topic^

I wouldn't reccomend it..

Electical tape is more like a rubber, and thicker

I doubt it. Electrical tape insulates to prevent shrts and other nasty things. I don't think that regualr tape would be thick enough or is even made of in insulating material. I don't think it would do much to protect against shorts or offer any added structural integrity.

and if your using it to hold down like a pin header while you solder it, i have heard that regular tape can lift traces on the mobo

If you are referring to insulation tape then get the correct product for the job. Why risk problems by using the wrong stuff. I have seen people insulate mains wires with sellotape, a very dangerous practice indeed.

Yeah, you are better off putting off what ever you are doing for a few minutes or hours or what ever to run to basically any store and pick up electrical tape.

you cant imagine how expensive it is ;-)

Oh my god I know! It costs about as much as a bus ride to the store, what a ripoff! Prices of everything go up with the gas prices! INPEACH BUSH!

It really depends on what you are connecting, and on the abuse the joint will receive.. Electrical tape is more durable than say duct tape.. Wires have a tendancy to poke through over time as the tape deteriorates, which could cause a short (.. Electrical tape is also fire retardant.. Although you shouldn't be taping anything high current as your primary connection.. If the connection is bad, it could generate ALOT of heat (exactly like the power cord problem)..
My second choice to proper tape would be hockey tape.. Its durable, and doesn't go to crap under mld heat.. Try setting a piece on fire, and ask yourself if you want to take a chance of that happening inside your xbox..
Best idea is a proper wire connector like a marrette (the things that you twist over the end of 2 wires), or one of those little snap jobbies with the goo packs inside of them.. (I get mine from phone repair dudes)