Fixing Xbox 360.

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Just wondering, now I am familiar with PC assembly/maintenance, is fixing an Xbox with RROD an easy task for somebody with reasonable hardware knowledge?

I know when my first (of three) Xbox broke, I read it was probably something to do with the thermal paste. I am guessing it'd just be a case of opening it and replacing the paste?

I now use PS3 (with no fault in 5 years) as Xbox is just too unreliable, but my friends still swear by them and every couple of years, true to their reputation, they break. (usually just out of warranty too) Is it an easy fix?

Would be good to know for future. Cheers
 
Extremely easy fix - you will find the taking apart of the console more time consuming than reapplying the thermal grease.

Although with xbox and ps3 its better but more expensive and not for a novice to do but a reflow/reball of your xbox chip

Youtube videos for refloing and reballing
 
Easy as hell. This is how I made my money when I was between jobs at some point. Basically take the casing apart (YouTube it) then unscrew the mobo from the metal casting (think there about 8 screws) pop off the x clamps that hold the heat sinks on with a flat head screwdriver. Clean off the thermal paste. Wrap it in a t shirt then cover with tin foil and only leave the CPU and gpu exposed
Pre heat the oven to 220•c. Place it in for about 15 mins, after 15 mins turn off the oven and leave the door open. Let it cool down for about 20 mins ( this should reflow the solder)
Put new thermal paste on the CPU and CPU and replace the crappy x clamps with nuts/bolts (get a kit for about £4 from eBay)
Bolt it all back together and test it before you put the case on
If all done right it should work fine.
I have 360s that have lasted 4 years from doing this and still going strong

Easy as hell if you can put your pc together.
 
Very easy, fixed my release day console only last week.

Picked up the tools and screws/washers off eBay for £4. Spent about an hour stripping, cleaning, changing the mounting hardware and then reassembling. Worked perfectly since, was the perfect excuse to get a lot of gaming time in too :D

Fixed the sticky DVD tray whilst I was at it.
 
First time i did it i slipped with a screwdriver and chipped off a load of components :(

It was my faulty for doing it on the floor on a slippery surface, the second time i did it it went well and still works great.
 
Depends on what error the xbox has really
Yes SOME are as simple as re applying the Tim and replacing the shoddy xclamps with proper special bolts
Some errors are fixed with a re-flow only though,professionally done
need the error codes to be sure,google how to find rrod codes or similar
 
lol @ everyone saying reflows are easy. It is easy if you know what you're doing. If you shake it at all when reflowing, you risk completely ruining it.
 
I didn't even realise they broke any more. My first two had RROD but after searching out a Jasper revision when they came out late 2008 I haven't had a problem since.

If you have a faulty one kicking around though or can get one for free then there's no harm in trying, but I wouldn't buy a faulty unit. There's so many people trying to fix them I would worry I was buying one that had already been deemed unfixable. Then there's the price, I haven't looked lately but I have in the past seen them sell for more than working ones.
 
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olde xboxes with older firmware are much sought after in some circles.working ones carry a BIG price premium
edit:with older dashboard you can run alternate os .....allegedly :)
 
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olde xboxes with older firmware are much sought after in some circles.working ones carry a BIG price premium
edit:with older dashboard you can run alternate os .....allegedly :)

What are they worth? I've got a working old console I've fixed with x clamp :p
 
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