Another Dead X360

[Gangrel]

Count me as a memeber now. My unit was made in Nov 2007, I think I got it Feb 08, and it just died with a single red ring and an E74, which is supposedly covered under the 3 years. Guess I'll be shipping it off too.

[Badger_Fan]

Count me as a memeber now. My unit was made in Nov 2007, I think I got it Feb 08, and it just died with a single red ring and an E74, which is supposedly covered under the 3 years. Guess I'll be shipping it off too.

I sent mine out two weeks ago today Gangrel, and UPS says they'll have it back to me tomorrow. Good luck.

[Gangrel]

Well, that was fast. Dropped it at UPS Store Monday night, Microsoft got it on Tuesday some time, they shipped a refurb Wednesday, and I come home from work today and it's on my porch.

As a bonus, I ordered a Nexus one on Tuesday, and it showed up today too! The Easter bunny has come early!

[ScoopBrady]

Well, my original launch unit got hit for the third time and it was out of warranty so I picked up a new Arcade unit for $200.

The interesting thing is I did a little research afterwards to see what I could do with my red-ringed 360 and I came across a video on Youtube about some sort of penny trick that fixes red-ringed consoles. I had another console at work that was sitting around collecting dust so I figured, what the hell, and decided to give it a try. It actually worked. I had some students playing it for about an hour-and-a-half and it worked the whole time. It was a little louder than normal but it worked. I tried it again today with my console and it worked again. I'm 2-for-2 with the penny trick. I figured I'd share for those of you that have red-ringed 360's that are out of warranty. It was pretty easy to do. Here's the video if you want to try:

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wsz0lNJ6JrQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed>

[pigpen81]

Scoop, I did the penny trick this morning as my 360 red-ringed....and while I don't get the red ring the 360 is freezing on my soon after start-up.

Plus, it does sound quite a bit louder.

Any other suggestions?

[Rodster]

Scoop, I did the penny trick this morning as my 360 red-ringed....and while I don't get the red ring the 360 is freezing on my soon after start-up.

Plus, it does sound quite a bit louder.

Any other suggestions?

Buy a new arcade and use the old hard drive. It was posted on cheapassgamer that Target was selling the Arcades (not the arcade slims) for $130. The arcades for the most part are trouble free.

[Wilk5280]

I went to a couple of Target stores yesterday here in the Denver area and couldn't find them for 130. All they had in stock, which was limited, was the Spring 2010 bundle for 149.99. Still a pretty sweet deal, so I picked oen up for my bedroom.

Recently sold my launch 60GB PS3 for a pretty nice sized penny so I figured what the heck.

[DChaps]

Well, I initially thought this problem was with my copy of F1 2010, but now it is looking like my 360 is either on the way out, or at least in need of a new DVD drive.

I finally got the 360 version of F1 2010 this week, but I cannot get the game to load. I put it in the tray, it starts to load, then just says "open tray" after a few seconds. I never get a disc read error or anything. I never see any game name, loading screen, or image. It just spins for a moment, then says "open tray". This is all happening from the Xbox dashboard. I have also tried shutting down the console with the F1 2010 disc in it and then starting back up and the same thing happens. I pop in Rock Band 2 or Beatles Rock Band and have no problems, in fact played Beatles for about an hour with no issues.

I went and purchased an Xbox Laser lens cleaner and ran it last night.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Digital+Inn ... Id=1146538

However, I am still having the exact same issues. In fact, there are three different results. The first is that games like Rock Band 2 and Beatles Rock Band work fine. The second is games like PGR4 and Forza 3 load and startup fine, but when I go to actually race, I get an error - "This disc is unreadable. It may be the wrong region for this console. Match the region of the disc to the console. Clean the disc with a soft cloth. Restart the console. For more help, go to http://www.xbox.com/support. The third scenario is the disc spins but does not play, and the Xbox Dashboard displays “Reading…” and then eventually just changes to “Open Tray. This scenario is now happening with F1 2010, Nascar 09, and Lego Rock Band.

I have tried the steps outlined in MS Tech Support which includes cleaning discs, clearing system cache, and removing the hard drive, but still no luck. So my guess is that the drive just needs to be replaced.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/909819
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/910798/en-us

However, my real question to this group is whether these symptoms are a first sign of leading to a complete RROD and if any of you with dead 360's experienced this before hand. In some of the forums I have been reading, it appears it may be. What I don't want to do is spend the time and money replacing the drive, only to end up with an RROD anyway.

My 360 is the last serial code model for the 20gb version, purchased two years ago. Since the new slim 4gb models are only $200, I would about make that plunge, but I do not think I could use my 20gb hard drive with the new models so then it turns into a much bigger purchase. Just trying to figure out the cheapest way to get it working, but with the chance for some longevity. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Naples39]

I don't know about future RROD, but my first xbox started freezing in just a few games (EA games if I recall correctly), which eventually spread to all other games.

Just a thought--you're having problems with racing games, maybe it's related to the wheel and its drivers?

[bulls23]

Well, I initially thought this problem was with my copy of F1 2010, but now it is looking like my 360 is either on the way out, or at least in need of a new DVD drive.

I finally got the 360 version of F1 2010 this week, but I cannot get the game to load. I put it in the tray, it starts to load, then just says "open tray" after a few seconds. I never get a disc read error or anything. I never see any game name, loading screen, or image. It just spins for a moment, then says "open tray". This is all happening from the Xbox dashboard. I have also tried shutting down the console with the F1 2010 disc in it and then starting back up and the same thing happens. I pop in Rock Band 2 or Beatles Rock Band and have no problems, in fact played Beatles for about an hour with no issues.

I went and purchased an Xbox Laser lens cleaner and ran it last night.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Digital+Inn ... Id=1146538

However, I am still having the exact same issues. In fact, there are three different results. The first is that games like Rock Band 2 and Beatles Rock Band work fine. The second is games like PGR4 and Forza 3 load and startup fine, but when I go to actually race, I get an error - "This disc is unreadable. It may be the wrong region for this console. Match the region of the disc to the console. Clean the disc with a soft cloth. Restart the console. For more help, go to http://www.xbox.com/support. The third scenario is the disc spins but does not play, and the Xbox Dashboard displays “Reading…” and then eventually just changes to “Open Tray. This scenario is now happening with F1 2010, Nascar 09, and Lego Rock Band.

I have tried the steps outlined in MS Tech Support which includes cleaning discs, clearing system cache, and removing the hard drive, but still no luck. So my guess is that the drive just needs to be replaced.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/909819
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/910798/en-us

However, my real question to this group is whether these symptoms are a first sign of leading to a complete RROD and if any of you with dead 360's experienced this before hand. In some of the forums I have been reading, it appears it may be. What I don't want to do is spend the time and money replacing the drive, only to end up with an RROD anyway.

My 360 is the last serial code model for the 20gb version, purchased two years ago. Since the new slim 4gb models are only $200, I would about make that plunge, but I do not think I could use my 20gb hard drive with the new models so then it turns into a much bigger purchase. Just trying to figure out the cheapest way to get it working, but with the chance for some longevity. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

You can use your old 20GB drive in the new slim, you'll just need to take it out of the shell. Push down the drive into the compartment and it will click into the sata and power connectors deep down in the compartment. You may need to add something to keep it from banging against the sides, but it will work.

One of my friends had trouble with the "open tray" error. I fixed it for him doing this: This is a good thing to try if it's only doing it on certain discs and not all (which sounds like your problem)

The inner ring on the dvd contains a decoding boot record just below where it says xbox in hologram on the dvd. Clean this inner circle below the xbox hologram so it will match up with the tag calculation and start up the .xbe file.

This also works sometimes:

while it is reading, tap on the top of the disc drive multiple times with a little bit of force

Good luck!

[DChaps]

You can use your old 20GB drive in the new slim, you'll just need to take it out of the shell. Push down the drive into the compartment and it will click into the sata and power connectors deep down in the compartment. You may need to add something to keep it from banging against the sides, but it will work.!

Did not realize you could do this. Is there a 3rd party enclosure available to put the old drive in?

One of my friends had trouble with the "open tray" error. I fixed it for him doing this: This is a good thing to try if it's only doing it on certain discs and not all (which sounds like your problem)

The inner ring on the dvd contains a decoding boot record just below where it says xbox in hologram on the dvd. Clean this inner circle below the xbox hologram so it will match up with the tag calculation and start up the .xbe file.

This also works sometimes:

while it is reading, tap on the top of the disc drive multiple times with a little bit of force

Thanks for the tip, smacking the top of my Xbox is what I felt like doing anyway. How do you start up the .xbe file?

[Rodster]

My 360 is the last serial code model for the 20gb version, purchased two years ago. Since the new slim 4gb models are only $200, I would about make that plunge, but I do not think I could use my 20gb hard drive with the new models so then it turns into a much bigger purchase. Just trying to figure out the cheapest way to get it working, but with the chance for some longevity. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

IIRC the new Slims use standard notebook drives but you need to buy an adapter. Check on MS' site Don to verify this. You can also use a USB flash drive for storage.

[Naples39]

Ugh, I though RROD's were a thing of the past, but mine refuses to start today giving 3 red rings.

Apparently it's error code 0020, whatever that means. I guess my current unit is about 2.5 years old.

I suppose I could get a replacement 360, but I'd want to keep my current 120GB hard drive.

Any suggestions?

[Rodster]

^^^ Get yourself the older style 360 arcade, they are the most reliable and put your existing hard drive on that.

[Naples39]

^^^ Get yourself the older style 360 arcade, they are the most reliable and put your existing hard drive on that.

Yeah but are they still in stores?

[Rodster]

^^^ Get yourself the older style 360 arcade, they are the most reliable and put your existing hard drive on that.

Yeah but are they still in stores?

Probably not as the Slim Arcades have replaced them but you can try Dell.com, Newegg.com, Amazon.com, Walmart, and TRU.com, Kmart is also a good possibility although I find the stores usually have the hidden gems. I found several Metal Gear Solid PS3 bundles long after they were out of circulation.

You could also send your 360 off to http://www.gophermods.com, some people swear by them. They do reflows and supposedly they were pretty close to reballing aka resoldering motherboards. They charge on average about $75 and they have a good rep.

[Naples39]

Thanks for the info. Looks like they are available for a reasonable price on Amazon used, though I think my plan A at this point is try to find one on craigslist for <$100.

This is such a pain in the ass and time and money drain.

[Rodster]

Thanks for the info. Looks like they are available for a reasonable price on Amazon used, though I think my plan A at this point is try to find one on craigslist for <$100.

This is such a pain in the ass and time and money drain.

If your going used i'd send it off to Gophermods, they do good work for a reasonable price. And on their website they mention that the resolder/reballing service is coming soon. When they do offer that service a reball of solder is as good as permanent.

[DChaps]

Ugh, I though RROD's were a thing of the past, but mine refuses to start today giving 3 red rings.

Apparently it's error code 0020, whatever that means. I guess my current unit is about 2.5 years old.

I suppose I could get a replacement 360, but I'd want to keep my current 120GB hard drive.

Any suggestions?

Mine died a couple weeks ago and this weekend I ended up buying a Jasper chipset used 360 from Gamestop for 109.99. I added a 1 year complete replacement warranty for $20. I pulled out my HD and plopped it into the used one from Gamestop and everything was working fine. Now I can finally play F1 2010 and started my career last night. I will send my dead one into MS to be refurbished and then I will sell it on Craigslist or eBay.

[Naples39]

How did identify if it was a jasper chipset? Do arcade consoles use that chipset?

I probably could google all this but I'm not at home and it would be a pain on my blackberry.

[Rodster]

How did identify if it was a jasper chipset? Do arcade consoles use that chipset?

I probably could google all this but I'm not at home and it would be a pain on my blackberry.

How can I tell a Jasper 360?

[DChaps]

How did identify if it was a jasper chipset? Do arcade consoles use that chipset?

I probably could google all this but I'm not at home and it would be a pain on my blackberry.

How to get a Jasper Console?

In order to be 100% certain when purchasing a new Xbox 360 Console, check on the side of the box where the serial number of the console is that the store scans. Slightly push the Console down and to the left in order to view the writing on the console. You are looking for this:

12.1A

If you see this, then it is 100% a Jasper revision.

The following is how to easily check which revision is what:

12.1A = Jasper
14.2A = Falcon
16.5 = Xephyr/Xenon


Console Amp Ratings

Take a quick look at the back of your console. Depending on your revision, the information could be on the right or left side. You are looking for a small bit of information which says "12V--X.XXA". The following shows which revision you have by simply checking the 12V rating.

Xenon = 12V--16.5A
Zephyr = 12V--16.5A
Falcon = 12V--14.2A
Jasper = 12V--12.1A

[Rodster]

I've had a Falcon 360 Pro running well past 2 years and still going strong and IMO it's due to the Nyko Intercooler, the one that plugs into the wall. When it kicks i'm sending it to Gophermods for their reballing solder service.

[Naples39]

Went with a new 4gb slim. Got it at bestbuy, and the annoying acne-faced salesman kept badgering me saying the 4gb isn't enough to play online, and I made the mistake of saying I would use an old xbox hard drive, which led to a team of people telling me to do so I would have to buy international parts, mod my xbox and void my warranty. I didn't waste my time arguing.

This was just after I had to bite my lip and not interrupt the same clerk who was talking some customer out of buying Medal of Honor because according to this clerk, they stripped out of half the game because of the playable Taliban controversy.

Now I just need to buy a torx screwdriver to get the old xbox hd case open, assuming I didn't strip the screws trying to do it with standard screwdrivers.

Good times this.

[Naples39]

Finally back up and running. After buying a $6 torx screwdriver set, swapping in the old hard drive into the new slim is super easy, and works straight away.