Red Ring of Death

[CurdyMilk]

I was showing my friend the harmless trial game of LIMBO when suddenly the graphics became messed up.  I turned off my XBOX 360 and turned it back on again.  I immediately got an error screen and the red ring of death on the bottome right corner of the power button.  System repairs cost $140 unless I try to fix it myself.  Since my warranty has expired, I am going to the computer store to buy some fluid that is recommended for the fixing process.  I will break inside the console tomorrow, and hopefully my ideas work.  If not, the 360 is trashed and belongs in the dump.  Then my games go up for auction on ebay.  Does anybody have any advice before I try to fix it?  Wish me luck!

Here is the site I am using: http://www.squidoo.com/xbox_360_red_ring_of_death_fix-how_to_guide123
I have error #4

[frvge]

Does the USA have a notion of warranty by law for consumers?

The EU has a notion of an 'expected (economical) lifetime' under which every defect needs to be repaired by the manufacturer (assuming the product was handled correctly). So 2-3 years for a PC etc, probably 5+ years for a laundy machine etc.

[Zedblade]

is it a 'ring' or just one portion lit up? If it's the dreaded red ring of death (3 lights) Microsoft will replace it for free and even pay for shipping.

[CurdyMilk]

Does the USA have a notion of warranty by law for consumers?

The EU has a notion of an 'expected (economical) lifetime' under which every defect needs to be repaired by the manufacturer (assuming the product was handled correctly). So 2-3 years for a PC etc, probably 5+ years for a laundy machine etc.

I don't know for sure.  I bought a 2 year warranty on my console, but it has already expired.  I don't think they will pay for it.

is it a 'ring' or just one portion lit up? If it's the dreaded red ring of death (3 lights) Microsoft will replace it for free and even pay for shipping.

Only the lower right quadrant is lit up.  The error on the screen is E76.  Here is a video of how it looks.  It's not my video, but it is exactly how it looks.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPLCdjUt5q8

[Farley4Fan]

I believe Microsoft stopped replacing red ringers if they aren't under warranty.  If I'm wrong, though, you should try the towel trick.

You have to cook your console.  Wrap it up in a towel and let it overheat for like 20 mins, turn it off and let it cool, turn it on and you might have a quick fix for a while.  Look up "RROD Towel Trick"

It worked for me but the console only lasted a month and a half before it completely died.  But I guess that's better than nothing.  And I also did what you are trying.  It didn't work at first for me but it actually ended up working for another couple weeks before I resorted to the towel trick.

You might want to consider getting a new slim model because I hear the failure rates are way smaller than the old fat ones.  If you can't fix your xbox that's probably the way to go. :(

[Cronky]

I did a lot of research on this when it happened to mine, and even tried fixing it. Didn't quite get to the point of working right again, would get to the Dashboard then freeze, but it was fun looking at stuff inside the 360.

I would fray away from the towel trick. While it CAN work temporarily (and all fixes are just that, temporary) it super-heats your entire System... kinda like putting a loaf of bread in the oven, when all you want is one piece of toast... Which is bad.

Be sure to check that it is indeed out of warranty. Microsoft extended warranties quite a bit (Up to about a year more, I believe) simply for RRODs.

If you're still in it to do it yourself. All I really have to say is do a LOT of research.

-Arctic 5 Thermal Compound, not anything that's "Similar".

-Go slow with taking the 360 apart because you can easily break off little things.

-Understand exactly how the 360 gets taken apart and put together. Nothing like spreading all the pieces out and having to jigsaw-puzzle-logic them back together... then figure out that you missed putting the power button back on.

-Make sure you have all the tools/stuff/time before you do anything. It's supposed to be done in one sitting, not 2.

-If you're going to replace the x-clamps then understand that it'll be REALLY easy to scratch the motherboard. To which you want to avoid. They're set in there pretty well, but again, take your time.

-Finally, make sure you follow the directions you end up using exactly. Sounds obvious, but some people like to "Improve" methods they've never used.

[CurdyMilk]

-Arctic 5 Thermal Compound, not anything that's "Similar".

The guide I listed above uses Arctic Silver, is this the same thing or one of those off brands?
Thanks for the help!

[Cronky]

I'm pretty sure the full name is "Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound".

So it's the same thing. ;D

http://www.arcticsilver.com/as5.htm Link added for clarification.

[tigaer]

Send it in as if you did get the 3 red rings (aka lie) and you'll get it fixed for free. I've done this 3 times. I've never gotten the RROD but, always this error and I always get it fixed for free, no questions.

Just DON'T send in your HDD, ONLY the console.

[CurdyMilk]

Send it in as if you did get the 3 red rings (aka lie) and you'll get it fixed for free. I've done this 3 times. I've never gotten the RROD but, always this error and I always get it fixed for free, no questions.

Just DON'T send in your HDD, ONLY the console.

As I wrote before, it is only the bottom right quadrant that is lit red.  I have taken almost the entire thing apart and pieces are laying all over my floor, but then I came across some odd looking screws that don't fit my screwdrivers.  I need to go buy one before I can finish taking it apart.  So nothing has happened yet with the fixing.  ;)

[Spekkio]

Does the USA have a notion of warranty by law for consumers?

The EU has a notion of an 'expected (economical) lifetime' under which every defect needs to be repaired by the manufacturer (assuming the product was handled correctly). So 2-3 years for a PC etc, probably 5+ years for a laundy machine etc.

With few exceptions, no, there is no law mandating a warranty.

However, amazingly enough, the motive for companies to make a profit usually causes them to guarantee their product for up to a year. You can purchase extended warranties after that. Also, amazingly enough, when a company finds out one of its products has a known defect, it puts out a recall and replaces it for free...because keeping long-term customers happy makes more money in the long run than screwing them over one time.

[Cronky]

Send it in as if you did get the 3 red rings (aka lie) and you'll get it fixed for free. I've done this 3 times. I've never gotten the RROD but, always this error and I always get it fixed for free, no questions.

Just DON'T send in your HDD, ONLY the console.

As I wrote before, it is only the bottom right quadrant that is lit red.  I have taken almost the entire thing apart and pieces are laying all over my floor, but then I came across some odd looking screws that don't fit my screwdrivers.  I need to go buy one before I can finish taking it apart.  So nothing has happened yet with the fixing.  ;)

Oh right.

Don't forget to get a set of Torx (I think that's the name) screwdrivers. ;D

You only need two of them... I think a T-8 and a T-10, but a set is good just in case you run into the same stush again with another product. Some would advise that you get Non-Magnetic ones... simply because magnets do funny things to computer hardware. It's up to you though.

[tigaer]

Send it in as if you did get the 3 red rings (aka lie) and you'll get it fixed for free. I've done this 3 times. I've never gotten the RROD but, always this error and I always get it fixed for free, no questions.

Just DON'T send in your HDD, ONLY the console.

As I wrote before, it is only the bottom right quadrant that is lit red.  I have taken almost the entire thing apart and pieces are laying all over my floor, but then I came across some odd looking screws that don't fit my screwdrivers.  I need to go buy one before I can finish taking it apart.  So nothing has happened yet with the fixing.  ;)

Yes? And I was telling you how you could've gotten it fixed for free, but you decided to open it.

[CurdyMilk]

Send it in as if you did get the 3 red rings (aka lie) and you'll get it fixed for free. I've done this 3 times. I've never gotten the RROD but, always this error and I always get it fixed for free, no questions.

Just DON'T send in your HDD, ONLY the console.

As I wrote before, it is only the bottom right quadrant that is lit red.  I have taken almost the entire thing apart and pieces are laying all over my floor, but then I came across some odd looking screws that don't fit my screwdrivers.  I need to go buy one before I can finish taking it apart.  So nothing has happened yet with the fixing.  ;)

Yes? And I was telling you how you could've gotten it fixed for free, but you decided to open it.

Well, I would have taken your advice if I had the 3 red rings.  But I am not going to lie about it just to get a new one.  It's not the right thing to do.

[tigaer]

Send it in as if you did get the 3 red rings (aka lie) and you'll get it fixed for free. I've done this 3 times. I've never gotten the RROD but, always this error and I always get it fixed for free, no questions.

Just DON'T send in your HDD, ONLY the console.

As I wrote before, it is only the bottom right quadrant that is lit red.  I have taken almost the entire thing apart and pieces are laying all over my floor, but then I came across some odd looking screws that don't fit my screwdrivers.  I need to go buy one before I can finish taking it apart.  So nothing has happened yet with the fixing.  ;)

Yes? And I was telling you how you could've gotten it fixed for free, but you decided to open it.

Well, I would have taken your advice if I had the 3 red rings.  But I am not going to lie about it just to get a new one.  It's not the right thing to do.

But it's Micro$oft... they don't count. They basically stole your money, so it's not wrong to lie and get a working version of what you actually paid for. :)