Xbox 360 platform holder Microsoft has altered the terms of conditions of its three year Xbox 360 warranty scheme to include problems related to the common E74 error.

In 2007 Microsoft admitted that it was, at the time, not happy with the number of Xbox 360’s suffering the so-called Red Ring of Death – a hardware failure that stops the console from working and displays three red segments on the front panel.

Since then any owners suffering non-RROD system failures have had to pay a fee for their machines to be repaired, but Microsoft’s official support pages, as noticed by joystiq, now state that E74 errors are now included in the existing extended warranty.

A statement reads: “While the majority of Xbox 360 owners continue to have a great experience with their console, we are aware that a very small percentage of our customers have reported receiving an error that displays E74 on their screen.

“After investigating the issue, we have determined that the E74 error message can indicate the general hardware failure that is associated with three flashing red lights error on the console. As a result, we have decided to cover repairs related to the E74 error message under our three-year warranty program for certain general hardware failures that was announced in July 2007.

“We have already made improvements to the console that will reduce the likelihood of an occurrence of this issue.”