RROD Repair

[HaRuMaN]

So, I bought a RROD 360 on eBay for $25 shipped... 

Going to attempt to fix it, no idea what dash is on it, but I'm hoping it will be pre 2.0.7371.0 

[HaRuMaN]

Did it come with the controllers, power brick, and cables?  Wal-Mart relatively routinely blew out brand new arcade systems for $100....

No.  Also, anything bought new is not going to be pre 2.0.7371.0...  so yes, this is a bit of a gamble.

If I can fix it, and it's NOT pre 2.0.7371.0, it'll just go in my workshop so I can test hacked controllers there, rather than dragging them into the living room.  All I'll need is the power brick.

[Cakemeister]

Good luck with that. You'd think that anyone getting RROD would at least google for a possible repair.

You probably already have all the tools you need, torx screwdrivers, etc.

Keep us posted.

I assume there's no hard drive?

This guy takes RRODs 360s, refurbs them and sells them for $130. You could make an easy $50 flipping yours if it works.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Xbox-360-premium-console-only-REBALLED-warranty-/290575533793?pt=Video_Games&hash=item43a7a6c6e1

[HaRuMaN]

Yeah, no hard drive.

I opened it up, someone attempted the RROD fix, but they did it wrong... lol.  I'm going to redo it the right way and see what happens.

[Hoopz]

Yeah, no hard drive.

I opened it up, someone attempted the RROD fix, but they did it wrong... lol.  I'm going to redo it the right way and see what happens.

How did they do it wrong?  Seems like the hardest part of fixing a RROD is opening the damn thing up.  Oh well, better for you though.

[HaRuMaN]

Yeah, no hard drive.

I opened it up, someone attempted the RROD fix, but they did it wrong... lol.  I'm going to redo it the right way and see what happens.

How did they do it wrong?  Seems like the hardest part of fixing a RROD is opening the damn thing up.  Oh well, better for you though.

Lets see.  Not enough thermal compound, didn't use nylon washers, the screws weren't through the motherboard tray, and most importantly, half of the screws holding the heatsinks were LOOSE! 

I have the opening tool, makes getting in pretty easy.

[Hoopz]

Yeah, no hard drive.

I opened it up, someone attempted the RROD fix, but they did it wrong... lol.  I'm going to redo it the right way and see what happens.

How did they do it wrong?  Seems like the hardest part of fixing a RROD is opening the damn thing up.  Oh well, better for you though.

Lets see.  Not enough thermal compound, didn't use nylon washers, the screws weren't through the motherboard tray, and most importantly, half of the screws holding the heatsinks were LOOSE! 

I have the opening tool, makes getting in pretty easy.

Good to see whoever tried it before you can follow directions.     

[HaRuMaN]

Yeah, no hard drive.

I opened it up, someone attempted the RROD fix, but they did it wrong... lol.  I'm going to redo it the right way and see what happens.

How did they do it wrong?  Seems like the hardest part of fixing a RROD is opening the damn thing up.  Oh well, better for you though.

Lets see.  Not enough thermal compound, didn't use nylon washers, the screws weren't through the motherboard tray, and most importantly, half of the screws holding the heatsinks were LOOSE! 

I have the opening tool, makes getting in pretty easy.

Good to see whoever tried it before you can follow directions.     

Good for me, at least! 

[Donkbaca]

My RROD repair works great!  Until I put the machine on its side, then I get the 2 light ram overheat error.  I pull out the MB, check everything, everything looks ok, I lay it flat, wait a while, turn it on and no problems.   It works great when its laying flat.  Hopefully you don't have that issue

[Malenko]

My RROD repair works great!  Until I put the machine on its side, then I get the 2 light ram overheat error.  I pull out the MB, check everything, everything looks ok, I lay it flat, wait a while, turn it on and no problems.   It works great when its laying flat.  Hopefully you don't have that issue

buy little heat sinks for the ram. Its probably the "foam" spacers under the mobo

[somunny]

Did it come with the controllers, power brick, and cables?  Wal-Mart relatively routinely blew out brand new arcade systems for $100....

No.  Also, anything bought new is not going to be pre 2.0.7371.0...  so yes, this is a bit of a gamble.

If I can fix it, and it's NOT pre 2.0.7371.0, it'll just go in my workshop so I can test hacked controllers there, rather than dragging them into the living room.  All I'll need is the power brick.

Workshop?  Was that part of the tour?

[HaRuMaN]

No, that area is a huge mess atm... controller parts everywhere, etc... Lol

[Donkbaca]

Heat sinks won't make a difference, its an instant 2 red lights overheat, the ram doesn't even get hot.  I looked at the solder balls, they look okay.  One is probably loose, and when I put it on its side it disconnects, is my only guess.  I also read somewhere that the 360 has a sensor that lets it know what orientatation it is, i.e. to the side or on its belly, and that if this is bad it would RL when its on its side, but I can't find said sensor, so I am just gonna have to deal with it...

[lilshawn]

FYI the sensor...

http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=721356

[scofthe7seas]

Lets see.  Not enough thermal compound, didn't use nylon washers, the screws weren't through the motherboard tray, and most importantly, half of the screws holding the heatsinks were LOOSE! 

I have the opening tool, makes getting in pretty easy.

Opening tool, smopening tool!
I used to go through that, and it was a pain. I have an opening tool, but poking it in the holes, jiggling it around, hoping it pops up Pshh. For the birds!
How I do it is.. you pop open those front clips, so it's hanging open a bit, heavy side down, obviously, you grab the clip end of that sucker, and rip it hard in the direction of the clips. Opens it every time, no damage ever done to any xbox I've worked on. You have to commit though! If you try to do it slow, you can break something.

As for the lack of nylon washers... :/ could be trouble. If the heatsync wasn't pulled down evenly it could easily have caused a short. Seen it once myself!

[Malenko]

I use a mega tiny flat head, I might try the "grip and rip" you describe, I have a couple of FUBARed 360s