Microsoft today asked Xbox owners around the world to return their consoles' power cables in a bid to prevent them suffering singed body parts.

The recall takes in some 14.1m power cables shipped into Europe before 13 January, 2004 and in other territories before 23 October, 2003. The Xbox debuted in the US in November 2001, and to date more than 20m of the consoles have shipped. The recall covers over 70 per cent of that installed base.

Microsoft's move follows 30 or so reports from users suffering minor burns, singed upholstery or scorched carpets as a result of power lead malfunctions, the company said. Its own tests revealed a one in 10,000 failure rate.

Xbox owners should visit Xbox.com and enter their machine's serial number to find out how to obtain a replacement power lead. It is not known who produced the offending cables. ®

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