Topic: No X-clamps On Motherboard? :/ (Read 58 times)

xTIxInFLaMeS · « **on:** July 01, 2010, 10:11:00 AM »

Well that sucks. Most likely he removed them

nitz0 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 01, 2010, 11:33:00 AM »

I'm a bit confused...

Are you having issues on figuring out about the X clamps? Okay so the original X clamps are not intact, right? So what is holding the heatsinks in place? If it's bolts, it was not repaired by Microsoft.

There is no way the mobo was sitting in there with nothing holding the heatsinks. He more than likely(or someone) removed the X clamps(had RROD) and replaced with bolts.

relaxxx · « **Reply #2 on:** July 01, 2010, 05:55:00 PM »

The heatsinks will mount with just the black screws BUT should most likely cause instant 2 red light overheat. The metal case is too close to the motherboard and heatsinks will normally not touch the processors without the x-clamps.

nitz0 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 02, 2010, 06:37:00 AM »

You really wasted your money on the x clamps and kit. It sounds like there is already a kit on your mobo.

What you would need to do is just remove the bolts/washers and re apply using same stuff and just add some new thermal paste(only thing you need to buy really).

More than likely, if you re adjust the console will boot again but it sounds like you will more than likely need a good solder Reflow to keep the E74 away.

nitz0 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2010, 08:32:00 AM »

Don't use the regular stock X clamps. You don't even need to use the new bolt/washers you got in today.

Just re do the whole x clamp mod process using whatever bolt/washers you wanted to use and go from there.

If it doesn't work, move on to a proper Reflow and send it off or attempt yourself(but be aware you can do hell of a lot more damage trying yourself in just a matter of secs).

nitz0 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 02, 2010, 11:12:00 AM »

Sounds like whoever repaired it did a shitty job and tried to "think" it thru by "thinking" they're smart by removing the bottom washers so it'll sit more "flush" haha

More than likely there are some washers on the mobo when you remove the heatsinks. You might as well use the washers you got in your kit today and just re do it all and use the bolt kit you got today. Sorry, but I was thinking they might have at least tried to repair right and use the correct parts but it sounds like probably not.

Just use the kit you got today and re do the chips by adding new thermal and apply the bolt/washer combo. Keep in mind without a proper Reflow, this is only going to be temporary at best.

nitz0 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 02, 2010, 11:51:00 AM »

Yeah, I said it may come back to haunt you without a Reflow....The only option you really have to keep it working is to send it in to someone. If you need the service, check siggy. If you have balls and want to attempt heat gunning or oven method, go ahead but I do not recommend it!

Oh and the console may be exploitable. Only way is to dump the nand and check the CB version.

iateshaggy · « **Reply #7 on:** July 02, 2010, 01:02:00 PM »

once you get it jtagged, saving a copy of the cpu key is very important, this will allow you to get the kv.bin so if the thing breaks after u get kv,bin, u can at least sell that.

iateshaggy · « **Reply #8 on:** July 02, 2010, 03:28:00 PM »

use the diagram in the follow thread, take note to the warning below the picture about how to solder the diodes. jtag tool is probably the most noob friendly way to get freeboot installed. use solid, not stranded wire. i get mine from cat5 cable that was scrap on construction jobs. retail shit is usually stranded.
http://forums.xbox-s...howtopic=700442

kawaxbox · « **Reply #9 on:** July 03, 2010, 06:52:00 PM »

Yh thanks for your reply, I've just ordered 100 ohm resistors and the required diode. Waiting for the them to arrive to finally JTAG this. My first JTAG.

kawaxbox · « **Reply #10 on:** July 08, 2010, 05:49:00 PM »

I've jtagged the xbox, however after only an hour, the E74 error was back.

I've done mutliple re-flashes of the nand just to be sure theres nothing wrong software wise.
It boots to XeLLous perfectly fine with the eject button, but when I press on the power the E74 error shows.

Just to be sure though, this is defientely not a software issue?

How can I do a reflow of the GPU/HANA chip, since the X-Clamp replacement method didnt work.

Is the heatgun method successful? can a hairdryer be used as an alternative?

Thanks for any help, really appreciate it.

edit:
I followed this tutorial:
http://docs.google.c...mv5h_30dw33vpf4

It says that the updflash.bin should 66mb? However my updflash.bin is only 16.5mb, is this correct?

MadMaxGR · « **Reply #11 on:** July 09, 2010, 03:04:00 AM »

E74 is visible on your screen? If that's the case then yes you need to reflow the GPU. The best solution is full reball of GPU but that's something that you don't have the equipment and the luxury to do. Also the hairdryer can never get hot enough to reflow the solder balls of the GPU. You have two options in my opinion: 1. Use heatgun or 2. use LLama's tutorial method (the heatsing on CPU and leave GPU overheat for 30+ mins)

Good luck!

relaxxx · « **Reply #12 on:** July 09, 2010, 09:44:00 AM »

E74 almost always will boot xellous.

E74 is almost always the GPU BGA solder joints.

It needs to be reflowed PROPERLY.

kawaxbox · « **Reply #13 on:** July 09, 2010, 11:23:00 AM »

I've just used the heat gun for no more than 1.5 mins, thoroughly doing both the top and bottom of the motherboard.

Let it cool down for about 20 mins.

Applied new thermal paste, put the heat sink back on, turned it on. It worked flawlessly first time. running freeboot, dashboard 9199. Hope the e74 error doesn't come up any time soon again.

Thanks for all the help, really appreciated it.

Author Topic: No X-clamps On Motherboard? :/ (Read 58 times)