I'll make this short. Playing Ace Combat. Freezes. Blue checkers on screen. Death?

I hope not, but I don't know what else it could mean. My 360 was replaced in August of '07 and this is the first problem I've had since then. I haven't had the strength to turn my console back on since the crash about an hour ago. Grand Theft Auto IV comes out in just a little more than a week. If I have to wait any longer to play that game, I'm going to lose my effing mind. Last time I sent my 360 in to be repaired, it was weeks before I saw it again. This sucks major ass.