Xbox 3 Light Fix
So you’ve fried your xbox too!
Well you’re not alone, and it’s not your fault.
Xboxing is my addiction, and I recently cooked my xbox …
The red rings of death are unavoidable if you’re a heavy duty gamer, the xbox awesome as it is, has some serious design flaws. For which Microsoft should be ashamed (the new ones are STILL flawed!).
So seeing your xbox blinking red at you is an unfortunate, common occurrence. However as so many have been through this problem, there are now many proven and guaranteed xbox 3 light fix solutions. So all’s not lost, you don’t have to pay $140 to Microsoft and be without your xbox for weeks on end while it waits in line to be repaired.
But what’s wrong with it and how can a xbox 3 light fix it?
Right from its launch the Xbox 360 has had heat related problems causing the numerous errors, e74 and other ‘e’ codes, and all the 1 red ring, 2 red rings, 3 red rings and 4 red rings of death (RROD). 90% of all RROD and e74 errors can be traced to the design flaw of the x-clamps that hold the CPU & GPU to the heatsinks.
Being made of soft metal the x-clamps bend through heat, and bend the motherboard with them. So breaking the soldered contacts with CPU & GPU processors and so causing the infamous xbox red rings of death / RROD.
Truth be told I was never to worried about getting the red rings of death, as my mate Steve was somewhat of an xbox 3 light fix guru. And I always planned to hammer it until if died, I knew it would, and pay Steve in beer to simply fix it – Takes him just over half hour now!
He’d always told me “It’s so easy that even though you suck at everything, you could do it!”…
Unfortunately with Steve on holiday I had to do it myself
No I couldn’t wait the two weeks for his return.
So with Steve ringing endorsement in my ears, I decided to but a xbox 3 light fix. I knew Steve had learnt his dark arts through one of these guides, and felt that following step by step video instruction was something even I could do.
But which xbox 3 light fix to buy?…
My advice would be to look for 3 things
- Solid money back guarantee – These guides are now mostly video tutorials, and are therefore instantly accessible, so if your xbox is not up and running in 2 hours, claim your money back.
- Always go for the video guides – I simply fired up the video, and followed the guy step by step through the whole process – simple.
- Look at the bonus offers that come with the guides. Sometimes these are worth more than the guide!
Though I didn’t feel confident about opening up my xbox myself, the xbox 3 light fix guide really did make the thing a walk in the park.
Simply watching the clear HD pictures, and following each step one at a time, really was as easy as it sounds.
It took me far longer to choose the guide to buy than the actual repair itself. But if you buy one of the products offered through the Clickbank marketplace, you’ve nothing to worry about. All products sold via Clickbank come with a 60 day money back guarantee, if you don’t like it for any reason, email them and your money will be refunded in 5 minutes.
So if you want to return to game playing heaven, you know what to do.
Good luck.
Xbox Error Fix
Before Taking On An Xbox Error Fix;
It’s a good idea to try and find out the exact error code if possible.
This is not as easy at it sounds, as many of the heat related xbox error’s take out the video, so leaving you with, only your 4 quartered lights that make up the infamous xbox red ring of death / light on the front of your xbox console.
You should check out Microsoft support here http://support.xbox.com/support/en/us/nxe/default.aspx to see if there are any specific updates or warranty extensions Microsoft recently extended the warranty for the xbox e74 error.
But Microsoft don’t provide much detail in the xbox 360 manual or website on the secondary error codes.
This article is going to go into more detail on establishing what you’ve got to help you try an pick the right xbox error fix for you.
At this point comes; a disclaimer, as much of the following information is from various xbox 360 forums and user groups, and therefore cannot be proven as 100% accurate. Therefore this site or associated sites will take no responsibility for actions you choose to take.
On the subject of forums – http://forums.xbox-scene.com/ is a real good one.
Right the various errors…
Sections 1, 2, 3, and 4 are flashing red on the xbox console
The AV cable cannot be detected – try
1. Make sure that the AV cable is correctly connected to the Xbox 360 console.
2. Disconnect the AV cable from the Xbox 360 console, and then reconnect the AV cable to the Xbox 360 console.
3. If the four flashing red lights continue to flash, try wiping the metal area of the AV pack with a dry cloth. The metal area is the end that plugs into the console. Wipe the metal area thoroughly, and then try the AV Pack again.
4. If the AV cable is correctly connected but the four red lights are still flashing, substitute a different AV cable if you have one available.
Sections 1, 3, and 4 are flashing red
General Hardware Failure
3 Red Light Fix (AKA Three Red Lights of Death, 3RLOD, Red Ring of Death, xbox X-Clamp Fix) check out this article on the xbox x clamp fix
Things to try
1. Try restarting the console.
2. If restarting the console does not resolve the behavior, follow these steps:
* Turn the console off.
* Unplug all the power and AV cables from the console.
* Unplug the power cord from the wall socket.
* Firmly reconnect all the cables.
* Turn on the console.
3. If these steps do not resolve the behavior, turn the console off, remove the hard drive, and then turn on the console. If the 3x Red LED error light is no longer displayed, turn the console off, re-attach the hard drive, and then turn on the console.
4. Also examine the lights on the power supply. When you turn on the console, the power supply light should illuminate green even if the three lights on the RoL flash red.
Sections 1, and 3 are flashing red
- Overheating
Alternativly Overheating can be cause by the console locking up or “freezing” after a set amount of time. Lockups that occur at a specific point in a game are generally problems with the game itself and not caused by overheating.
Things to try
1. Let the Xbox 360 console cool.
2. Verify that the console has sufficient ventilation and that the fan is operating. For more information on ventilation read here http://xbox360redlightfixtoday.info/133/xbox-ventilation/
Section 4 is flashing red
- Hardware Failure
The Specific Type of hardware failure can be determined by the error code displayed on the screen.
If the screen is blank or you would like additional information follow the instructions for determining the secondary error code in the section below.
E45: Unknown (possibly dashboard update related)
E64: DVD Drive Error…. DVD Timeout, Wrong firmware, dvd is without f/w chip, etc.
E65: DVD Drive Error…. DVD Timeout, Wrong firmware, dvd is without f/w chip, etc. This can also be caused by the tray not being fully closed on boot.
E66: DVD Drive Error: DVD model, or version does not match that of the version expected by the dashboard. OR the firmware version on the drive is older then the firmware version expected by the dashboard. Make sure the DVD drive is of the same version originally included with the console and that it is using either the original firmware included with the console or newer.
E67: Hard Drive Error… It could be a problem with the Hard Drive itself or a problem with the internal connection to the hard drive, Try removing the hard drive and playing without it
E68: Hard Drive Error… It could be a problem with the Hard Drive itself or a problem with the internal connection to the hard drive, Try removing the hard drive and playing without it, This can also be caused by a Hard Drive Eprom Error. Some also believe this might be caused by a problem with the fans.
E69: Hard Drive Error… It could be a problem with the Hard Drive itself or a problem with the internal connection to the hard drive, Try removing the hard drive and playing without it
E71: possibly a dashboard update error, Check below in the “Console Reset Codes” for instructions. If that does not work there is no other solution and the console must be sent back to MS for repair.
E72: (not yet known)
E73: General Hardware Error: Ethernet port… this error is caused by a problem with the Ethernet port.
E74: AV cable error… There is a problem with the AV cable, try using a different AV cable. If the cable is known to be working then there is a 90% chance it’s a scaler chip problem (the “ANA” or “HANA” chip connected directly to the AV cable) in rare cases it is the GPU.
E76: (not yet known)
E79: Hard Drive Error… It could be a problem with the Hard Drive itself or a problem with the internal connection to the hard drive, Try removing the hard drive and playing without it
SECONDARY ERROR CODES
The specific type of hardware failure can be determined by a “hidden” error code
* Turn the xbox 360 on, and wait till the 3 red lights are flashing.
* Press and hold the sync up button (the small white one), while holding that button press the eject button.
* The LEDs will now blink the first number in the code (as described below).
* Release the eject button and press it again.
* The LEDs will now blink the second number of the code.
* Release the eject button and press it again.
* The LEDs will now blink the third number of the code.
* Release the eject button and press it again.
* The LEDs will now blink the forth number of the code.
* Release the eject button and press it again.
* The LEDs will go back to the 3 red flashing lights.
You should be able to determine the difference between the 3 flashing lights and the error code lights by the rate in which they flash.Here is how you interpret the LEDs to get the code number:
* All four lights flashing – 0
* One light flashing – 1
* Two Lights flashing – 2
* Three lights flashing – 3
0001 power supply problem
0002 Network Interface problem
0003 Power problem could be the PSU could be the GPU/CPU, somehow the console isn’t getting clean power from the power supply.
0010 over heating
0011 over heating – If you are receiving this error after disassembling your console make sure to all 8 of the heatsink screws are tightened securely to the board/heatsink holes.
0012 over heating
0013 over heating
0020 (Not yet known, possibly overheating)
0021 DVD Drive Time out – Can be caused by problems with a firmware flash. This is also speculated to sometime be caused by a problem with the southbridge chipset on the motherboard.
0022 GPU Error / GPU Overheating
0023 (not yet known)
0101 (not yet known)
0102 unknown error
* though it’s most likely GPU related literally means the console does not know what is wrong. possibly a short or cold solder joint somewhere. So far there is 1 major theory for what causes most of these errors is that the Ram, CPU, or GPU are not soldered properly to the mother board due either to poor manufacturing or excessive heat up and cool down cycles that stress, weaken and eventually break the soldered connection.
There are two theories to fixing this one deals with the “X” clamps that hold down the chips. The other involves re-Heating the chips. DO NOT attempt either of these if your console is still under warranty. If your console is still under warranty return it to the store where it was purchased or call Microsoft to have it replaced. I have also heard of limited success by simply switching the AV cable from “HDTV” mode to “TV” mode.
0103 CPU Error/ CPU Overheating – see solution for error 0102
0110 Memory Error / Memory Overheating – see solution for error 0102
0200 (not yet known)
1000 (not yet known)
1001 (not yet known)
1002 (not yet known)
1003 Hard Drive Error… It could be a problem with the Hard Drive itself or a problem with the internal connection to the hard drive, Try removing the hard drive and playing without it
1010 Hard Drive Error, Can be caused buy a corrupt or missing eProm.
1011 (not yet known)
1012 (not yet known)
1013 (not yet known) possibly a dashboard update error
1020 (not yet known)
1021 (not yet known)
1022 AV cable error… There is a problem with the AV cable, try using a different AV cable. (could also be a problem with the encoder chip)
1023 DVD drive not connected, connect DVD drive to boot
1030 (not yet known)
1031 (not yet known)
1032 (not yet known)
1033 (not yet known).
1444 and up There is no “4″ in the error codes four lights is a “0″ go back and check your code again.
Console Reset Codes
Clear All Installed Game Updates and Console Cache
1. Go to the “system” blade
2. Select “memory”
3. Press Y on the HD symbol
4. Press X,X, Left Bumper, Right Bumper, X,X
5. A message will appear saying: “Do you want to perform maintenance on your Xbox 360 storage devices?”
6. Select Yes
Clear Any Failed system updates that cause the console to error.
1. With the console off, press and hold the sync up button (the small white one)
2. While holding the sync button press the power button to turn on the console
3. Continue to hold the sync button until the Console has booted up completely.
4. During the boot process the console should clear any failed updates, allowing you to use it normally.
Thanks go to http://www.llamma.com/ for much of this information, which I hope proves helpful.
If you’d prefer to follow a video guide on how to fix your own xbox these ones are all Guaranteed
Xbox X Clamps Fix
When considering an xbox x clamp fix I believe you have two main options
- A full xbox clamp fix – Take xbox box and motherboard apart remove, x clamps, and heatsinks, replace x clamps with new screws and washers, clean up old thermal paste and replace with new, rebuild, heat and allow to reset.
- Semi xbox x clamp fix or xbox penny fix as it’s otherwise known – rather than removing those pesky x clamps – pad them with pennies insulated in electrical tape – this prevents the x clamps bending as they get hot, and MIGHT solve your problem.
For my first experience of an xbox x clamp fix, I opted for option 1, but this was mainly because I’ve got a mate who fixes xbox for money, and he’d given me the screws, washes and thermal paste ready for such an time as I’d need them.
But because he was away when my xbox 360 RROD’d (red rings of death), I bought a xbox x clamp fix repair guide to follow, which at the time cost me $30, but was super easy to follow, and got me xboxing again in under 2 hours.
However since loosing my xbox 360 repair “cherry”, I’ve since helped Steve repair a small number of xbox’s for mates, and have tried the other xbox x clamp fix method as a first step repair, with the intention of moving on to the better and permanent method 1 fix if method 2 failed.
However so far method 2 above has worked real well – though I’ve probably been lucky that the consoles I’ve worked on have not been TOTALLY cooked.
Any how If your not confident taking the lid off your xbox (and your out of warranty) and don’t want to wait for it to be sent to Microsoft for repair.
I would suggest following a how fix xbox repair guide, as their all video based step by step instructions are really easy to follow, and require no special tools.
I’ve reviewed the best xbox fix /xbox x clamp fix here, and they all come with money back 60 day guarantees.
So if your not xboxing within a couple of hours claim your money back.
I’ll make special mention of the “value” guide simply because at $13 bucks it’s by far the cheapest. However that’s because it’s not professionally filmed; simply a collection of the best video’s the author has found on the net, cobbled together with his own pdf guide, which adds expert comment to the video’s.
However if you’re not bothered by the presentation, the information is sound, and the price attractive. check it out here.
Anyway, please let me know how you get on.
Happy gaming
Richard.
Repair Xbox Ring of Death
So you’ve fried your xbox too!
and now need a repair xbox ring of death fix.
Well you’re not alone, and it’s not your fault.
Xboxing is my addiction, and I recently cooked my xbox …
The red rings of death are unavoidable if you’re a heavy duty gamer, the xbox awesome as it is, has some serious design flaws. For which Microsoft should be ashamed (the new ones are STILL flawed!).
So seeing your xbox blinking red at you is an unfortunate, common occurrence. However as so many have been through this problem, there are now many proven and guaranteed repair xbox ring of death solutions. So all’s not lost, you don’t have to pay $140 to Microsoft and be without your xbox for weeks on end while it waits in line to be repaired.
But what’s wrong with it and how can you repair xbox ring of death?
Right from its launch the Xbox 360 has had heat related problems causing the numerous errors, e74 and other ‘e’ codes, and all the 1 red ring, 2 red rings, 3 red rings and 4 red rings of death (RROD). 90% of all RROD and e74 errors can be traced to the design flaw of the x-clamps that hold the CPU & GPU to the heatsinks. Being made of soft metal the x-clamps bend through heat taking the motherboard with them. So breaking the soldered contacts with CPU & GPU processors and so causing the infamous xbox red rings of death / RROD.
Before doing anything too drastic like sending your xbox back to Microsoft for repair, or opening it up yourself, if it’s never done anything thing like this before, you may get lucky and find that simply letting your xbox 360 cool right down (this may take over an hour if it’s got really hot!) may let the corrupted connection points make good again, and you could be OK without doing anything. Though you WILL have to make special efforts to ventilate your xbox in future; as this problem will only get worse without repair.
Also if you’re without video, try changing the audio visual cable (AV), as they’re pretty fragile and can easily become damaged. I would suggest trying a friends (if you don’t have a spare) one as an experiment before buying a new one.
If all this fails you’re then looking at pro xbox repair service (Microsoft or other – dependent on warranty), or taking on the repair xbox ring of death yourself.
If you opt to take on the repair yourself, you could do what I did, buy a video guide and follow the step by step instructions – it’s much easier than I thought it would be.
I would look out for the following:-
- Solid money back guarantee – These guides are now mostly video tutorials, and are therefore instantly accessible, so if your xbox is not up and running in 2 hours, claim your money back.
- Always go for the video guides – I simply fired up the video, and followed the guy step by step through the whole process – simple.
- Look at the bonus offers that come with the guides. Sometimes these are worth more than the guide!
And the repair xbox ring of death guide I bought offers a membership deal with all sorts of other useful xbox 360 stuff inside, and came with free ripping software to enable me to back up my newest games, so I was almost pleased I had to do the repair myself in the end.
No need to pay Microsoft $140, and be without your xbox for 8 weeks whilst it holidays in Microsoft’s Texas repair centre.
No need to risk buying any dodgy guides, or try any high risk temporary fix’s. You’ve Got 60 day’s to prove the repair works – if not get your money back.
Buy a professional guide, and you’ll be gaming again in no time (well about 1 hour 30).
Check out guaranteed guide here
Good luck and may you soon being seeing GREEN!
Repair Xbox 3 Red Lights
90% of all RROD and e74 errors can be traced to the design flaw of the xbox x clamps that hold the CPU & GPU to the heatsinks. Being made of soft metal the x-clamps bend through heat, and bend the motherboard with them. So breaking the soldered contacts with CPU & GPU processors and so causing the infamous xbox red rings of death / RROD.
Requiring us to either send our xbox’s away for repair or consider an “repair xbox 3 red lights” guide.
If you play a lot of xbox, you’re very likely or dare I say “probably” going to run into some number of xbox red lights, one, two , three, or even four of those little red funbusters.
But it makes me so angry; what is Microsoft thinking designing an awesome console (the thing rocks when working), that you can’t stop yourself playing constantly, even though you know you’re killing it in the process!
Truth be told I was never to worried about getting the red rings of death, as my mate Steve was somewhat of an repair xbox 3 red lights guru. And I always planned to hammer it until it died, I knew it would one day; and then pay Steve to fix it – Takes him just over half hour now!
He’d always told me “It’s so easy that even you could do it!”…
Unfortunately with Steve away I had to do it myself.
No I couldn’t wait the two weeks for his return.
But what repair xbox 3 red lights guide should I buy?
Different guides recommend different approaches, some would have you do a full xbox clamp fix, or to start with the basic simple tests and tricks you can try until if all else fails you take on the full blown x clamp fix, or even cut the link to the heat sensor (that really is a last resort).
I personally went for the repair xbox 3 red lights guide that showed the most permanent xbox error fix, which did involve the full xbox clamp fix, remove both x clamps, carefully clean away the old thermal paste, before replacing with new screws washers and new thermal paste (you can buy ready assembled kits off ebay for about $15 including the thermal paste). This tackles the heart of the problem removing the xbox x clamps, though I would still suggest doing everything possible to ventilate your xbox when playing for long periods.
My advice would be to look for 3 things
- Solid money back guarantee – These guides are now mostly video tutorials, and are therefore instantly accessible, so if your xbox is not up and running in 2 hours, claim your money back.
- Always go for the video guides – I simply fired up the video, and followed the guy step by step through the whole process – simple.
- Look at the bonus offers that come with the guides. Sometimes these are worth more than the guide!
So, though I didn’t want to operate on my beloved xbox 360, it turned out to be a lot easier than I thought.
And Steve was right the video instructions provided in the repair xbox 3 red lights guide where a breeze to follow, plus I didn’t need and special tools or skills.
I’m still irritated that Microsoft hasn’t done more to fix the problems their poor design caused. But least I didn’t have to shell out for Microsoft to fix it, $140 and 3 – 8 weeks without my xbox would have really hurt.
I also got great game ripping software with the repair xbox 3 red lights guide I bought, which for me was just what I needed to back up my newest games.
So make sure you check out the guarantee before you buy any guide, and you’ve nothing to loose.
May you be looking at Green lights within the day!
