Fixing RROD on XBox 360

[jhu]

I've seen a few videos and read some tutorials on replacing the x-clamps with screws and washers. One of the procedures is to overheat the CPU and GPU, tighten the screws a little more, and then put everything back together. I'm wondering why the overheating procedure is necessary?

I assembled my current "desktop" system and never went through this overheating procedure for the CPU.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: jhu
I've seen a few videos and read some tutorials on replacing the x-clamps with screws and washers. One of the procedures is to overheat the CPU and GPU, tighten the screws a little more, and then put everything back together. I'm wondering why the overheating procedure is necessary?

Basically, you're re-soldering the contact points by heating the CPU/GPU.

 

[jhu]

OK, so I guess it's not necessary if I were to do this preemptively then.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: jhu
I've seen a few videos and read some tutorials on replacing the x-clamps with screws and washers. One of the procedures is to overheat the CPU and GPU, tighten the screws a little more, and then put everything back together. I'm wondering why the overheating procedure is necessary?

Basically, you're re-soldering the contact points by heating the CPU/GPU.

Yep. The reason for the RROD, as I understand it, is that some of the contacts in the BGA holding the GPU to the motherboard melt in use and don't keep a good contact with the board when they reform because of a loose connection. By clamping down harder, you can ensure that they'll reform properly... but you've got to melt 'em first.

 

[fatpat268]

Yea, not all RROD xboxes need to be overheated though. A few just needed to have the xclamp removed and the heatsink tightened to the motherboard. The xclamp is a horrible design, quite a few consoles that I've fixed actually had loose heatsinks.

That said, it's a pretty easy fix all in all. Only two major difficulties with the process. Opening the xbox and getting the motherboard out is fairly difficult and time consuming the first time you do it. After you have experience, it's a piece of cake. My first time I took an xbox 360 apart, it took me a good 45 minutes. I've got it down to 5-10 minutes now.

Second major difficulty is getting those xclamps off. They don't come off willingly, that's for sure. You really only need to get two sides off and the rest of the xclamp will come off. Best thing you can do is use a small (but sturdy) slotted screwdriver and work around the bolts and try to deform the xclamp just enough so that it springs off. Takes some practice, but it's doable. I've fixed more than 15 consoles, and this part of the process makes me want to punch something everytime.

 

[Analogsoul]

Originally posted by: fatpat268
Yea, not all RROD xboxes need to be overheated though. A few just needed to have the xclamp removed and the heatsink tightened to the motherboard. The xclamp is a horrible design, quite a few consoles that I've fixed actually had loose heatsinks.

That said, it's a pretty easy fix all in all. Only two major difficulties with the process. Opening the xbox and getting the motherboard out is fairly difficult and time consuming the first time you do it. After you have experience, it's a piece of cake. My first time I took an xbox 360 apart, it took me a good 45 minutes. I've got it down to 5-10 minutes now.

Second major difficulty is getting those xclamps off. They don't come off willingly, that's for sure. You really only need to get two sides off and the rest of the xclamp will come off. Best thing you can do is use a small (but sturdy) slotted screwdriver and work around the bolts and try to deform the xclamp just enough so that it springs off. Takes some practice, but it's doable. I've fixed more than 15 consoles, and this part of the process makes me want to punch something everytime.

yeah taking off those x-clamps are a real pain in the ass, especially since you could damage your motherboard if you're not careful. I've taken apart my xbox a dozen times, got it working for a bit, but now I have some weird power issue. I went ahead and just got a new jasper arcade, didn't feel like messing around with it anymore, but perhaps I'll try and fix it so i can sell it or something.

This tutorial has a good explanation of the poor thermal cooling design of the 360. The fix is pretty interesting too, although it's fairly involved with drilling bigger holes in the xbox enclosure.

 

[mvbighead]

I have only performed the fix on my own Xbox, but it does work. I did also end up buying a Jasper for HDMI. Still have my old one that I take with me from time to time. It is much more reliable/stable than it was prior to the fix.

As for overheating it, it may not be necessary, but so long as the heat sink is in place, you're really not hurting it that much.

 

[fatpat268]

Originally posted by: Analogsoul

Originally posted by: fatpat268
Yea, not all RROD xboxes need to be overheated though. A few just needed to have the xclamp removed and the heatsink tightened to the motherboard. The xclamp is a horrible design, quite a few consoles that I've fixed actually had loose heatsinks.

That said, it's a pretty easy fix all in all. Only two major difficulties with the process. Opening the xbox and getting the motherboard out is fairly difficult and time consuming the first time you do it. After you have experience, it's a piece of cake. My first time I took an xbox 360 apart, it took me a good 45 minutes. I've got it down to 5-10 minutes now.

Second major difficulty is getting those xclamps off. They don't come off willingly, that's for sure. You really only need to get two sides off and the rest of the xclamp will come off. Best thing you can do is use a small (but sturdy) slotted screwdriver and work around the bolts and try to deform the xclamp just enough so that it springs off. Takes some practice, but it's doable. I've fixed more than 15 consoles, and this part of the process makes me want to punch something everytime.

yeah taking off those x-clamps are a real pain in the ass, especially since you could damage your motherboard if you're not careful. I've taken apart my xbox a dozen times, got it working for a bit, but now I have some weird power issue. I went ahead and just got a new jasper arcade, didn't feel like messing around with it anymore, but perhaps I'll try and fix it so i can sell it or something.

This tutorial has a good explanation of the poor thermal cooling design of the 360. The fix is pretty interesting too, although it's fairly involved with drilling bigger holes in the xbox enclosure.

That fix goes a little overboard. I guess it'll work if nothing else works, but all you really nead is 8 screws, 16 metal washers, and 16 plastic washers.