Microsoft announced on Thursday an extension to the Xbox 360 warranty. While the official warranty at the present time is one year (two years in some countries), Microsoft announced a three-year warranty that covers any console that displays a three flashing red lights error message or also known as "the red ring of death." If a customer has an issue indicated by the three flashing red lights, Microsoft will repair the console free of charge-including shipping-for three years from the console's purchase date. Microsoft has also made some improvements to the Xbox 360 console that will reduce hardware lockups. This may refer to reports of Xbox 360s being outfitted with extra heat sinks to prevent console failure. The whole repair-extended warranty thing will cost Microsoft at least $1 billion, according to the company.