Xbox 360 for $40!

[knave]

I'm pretty excited I just picked up a xbox 360 (broken) for $40.

I've wanted to get my hands on one for a while now but cash is tight and even the broken ones can go for a lot.

Well as part of my console fever lately a quick impulsive call on a CL ad brought me to pick this up.

It came as just the console itself but with a grey faceplate and the original that is cracked. It supposidly got the RROD in november and was stuck in a closet until now. I was told that it was never opened but that the prievious owner tried to get the shell off but never did.

Having never taken a really close look at one before I am suspicious of the sticker that is missing on the back. I would guess that that is where the serial information used to be. Guess I'm not sending it back to microsoft for a new one, LoL.

Anyone here have the best fix for the crappy x-clamp issue?

In the end I'm happy with buying it. I figure worst case I can't fix it and part it out. But at least I get to play with it for a while. I do need to pick up a power supply and video cable.

[knave]

Probably peeled off that sticker, slapped it on a brick, and exchanged the brick at Wal-Mart for a new system.   

Great Send me your sticker and I'll Try that. 

Where is the best place to get a power brick?

My local gamestop has the AV cable for $12 so I'll probably get that unless I find a better deal.

[knave]

I opened it up and it look like fixing it is a possibility. I ended up picking up cables on ebay for $20 for both the power and avi. 

It's definatly been opened before but it doesn't look as if the heatsync's have ever been removed. (as far as I can tell)

Now I have some reading to do.

[BobA]

If you see the wrap it in a blanket and overheat it again fix don't try it.  A new x clamp fix seems to work fairly reliably for the 360.  If it is an early model (you can tell the model by the watts of the Power Brick) make sure you provide more cooling to extend the units life.

[knave]

I've pretty much decided to try the x-clamp fix with the nylon washers...

I'm prepared for anthing at this point, but taking it apart was cool. My power cord should be here today or tomorrow. I want to see the red rings before I perform the fix. I've been reading how to read the error codes so want to try that too.

Compared to the stuff we do on a regular basis the x-clamp fix is a snap.
I really only need the washers and machine screws to do the fix. I have everythig else.

If I don't fix it I will sell/use it for parts.

What's the DVD drive good for/worth these days?

[knave]

I powered it up and sure enough 3 red lights...secondary code of 0110 = bad ram connection.

So far I hear that the x-clamp fix might fix this so I'm moving forward. I've also heard that a heat gun to the ram can reflow the ram solder connections.

I think I enjoy the tinkering more than I enjoy playing games...

Time to go to the Hardware store.

Oh: and ladt week I picked up an original xbox for $10.  I don't need it but for a ten spot I figured I could use the dvd drive. (But it works) Shucks. 

[knave]

Too bad. I have completed the x-clamp fix and I still get the rrod. I'm pretty sure the error is a cold solder joint in the ram. A possible fix for this is to heat gun both sides of the motherboard after shielding the caps and other heat vulnerable bits. If I can get my hands on a heat gun I'll try it. I also might try overheating the GPU again as I might not have let it go long enough to reflow  the solder.

[SavannahLion]

Too bad. I have completed the x-clamp fix and I still get the rrod. I'm pretty sure the error is a cold solder joint in the ram. A possible fix for this is to heat gun both sides of the motherboard after shielding the caps and other heat vulnerable bits. If I can get my hands on a heat gun I'll try it. I also might try overheating the GPU again as I might not have let it go long enough to reflow  the solder.

A heat gun is pretty cheap. I think I picked mine up from Home Depot for a twenty. Maybe a little more with tax. It was one of those purchases that I didn't think I was going to use very often (certainly not often enough to really justify a purchase). It turns out it's not a really bad purchase. Certainly makes a number of jobs a heck of a lot easier than it would without it.

[hypernova]

I keep on hearing of an impending price cut for both the 360 and ps3.  It may be just enough to finally push me to a 360.  I'm hoping to afford an elite model.

Well, that and selling my brand new adaptoid that I've held onto for years for $177.50.  Now I'm seriously considering selling my personal one...I figure someone will buy the rights to making them and produce some more eventually.  If not, I'll get a generic one for the few exclusive games from the N64.