Print

[SCSI]

QUOTE(Reyvn @ Oct 17 2006, 10:35 AM)

Selling it probably would work.. Although I just went out and bought a core pack.  Later i'll be trying the heat  gun trick on my voided one.  I'll post later how that works out.

My launch Xbox 360 just started to get the 0102 error last week. Will have to try the heat gun. Anyone know a good site to sell a broken Xbox 360? Planning on selling everything except the HD and DVD-rom.

[XLNC]

Anybody had problems with 2006 models?

My 360 was manf. 2006-05-16 UK PAL, wonder if it's safe, well I'm going to wait it out for the DVD mod.

This post has been edited by XLNC: Oct 26 2006, 12:02 AM

[Mr.Chiaroscuro]

Hello, I just registered to share my problems with a 2005 and a new 2006 console.

OK, I officially entered the ring of death club. I want to know if anyone could successfuly solved a problem similar than mine, because I am from Brazil and have bought the 360 in a trip to Canada last January, so I cannot call MS for support/ehlp, since I am not in USA.

Here is what happened:
- My 360 was bought last January, being manufactured October 2005 and up to now has never give me any problem, in any game. I play it regularly, all games that are on my sig.
- It stands horizontally on a flat wood surface, with a lot o space in every direction. Connected to a LCD display through VGA cable.
- Last Friday night it played normally. On Saturday afternoon I tried to turn it on. It froze on the very start of the initial animation boot sequence, and gave me the 3 rings of death (only left superior led not blinking, meaning hardware fault). I run the diagnostics from it (pressing the sync and eject button) and it gave the code "0102", meaning unknow hardare fault. I do not need to say that I freak out. Tried to reattach the cables, plug out and in the HDD, move to vertical/horizontal position, etc, etc. Everytime it starts the 3 red rings were there, sometime the boot sequence appears and froze. After an hour messing with the stuff the console was working again. Apparently everything was normal again. I thought it was just a bad case of bad contact in somewhere.
- On Sunday the console start freezing on Kameo, every half hour. After a while I decided to deleted everything on the Kameo foulder, and start the game again. Played for 3 hours and nothing happened.
- This week I have minor freezings on several games, but yesterday the console start freezing at the beginning of every game, all the times.

The symptons:
- I can start dashboard normally and log to Live, no freezing at all.
- I can play arcade games for hours (GeoWars, Lumines) no freezing.
- I start a game. Cutscenes, menus, everything is normal until I start the game. After 5-15 secons the game froozes, give a bzz sound and the image is froozen on the display.
- I can open the DVD drive and remove the DVD.
- If I try to re-synch the controller it does not find the console, but if I turn off the console it also turns off the controller, so something is still working in console.
- I tryed to play games without the HDD, same symptons, so it is not a HDD fault
- I tryed to play demos stored on the HDD, same symptons, so it is not a DVD driver fault.
- Same happens if I am connect to Live or not.
- All the fans seems to be working, I can feel the air coming out from the back, even the air coming from the top holes are still cool.

May be the GPU which is more demanded at games than arcade games, and more ingame than in menus. Also memory is a suspect too, since it is more filled when playing a full game.

Seems that may problems are not so hard as some of the members because I can turn it on, log to live and play arcade titles. It just freezes on games. It is not exactly overheading because it also crashes after stayed turned off overnight, very soon after I turn it on.

Even more strange, while I was working with it yesterday my brother called me, saying that his 360 (bougth in May, produced in February) has the exact same symptons. It had the 3 rings of dead for about 1-2 hours, after that the console is working but freezing everytime he starts a game.
What are the odds of 2 Xbox360 with the same problems, at the same time, in two different houses? What a luck day!

I am thinking of opening the console today, to see if there is any dirt that my compromissing the operation of the console, but I would like to exchange some ideas with forum colleagues first.

[bobt1956]

My xbox 360 died out of warranty with the 3-Flashing Red Lights. So, I took it apart and figured out how to fix it (retired systems analyst).
That was about 5 mos. ago and it's still running.

I tried to document what I found below.....


Open Box

http://www.llamma.co...Disassembly.htm

Notes : Only need T10 on (6) black screws to get the top of the case off.
Do not remove ( black screws in center of box by “X;s”

For good measure…..
Clean all connectors.
Remove fan and clean.
Remove front circuit board and clean connector.
Clean & reseat DVD power and data connector.

Boot with DVD unplugged to check for green lights.
Tap ball bearing if not booting.

If that works replace DVD and test booting.

Check Top Cover for Melted Screw Post….File to reshape (making outside of post as small or smaller than original size)

Place top cover on box (no screws) and test booting.
Use palm to push down on cover near center and over back right corner of DVD while testing booting.

Turn upside down and replace black screws (one at a time) testing boot with each.
Only tighten screws snuggly. Over tightening will cause case to flex and create boot/3-Red Light problem.


Notes
Box will boot with DVD unplugged…
Ball bearing near corner by memory slots.
Tap ball bearing if not booting.

Leave the box running for 20-30 minutes with flashing lights to cool it down.
When the red lights are flashing the processor is turned off. The effectively cools the system down because the fans are still running….

Problem

The xbox-360 is sensitive/delicate. Appears to have grounding issues.

The white cover must be connected with just the right torq on the screws or it will flex
causing boot issues.

Box may boot itself or shutdown while placing cover on with power connected.


BobT


Play & Win

http://www.netwinner...upCode=bobt1956

[Mr.Chiaroscuro]

QUOTE(bobt1956 @ Oct 26 2006, 08:04 PM)

My xbox 360 died out of warranty with the 3-Flashing Red Lights. So, I took it apart and figured out how to fix it (retired systems analyst).
That was about 5 mos. ago and it's still running.

I tried to document what I found below.....
Open Box

http://www.llamma.co...Disassembly.htm

Notes : Only need T10 on (6) black screws to get the top of the case off.
Do not remove ( black screws in center of box by “X;s”

For good measure…..
Clean all connectors.
Remove fan and clean.
Remove front circuit board and clean connector.
Clean & reseat DVD power and data connector.

Boot with DVD unplugged to check for green lights.
Tap ball bearing if not booting.

If that works replace DVD and test booting.

Check Top Cover for Melted Screw Post….File to reshape (making outside of post as small or smaller than original size)

Place top cover on box (no screws) and test booting.
Use palm to push down on cover near center and over back right corner of DVD while testing booting.

Turn upside down and replace black screws (one at a time) testing boot with each.
Only tighten screws snuggly. Over tightening will cause case to flex and create boot/3-Red Light problem.
Notes
Box will boot with DVD unplugged…
Ball bearing near corner by memory slots.
Tap ball bearing if not booting.

Leave the box running for 20-30 minutes with flashing lights to cool it down.
When the red lights are flashing the processor is turned off. The effectively cools the system down because the fans are still running….

Problem

The xbox-360 is sensitive/delicate. Appears to have grounding issues.

The white cover must be connected with just the right torq on the screws or it will flex
causing boot issues.

Box may boot itself or shutdown while placing cover on with power connected.
BobT
Play & Win

http://www.netwinner...upCode=bobt1956

Thanks for the tips. I will open my 360 today. But your link is broken. Is it the same article from Anandtech?

http://www.anandtech...aspx?i=2610&p=1

[laxdeebow]

My 360 gave me the three lights last week.  Had a few freezing problems before, but then it just went to the three red lights and never came back on. ever.  It was manufactured in March '06, but it's out of warranty and never got the extended (actually it was never offered).  

So of course M$ wants $140 to get it repaired.  Well all things considered, i've probably already dropepd a grand for everything i have, (controllers, games, xbox live, etc.), so i told them to shove it.  Saw the posts here.  

Did the hot air gun trick last night.  After it cooled down, I applied the new thermal paste as per instructed from that post.  Eureka, it finally came on, but i noticed that the unit wasnt as loud as it was before.  Before the three red lights, i mean it was loud.  The Fan could be heard very well when it would wind up and whatnot.  However, now it doesnt seem like it varies at all.  It still works a little bit, but after playing 30 mins or so of GRAW, the unit freezes up.  I have the pelican usb fan stand as well and that doesnt really help.  I checked to make sure the fan connection plug was in place and tight.  

Any reason why the fan would stop working correctly?  Thanks for the info thought to at least get old yeller up and running.

[BNZI24]

Hello again,

In my last post I said I was going to try the reflow/heatgun method on any console I get my hands on, regardless of the fault.

I've only tried one so far and as I suspected, it worked.  

Error code 0012 apparently overheating? The heatgun method has cured this error. Does this not suggest that it is indeed possible that most errors could be due to poor manufacturing?

Any other overheating issues, I'd suggest trying the heatgun method. In fact, any faults at all and then report back here. Be interesting to see how many of the error codes can be repaired by simply reflowing them.

[Tonycrew]

Well another 3 red light issue from me... Had mine from Launch MDate 2005-09-10

Did the heat gun fix last night... and got it back to life for now.....

But i'm reckoning that these problem for the most will come back.. Dam M$ i really like my 360...

Lol i forgot to add did mine with the wifes Hairdryer.. hehe mind you it does get very very hot and burns her head.. maybe thats faulty aswell... i wonder if M$ make my wifes hairdryer (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

This post has been edited by Tonycrew: Oct 28 2006, 03:46 PM

[moogster66]

Started getting the three lights 2 weeks ago. Went out and bought a heat gun today and so far it seems to be fine. I was getting freezes on booting, and moments after the dash came up. Booted the unit up about 10 times after heat gun fix, and played for about an hour, no problems yet.

[X-hacker]

Listen to this!!

Recently I've been clocking up some overtime at work, and haven't played my 360 for about 2 months now. (Yes, I know I should spend more time with her...) I went to switch it on this morning to play Chromehounds, and GUESS WOT - 3 lights of death!!!

Now, the last time I played it, like I said was over 2 months ago, I spent about 8 hours on it solid. As you can imagine, I could have fried an egg on the damn thing.
Just seems strange reading these posts then this happening out of the blue...

Got meself a hot air gun from Maplin Electronics 2day, gonna roast the bitch til she screams!  

Will post back with results...

[X-hacker]

Some small success!!! 360 booted up into dashboard, but when i put a game in, it crashed straight away...

I roasted the motherboard for about 2 -3 mins with my heat gun and VOILA! It worked until i put a game disc in.

My findings are this...
The chip with the Microsoft logo on a silver circle seems to be my problem.

If I push down on this chip, the 360 works fine, when i let go, the screen goes blank and i get the 3 red lights.

I've just let it cool down after roasting it a second time for a bit longer, and now i don't need to touch anything to get it to boot up, it works fine!

So.... YES M$ use shitty soldering/poor manufacturing methods and I personally think they need to pull their thumb outta their ass and actually look at the return percentage of this product and save us all hassle, time and money by doin sumthing about it. M$ sucks c**k for rock when it comes to the 360. Sorry...

[jamima69]

i've done the reflow fix twice to my 360, (0201 error) first time a few weeks ago,second time today. played for about 2 hours,all seems fine for now. some time ago i purchased a infrared thermometer,and it really came in handy while using the heat gun. i did look up some reflow information on leadfree tin solder,which it is said is the cause of the 0201 error.

apparently,the ideal reflow temp for tin based solder is 125-135 deg f ,while electronic components start taking damage  at approx 140 deg f. so there's your window for reflowing the solder. there should also be a warm up period of about 10 mins at close to reflow temp before turning up the heat on the board to full blast,(in my case,the first time i reflowed at about 125 the first time for 2 mins,the second time at 140 deg f, for 2 mins)
then gradually cool down the board over a period of 20 mins or so,not moving anything until the board is back to room temp.

dont take anything i've said here as gospel,it just happened to work for me,and i didnt research it very far,since i was convinced both times my 360 was completely screwed anyways

[jamima69]

EDIT: i just read an article on sparkfun,via hack a day....apparently i misread the temps for reflow,and on rereading the info i originally used,now i'm sure i did! reflow temp is more like 200 deg c,or 392 deg f!!!! now way did i even get close to that either time i fixed my xbox,and yet,still it worked....methinks something else is going on here,no way did 140 degrees fix any broken solder joints....ahhh,f*cking MS,why must simnply playing video games be so hard?

[0db]

QUOTE(bobt1956 @ Oct 26 2006, 02:04 PM)

My xbox 360 died out of warranty with the 3-Flashing Red Lights. So, I took it apart and figured out how to fix it (retired systems analyst).
That was about 5 mos. ago and it's still running.

I tried to document what I found below.....
Open Box

...

BobT

I got the dreaded ring of death the day after I reflashed my firmware, error 0102, and random freezes after running games for just a few seconds...

Followed Bob's procedure here and my box is currently "partially assembled" and I just finished playing NFS:Carbon for over 2 hours without a hitch.

I can't believe these things are SO sensitive to the way they're handled.

[cramesta]

I've been reading through this entire thread, and it seems a lot of you have resolved your 360 problems. I'm getting the same deal, three red lights and error 0102. The attached warranty of 90 days has long been expired, and there is no way I'd pay Microsoft another $140 to do something I can do myself.

The heatgun solution seems the way to go, as well as applying Arctic Silver 5 and tightening screws on the heatsinks. While I need to purchase some thermal paste, my father has a heatgun I can use. I've watched Modfreakz's demonstration several times, and I think I'm ready to give it a shot.

It looks like these three solutions have worked for people, and I'd like to know if any of you have objections to trying them on a warranty-voided console. I've already opened it up and extracted the motherboard.

1) Use a heatgun to fix soldering issues
2) Apply Arctic Silver 5 on GPU and CPU
3) Tighten screws on heatsinks

I know most of this has worked well for you, but a lot of you also seem to report problems several days after the "operation". Oh well, I'm giving this a shot! I'll report how well it works after I do it.

- Cramesta