HOW TO: Fix the Xbox360 RROD, picture tutorial.

[Cow hunter]

My project of the day, hopefully someone over here will find it useful. My only option for a working xbox considering my warantee has long been voided from DIY fixes such as this

How to: Fix the xbox 360 RROD

To start: it is NOT RECOMMENDED that you attempt this repair yourself unless you feel confident that you are capable, it does take patience. Additionally, I can not be held responsible if you go and **** up your xbox while attempting this fix. (But if youre attempting this it probably already has the RROD, my point is, don’t blame me if you encounter problems) It should also be known that this fix WILL void your warrantee (duh).

Okay now onto the actual guide itself

Parts Needed (all of which can be found in a good hardware store)
-(8) machine screws (.8x10)
-(8) 5mm flat washers
-(12) Number 10 nylon (or fiber) washers
-(1) Arctic Silver Thermal Compound
-Isopropyl Alcohol
-Swabs (I used cotton, they were a PITA to clean up after, they really need to be lint free, as no residue should be left)
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121583870.jpg


Tools Needed:
-Pliers
-Torx T8 screwdriver or drill bit
-Torx T10 screwdriver or drillbit
-Razorblade(s) (I ended up using two)
-Small (and I mean SMALL) flathead screwdriver or something of the like to scrape old thermal compound off


STEP 1: DISASSEMBLY
Im going to start at this point because this is how my 360 sits on my dresser all the time. If you don’t know how to get your xbox to this point, there are PLENTY of guides out there to show you how. Please note that yours will have a top on the disc drive; mine does not because mine broke and the only way to make it work is stick the magnet on top of the disc like that.
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121583820.jpg

OH NO! 3 RED LIGHTS!
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121583814.jpg


STEP 2: REMOVE THE DISC DRIVE
It should lift right out, and disconnect the SATA and power cables from the rear of it.
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121583979.jpg


It should now look like this, disc drive removed
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121583933.jpg

STEP 3: REMOVE PLASTIC SHROUD
Simple step, remove the plastic shroud that routes air to the heat sinks/
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121583930.jpg

[Cow hunter]

STEP 4:REMOVE THE WHITE PLASTIC BEZEL
As stated above, remove this bezel on the front of the xbox (where the lights/power button is)
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121583971.jpg

STEP 5: REMOVE THE SCREWS
These screws are holding the motherboard in place, and since we’re taking that out, they all need to be removed. The 14 Silver ones along the edges (not visible in pictures) are T10, and the 8 small black ones in the center are the T8s (what held up my project for almost 3 weeks, I couldn’t find a T8 anywhere, ended up spending $20 on a set of Torx Screwdrivers.
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121583946.jpg

Additionally, the three screws on the front need to be removed (where the plastic bezel just was)
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584075.jpg

STEP 6: REMOVE THE DAUGHTER PCB CONNECTOR
Pretty self explanatory……
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584023.jpg

STEP 7: REMOVE THE FAN
There is a white clip in the left side that needs to be pressed in before pulling up on the connection to remove the fan
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584022.jpg

[Cow hunter]

STEP 8: REMOVE THE MOTHERBOARD
It should lift right out, be VERY GENTLE, we wouldn’t want to break anything.
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584077.jpg

Mid-Work Picture
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584181.jpg

STEP 9: THE X CLAMPS
Now these pesky X clamps are for the most part the cause of the RROD issues, so we’re going to remove them. To begin, they need to be pried off, so one side at a time, so when 2 of them that are next to each other are clear, the clamp pops right off. You should know, this was the step where I had the most difficulty, because they were not very easy to get off. I ruined one of my flathead screwdrivers in my efforts.
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584055.jpg


Once the X clamps are removed, the heat sink on the opposite side should lift free.
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584080.jpg


….Same for the other one
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584158.jpg




STEP 10: THE HEAT SINKS
Now that we have the heat sinks off and processors exposed, we start to fix things.
Use your pliers, hands, rachet, whatever gets the job done, to remove the 4 threaded bolts on each heat sink. We wont be needing these bolts later, so you can toss them or do with them what you will.
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584187.jpg
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584177.jpg

STEP 11: CLEAN OFF THE OLD THERMAL COMPOUND
Clean off the old compound from BOTH the heatsinks and the processors. I used a razor for both to get the majority of it off, then the swabs/alcohol to clean even more, again it is important to be CAREFUL with the processors…. It shouldn’t be that difficult to get a mirror finish with a bit of patience.
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584190.jpg

nice and clean....
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584148.jpg
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584231.jpg

[Cow hunter]

The flash made it look pretty ugly...
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584253.jpg



This is where the small screwdriver/scraper tool comes in handy…
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584189.jpg

STEP 12: NEW THERMAL COMPOUND.
This is an important step, so pay attention. The thermal compound should be applied carefully, and remember, a little bit goes a long way. Instructions from arcticsilver.com suggested a dab half the size of an uncooked small grain of rice for a medium size processor.
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584242.jpg

a dab on there<< this was too much, alot ended up on the razor
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584292.jpg

Use your razorblade (or any clean, I repeat CLEAN, straight edged surface, credit card could work) to spread the dab of compound as evenly as possible across the processor, I did a halfway decent job I know, but it worked for me. Keep in mind that a fingerprint, dead skin cells, any hair/fiber can interfere with the performance of the compound.
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584234.jpg



…..and looking pretty good…..
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584315.jpg

STEP 13: RESEATING THE HEAT SINKS.
You were probably hanging onto those X-clamps, but you don’t need to, toss them if you want to. Now how I did this was to take the screws, one nylon washer on the bottom, and on the LARGE heat sink, 2 metal 5mm washers on top of the motherboard. The SMALL heat sink (low profile aluminum one) I used a nylon washer on the bottom, and a nylon washer on top, play around with it a bit, i tried a metal ontop of the nylon at first, but it caused too large a gap and it gave me 2 rings (overheating)

http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584383.jpg

****! one of them is too long! no matter, threads were correct size, used it on the large heat sink
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584364.jpg


STEP 14: PUT IT ALL BACK TOGETHER
Make sure the bolts are nice and snug (don’t be afraid to tighten them down a bit), and put it all back together, im not going to go through all the steps, you took it apart, you can figure it out.

[Cow hunter]

Lets fire it up.....
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584346.jpg



AAAAAAND IT WORKS!!!
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584451.jpg
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584474.jpg




WHAT WAS LEFT AFTER I WAS DONE-NOT NEEDED ANYMORE
http://img2.putfile.com/main/7/20121584448.jpg

[jade_monkey07]

great post. people have been selling this around here. good to know its not hard. but sadly my problem is dirty disc errors all the time. know how to fix that one?lol

[Cow hunter]

see my first pic of the xbox itself? my disc drive broke a few months back (unplayable disc error) so i took that apart, ripped the lid off, and stuck the magnet directly on the disc. people are always like "OMGWTF i can see the disc spin!" im not sure if thats the same error you hav, but if it is ill write up a guide for it...

[MANN]

This is awesome. My xbox broke friday. I will say tho Xbox customer support is awesome. I called them and told them I am the second owner. All I had to do is register the box, and they said they would fix for free. If they ever dont fix it I will have this printed out.

[jade_monkey07]

see my first pic of the xbox itself? my disc drive broke a few months back (unplayable disc error) so i took that apart, ripped the lid off, and stuck the magnet directly on the disc. people are always like "OMGWTF i can see the disc spin!" im not sure if thats the same error you hav, but if it is ill write up a guide for it...
midway through gameplay it will start making a click...click....click then the message comes up that it cant read the disc...i cant play mass effect at all cause of this. some games arent as bad with it though.

[Cow hunter]

midway through gameplay it will start making a click...click....click then the message comes up that it cant read the disc...i cant play mass effect at all cause of this. some games arent as bad with it though.
i think i know what that particular problem is. if im correct, theres a threaded rod that the laser cart sits on and it spins to move it backwards/forwards as needed to read the disc. there is a small plastic piece on that, and if it gets bent (which often happens) then it makes some strange noises, mine occosionally will make a loud whirring or scraping noise. bending the small white plastic piece SHOULD resolve the problem. it sounds to me as if its bent far over in yours and gets stuck.

[jade_monkey07]

i think i know what that particular problem is. if im correct, theres a threaded rod that the laser cart sits on and it spins to move it backwards/forwards as needed to read the disc. there is a small plastic piece on that, and if it gets bent (which often happens) then it makes some strange noises, mine occosionally will make a loud whirring or scraping noise. bending the small white plastic piece SHOULD resolve the problem. it sounds to me as if its bent far over in yours and gets stuck.

ill take a look tonight
thanks

[Hilltop Customs]

nice write up. I'll keep this in mind if I happen to get struck with the RROD and have trouble with a warranty (knock on wood). I'm sure you have also heard of the towel trick(overheating the 360)? did you happen to try it be4 this?

Those dirty disc errors are a pain, Ive had games fresh out of the wrapper give me a dirty disc error.....digital FTW!!!

Have you guys heard of the new update that is going to be coming out? Completely new user interface(dashboard). You will also now be able to save entire games to the hard drive, but unfortunately you must have the disc in the console to play it(will probably be hacked). Netflix will also be integrated into live, along with a few other new features. Sounds pretty good, I'm just hoping they speed up the stupid xbox guide....its impossible to use mid game because it is just so slow.

[Cow hunter]

nice write up. I'll keep this in mind if I happen to get struck with the RROD and have trouble with a warranty (knock on wood). I'm sure you have also heard of the towel trick(overheating the 360)? did you happen to try it be4 this?

Those dirty disc errors are a pain, Ive had games fresh out of the wrapper give me a dirty disc error.....digital FTW!!!

Have you guys heard of the new update that is going to be coming out? Completely new user interface(dashboard). You will also now be able to save entire games to the hard drive, but unfortunately you must have the disc in the console to play it(will probably be hacked). Netflix will also be integrated into live, along with a few other new features. Sounds pretty good, I'm just hoping they speed up the stupid xbox guide....its impossible to use mid game because it is just so slow.


FAR superior trick to that damn towel trick is to leave a heat sink loose, and the fan off, itll overheat immediately (2 red lights). let it sit for ~60 seconds, then turn it off, tighten everything and let it cool, the solder should have re-melted itself correctly, and presto! fixed xbox. (this trick works very well in combination with the guide i have here, fixes most of the potential problems)


and ive heard bits and pieces about the new interface, but im going to need more than my old 20gb hard drive on there...

[Hilltop Customs]

yea I know what you mean, the 20 gigs runs out fast.....and it will run out even faster when you load 1 or 2 full dvd games on there. I just love the idea that you dont have to hear the DVD drive spinning while your playing, its the loudest thing in my setup.

Since your into mods, did you know about making your own hdd? I remember reading it awhile back(before the 120gigs came out) that you could take certain sata hard drives, format them a certain way with someone elses legitimate key and have yourself a hard drive for less than half the cost of the real ones.....ive never bothered to try it because everytime I run out of space I just delete a bunch of crap(usually game videos of games that just came out) although the stuff they put out for E3 has completely filled my drive again.

[Cow hunter]

yea I know what you mean, the 20 gigs runs out fast.....and it will run out even faster when you load 1 or 2 full dvd games on there. I just love the idea that you dont have to hear the DVD drive spinning while your playing, its the loudest thing in my setup.

Since your into mods, did you know about making your own hdd? I remember reading it awhile back(before the 120gigs came out) that you could take certain sata hard drives, format them a certain way with someone elses legitimate key and have yourself a hard drive for less than half the cost of the real ones.....ive never bothered to try it because everytime I run out of space I just delete a bunch of crap(usually game videos of games that just came out) although the stuff they put out for E3 has completely filled my drive again.


that sounds quite worthwhile.... have a link by chance?

BTW, youre at 420 posts :bounce:

[jade_monkey07]

I remember reading that too. i think it was on team xbox or something

EDIT: here you go

http://360.xbox-hq.com/xbox-tutorials-17.html

[Hilltop Customs]

woot 420, almost makes me not want to post this....anyhow check out www.xbox360fanboy.com or if your into games on all systems www.joystiq.com

the xbox HQ is a great site too, I used to frequent it in the good ole modding days.

while I'm at it www.cheapassgamer.com <====check on sunday for all the game sales at target, circuit city, best buy, and a few others.


ah 421 now....oh well its always 420 around here ;)

[MournBlade]

After scraping off the old compound, I would add the step of polishing the heatsinks where the components make contact. I start with a 600 grit then move to brasso or the like.

[WUNDERWAFFEN]

Intentional red ring of death

I have to mention one little trick in dealing with Microsoft and the extended warranty. Microsoft's warranty pretty much only deals with overheating issues - the red ring of death - with every other problem you pretty much have to pay them to fix your console. If you have a problem other than the red ring use the stupid towel trick to overheat your 360 until you get the red ring and presto you are now eligible for a new 360 courtesy of Microsoft.

Your best bet is to buy your 360 from Best Buy with their warranty since if anything happens you can immediately swap at any Best Buy for a new one and not have to wait the 5 week turnaround that Microsoft gives you.

[rkjunior303]

Just got the 3 light RROD last night. Fortunately my xbox is still under warranty and they're sending me a return kit.. Any idea on the timeframe to get them back? i'm already jonesing for COD4... lol

[ZEROte]

mine took exactly one month to get back from microsoft.

this is a cool trick, however has anyone encountered a need to do this after sending it back the original time for the rrod fix?

[mtaylor]

Mine got the RROD a while ago, with a 3 week turnaround from calling microsoft to playing again (From Canada). They seem to be getting their act together.

[Cow hunter]

sorry to bring back a dead thread, but ive done this to a few more xboxes, 100% success rate for me so far. if anyone around here would like any help with a RROD'd xbox, i can help

[skife]

irony = i just got my 360 back from microsoft like 20 minutes ago.

FYI to all xbox 360 owners, there is a 3 year warrenty on the RROD.

[gibby]

Hehe! Look at the parts that were leftover...man, I didn't realize I had a plate in my 360! LOL! :D

[tribalman]

i really wish microsoft would fix this darn issue completely. i have tons of 360's get shipped to texas each night. i saw a note once, "We are sending this in for the 2nd time for flashing red lights". made me laugh, it was clearly from a mom.

if it wasn't for the RROD and the excessive disk scraching i would probably get a 360.
the RROD is caused by overheating, correct? then why doesn't microsoft do something like this to all 360's before they get shipped out? if acer, hp, dell, sony, etc did this with their computers they would get murdered. when the sony batteries caused trouble there was a complete recall, seems like all microsoft does is just give you a new 360 each time. yay for american craftsmanship?