Microsoft Extends Warranty of Xbox 360's Afflicted with RROD to Three Years.

[Toxcity]

Well done microsoft.

Oh, and Archmage you lucky and talented individual.

[Archmage]

Originally Posted by name='Toxcity'

Well done microsoft.

Oh, and Archmage you lucky and talented individual.

Thanks Tox, It wasn't so hard. Worst part was getting the case open.

I used an old full size DVD case to make the key tool. A few people said to use the outside cover of a CD Spindle. The DVD case was flatter, plus it's easier to cut with just a pair of scissors.

The main thing is to make sure you cover all the bits that can melt with foil

before heating up.

If anyone has any specific questions, I'm happy to help, tho there are lots of

variations on the same theme, up on utube.

I read yesterday that the Elite will have a smaller motherboard so may not suffer as much.

[Toxcity]

Originally Posted by name='Archmage'

Thanks Tox, It wasn't so hard. Worst part was getting the case open.

I used an old full size DVD case to make the key tool. A few people said to use the outside cover of a CD Spindle. The DVD case was flatter, plus it's easier to cut with just a pair of scissors.

The main thing is to make sure you cover all the bits that can melt with foil

before heating up.

If anyone has any specific questions, I'm happy to help, tho there are lots of

variations on the same theme, up on utube.

I read yesterday that the Elite will have a smaller motherboard so may not suffer as much.

I don't quite understand how heating up the GPU fixes it... :eh:

But I don't think you would see me opening the new Gen consoles.. not yet..

[Archmage]

Originally Posted by name='Toxcity'

I don't quite understand how heating up the GPU fixes it... :eh:

But I don't think you would see me opening the new Gen consoles.. not yet..

Basically, the GPU is a surface-mount device. It's a sub-assembly of components mounted on carrier. The carrier is a bit like a c2d processor, no pins underneath, just pads. The pads are tinned during production, as is the main board, then they are wetted together, usually with hot air, but it would probably be one of the earlier components fitted.

The fault arises when the whole lot gets too hot and the main board warps.

This can crack the solder joints, causing the 3 lights of doom.

The hot air gun re-works the joints together. You just have to be careful that you don't over do it and also protect the bits that melt. I had a close call with the sync button that started to melt (need more foil!)

Lots of people have fixed their 360 by chucking the x-clamps and bolting the heatsinks on in a more conventional way. The x-clamps do not place enough pressure on the heatsink, but the bolt down method does, plus in most cases, it's forced the broken connections together again.

I arctic silvered the h/s and then bent the x-clamps to give a bit more pressure, and that sems to have done the trick.

The other big problems is that most of the cooling air is sucked through the processor, not the gpu. This is caused by the air taking the least path of resistance. Although there are two exit fans, the duct is common and so the gpu gets very little air flow through it. A simple divider between the fans, in the duct, fixed that. The air exiting the case is now very hot and as they say, 'better out than in now'.

[Toxcity]

Blimey!

Never knew how badly the Xbox is put together.

Really interesting stuff mate! And once again, Good job!

[Rastalovich]

Originally Posted by name='Archmage'

Basically, the GPU is a surface-mount device. It's a sub-assembly of components mounted on carrier. The carrier is a bit like a c2d processor, no pins underneath, just pads. The pads are tinned during production, as is the main board, then they are wetted together, usually with hot air, but it would probably be one of the earlier components fitted.

The fault arises when the whole lot gets too hot and the main board warps.

This can crack the solder joints, causing the 3 lights of doom.

The hot air gun re-works the joints together. You just have to be careful that you don't over do it and also protect the bits that melt. I had a close call with the sync button that started to melt (need more foil!)

Lots of people have fixed their 360 by chucking the x-clamps and bolting the heatsinks on in a more conventional way. The x-clamps do not place enough pressure on the heatsink, but the bolt down method does, plus in most cases, it's forced the broken connections together again.

I arctic silvered the h/s and then bent the x-clamps to give a bit more pressure, and that sems to have done the trick.

The other big problems is that most of the cooling air is sucked through the processor, not the gpu. This is caused by the air taking the least path of resistance. Although there are two exit fans, the duct is common and so the gpu gets very little air flow through it. A simple divider between the fans, in the duct, fixed that. The air exiting the case is now very hot and as they say, 'better out than in now'.

I can guarantee u that the newer of revs of the 360 mobo have taken this into account and mounted the gpu in a different fashion. Which also tells me they knew damn well what can go wrong with them.

Hmm rehouse the mobo and wc it ? (bet some1 somewhere has done something similar)

[nathan]

Originally Posted by name='Rastalovich'

I can guarantee u that the newer of revs of the 360 mobo have taken this into account and mounted the gpu in a different fashion. Which also tells me they knew damn well what can go wrong with them.

Hmm rehouse the mobo and wc it ? (bet some1 somewhere has done something similar)

they have indeed, i remember reading it on xbox-scene.com

[FarFarAway]

Ye I keep thinking of moving my 360 to something more like a shuttle, but then I never quite get the time to plan it

[mVp24]

This is a very good move by MS imo. Now buyers can have great confidence in the system

[Archmage]

Originally Posted by name='Kempez'

Ye I keep thinking of moving my 360 to something more like a shuttle, but then I never quite get the time to plan it

"I smell a project!"