Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 5:46 pm Post subject: Anyone get a refurbished 360 after repairs?
Just read an article about the 360 failures written by an Australian so dont know How thier consumer rights differ from US laws but here are a couple small parts from the article.
".....questioned why my console wasn't returned to me and why I was sent a second hand box instead..."
".........I advised that I wasn't satisfied with this as I don't know the history of the replacement box and would be taking this further....."
"..I called the department of fair trading to enquire as to whether the practice was allowed, and I was advised that it was not and I was entitled to one of the following:
1. My Xbox repaired and returned.
2. A NEW replacement box or..
3. My money refunded if unsatisfied with the service/repair."
An EB games worker stated that upon and after launch the failure rate of the 360 ( going by the number of people coming back to EB store and calling in about breakdowns) was about 30%, very high, higher than any other console and especialy when you consider the average failure rate of a store bought PC is about 2%. But it was also stated that the failure rate has indeed come down quit a bit after later versions were released.
It seems the main cause of breakdowns is indeed over heating of the GPU due to inadaquate heatsink and low airflow over the GPU heatsink due to its possition right under the Disc Drive, the over heating has been said to cause the mother board to warp or bend ( as I understand it ) in big part because of the X clapms heating up, which may explain why some people seem to be able to fix thier own xbox breakdown by manipulating the X clamps.
I had mine break down as well but repair was fast and Im happy to be playing again, it may have problems but the games are great and getting better so I can deal with a head ache once or twice a year. If PS3 had great games I would probobly switch over but they dont so for now Im sticking with the 360.
joho5 360-HQ Freak
Joined: Jan 22, 2007 Posts: 699 Location: Texas XP: 962
Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 6:40 pm Post subject:
does anyone know what the best thing to do to an xbox that hasnt failed yet and is still working to prevent it from doing so?
i have a talismoon fan, but i was just wondering if there was anything i can do to my box now to prevent the overheating in the future.
JBriZzeL V.I.P. Lifetime
Joined: Mar 26, 2006 Posts: 1386 Location: Gearsville,USA XP: 13,588
Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 6:49 pm Post subject:
joho5, get a water coling system so you will never have to worry about your 3 ring of death in the future.
Edit: dam, cheapest is found it was $280 something....thats alot of money... _________________________________________________________
gamexxover Moderator
Joined: Feb 17, 2007 Posts: 2131
XP: 143,168
Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 4:36 am Post subject:
Mine is still under warrenty so cant crack it open yet to do any cooling mods but seriously looking forward to water cooling it ( thinking about even using mineral oil rather than cooling water, if a leak occured the oil will not cause a short. in the mean time I do the following.
1. Have an intercooler installed, I even cut out the back of the intercooler where the holes are to cut down on resistance of air moving out in hopes of increasing the ammount of airflow even if only a minute difference. (NOTE..there have been some reports of intercoolers shorting out system but they have put out a new version INTERCOOLER EX which is suposed to prevent this)
2. have my 360 lying on its side with a 8" fan blowing on it from the side twords the air inlet area, helping to keep fresh cool air moving in, if i did not use the extra fan some of the hot air coming out the back would get recirculated back into the system being less effecient, the extra fan helps move the hot exhaust away from the system.
3. I have the 360 raised about an inch and a half off the shelf it is on by using 2 wood schims, like the planks under a pallet, this allows airflow from the fan to also blow under the unit moving away even more heat. Or rather preventing heat from building up, so the fan keeps cool air flowing over, under and arround the 360.
with no external fan i notice the top of the 360 gets warm but with fan on it stays cold. Every little bit helps.
endless 360-HQ Genius
Joined: Jul 28, 2005 Posts: 1013 Location: Out in the Boonies XP: 450
Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 5:05 am Post subject:
Watch out for the viscosity of that mineral oil, also it breaks down with time so thats a factor as well. I've seen awhile back where toms-hardware ran one in it. Pretty cool, if you ask me.
But haven't kept up with it, so if they have come out with better stuff please do share.
I like your cooling mods, straightforward and they work. Sound advice for others not wanting to void their warranty. Also you could always use that hair dryer to remove that warranty sticker if you so choose to .
I'm still here if you want my help with picking out parts for w/c.
gamexxover Moderator
Joined: Feb 17, 2007 Posts: 2131
XP: 143,168
Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 5:34 am Post subject:
ya I read up on some of the earlier oil systems, about it breaking down over time and getting dark. I would be using a regular water cooling unit but just replace the water fluid with oil. and its easy enough to change it out every once in a while. as far as the submerged units many of them are done with yellow/tan cooking oil that is realy not too attractive to look at, just looks like dirty water, but some are starting to use simple baby oil, it is very thin ( low viscosity ) and very clear, also does not have the frying pan smell, rather it may smell more like a freshly changed baby lol.
The only concern I would have using it in a regular water cooling unit would be how well it moves heat away from the contacts, if it is not very efficient I would probobly have to go with the standard cooling fluid.
As far as best oil for submerged units I have read that the best oil to use is actualy motor oil, but then you would not be able to see anything, also the oil will heat up after a while so you end up with a big bucket of 104 degree oil, I did how ever see a setup where they would drop some pellets i believe they said were made of nitrogen into the oil which kept the pc temp well below
-100+ degrees F. Super cooled
PHLAK 360-HQ User
Joined: Oct 28, 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Always on the run!!! XP: 0
Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 1:21 am Post subject:
I was one of the unlucky ones to and mine got the red ring of death. I sent it in and they sent me a refurbished unit. I should of tried to get a brand new one out of them! Oh well, all and all, this replacement has been running just fine!!
PSYCHO138 360-HQ Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 27, 2007 Posts: 23 Location: Prescott Valley, Arizona XP: 0
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:30 am Post subject:
That pic of the broken 360 made my stomach queasy...
tweaked V.I.P. Lifetime
Joined: Jan 31, 2004 Posts: 1769 Location: NH, USA XP: 171,140
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:43 am Post subject:
WOW, your 360 crumbled to pieces! - Referring to the crazy pic above.
I might put mine in a small refrigerator. HE HE HE
Mine is still working like a champ. I can't help butt feeling like it may just be a matter of time for failure.
On another note, there is nothing wrong with repair or system swaps if their warranty is addressed is such a manor. I would like you to understand that it is humanly impossible to direct repair every 360 one for one for Microsoft. You would not get a 360 back for months at the volumes they are dealing with. Another major point is it will cost big $$ for Microsoft to have a technician physically repair your 360 than to put it in an automated component swap out assembly line. Put it this way, is it worse to get totally new mother board with some other case or to get the same 360 back with possible faulty components because there life expectancy has been reduced from the raging heat that caused the original failure in the first place? The absolute feature they are trying to meet is "turn around time" - Let's not keep our sad or mad customer waiting!
"Heat energy ages computer components." says Me
Personally if your in warranty, the choice is the refurb with new mother board, in my mind. Remember the bran new mother board is cheaper and faster to turn around than fixing the old board (and Im talking the whole process). Techs are not cheap. If you ask me Microsoft has the perfect repair protocol for their situation.
If your out of warranty, then by all means fix your 360 yourself or have a professional do it for you, like endless or me.
I am putting together a comprehensive repair cooling solution and will be offering services to the public. It will require the dismantling of 360s so it will mainly be for out of warranty people.
I have some nice component repair equipment and tools.
I'll be happy to share some tips for our community too.
I have 7 360s from ebay all DOA in pieces doing all sorts of experiments. I have determined the the no turn back blown GPU limit of applied heat energy. I have repaired most of them only to keep learning the failure limits and what works and what don't. The idea is to build a data sheet for repair reference. Microsoft didn't send information I asked for so I am breaking everything down. I did this for many mainframe server equipment back when I worked on Wang stuff. We could fix anything or almost everything.
All this is rhetorical and not direct at any one comment, it just mainly reflects my views and experience in this field. _________________________________________________________ 10% VIP Discount (Coupon Code: HQ-VIP-001 ) - Signup for web hosting at www.TweakedHosting.com/clients/aff.php?aff=004 and earn the HQ network of sites recurring income!
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- Referring to the crazy pic above.
