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[R0st3r]

I have an Xbox 360 with the RRoD with secondary error code: 0020.  

On another thread on this forum it tells me:

0020 See Error E08
E08: Unconfirmed: GPU Malfunction, similar to error E18
E18: Error in the "Digital Backbone" (CPU/GPU/RAM), this is usually caused by a cold solder joint between the GPU and the mainboard.
There are two theories to fixing this one deals with the "X" clamps that hold down the chips. The other involves re-Heating the chips. DO NOT attempt either of these if your console is still under warranty. If your console is still under warranty return it to the store where it was purchased or call MS to have it replaced.

My question is: Has anyone else ever had secondary error 0020 and what did you do to fix it?  I've fixed an RRoD before using x-clamp and the "ovenfix," but i've never had a 360 with error code 0020.  Would reflowing the points on the board be my best bet to fixing this?  Has anyone else ever fixed an xbox with this error? Thanks to any and all suggestions.

EDIT:  Upon further observation I noticed that the 4 pads on the button of the mobo are missing.. what are the consequences of those missing? Could this be causing my RRoD: 0020?

This post has been edited by R0st3r: May 13 2009, 09:46 PM

[reddwarf]

Try reflowing both GPU and CPU.  Use SMT rework if you have one or heat gun.  I have fixed these before by doing that

[R0st3r]

Thankyou I will do that.  Also I have a question about the pads on the button of the motherboard... are those really necessary?  What do they do and it an xbox 360 cease to function if they aren't there?

[reddwarf]

The Box won't cease to funtion but they serve to transfer "some" of the heat away from the memory chips in the chassis of the xbox therefore cooling them.  The 360 has some major heat management issues which has been discussed ad nauseum.

I would suggest leaving them on there they are electrically inert and are very soft so put no pressure on the board, relatively speaking

This post has been edited by reddwarf: May 14 2009, 12:36 AM

[R0st3r]

QUOTE(reddwarf @ May 13 2009, 05:27 PM)

The Box won't cease to funtion but they serve to transfer "some" of the heat away from the memory chips in the chassis of the xbox therefore cooling them.

So.... it won't function without them? Or was that a typo..

[reddwarf]

It will function fine with or without them BUT your memory may run warmer without them

[brandogg]

Try this - take a >1mm washer (maybe .8mm or so) and place it on top of the RAM chips to the left of the GPU, then replace your GPU heatsink, via the original X-Clamps or some bolts and washers (if you're using bolts and washers, then the top of the "GPU washers" should be basically the exact same height as the washers you're placing between the motherboard and the bottom of the GPU heatsink, about 1.8mm). Make sure it's tight enough to hold those washers in place - and see if it boots up. I'm not saying 0020 is necessarily those chips, but it's worked for me 2/2 times with 0020. It most likely has nothing to do with the chips on the bottom of the system.

[R0st3r]

Branddog... I want to do what you're suggesting but I'm having a little trouble understanding what you're doing.  Could you explain it a little more clearer?

[brandogg]

Take off the GPU heatsink (there are many tutorials). If you're going to replace the X-clamps with bolts and washers (again, there are many tutorials) then get you're needed supplies. If not, then you can probably get away with reusing the X-clamps, though it will be harder to keep the "RAM washers" in place. Anyway, all you're doing is replacing the GPU heatsink (with new thermal paste, of course), but squeezing a washer between the 2 left-of-GPU RAM chips (black rectangles) in the process.

[wildwild]

The main problem is the GPU so concentrate on area around the GPU.  Generally, there is no need to work on the CPU.

Good luck.

[reddwarf]

QUOTE(wildwild @ May 15 2009, 08:49 AM)

The main problem is the GPU so concentrate on area around the GPU.  Generally, there is no need to work on the CPU.

Good luck.

Completely agree, the CPU tends to be ok and you can introduce more issues if you start to mess around with that

[jamz_az]

QUOTE(reddwarf @ May 15 2009, 09:14 AM)

Completely agree, the CPU tends to be ok and you can introduce more issues if you start to mess around with that

I disagree, always do both, just overheat the gpu only however.

Can't tell you how many times I had to reopen others fixes only to find they didn't do the cpu also.
Once we did that (cpu) they fired right up again.

But as some state it is a personal pref. Better to get them while your in there than have to open it again and again and again. ugh! LOL

J

[reddwarf]

QUOTE(jamz_az @ May 15 2009, 05:59 PM)

I disagree, always do both, just overheat the gpu only however.

Can't tell you how many times I had to reopen others fixes only to find they didn't do the cpu also.
Once we did that (cpu) they fired right up again.

But as some state it is a personal pref. Better to get them while your in there than have to open it again and again and again. ugh! LOL

J

Always a choice, personally NEVER had issues with CPU but hey whatever works right?
 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[R0st3r]

Thanks for the advice everyone.  

I reflowed the board using the ovenfix(425 F for 10 min) and booted it up with the xclamp fix and it works flawlessly!  I'm very pleased!  Normally i can at least get some response out of 360s after the xclamp fix but this one would red light immediately after i turned it on... but after reflowing it boots to the dash and plays games!!!

Also I ended up stealing the pads on the bottom of the mb from another xbox i was working on that is dead so that won't be a problem either!