joystick or full on HOTAS) it's superior to a console controller. Console controllers have always been compromises to get a single controller format to be suitable for as ma
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Not at all, some games need a controller.
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>Microsoft controllers are the standard for PC gaming
This is incorrect, though Microsoft does a lot to promote this misconception. XInput is the standard for PC gaming, and Xbox Controller family is what that API is made for.
But pretty much every 3rd party controller is also XInput nowadays. As far as PC gaming is concerned, any XInput controller is a "standard for PC gaming".
For example, the infamous Logitech controller from the sub brouhaha is a standard XInput controller (but it also has the older Dir
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Microsoft controllers are the standard for PC gaming
This is incorrect
Games not even made by Microsoft literally have a picture of the 360 controller in them
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>XInput is the standard for PC gaming, and Xbox Controller family is what that API is made for.
I.e. it's a reference device. Standard on the other hand is universal. It's like saying that Pixel is the standard for Android phones.
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I know you autists have problem realising that a word can have multiple meanings, but literally no one other than you understood drinkypoo to mean that the standard is a documented universal API.
Standard: "something used as a measure". The fact that non MS games have pictures of xbox controllers in them makes them a standard, and there's really nothing you can say to change this.
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The issue I took with it is that Microsoft spent a very large amount of money advertising in countless ways that if you want a controller that just works on your gaming PC, you need to buy it from Microsoft, because that's the standard.
When in reality, basically any XInput controller will work just as well as any microsoft XInput controller.
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Look, besides what thegarbz graciously said in the sibling comment, games are designed around what feels good on a specific controller. If they are a port from a Microsoft system then the default control scheme hopefully makes sense on a Microsoft controller. It will have been tested that way. Sure I can dick around with controls and find something comfortable... But the 360 wireless controllers are not too bad, and I have a ton of eneloop AAs.
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>If they are a port
They are not. It's an open standard. Anyone can make XInput controllers. My current XInput controller in fact has a Sony layout, and it's that meme Logitech controller (which I bought long before it became a meme).
I'm not being against "the product you love". I own an Xbox 360 wireless controller as well, which I used for a long time. I'm against regurgitating Microsoft marketing that is trying to make it sound like if you want full system compatibility and ease of use, you need to buy
Re: Honestly, that's a good start (Score:2)
They are not? You failed to read what I wrote correctly.
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So there are two interpretations here. One is that this is a different company, so would need a different program.
Two is that Logitech kit traditionally lasts so damn long, that you don't actually need replacement parts.
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It will depend on pricing and MTBF of each part, yes. But it's still better than "fuck off and buy a new one" that was before this program.
It's a step in the right direction.
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It is good, but not cheap (Score:2)
I did a quick check on what is available.
You can get the front cover, the mainboard, input PCB, and buttons/switches/triggers:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-u... [microsoft.com]
There is even a very good guide to replace each piece:
https://support.xbox.com/en-US... [xbox.com]
What you don't get:
1. Backside cover, or the battery compartment
2. A good price, they are expensive. Even these partial group of components would cost roughly 2x of a new controller
Still a good start, just don't expect to "build your own controller from scratch"
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I used some of my xbox 360 controllers for more than 15 years with my computers. The only things that ever wore out were the thumb caps (and you could always buy covers).
The only part that broke in those controllers, and my xbox one controllers, and even one of my xbox series x controllers (not looking good for MTBF) is the actual thumb sticks which develop drift.
I end up buying cheapo replacement potentiometers because the cheapo replacement sticks seem to be too cheaply made.
So I feel like this part woul
Potentiometers (Score:2)