Need help with the X-Clamp fix!

[hans030390]

Ok, so I'm trying to fix it now. I followed the steps exactly, still getting the RROD. I tried having it overheat for longer. Still getting the RROD. I'm letting it overheat longer now, and then I'll let it cool for longer as well. I also loosened up the screws a bit for the overheating process. Hopefully that helps.

Any other suggestions? I can't figure out how to get the RROD to go away now. Hmm.

 

[RaiderJ]

Once it goes from three red rings to two red rings, you can cut the power. Overheating past that probably won't do anything positive. When you have everything clamped down, check the underside of the board - is there any flex? It should be relatively flat underneath the GPU.

 

[hans030390]

I didn't see any flex, but I can't tell. Do you recommend keeping the screws just "snug" for the overheating, and then tightening them after? How long to let it cool?

 

[RaiderJ]

I do my screw hand-tight at first, then tighten them down fully in a cross pattern, going about 1/2 turn at a time. Once it's pretty tight, I do the overheat, cool down, reconnect the fan, and give it a test. Cooling shouldn't be long. 10 minutes is probably enough.

 

[hans030390]

I'm still getting the red ring. I'm going to try different washer setups, but I don't have a power supply yet (Today I just used a friend's). Your "diagram" had one washer under the mobo, and Lawdawg's had two on each side (he said he used the diagram for both the CPU and GPU). Would your diagram, with just the one locking washer, make a difference? What about the one washer vs. two on the CPU? What about the size of the "head" of the screw? Can those be too big?

What else could be the problem? Give me ANY possible solution that may help.

 

[RaiderJ]

The number of washers underneath the mobo shouldn't matter, just the amount between the board and heatsink. I use the lock washer to keep things tight over time. The size of the screw head shouldn't matter, as long as it sits on the metal shield well enough. I haven't messed with the CPU, but replicating the GPU fix on it should be fine as well.

You might try ordering a kit from xclampfix.com. I know they are expensive, but the kit I got worked great. Saves you worrying about what parts you used.

The 3 RRoD is a unspecified error, it could be something else wrong with the system giving you problems.

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: RaiderJ
The 3 RRoD is a unspecified error, it could be something else wrong with the system giving you problems.

Any ideas what that could be?

 

[RaiderJ]

No idea. Maybe google search for other things?

 

[hans030390]

Ok, so I'm going to try the Screw > Lock washer > Mobo > Nylon Washer > Metal Washer > HS setup. I also used different screws. I think the ones I used previously were too big (the heads). With the new ones I'm using (which I think were the ones I was always supposed to use), and the lock washer, the motherboard sits exactly how it's supposed to in the case. Before it was slightly elevated. I have everything tightened down as far as I can go.

I also used less AS5. After reading and reading about it, people have had problems with the 360 and using too much of it. I should have the right amount now.

Are there any other mods I should try? What about the eraser or pennies mod (under the RAM)? Could I do that in combination with the x-clamp mod for a better success rate?

Speaking of RAM...was I supposed to have some sort of ramsink connecting the ram with the metal case? I don't, and some mention it...

I still don't have a power supply to test it, so hopefully in a couple days I will be able to.

 

[RaiderJ]

The only extra mods I did was extend the fan shroud with aluminum tape and use aftermarket fans. If you could find some thermal tape, you could use that on the RAM chips. The penny method sounds a bit off to me.

 

[hans030390]

Ok, so I KNOW I'm using the right screws, and I used the diagram you listed. I tightened everything down as tight as I could (without breaking it), and I'm still getting the RROD. The error code is 0103.

What should I try next? Loosening the screws while heating it, or just not having them as tight in general? I've also heard using one washer above the mobo (CPU area) can help as well.

What should I do?

 

[RaiderJ]

I don't have much for you at this point. There might be some steps that you can try listed in other guides, but none of them I've tried personally. At this point you might just be stuck! Hope you didn't have too much invested in it!

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: RaiderJ
I don't have much for you at this point. There might be some steps that you can try listed in other guides, but none of them I've tried personally. At this point you might just be stuck! Hope you didn't have too much invested in it!

I only spent about $100 on the system. I imagine I could sell it on ebay and get a good chunk of the money back, then try another one.

If not, I might just get a used one. If it breaks, hopefully the replacement will be one that has a better design.

 

[hans030390]

UPDATE: Finally got the thing to boot! Here's what I did.

1. Used the diagram RaiderJ listed. (CPU and GPU)
2. Screwed everything down REALLY tight. As tight as I could possibly get it.
3. Overheating method did not work. Put it all back together and did the towel trick (sad, I know) for 15 minutes.
4. Went to bed, let it cool down overnight.
5. Turned it on, and it works.

Now, The X (in that circle thing) with Xbox 360 under it stays on the screen for a long time (like 10 seconds or over). Is this normal? Perhaps it's trying to read a disk that's not in there.

There was a problem 2 seconds after being on the dashboard, the screen turned grey with vertical white lines on the screen.

I turned it off, and it booted fine...still took a while. The video seemed to be fine. The dashboard didn't go to that grey screen.

What was that grey screen? What should I do next?

 

[hans030390]

Update: Scratch the above. I tried booting it up a couple more times. First time I got to the dashboard and the screen went black in a few seconds. Next time it froze on the Xbox 360 logo as it spins around.

Now it's back to the RROD. Any suggestions?

 

[RaiderJ]

The video artifacts you're seeing are definitely due to the GPU being screwed up. Is the board flexed at all once everything is tightened down? You shouldn't need the bolts super tight.

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: RaiderJ
The video artifacts you're seeing are definitely due to the GPU being screwed up. Is the board flexed at all once everything is tightened down? You shouldn't need the bolts super tight.

Well, how tight do I need them? This is so super confusing. I didn't have them super tight before, but I still couldn't get it to work.

Last time I checked, I didn't see any flexing. I did on the CPU with just one washer on top (something RBJtech had in his method...thought I'd try it), and I noticed it then (but I fixed it).

BAH! I'm so confused.

 

[RaiderJ]

I don't have an exact answer for you... nothing you could use with a torque wrench at least. My thought is that if you have the bolts cinched down crazy tight you could be introducing new stresses into the setup.

I'm guessing between all the different things that have been tried between yourself and the previous owner that the board is shot. All the flexing, all the heating, etc, has just probably been too much for it. Obviously the 360 isn't a solid piece of hardware. If it was me, I'd ebay it and buy another one.

 

[JasonSix78]

I'm glad I found this thread. I've sent my 360 off for repairs but heard horror stories of people getting refurbs back that last a short period before they crap out. I figure if they send me back a refurb and it messes up I'll crack that baby open and have some fun.

-Jason