Official Xbox 360 Topic

[Seddo]

I'll save you the trouble. If the case has been opened, they won't even touch it. You're on your own.

I know a few people that sent off modded Xbox's to Microsoft after getting the RROD and they got sent back all fixed and they didn't even change the firmware either.

[DeeperRed]

I'll save you the trouble. If the case has been opened, they won't even touch it. You're on your own.

I know a few people that sent off modded Xbox's to Microsoft after getting the RROD and they got sent back all fixed and they didn't even change the firmware either.

Erm well thats pretty rare because the majority of the time they just send you a referbished Xbox. Everyone I know who had there Xbox's RROD on them got a diffrent xbox sent back.

[Inky]

Anyone happen to have a Gold subscription trial code they don't need? I'd be ever so greatful

[Slamman]

My idea is they can deal with it, and save themselves more lawsuits. Everyone loves to sue in America (hint: GTA 4 evidence!) I am still messing with the mobo, and the case was used for the working one I already got ( the second mobo and drive used for that, in case you weren't following along) WELL, I am updating this as well, because I just got into the DASHBOARD!! I don't have the front on/off panel as that's on the other Xbox, so I power it up with the controller or drive eject button but the firmware and GUI is updated to the new branching box index system... So it's different in that way.

 

The thing is, it went to black screen after about 2 to 3 minutes, but I am only making adjustments to the heatsink screws. I could get two working Xbox360s, all under $140 bucks. We'll see, this is VERY interesting!

It's like my B-day and Christmas if I can get these both working. I also picked up Dead Rising today, my second XBOX title.

 

Not sure still, what to get next, although Assassin's Creed is on the egenda. Far Cry 2 is available used... spendy though.

Gears of War, and Crackdown's pretty cheap, but the graphics are not impressing me, is it really good??

[Voodoo]

Waste your time if you want. That's up to you. I can tell you from experience that if the seal/sticker on the case has been compromised, it not only voids any warranty but you can't even pay them to fix your box. They will simply send it back to you untouched. Either what Seddo heard was bullsh*t, the stickers were removed/replaced carefully or rare cases where the modded box just slipped through the cracks. Legally, they are obligated to warranty any repair that they do. It makes no financial sense to accept a box that has been tampered with. It just opens them up to a sh*tload of loss.

 

 

[Slamman]

If they sent it back, it WOULD cost them, I'd send it with just the sub-chassis assembly. I conveyed that I do electronics work and System Build PCs.

I am competent to do some repairs, I took electronics in High School.

I've been doing repairs ever since, and probably before. I reverted to the E74 error again, BUT, I put the chassis in my refrigerator over night.

 

Guess what happened when powered up?!?!

 

IT WORKED!

I ran through all the Dashboard menus, most pages on there, could not read a DVD in the drive though. Strange. BUT, I got to test connection pages, just to see what is similar to the older one I have here... Then I went through the Initial setup screen which does all the basic setting in one... As soon as that closed, the unit shut down. If the RRoD appears, you must confirm the PSU's LED status, mine has still been green or it's amber, in Stand-by/shut down mode.

 

I don't have two of the button panels with the 4-segment LED for the front of it so the controller is turning it on and then I manually unplug from the back.

Unlike a PC, you can't hold the power function down for it to turn off, it's manually done outback or via the menu GUI.

 

Anyway, what's interesting to note is how cold it was coming out of the fridge, less then 5 minutes up and running it's back to normal temp!

It wasn't really as hot as before but it was getting there! I added new paste to the CPU and remounted but not the GPU, so I plan to try that as well, I don't think I over did the paste though, but it does squish out to the sides of the die.

 

My contact with Microsoft is to call their service number for more info.

 

If they really won't deal with it, there are some people claiming they can fix them, and I suspect even a proper tension of them could work, but it all appears odd. My summation is that if the video WILL work and the unit is running for a short time, it should mean that all the components surface mounted on the main board ARE operational, there's certainly some heat protection I would say, kicking it back down or culling up the E74 error.

I left the E74 screen on and did something else, came back after some time and it's still running, it is not shutting off due to heat in this regard, the only thing that's really strange.

[johnwelshmorris5]

When ever i sign in to xbox live everythings fine,i can play games etc but when ever people add me as friend it wont allow me to accept...it wont even view messgages....or anyones(including mine) gamercard...the dashboard thingy comes up when i click then just goes back down with nothing showing up.

what can i do to fix it?

 

please help.thanks

 

[Oblivionz]

Try being patient for a little bit, sometimes XBL lags and it takes quite a bit to load things that you click.

[johnwelshmorris5]

Try being patient for a little bit, sometimes XBL lags and it takes quite a bit to load things that you click.

It`s been since i bought a harddrive off ebay....i should of gone to game.....i think it`s because the hdd is from hong kong

[Slamman]

I got my Xbox360 (#1) up and running yet again, just this afternoon, and earlier, in the morning. I got it to read one USB card and stream two videos (WMV) off it. Thing is, not long, about 5 to 6 minutes, it froze and nothing happened but the dreaded checkerboard imaging across parts of the screen, rathet then the whole. This type of anamoly happens when video cards have issues, so not sure if it's a terminal problem but one guy on YouTube says he's dealt with that problem as well. He also fixes Xboxes so this is a good way to get some tips before spending money and trying some things. Forget the damn towel though. I plan to put mine in the freezer and see what happens! hahaha

[Rebel]

I don't know why you are bothering to save an obviously f*cked xbox. Hell, so what if it gives you maybe 30 mins of watchable stuff on screen, and then dies. If its already been doing that, then don't even bother to think of doing any kind of 'life saving' stunt to see how even longer the box will last. Buy yourself a new one ( or a better second hand one ) or just watch the xbox you have now blow up on you after you've f*cked around to no end with it.

[Slamman]

It's the mystery of getting to the heart of the problem. A defacto description of "General Hardware Fault" ain't cutting it in my book. The reasoning is simple enough... I bought it for $50 as a whole, or about that, and if I can get it working, TWO Xboxes are ALWAYS better then one, simple math there!!

 

Ok, another UPDATE, got the WMV to pick up where it left off, and the power was unplugged, I might add. It's the only way to shut it off. BUT, the lights are green still, and the video just froze without the checkerboard patterns this time.

 

Something about that GPU and RAM set. My theory is better paste to aid the cooling further!

Edited June 5, 2009 by Slamman

[james227uk]

I would just give up on it. Like my old CoD disk. I tried everything to get it to work, but nothing worked.

[Slamman]

Hell no, we won't go! Have to overcome the urge, it's playing the video again, resuming where it left off, and I have to believe the heatsinks REALLY are the key issue so if someone could even construct their own that work better, you'd have something you could sell!!!

I plan to readjust the paste level on the GPU next, but so far so good!

 

 

In fact (UPDATE), I took a shower and got dressed (late start ! haha) and the system is STILL playing a recorded vid file of E3 from fall of 2007. This is getting more and more exciting because I didn't have to dismantle it and it's working even better! Just as I was updating, however, the video froze up. I was in the Dashboard introduction section where it explains the buttons functions and accessing.

A window opened onscreen and I saw a flash of white and it went dim (display just slightly), Green upper corner of controller light, Green on the PSU LED and reading lamp on my USB drive still flashing. The problem is down to the video acting up, so that heatsink needs some help.

 

The tightness of the securing screws is what is the most problematic, they can't be overtly tight or loose, so that and any grommit or washers need to be adjusted to the right depth and it will work! I've used the original locking X-clamps on the first repair Xbox, those did the trick at adding the correct tension required, most people are replacing them, but the heatsinks themselves are the real problem from what I've seen, and new washers (1mm claimed) could make a difference. I'm just using what I have here already, no repair kits purchased. I still don't have Arctic White Thermal paste so that may or may not work even better then this OCZ stuff.

 

Anyway, the DVD ROM is not reading, and it's not an electrical malfunction because the spindle doesn't rotate freely by hand... That means it won't rotate properly under electrical power either. So I replace this drive physically, take the upper PC board and mount it in a new drive, it will be solved on that end!

 

 

2nd UPDATE. Just got response from MS's email service, they sent the disclaimer from the manual, however, I reiterated that I am a trained hobbyist with experience in the job market. I also discussed the repairs I was making, so as they progresses, I'll let you know the meat and potatoes of what you can expect. I figure I'm not going to make up some story, just be honest in handling the situation. Explained that I am getting the Xbox working now and beyond the E74 stage.

Edited June 6, 2009 by Slamman

[james227uk]

Interesting. So it's slowly recovering from E74?

[Slamman]

As suspected, MS keeps changing personal handling my case via email, referring me to the warranty voiding policies stated in the manual. I know it's rather futile even if you are a repair shop, they say Advise of Official MS repairs only, seen below;

Note: Only Microsoft operates authorized Xbox and Xbox 360 service centers. Repairs by unauthorized service centers or by retailers will also result in the console warranty being voided. Customers should be advised to only return the console to Microsoft for service.

 

 

 

Note: Refurbished console can be send for repair as long as they are not tampered.

 

 

Anyway, I am still replying back, to get some idea what repairs are open and parts access as well.

 

Yeah, the E74 issue is now null...and void.

It could pop up again, perhaps, but initially I had two to three red lights on BOTH Xboxes, and I felt REALLY burned but now both of them are booting up into the Dashboard and accessing the USB. I could eject the DVD ROM, but the spindle motor is hard to turn by hand, as I indicate, this would mean it no longer spins freely. The optical is likely not an issue unless it was scratching spinning discs, I am looking for that center hub motor assembly, it comes off the drive with three SMALL screws. Sub-assemblies like that lend themselves easily to repair, if you can obtain the parts!!

 

Anyway, the GPU is still as I mounted it, if I remove it to add more thermal past, the screws have to be tightened again JUST right, and hopefully equal. I advise this is a critical area of the self-repair. IF you are getting red lights or E74, adjust the cooling properties and keep powering on and off. You may find what I did, and I've done plenty of trials with the mounting thus far, moving the washers all around as well. Trying the heatsink without washers.. However, this is an oddball, the washers are grommits, meaning they are rubber and not metal...also only one per screw mount of the sinks. (8 in total)

[Rebel]

So I've been thinking of getting a new live update and some points in the mean time, are they actually any cheaper off of the xbox.com website & do they send them to like your email so you can have them instantly instead of waiting on them through the post.

[TheTank]

So I've been thinking of getting a new live update and some points in the mean time, are they actually any cheaper off of the xbox.com website & do they send them to like your email so you can have them instantly instead of waiting on them through the post.

Ordering points through xbox.com adds them instantly to your Gamertag.

[Slamman]

You can easily buy the point cards at most stores, I was thinking of going that route to buy The Lost and the Damned, however, since a disc based solution for both DLCs looms on the horizon I am really torn, if just L&theDamned was on DVD, by itself, avoiding a download and could install that way, I'd probably bite. Price doesn't appear to be a factor either way. Still I need a HDD.

 

One query I have is with the Xbox I am trying to get working right now, the Firmware is the shifting square panel Dashboard, the player is a 06 model, is that firmware newer then the side panel Dashboard (forget the name MS calls it)?

 

I tried opening AVI files that require a download, but I assume with the patch or update, they will be supported, and where is there a list of supported media?

 

Oh, in case you DIDN'T notice... I updated my profile with the original Gamertag name I had come up with, however, working without the online resource, I couldn't recall what I had chosen, so I started two other profiles for my Memory card module. Since I initiated my playing of GTA4 using that Gamertag / ID, all my Acheivements are attributed to the first card based ID I made up, so I assume it probably is a pain to move that data to a new ID, like with Gamertags, you need 800 points or something to alter them?

Edited June 6, 2009 by Slamman

[Rebel]

Cool, I might look into it then if its cheaper than Amazon.

@Slam - I only ever buy my points/Live from Amazon because it is always a lot cheaper than buying it anywhere else. You might want to look into that as well when they start selling the double DLC for IV because they usually at least knock off a good $8/9 from most store prices.

And I've forgotten what the new xbox dashboard is called as well but this is the new one;

I also did a quick google search for supported media on the xbox ( I've no idea if its useful or not to you, but you could try looking on google if it wasn't )

Click Me

[Slamman]

The cards have been priced at what I hear is typical. It seems fairly easy to do it that way. Where gift cards are sold, they can be found. However, I went via MS's site and they only show a credit card form, which I can't use. I pay for money orders and snail mail when I buy! haha

However, I really need a drive for the DLC at the moment. Looking at the ones you can flash, but the info I saved says you need an original drive to work from for data. It's hard to give that data step be step here, but it's to upgrade a HDD for Xbox using Western Digital drives, and some software manipulation, so you avoid buying them overpriced in the store.

 

If anyone got their accessories off eBay and found alternative payment support, let me know about that!

 

NXE is the new GUI, and BLADE is the old one Gui being short for Graphic user Interface, adopted in the 1970s at Xerox, but Apple and MS use the term over the years, but Xerox invented GUI in R&D and both Bill Gates and Apple were privy to the inside research there. Anyway, the Dashboard is the name MS uses to describe the Interface visually used for selections, and the Guide button on the remote acts like PS's controller button but I think extends slightly beyond that one in function overall.

 

Someone's review reminded me of the terms MS was using. The first Xbox I bought is the one that is causing the most problem, it's working but freezing after running for nearly an hour straight. So performance was getting better, not even sure what prompted the longer run time. Anyway, that system has the newer NXE Dashboard but required updates and a connection to play the AVI files I had, and I naturally assumed it was already updated because it's NXE.

Edited June 6, 2009 by Slamman

[JOSEPH X]

Cool, I might look into it then if its cheaper than Amazon.

@Slam - I only ever buy my points/Live from Amazon because it is always a lot cheaper than buying it anywhere else. You might want to look into that as well when they start selling the double DLC for IV because they usually at least knock off a good $8/9 from most store prices.

And I've forgotten what the new xbox dashboard is called as well but this is the new one;

I also did a quick google search for supported media on the xbox ( I've no idea if its useful or not to you, but you could try looking on google if it wasn't )

Click Me

It`s still called the dashboard. Forgotten what the new blades thing is called tho.

[Slamman]

I looked up some third party reviews of the dashboard, it's not referred to as Blade, that's solely the previous one. The window based GUI is NXE as I mention above. One reason I don't like new car names, they don't seem to stand for anything, so very hard to remember as such

[Inky]

Problem time!

 

I've got my Xbox getting internet through my Mac Mini via ethernet (and my Mac Mini receives its internet via wifi). I've got my DLink router setup to be forwarding ports 88 and 3074 but still my Xbox shows my NAT settings as moderate.

 

Anyone else dealing with a setup like mine? I've come to the understanding that my Mac is acting like a second router but its firewall is already off and I've got no ideas on what could be the matter. Any help is appreciated.

 

Oh, and I've tried setting my Xbox as the DMZ and Upnp(?) is enabled through my router.

[Slamman]

I'm about to fire mine up again and try a USB multicard reader on it. Also it ran about an hours time before freezing up, and remember, this Xbox gave me all the errors you can imagine associated with RRoD, but the guy selling claims it was working and died then they sold it, it was a fill in replacement for his brothers system, so he says but there was an opened case prior, no sticker on the drive and chassis!!

Either way, there's some hope as I said, aiding the cooling GPU

 

Inky, I tried a similar method when I got my PS3, added Ethernet CAT5 cable to the laptop I had getting Wifi, however, the PS3 never detected it. Cool if you got that system to work for ya!

Edited June 7, 2009 by Slamman

[Pat]

DLink router

I went through three of those f*ckers before getting a Linksys router. Wasn't able to connect to XBL with my 360 with any of the D-Links, but the Linksys did (and still does) work like a charm.

 

D-Link is, in all honesty, garbage.

[Remix]

Bit off-topic, but I've been using the GTA IV theme for a while now, and it seems to be getting old. I downloaded Skate 2's theme expecting it to be half-decent, but the main background is so bright I can't even read the font.

 

Is there a way to change that main background picture? Another better theme?

[Blackadder.]

I think you just open a picture (For example from a USB) and then you can hit Y or something to save it was your wallpaper.

 

At least, it was like that on the old Dashboard. My wallpapers carried over so I don't know if it's the same.

[Slamman]

You can't open the picture to save it as Wallpaper, go back one screen and then do that with it highlighted from the thumbnails.

 

Update on my GPU, I added new paste, wiping the dies and putting a bit more on, however, adjusting all the screws (CPU was getting too hot, not sure what prompted that, but the result is I get the E74 screen, again. But, I'll keep adjusting these sinks however, I think they need to just up and replace the poor design to get the heat off the main logic and memory chips in the best manner possible. Anyone got a machine shop here to do that??

Seriously, it's really the heat that's causing most of the RRoD

[Rebel]

From what I know, RROD is caused by something overheating and then breaking some part off ( or melting ) But here's a more in depth sentence I just got from google.

The problem arises from the GPU overheating and warping, making games unplayable. Some people think that soldering might have something do do with it, or that the CPU may be contributing as well. It completely destroys the console

Like I've said to you before, it just looks like you are trying to prolong the life of a dead xbox no matter what you do.