Xbox 360 - Game Keeps Freezing on Franklin's 1st Mission

[cmck123]

 

I just sent the following message to Rockstar Support.

 

 

Good afternoon.

I am an Xbox owner. The age of my Xbox is approximately 6 years old. It is a replacement Xbox that Microsoft provided after my original Xbox died due to "Red Ring of Death". The box does not have an HDMI port.

After purchasing the game last Tuesday, I had no problems installing the game onto the harddrive. Once disc 1 was installed, I inserted disc 2 as prompted. From there I was able to play the introductory mission without any issues. I watched the opening credits. The game continued just fine during the cut scene transition between Michael and Franklin. It was during the driving portion of Franklin's 1st mission that I experienced my first game freeze.

When the game freezes, everything locks up. If the rumble pack in the controller was vibrating, it continues to vibrate. The silver Xbox button on the controller does not work and therefore I cannot return to the homescreen/dashboard. The only way out of the freeze is by pressing the power button on the Xbox console.

Once rebooting, the Xbox starts up just fine without any issues. When I attempt to play GTA V after a freeze/crash, I start right at the start of Franklin's 1st mission. After the mission starts and the driving begins, the game usually freezes/crashes as described above within 30 seconds to 5 minutes.

When the game is working, it looks beautiful. It plays great and the frame rate is smooth. No issues with objects loading in late. I don't hear my Xbox working any harder than it normally does with other games. The game freezes/crashes feel very abrupt and random with no obvious reasons.

Since this has started, none of my other games have had any issues. all of my older games run just fine. My Xbox is not on the verge of dying.

I started a thread on the offical GTA Forums two days ago describing the same issues as I have described in my letter.

The link is: http://gtaforums.com/topic/594765-xbox-360-game-keeps-freezing-on-franklins-1st-mission/

Since my posting, the thread has gotten over 7,670 views and received over 177 replies. Large part of the thread discussion has been observing similar issues on a large number of Xbox owners and attempts of troubleshooting this issue. Please read this thread. Please acknowledge this issue. Please comment on this issue and tell us what you are doing to fix it. We may be a small minority of players that could be easy to overlook, but we are Xbox owners that deserve to know what Rockstar is doing to support us.

Thank you,

MeatButcher

 

Found this website yesterday after trawling the internet for someone with the same problem as me and have read every post. Was relieved to find there were many people in the same position. The issues that you have been describing are exactly the same as mine. Initially when I purchased the game and it froze, I thought it was just the game so I returned it to online retailer and purchased another copy in a store. I quickly found out that the game wasn't the problem. I initially managed to get through a few missions using both copies of the game but since having tried to delete and reinstall everything a couple of times to see if this would fix the problem, I'm now stuck on Franklin's 1st mission and always freezes on the journey in the car towards Vespucci beach.

[anatomyhorror]

I don't know why Rockstar wants to know the name of the store etc. It's not the disc 99% of the time. I don't know if everyone saw all the different methods I posted on Page 3 that I tried, but after getting a friends xbox (old model but has HDMI port) and using MY Hard Drive, MY USB stick, MY GAME, the game works. It's the old 360 with NO HDMI port. It's that 360's Disc Drive. I'm 90% sure. Something about that disc drive is the issue.

Edited September 20, 2013 by anatomyhorror

[.JimmyHopkins.]

Ok,i don't have the game (for now) ,but i will get it after a few weeks...i have a 360 Standart White with HDD 20GB and that's the reason because i'm reading this at all anyway.

 

ONE thing i noticed is that at least few people here mentioned having this problem with 360's WITHOUT a HDMI port.Now i don't use HDMI for my other games,nor will i use it for GTA V ,but i have a HDMI port on my console,making it a newer version of the basic one.So like many other people said ,it could just be a combination of things and one of them is that some people have the oldest 360 model with no HDMI.Now i know the game should run even on that,but at least i think it throws a bit of light on the problem and what might be causing it.Im not saying its the lack of HDMI ,but the fact that those consoles are an older model,where the hardware might be a bit different when it comes to how it does its work.

[pineapplecoaster]

I'm selling my old 360 for a refurbished console of the same make (first gen), and if it doesn't work on the 'new' one then that may help determine if it has to do with the first gens hardware being incompatible with the game or just that our 360's are too worn out. I would think there would be a LOT more complaints by now if every single first gen 360 could not play it, but hey it could be. Does anyone know someone with a first gen that CAN play GTA without a problem?

[capobello]

Damn, still cant believe there hasn't been an official acknowledgement of these freeze issues --- either from Rockstar or any other major website. The Rockstar twitter feed seems to have plenty of people stating they are experiencing game freezes on their older consoles, maybe Rockstar too busy counting their $800 million? lol

 

Tried again today, about 10 mins in game froze, had to reset machine....I don't think I will be getting a next gen console anytime soon, I got the 360 when it first came it, nothing but trouble! I think it would almost be better to get a stable newer 360 and wait a couple years before getting xbox one

Edited September 20, 2013 by capobello

[McKee]

Does anyone know someone with a first gen that CAN play GTA without a problem?

 

I came across a couple on another forum I posted. Crucially, they are still playing on the very console they bought back then, rather than the refurbished/replaced one given to most of us by Microsoft.

[misfits138]

 

Thanks for calling Rockstar Support.

I am sorry you are experiencing problems with the game.

Please try the following steps;

-Delete any GTA V install data that is on the Xbox 360 storage device

-Clear the Xbox 360 Cache: System Settings->Storage->Highlight Storage Device and Press Y->Choose Clear Cache->Confirm

-Re-attempt the installation.

If this does not help.

Please provide the following details:

- Name of the Store

- Location of the Store

- Platform

- Which disc is failing

- Brief description of the problem

As soon as you reply we will look into it.

We deeply apologized for the inconvenience.

Regards,

Paige B.

Just received this message not to long ago... doesn't really help

 

I got this too and responded with the info they asked and got the folowing....

 

• Preston H. 32 minutes ago

  Hello Flayer138,

  Thank you for contacting Rockstar Support.

  Grand Theft Auto V is the largest and most ambitious game we have yet created, and takes full advantage of every ounce of processing power available in the current generation of consoles.

  In order to provide the best possible experience for such a massive and detailed world, the game has installation requirements on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation®3 systems.

  For Xbox 360, Grand Theft Auto V ships on two discs; Disc 1 will be used for a one-time mandatory install and Disc 2 will be used to play the game. After the install, players will be able to enjoy both Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online without any need to switch discs.

  This initial install will require an Xbox 360 Hard Drive or an external 16GB USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of free space (sold separately). If using a USB flash drive it must be at least USB 2.0 with a minimum 15mb/s read speed and formatted for Xbox 360 use. A new USB flash drive is recommended to ensure optimum performance.

  GTA V can not be installed on a 4Gb Slim or Arcade model of Xbox. For these models, a 16GB flash drive is required. To install the game, flash drives must be formatted with the Windows FAT32 file system. Macintosh or Linux formats do not work.

  External traditional hard drives are not recommended, or supported.

  For details about formatting and using a USB flash drive on your Xbox 360, please refer to:

  + http://www.xbox.com/en-US/storage

  + http://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-360/accessories/usb-flash-drive

  If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.

  Best regards,

  Preston H.

  Preston H.

• 
  Flayer138 16 minutes ago

  I am fully aware of how to install the game and the storage device requirements. My first request has yet to be answered.

   

  After this they ignored me and set my status back to "answered". Guess their way of fixing the issue is to respond with copy/paste responses and then ignore us and hope we go away.

Edited September 20, 2013 by misfits138

[Ws9191]

Just created an account to be another voice in this thread. Same EXACT problem as everyone else. Game looks and plays great until it freezes. Cant even play 5 minutes without it freezing. Hoping Rockstar realizes what is happening!

[MattBold35]

Has anyone has success with going down to 720?

[Ikkus]

No, 720p does not work.

[UHRossy]

Original 360, exact same problem, have tried everything but cleaning the inside but apparently that doesn't work either. No freakin way I'm buying a new system just to play this game. I'll wait the patch out. They better freaking patch it somehow or another. I understand it may be hard to isolate, given the circumstances, but this blows so much.

[PhilroyJenkins]

 

 

Thanks for calling Rockstar Support.

I am sorry you are experiencing problems with the game.

Please try the following steps;

-Delete any GTA V install data that is on the Xbox 360 storage device

-Clear the Xbox 360 Cache: System Settings->Storage->Highlight Storage Device and Press Y->Choose Clear Cache->Confirm

-Re-attempt the installation.

If this does not help.

Please provide the following details:

- Name of the Store

- Location of the Store

- Platform

- Which disc is failing

- Brief description of the problem

As soon as you reply we will look into it.

We deeply apologized for the inconvenience.

Regards,

Paige B.

Just received this message not to long ago... doesn't really help

 

I got this too and responded with the info they asked and got the folowing....

 

• Preston H. 32 minutes ago

  Hello Flayer138,

  Thank you for contacting Rockstar Support.

  Grand Theft Auto V is the largest and most ambitious game we have yet created, and takes full advantage of every ounce of processing power available in the current generation of consoles.

  In order to provide the best possible experience for such a massive and detailed world, the game has installation requirements on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation®3 systems.

  For Xbox 360, Grand Theft Auto V ships on two discs; Disc 1 will be used for a one-time mandatory install and Disc 2 will be used to play the game. After the install, players will be able to enjoy both Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online without any need to switch discs.

  This initial install will require an Xbox 360 Hard Drive or an external 16GB USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of free space (sold separately). If using a USB flash drive it must be at least USB 2.0 with a minimum 15mb/s read speed and formatted for Xbox 360 use. A new USB flash drive is recommended to ensure optimum performance.

  GTA V can not be installed on a 4Gb Slim or Arcade model of Xbox. For these models, a 16GB flash drive is required. To install the game, flash drives must be formatted with the Windows FAT32 file system. Macintosh or Linux formats do not work.

  External traditional hard drives are not recommended, or supported.

  For details about formatting and using a USB flash drive on your Xbox 360, please refer to:

  + http://www.xbox.com/en-US/storage

  + http://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-360/accessories/usb-flash-drive

  If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.

  Best regards,

  Preston H.

  Preston H.

• 
  Flayer138 16 minutes ago

  I am fully aware of how to install the game and the storage device requirements. My first request has yet to be answered.

   

  After this they ignored me and set my status back to "answered". Guess their way of fixing the issue is to respond with copy/paste responses and then ignore us and hope we go away.

 

Total BS, i just wana know whats keepin them from asnwering our questions. it shouldnt be that hard

[PhilroyJenkins]

I spoke with my friend, he has the Xbox 360 slim with a 250g hard drive and he told me it was working great so far, i just hope what everyone is saying about the older consoles it not true.

[misfits138]

Rockstar better hope it's not true, they never said anything about needing a specific 360 revision.

 

Maybe it's affecting certain disc drives, I know I have a benq drive in mine.

Edited September 20, 2013 by misfits138

[PhilroyJenkins]

Rockstar better hope it's not true, they never said anything about needing a specific 360 revision.

Exactly... Whether old or new, a 360 stays a 360 so i would obviously find it stupid if they did that.

Edited September 20, 2013 by PhilroyJenkins

[texasistheplace]

Just joined this forum because I am having the same problem. Have tried all the install options, re-installs, cleared cache, so on and so forth. Sometimes it freezes on the snow heist prologue mission...other times it gets all the way through the franklin driving mission. The furthest I got was all the way to where it gives you the option to finally save, and in the process of saving it froze and when I restarted I had to start from the snow heist mission again! This is probably the most frustrated I've been with a video game in a long long time. Also, forgot to say, I am using an xbox replacement from an original RROD. 20 GB, no hdmi.

[MeatButcher]

...Also, forgot to say, I am using an xbox replacement from an original RROD. 20 GB, no hdmi.

 

This is becoming a disturbing trend. Looks like someone at Rockstar forgot to do their homework.

[texasistheplace]

I also submitted a request to rockstar support, similar to others in this thread. Will post what they respond with. (although it will probably be the same message)

[tones_the_tiger]

Updating my last post, I have been playing on my friends xbox 360 pro with hdmi, think 2010 model? Works amazing. Compared my 08 non hdmi. His hdd is 20 gb and we had a couple of hundred mb after the instal, so free space is not an issue.

[Alpha86]

Just made an account because I'm having the same problem. Looks like there's no fix so far and I just flushed 64 bucks down the toilet. Thanks Rockstar.

[tblpc]

Hi Guys,

 

I am in the same position as you are and becoming a bit frustrated by it too.

I have a 2007-2008 Xbox 360 with 20Gb and HDMI, and the 1st time i played the ''bank mission'' it just gave me a black screen after less than 5 minutes.

 

Afterwards i was able to get to Franklin's house, but since then it freezes every 5-10 minutes, impossible to play.

 

I will post a Rockstar technical post and hope we can override this problem soon

[RooneyO]

OK so ive been following this thread for a few days now...same problem as most of you, 20GB no HDMI RROD refurb. I usually freeze in about 10-15 minutes of playing and tried all the cache clearing and resolution changing stuff but nothing worked. Then I tried playing on my non HD old school TV using component cables and I was able to play for about 40 minutes until a freeze. I find this interesting and maybe one you can take this and use it for a solution. WE WANNA PLAY!!!!!!!!

[darkangelism]

I installed the play disc from my roommates working copy to a usb stick, didn't freeze in two 45 min play sessions, but it had lasted that long previously, i will have more time to play tomorrow, but the console was not as hot.

[ReaperCru]

So I caved and went to Rockstars website searching for an answer and didn't get one so I submitted a support request myself. See below...

 

I know I am not the first to report this issue. I have an older X-Box 360 with a 20GB hard drive without HDMI cable. Fully installed the game without issue. My issue is that it consistently freezes after 15-20 minutes of gameplay. I haven't even gotten past the second mission without it freezing. I have attempted re-installing several times, clearing extra memory and the cache with no luck. I have exchanged the disc for a new disc and re-installed again to confirm it is not the game itself. I have had ZERO issues with other games freezing and tested it again by playing another game for an hour plus without issue. I have been on a GTA forum (http://gtaforums.com/topic/594765-xbox-360-game-keeps-freezing-on-franklins-1st-mission/page-7) and several others that have revealed this is not an isolated issue and appears to be happening with older generation X Box systems. To say I am disappointed after spending $60 on a highly anticipated game would be an understatement. I do not have the ability to return the game at this point due to it being opened, and I am yet to see any sort of acknowledgement on the part of Rockstar games that this is a known issue and a solution is being sought. I am hopeful however that it is a known issue now and a solution is being sought. That being said if a solution isn't found I flat out refuse to have to purchase a newer model X Box simply because the game wasn't properly tested on all X Box formats and will have two very shiny $60 beer coasters that I will use to play other games manufactured by companies other than Rockstar because without a solution I can guarantee I will never spend another penny on a Rockstar produced product. I appreciate your attention on this matter and look forward to your solution.

[MeatButcher]

LOL, Xbox Support on twitter seems to be providing more support help than Rockstar. Then again, all you need to do is mention Red Ring of Death...

 

https://twitter.com/Meat_Butcher/status/380885030995640320

[Ikkus]

Where can we get more attention drawn to this? We need an article written on a gaming website or something. These are not isolated incidents. This is clearly something affecting an entire line of Xbox 360's, and if it is not addressed, it is unethical and probably illegal for Rockstar to keep selling the game packaged the way it is.

Edited September 20, 2013 by Ikkus

[GoodOleChap]

Add another one to the freeze pile I too have an older model 360 (no HDMI), and have had it lock up on me 5 times. Shortest time was around five minutes in, longest was around two hours in. I noticed that when I didn't do anything particularly intense i.e. high speed chases, gunfights, etc, I would go unfrozen for long stretches of time. Walking around, playing tennis, slow driving etc didn't cause a problem, until I chose to get rowdy, then BOOM, freeze. I got through a mission with Lamar and Franklin just fine, only to do one with Michael and Franklin and 2 minutes in it locked up. My non-expert opinion is that the older model's simply cannot read the game data fast enough, or there's a glitch that only the old ones are picking up. Not good.

 

And yes I have tried all the suggestions on how to fix it. No dice.

 

And it was also refurbished due to RROD.

Edited September 20, 2013 by GoodOleChap

[VILLAformer]

Hi from Spain.

 

I have the same problem. I have a xbox 360 without HDMI (Xenon motherboard) repaired by microsoft in January 2009. I have a 250gb hard drive microsoft original 120gb and also one of the two is the same. I've tried installing both dvd in the drive and still freezing.

I have also followed the steps microsoft web ponia to clear the cache but does not solve it.

I feel very badly by Rockstar who have not tried the game on the old xbox making the game almost unplayable and forcing us to buy a new xbox.

[uktopbloke]

Arghhhh I have same issue, I have old Xbox, replaced after 'Red Ring of death' & don't have HDMI port... its frozen around 5 times in 2 hours all in Franklins mission & when I have been driving. I have just formatted a USB key & moving the content onto that to see if that helps......

[Sigals]

Registered to say I'm having the same problem - original Xbox 360 20GB HDD - No HDMI

 

Was refurbished by M$ around 2009.

 

Game freezes and locks up entire system after 5-10 minutes of play.

 

Furthest I got was just past the prologue when you get in a car for the first time - managed to drive for a few minutes and then crashed and locked up xbox.

 

Tried installing disc 2 to a USB drive and same thing - tried a new disc; same issue.

 

also tried setting resolution to 720p but still the same freezing issue.

 

Tweeted rockstar support but no reply.

 

Hope this gets resolved asap.

Edited September 20, 2013 by Sigals