So there I was in the middle of a game of Rock Band 2 when it happened. The red ring of death struck my Xbox 360 and I was frozen solid. I sat there with my drumsticks in my hand and my jaw hit the floor. I knew it had happened to my buddies Xbox 360s, but I had been lucky so far. Not anymore. And this is why I want to give you a few tips on avoiding the Xbox 360 red ring of death. I hope this helps you avoid the total hassle that I went through.

The first thing I would recommend is to check the heat around your console. The Xbox 360 produces a good deal of heat and this is what can lead to the RROD. If your 360 is inside an entertainment center make sure that it has adequate ventilation around the console itself. Try not to stack other appliances such as DVD players or units that can generate heat on top or underneath the console.

If your unit does the red ring of death dance, then try these things before you send it in. Power your Xbox 360 off and let it sit and cool for awhile. Again, heat is usually the issue. Unplug any peripherals you may have attached to your console. Wait a bit and then plug the bare minimum peripherals you need in to get the unit functional. Turn it back and see if you still have the RROD problem.

I hope these quick tips can help you avoid sending your unit back for repair as it usually takes around a month to get your system back.

If you don't want to ship your Xbox 360 back, try fixing it yourself with this handy guide:

Check out the Xbox360 Repair Guide

AP - The nation's stores are pulling all-nighters and deepening discounts in the final hours before Christmas, trying to draw in all the shoppers they can as they face dismal sales in what will likely end up as the worst holiday season in decades.

Recovering from an illness can be challenging having to relearn basic motor skills, movement, walking, anything that involves active daily living activities, i.e. dressing, bathing, eating, brushing teeth, combing your hair, and toileting. To be functional independent many times people have to work many hours to regain what they have lost. Usually a patient receives several hours of therapy a day to help reach their goals.

The Nintendo Wii can be utilized in nursing homes or rehabilitation centers in a fun and relaxing way. Some people are unable to use their legs but can use their arms to play the Nintendo Wii Fit games to help assist with using both extremities.

The Wii can help assist therapist's patients to work on many skills in a social and relaxing environment. The Wii can be utilized in a group or individual settings. To increase upper extremity movements, patients can engage in tennis, boxing, bowling, fishing, baseball and others games. By using the Wii this will enforce what they have learned in therapy. This will increase range of motion flexibility and strength. Also the Wii Balance board can be used for losing weight and improving your standing balance and upper body strength through stretching, aerobic movements, yoga, stamina, through game playing. Even the driving games can help with hand and eye coordination and reflexes. This may improve your social interaction and hand and eye coordination. Even the Wii Guitar Hero game can be played standing or sitting which will improve fine motor skills, posture and balance.

Get fit with many activities and exercises, including strength training, aerobics, and yoga and balance games using the Nintendo Wii. The game balance board can be used to get in shape and improve your balance. Exercise workouts may decrease your weight, and increase your cardio stamina as you work your way through a variety of challenges. Check your Body Mass Index (BMI), see your Wii Fit Age and keep tabs on your daily progress towards a more fit for you.

The positive thing about the Nintendo Wii people want to continue to engage in these games to help their overall mobility, flexibility and strength.

Ralph Walker
http://adjustservices.com/nintendowiifit

AP - The Iraqi parliamentary speaker resigned on Tuesday, ending a long-running power struggle and allowing lawmakers to authorize British and other non-U.S. foreign troops to remain in the country into 2009.