Problems with X-box 360 player profile? (So says X-box support)

[Will]

I posted last month shortly after buying a 360 and experincing freezes/crashes.  I have tried everything - I have moved the console into the open to prevent overheating, I have replaced game discs, and I have even replaced the console.  And still, my system is freezing/crashing (every time during a loading time or checkpoint, etc.). The crash point varies from first load to 2 hours in.  I have experience 7 crashes in 5 weeks on 3 different games (4 different discs) and 2 different consoles. 
I have read some comments and talked to some people who have had similar problems (although, perhaps not as frequent) and some who have never had problems.
The X-box 360 support site says that I may be experiencing a problem with my gamer profile.  This is the only rope I have to grasp since it is the only thing that has remained unchanged (since I downloaded my profile after switching out systems). Here is the site: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/907586/ (sorry if the link doesn't work)
Questions:
1. Has any one else had this problem to this extent?
2. What solutions have you tried and did any of them work?  Does this gamer profile thing sound legit?
3. Should I just give up and chill out?  I mean, is this problem prevalant and not dangerous to the longevity of my system and little more than an annoyance?
Thanks for any and all help!

[ActRaiser1]

um, no, crashing isn't the norm.  Well, at least not after I swapped my craptastic first gen for a dandy second gen machine that runs like a dream.  Create a new profile. 

Let's be honest, the worst thing that will happen is you've got to manually add a few friends from your xbox live friend's list and redo the achievements.  And as much as I like having bragging rights on top score in geometry wars against friends - that alone isn't worth frequent crashes.

It's not like things can get worse.

[Leo Ames]

You said you changed systems, but did you also change hard drives or memory cards?

[Will]

Thanks for replying.
Yes, I replaced the entire system, hard drive and all.
If I changed the gamer profile, would I lose all my saved game information? That's all I care about.  I don't really play online.
I will say this: the new system (second system I traded for) has frozen twice, both times on Oblivion - and I have heard that it is a bit buggy.  I tried a few things last night:
1. Did maintaince on Hard Drive
2. Put in three different discs and loaded to Main Menu (this apparantly cleans out the system's memory)
3. Lifted power brick off the floor to get more air.
4. Held "A" while Oblivion loaded to wipe out memory cache.
5. Made sure to take out disc before powering down (read somewhere that this is a must, but sounds kind of bogus to me.)
I didn't experience any problems last night in about 2.5 hours of play.  Of course, I have only been experiencing crashes once a week or so, so that doesn't prove anything yet.

But hey, if I can create a new proflie but still keep all my saved games intact, I will do that immediately.
Thanks.

[ActRaiser1]

Um, you didn't say you were playing Oblivion.  That game always locked up on me.  Of course, my 360 died too that I used to play it on so maybe they had something in common.  Do you other games cause your system to lock up or just oblivion. 

No idea on your other question though.

[Will]

The first one I bought locked up on Oblivion, Splinter Cell: DA, and Battlestations Midway.  When it locked up twice in one night on SCDA, I took it back.
The new one has locked up twice on Oblivion only.  Once when I was first loading and again another day when I was running through the Imperial City.
I don't know.  Is 360 worth it?  I mean, it seems like everyone has had problems - I mean, even yours died.  I am seriously considering taking it back for a refund and selling the games on ebay.

[ActRaiser1]

I seriously love my 360 way more than any other console I've purchased and that's including the dreamcast in my list.  It's not so much the awesome games and experiences, it's the ease of use with it.

Sorry to hear yours keeps locking up and with Oblivion I just got into the habit of saving every so often mainly to avoid the dying and retry things for a bit. 

I'm sure this doesn't really help your decision or anything but you're going to be missing out on BioShock, Halo 3, GTA 4, and Mass Effect this fall.  All triple A games not to mention Gears of War and Geometry Wars.

[JustLikeHeaven1]

[QUOTE]

Is 360 worth it?  I mean, it seems like everyone has had problems - I mean, even yours died.  I am seriously considering taking it back for a refund and selling the games on ebay.

[/QUOTE]

Short-term answer...yea selling it for a different system (Wii or PS3) might be a good idea.  The 360 is without a doubt one of the shoddiest consoles ever produced.  However like Actraiser said, you will be missing out on some great games.

Long Term answer - sell it now and buy another one later in the console's life cycle.  It is believed that Microsoft is going to begin producing new smaller, more reliable chips for the console sometime in the Fall.  If you sell it you are gonna want to pick it up at some point during this generation...there is no way around it.



[QUOTE]

It's not so much the awesome games and experiences, it's the ease of use with it.

[/QUOTE]

ActRaiser, I'm not sure I really follow you on this one?  Could you explain it a bit further...

[Will]

Thanks for all the responses.  You are all very kind.
Yes, I love my 360 too - ecspecially when it works. Gears of War, Rainbow Six, and Oblivion are truly great games.
In any case, I think I have come to a solution - I went back to Best Buy, where I bought it, and picked up the 2 year, renewable replacement plan.  Cost me $60, but in the long run, this gives me some insurance and peace of mind. I will be going to law school in the fall and won't have the extra cash to pick up another 360 or pay for repairs.
 I also bought a memory card so I can save my games if - God forbid - this one breaks and I have to get a new one. I can just go to the local store and not have to wait for Microsoft to ship me a possibly refurbished model.
Bonus: they give you a gift card for a replacement, so if mine bites the dust, I can use the card to get one of those new, more stable sets.