When the Xbox 360 launched, gamers the world over were met with a surprise – consoles that overheated, froze or just plain refused to work at all. To combat the problem, Microsoft set-up 1-800-4MY-Xbox, a toll free number where gamers could have their defective consoles repaired or replaced free of charge if it was still under the 90-day warranty.

This week, after acknowledging that the initial batch of systems was experiencing a “higher than normal rate of failure,” Microsoft extended that 90-day warranty to cover systems made before January 1 2006 up to one year from purchase. Because the new warranty does not cover those consoles bought on launch day (The Xbox 360 launched on November 22 2005, which falls just outside of the one-year window), Microsoft has also committed to reimbursing those who paid to have their consoles repaired when they would have been covered under the new warranty.

More information, including how to obtain a reimbursement check can be found at xbox.com.