Xbox one x question. Need help.

[dunkirkman]

Alright so I know many of you know the Xbox one (x and even S) need to be plugged in directly to a power outlet. Now the nearest one I have is like 8 feet away, so I cannot reach.

I currently have my regular xbox one plugged in a surge protector as well as all my other devices. I haven't set up my Xbox one X yet but do you guys think it would be fine if I ran a extension cord w/ 2 outlets? one of them being plugged in by a surge and the other used for my Xbox one x as I cannot plug it in a surge due to complications?

So what I'm saying here....I plug my Xbox one x in a extension cord outlet (that doesn't have a surge) while the other one is for the surge with my other devices. I just don't want to ruin my new Xbox one x by plugging it into a surge...as I know it does decrease performance and maybe life??

 

[Frag Maniac]

...I cannot plug it in a surge due to complications...I know it does decrease performance and maybe life??

First you say complications, then you insist you know a surge protector decreases performance.

Not sure what "complications" you're referring to, but a surge protector doesn't decrease performance. All a surge protector does is monitor voltage spikes and go into shutdown mode if they exceed a certain amount. Just get another surge protector for your other box. It would be silly to only protect the cheaper one.

You're far more likely to cause problems running it on an extension cord, especially if it is a long one and not grounded. Any decent surge protector should add 6' of cord length, some even more.

It's also not good to overload one outlet with too many devices. My friend's PS4 was lagging and freezing badly, then we put his DLP TV on another outlet and it ran fine.

 

[dunkirkman]

The Xbox one x clearly states you cannot plug it into a surge. But is it okay if I plugged it into a extension since the Xbox cannot conflict with the surge. The Xbox already has one, so it's not mean to be plugged into another surge. Please re read.

Again, it's either I install an outlet, or I use an extension with two plugs, one of them being used by a surge with my tv and SSD plugged in it, then the other with just my normal Xbox one x since It already has one.

Will it still decrease performance even if it's not plugged into the surge because it's still not directly in an outlet?

 

[Frag Maniac]

The Xbox one x clearly states you cannot plug it into a surge. But is it okay if I plugged it into a extension since the Xbox cannot conflict with the surge. The Xbox already has one, so it's not mean to be plugged into another surge. Please re read.

Again, it's either I install an outlet, or I use an extension with two plugs, one of them being used by a surge with my tv and SSD plugged in it, then the other with just my normal Xbox one x since It already has one.

Will it still decrease performance even if it's not plugged into the surge because it's still not directly in an outlet?

This article fully explains that it has zero to do with an external surge protector, but rather a design flaw in the latter Xbox designs. I'm thinking it's more likely design sabotage to convince people to buy into Kinect or pay through the nose for Kinect adapter cables if Kinect fails to catch on. They go for as high as $100 now (all explained below).

Source: https://www.onmsft.com/news/microsoft-backtracks-on-xbox-one-console-surge-protector-issue-kind-of

If you read through that article, it states that MS took down the claim on their Xbox support page that using an external surge protector would not supply enough power to the One S and X due to them already having built-in ones.

They took it down because people found out that the real reason was an incompatibility problem if not using the Kinect adapter cable. So this all smacks of MS designing these things to be troublesome if not using Kinect, which of course they tried to hard sell at Xbox One launch.

The article clearly states however that some are using their One S and X with an external surge protector with no issues when using the Kinect adapter cable. I'm almost certain the reason they are is they'd rather spend $36 (or up to $100 if you're not willing to wait for one from China) on a Kinect cable and be sure they're plugged into a surge protector that actually does it's job, rather than trust MS' built in one. I mean who can trust MS when they pull this silly crap?

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAHB07SF4136&cm_re=xbox_one_kinect_adapter-_-2NG-009B-00001-_-Product

Bottom line, there's no way using two surge protectors is going to limit amperage or voltage to an electronics device plugged into it. All they do is monitor for voltage spikes and shut down power if it exceeds a certain amount. Phil Spencer can get out on stage and lull his loyal Xbox fans all he wants, but in reality he only thinks of you as his cash cows and will not hesitate to lie to your face.

Just the fact that you're seeking help for your Xbox on a PC gaming forum makes it clear MS don't want to give honest support, because that would mean admitting they're willing to sabotage the design of their own products for the sake of higher profits. Conspiracy theory? I don't think so.

 

[dunkirkman]

@frog maniac

Huge thanks for your help... it's appreciated. I do play majority on PC, but with red dead coming out, I'm deciding to play it on the Xbox one x.

I just didn't want to set up the Xbox one x and not get the full performance you know? I'll still just plug it into the extension cord outlet (which is old) instead of the surge outlet...but if you think I should put it into the surge, let me know.

It's funny that you say I came here to these forums Because you are right. Microsoft is no big help, and when I asked if I can recover my account on the new Xbox one x and still have it on the old...they said it cannot be done. However, after talking to my buddies, you can have both, but one must be set as home.

So all in all, I thank you, and if you can answer that question I have, that would be awesome!

 

[Frag Maniac]

Yeah I totally get why many on PC buy these things just for some of the exclusives. I really wish RDR would come out on PC, but I'm not going to go out and buy an Xbox just to play a few games.

As for your solution, how long is that extension cord and is it at least 3 prong (grounded)? Seems like a bad idea, but if you do insist on that I'm not sure why you'd plug the more expensive One X in with an extension cord plus an old outlet you're not even sure is in good working condition, vs plugging it into the surge protector with a Kinetic cable and going without a surge protector on the older Xbox.

 

[dunkirkman]

It's roughly 12ft and yes, the extension does have 3 prongs.

It's the extension that's old. But Iv never had any issues thus far. Maybe I'll just try running 1 single surge from my wall outlet and plug the x in it (and forget about the extension). Just gotta find one online that's like 6-7 feet

If you find any, can you link me?

By the way, I have no Kinect cable. I don't have a Kinect. Do I need one??

 

[Frag Maniac]

Pretty sure you need a Kinect cable like the one I linked to to be able to hook an X up to a surge protector, if I read that article right. I'd try it anyway though.

After further checking though it looks like a 3 prong extension cord would do no good because the One X power cord is only 2 prong. I wouldn't go longer than 6' on the extension cord though.

 

[dunkirkman]

Can't you plug in a 2 pronged cord into a 3 prong outlet though??? Also, why do I need a Kinect extension cord when I don't even have one? The x still comes with a power cord so that would work with a surge. Or are you saying the Kinect cord doesn't interfere with a surge so you get good performance??

My wall outlet is 3 prong. Which my extension cord is also 3 prongs but has two outlets that have 3 prongs. My surge I believe is also 3.

 

[Peter Martin]

Kinbect is not supported on xbox one. Whoever said it can’t ba plugged into surge suppressor is an idiot

In fact you are dumb if you don’t

 

[Frag Maniac]

Can't you plug in a 2 pronged cord into a 3 prong outlet though??? Also, why do I need a Kinect extension cord when I don't even have one? The x still comes with a power cord so that would work with a surge. Or are you saying the Kinect cord doesn't interfere with a surge so you get good performance??

My wall outlet is 3 prong. Which my extension cord is also 3 prongs but has two outlets that have 3 prongs. My surge I believe is also 3.

Yeah of course you can plug a 2 pronged plug into a 3 slot outlet, but the device is only grounded if the cord you plug it in with has a 3rd wire for earth ground.

It's not likely the Kinect cord itself that makes it work but the hub you run it through as shown in Newegg's connection diagram. It probably has a chip in it that recognizes the device.

It's not about having the Kinect, it's about having that chip, but of course MS wants you to be dumb and think you have to have Kinect.

Kinbect is not supported on xbox one. Whoever said it can’t ba plugged into surge suppressor is an idiot.

Read the article I linked to, it explains it.

 

[dunkirkman]

Alright, so if I buy a 6 foot surge and plug it into the wall outlet...you suggest I buy the Kinect adapter (not the Kinect). Should the surge I buy have 3 prongs?? Also, does the Xbox one x have a 3 prong power cord??? I'm just not getting why I need the Kinect adapter?? (Sorry for not understanding)

 

[Frag Maniac]

Pretty much ALL well made surge protectors have heavy duty 3 pronged cords and 3 slot outlets, but you can plug a 2 pronged plug into them. As I said, after researching some more, the One X has a 2 pronged plug.

Again, look at the diagram of the cable connections for that Kinect cable assembly I linked to on Newegg. It shows a hub box all the cables plug into. Since as that article I posted says it had been found that the external surge thing was more about device compatibility than using an external surge, I surmised that the hub box those cables plug into must have some kind of chip in it that detects what kind of cable is plugged into it. Meaning the non outlet end of Xbox cables always have a proprietary connector. In fact for that reason, a chip may not even be required. It could just be that box only physically fits that proprietary connector, and no others.

Peter Martin says it's an idiot that claimed you can't use an external surge protector, I say it's a MS lie based on their original Xbox One intent of pushing Kinect sales. The fact that they took down this claim on their support site tends to quantify that. Whether or not One X supports Kinect matters not, it's more likely this is a lingering compatibility issue they designed in back when One launched, and they never bothered paying for a redesign to fix it. For one, that would kinda make it obvious what they'd done, whereas now they're likely just hoping people think these articles are lies, despite them changing their support claim on connectivity.

The bottom line is, if we were to believe surge protectors limit devices they're connected to from getting full power as they claimed, they'd have to admit their built in surge protector also robs it from getting full power. It's an obvious lie, even to those whom aren't that tech savvy.

Lastly, please stop alerting me via PM that you've responded here, it's not necessary. The forum automatically does that for any thread I've subscribed to both via posting the responses on the page I login to and via sending me emails. I really don't need a 3rd redundant alert.

 

[dunkirkman]

So all in all frog. Do you think I should buy a Kinect adapter even though I don't have a Kinect? If not, I'll just plug the two prong Xbox one x to the external surge protector which has 3 and forget the extension cord all together.

Sorry for pming you. Didn't know it notified you on a response.

 

[Frag Maniac]

So all in all frog. Do you think I should buy a Kinect adapter even though I don't have a Kinect? If not, I'll just plug the two prong Xbox one x to the external surge protector which has 3 and forget the extension cord all together.

Like I said, if you want to use an external surge protector, from what I read others say in that article you have to use the Kinect cable, but I would first try plugging it in to the surge protector without the Kinect cable. It's the only way to know for sure if you NEED the connect cable when using external surge protection.

And it's Frag, not frog. LOL