Xbox 360 3 red lights

[Origin Unknown]

Had the 3 red rings on my elite last week. After a little research seems there is a known issue with how the thermal paste is applied to the GPU &/| CPU.

Bought some replacement thermal paste as well as remover and did the CPU & GPU yesterday. Powered on - same 3 red lights issue.

Came across another trick that by using the Sync and Eject buttons at the same time, the 3 red rings will flash in a sequence to give a 4 digit code that identifies the issue. The error code its throwing is unidentified (wish I'd known about this before I did the thermal paste).

So, anyone know of anything else I can try before binning it?

[Mattt]

Did you replace the X clamps? Did you let it bed in without fans running?

[Origin Unknown]

Let it bed in without the fans running but didn't replace the xclamps. Didn't see any reason to as its run fine for the past 3 years and once snapped back in place, they appear to pull the heatsink tightly against the processors. This is the mod that replaces the clamps with washers and bolts, correct?

[MadRob6]

I managed to revive one by re-applying the thermal paste and overheating it but it only worked briefly. I got an x-clamp kit (some screws to replace to old clamps) and it's still working fine 2 months later.

For the £2 I paid for the kit on ebay it's well worth a try.

[Origin Unknown]

Cheers both of you. This looks the simpliest xclamp mod http://www.llamma.com/xbox360/repair/ring_of_light...

For the sake of another hour and a few screws/washers, its worth the effort to do it again. Will report back

[MadRob6]

That's the one. The one I bought was just the screws, washers and thermal paste. Didn't need the tools as I'd already managed to crack the thing open without them.

[Origin Unknown]

Cheers chaps It's been resurrected

As per your advice, replaced the thermal paste again and replaced the xclamps with screws and washers. Let it burn off for 45mins and a 15 min cool down. Re-assembled and all working!

[Mattt]

Although when I did the X clamp mod, it only worked for a few more days until RROD again

[tim2100]

The RROD is because the joints have become to hot and have created a dry solder joint.

The damage has been done, and sorting the paste & x-clamp now is Bolting the door after the horse has left.

[MadRob6]

Yet for a couple of quid it's fixed mine and even if it doesn't last forever it's still significantly cheaper than a replacement xbox.

[tim2100]

MadRob6 said:

Yet for a couple of quid it's fixed mine and even if it doesn't last forever it's still significantly cheaper than a replacement xbox.

Not really, it is purely prolonging the inevitable.

IMO best solution is to send it back to MS and get it fixed / replaced for £80.

[Mattt]

It only fixes a flawed design, until it happens again.

I decided to scrap it, and buy a 250GB Slim.