Solder balls and Xbox

[zephyrprime]

My xbox just died. I'm outside of even the 3 year warranty for repairs unfortunately. I was wondering, everyone knows the problem is due to delaminated bga solder balls, but which balls are actually the ones responsible for the problem? The balls joining the GPU to the GPU packaging? Or the balls joinging the GPU packaging pcb to the main pcb?

Question answered.

New question: best method to reflow solder on the xbox?

 

[EightySix Four]

My xbox just died. I'm outside of even the 3 year warranty for repairs unfortunately. I was wondering, everyone knows the problem is due to delaminated bga solder balls, but which balls are actually the ones responsible for the problem? The balls joining the GPU to the GPU packaging? Or the balls joinging the GPU packaging pcb to the main pcb?

IIRC the GPU and CPU are on the same package, the balls joining this package to the main PCB are the problem.

 

[darkswordsman17]

IIRC the GPU and CPU are on the same package, the balls joining this package to the main PCB are the problem.

That's only true on the Slim model. Prior to that they were on separate packages individually connected to the mainboard.

But yeah, it is the ones connecting the GPU to the mainboard.

 

[zephyrprime]

Awesome. Thanks for the info. Now I just need to figure out what to do. So the next question is: What's the best method for fixing the xbox?

I watched some videos and it seems like a combination of heat gun + new HSF bolts are the most popular solution to this problem. Does anyone know if there is one definitively best way to fix the xbox? The heatgun method seems reasonable but I don't really trust it without having a thermometer to measure board temperatures which I do not have.

My console is the 3rd revision but before the 65nm gpu shrink. I've already ordered 2 new heatsinks from ebay. The heatsinks are OEM Microsoft parts but from different version Xboxes. I'm getting the 1st gen cpu heatsink which has a heatpipe and copper base (later models were all aluminum). Also getting the 4th gen GPU heatsink which has a heatpipe leading to a secondary heatsink (http://secure.llamma.com/catalog/images/360%20elite heatsink.jpg). I think I'm going to strap a 40mm fan directly onto that. Prob do some fan duct mods and etc also.

Any other suggestions?

 

[purbeast0]

as someone who has fixed probably 15+ 360's, i'll let you know that you will get the RRoD again. personally it isn't worth it to try and fix 360's anymore that are the old gen models, especially when they are like $200 brand new or so, come with HDMI and are all around built better.

 

[zephyrprime]

as someone who has fixed probably 15+ 360's, i'll let you know that you will get the RRoD again. personally it isn't worth it to try and fix 360's anymore that are the old gen models, especially when they are like $200 brand new or so, come with HDMI and are all around built better.

Can I ask you what method you used to fix the problem?

 

[purbeast0]

Can I ask you what method you used to fix the problem?

the xclamp fix that is over on llama.com.

i think the only "true" fix is to reball the entire motherboard, which requires equipment that most people won't have access to.

 

[zephyrprime]

the xclamp fix that is over on llama.com.

i think the only "true" fix is to reball the entire motherboard, which requires equipment that most people won't have access to.

Yes, the only good solution is to reball and use lead solder. This is a total fix. I've seen the video and shops online will do it for you about about $80. There are actually hundreds of pro electronics repair shops across the country that have the equipment to do this sort of thing. Obviously this can't be done easily at home.

I'm going to try the heat gun method. It's actually as expensive as sending it in to be fixed by a pro but I wanna give it a shot anyway. I've been reading up on it. I'll let you guys know the results.

 

[purbeast0]

Yes, the only good solution is to reball and use lead solder. This is a total fix. I've seen the video and shops online will do it for you about about $80. There are actually hundreds of pro electronics repair shops across the country that have the equipment to do this sort of thing. Obviously this can't be done easily at home.

I'm going to try the heat gun method. It's actually as expensive as sending it in to be fixed by a pro but I wanna give it a shot anyway. I've been reading up on it. I'll let you guys know the results.

when i do the xclamp fix i also use a heatgun as well to heat up the board.

i'm telling you, it is not worth the hassle. it will break again and then you will have to fix it again.

but go ahead and do it if you want heh, just don't be surprised in a few months or weeks when you get hte RRoD again.

 

[zephyrprime]

Ah, I got my error code. 0110 - cold solder joint ram.