Topic: 3 Red Light - Error 0103 (Read 77 times)

Omniferum · « **on:** February 18, 2007, 04:15:00 PM »

Howdy, first time posting so I just thought i'd see if I got lucky.

I've recently just had my xbox (for no reason whatsoever) decide to give me the 3 red light error which I have found out to be 0103 which is yet to be identified.

I have a toshiba-samsung ms25 (Irrelevant perhaps but I thought i'd provide all information) flashed with xtreme 52.a firmware. It appears that practically all errors are heat related and there seem to be a lot of 'fixes' floating around but no real compiled list to help everyone out. Suggestions in this thread to fix it would be really welcome as I spent two days modding my 360 (just firmware upgrading) and it worked fine for a day then it dies which is rather upsetting.

I'm curious as to why it would decide to crap out for no reason though, I was playing an original copy of Gears of War and then switched to a backup copy of Gears of war. Played it for a bit (It didn't want to load chapter 4 for some reason - Unreadable Disc Error) and turned it off, turned it on a few minutes later and huzzah the 3 red lights appeared. Is this really a manufacturing problem? It seems pretty severe with things like the heat gun trick running around.

I would be happy to pay someone to fix this for me as I don't have heat gun's or anything along those lines but finding someone in Brisbane, QLD, Australia is probably very unlikely so I may just have to buy a new one. If it comes down to having to buy a new 360 is it possible to put my toshiba-samsung ms25 in it with no hassles? I'm only asking because all these new drives have no firmware solution at the moment (if a modchip exists i'd take that route).

Assistance please?

_zlinky · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2007, 04:29:00 PM »

Tell me this first, is your Xbox360 still under warrnty? If so, call microsoft and have them fix it for free. If not, then I wish you luck with this.

Omniferum · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2007, 04:46:00 PM »

I would've assumed that the fact that I have flashed my DVD Drive's firmware would imply that my case is already opened and therefor void of warranty.

RDC · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2007, 04:55:00 PM »

QUOTE(Omniferum @ Feb 18 2007, 06:53 PM)

I would've assumed that the fact that I have flashed my DVD Drive's firmware would imply that my case is already opened and therefor void of warranty.

That also assumes he read the entire post as well, which by his reply implies that he didn't. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

It is pretty severe, and M$ should have held this thing back a few monts at least and really beta tested it to death. My first one died 4 months after I had it, never cracked it open at all, so it has nothing to do with modded/stock at all, though taking yours apart most likely didn't do any good for the solder joints that seem to be failing left and right on these things. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

As far as installing your DVD drive into a new 360 goes, it's a little more involved than just swappng them out. Each DVD drive is "keyed" the the motherboard it comes with. The "key" can be swapped from drive to drive, but if you were to get a new one that hasn't been hacked yet (like the new BenQ drives) then you wouldn't be able to get the key from that drive and install it to yours. Likewise, if you get one that has a Hitachi in it you'll have to redo the firmware with the new key as well as "spoof" it so it "thinks" you still have a Hitachi drive installed or else you may end up with an error.

There are a couple of "fixes" you can try that don't involve the heat gun, which isn't the best thing you could do to your 360 anyway, it can cause more harm than good. None of these are permanent and will only prolong the inevitable 3 red lights again, but may buy ya some more time with it working. You can look around the forums or search on Google and find out how to do most, if not all, of these, Squeeze Trick, Towel Trick, Toothpick Trick, AS5 Thermal paste upgrade, Bolt Trick and the Heat Gun. Those also progress in invasion of the 360 and difficulty as well.

Omniferum · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2007, 05:20:00 PM »

This is an amazing amount of crap from Microsoft, I don't remember any previous console having this great an error rate. So basically it's pointless to continue... seeing as I can't permanently fix something that is essentially a manufacturing process.

Does anyone know if the Wii or PS3 have these sort of problems?

If I am to replace my 360 (Which is only for gears of war) I would most likely wait for the new manufacturing processed ones on the 65nm/45nm. No idea when that is though...

_zlinky · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2007, 05:28:00 PM »

sorry, sometimes I have the memory span of 15 seconds.

RDC · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2007, 05:54:00 PM »

The 65nm process just means they can make more of the chips from the same material. They're smaller, so there's a more efficent use of material and they save money, but don't think one cent of that will translate to your cost of the thing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

You may as well go ahead and mess around on it a little bit, at least try the first two "fixes" and see what results they produce since they're really easy to do. You could always part the thing out on eBay or the BST and make back almost the cost of a Core system or get the Core and part out the old 360 and the new accessories you don't need, PSU, Controller, AV cables since you have them from the old one. If you want to make sure ya get one with a drive that will be swappable part it out and hunt for one of them instead, or just look for a new motherboard for your 360, still have to deal with all the key changing and spoofing though. There's plenty you can do, unfortunately none of it's as easy as it should be. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Omniferum · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2007, 06:08:00 PM »

I was saying wait for the 65nm process as they may have fixed their manufacturing issues and overheating less of a problem with smaller die, not in regards to cost.

mygameswirelesscom · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2007, 06:13:00 PM »

hey you could try this ..

1)your drive http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=585267

if it works

2)Heatsink X-clamps Removal
http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=552795

3)Tutorial On How To Apply Here
http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=467045

just put new past it will work !
good luck!

p.s. don't want bs go to ebay !!

RDC · « **Reply #9 on:** February 18, 2007, 08:26:00 PM »

Gotcha, misread when for what. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Supposed to be sometime mid 07, but exactly when isn't out in the wild yet. Hopefully, because of all these issues they're doing something about it along withe the new process, but only time will tell.

senator · « **Reply #10 on:** February 26, 2007, 06:05:00 AM »

0103 Is still a GPU error or bad solder joint from a poor design. The heatgun trick is required to repair it, and also some heatsink clamp mod. The Xclips do NOT hold the heatsink down tight enough or evenly enough. This seems to lead to uneven tension on the GPU and heatsink which may cause the solder to create a bad join or lift on one side under extreme heat loads and whilst cooling. More tension is required on the heatsink which can be achieved by recessing the bottom metal case holes lower with a centre punch to allow the ball type screws on the heatsink to sit lower in the case when pulled up by the screws on the outer of the case, this allows more tension and pulling of Xclips and complete pulling up of heatsinks. Appears to have fixed my 360 time will tell....

Author Topic: 3 Red Light - Error 0103 (Read 77 times)